Let It Be Me

Part 20

"Johnny" I gushed in relief and ran to his side. I was so elated to see him that everything from the moment before was completely shut out momentarily. All that mattered was that he was there in front of me. He put a hand around my waist but kept his eyes frozen on Pony. "I was so worried about you. Where have you been?"

I heard a muffled complaint behind me and I could sense Pony's eyes rolling but I was too absorbed in the moment to pay any attention. Instead, I put a hand on Johnny's cheek and tried to get his focus to turn to me. "Are you ok?" He broke his gaze on Ponyboy and grabbed my hand, nodding slightly.

"Yeah, Cal. I'm alright." He pulled our hands down to his chest and leaned into me as I nuzzled down into his neck, absorbing the sensation of having him close again.

"Why weren't you..." I froze at the sight of the red and purple bruises on the cracked skin of his knuckles.

"Cal" he interrupted before I could say anything. "Why don't you head home?" His eyes moved back to Ponyboy. I looked at him and then over to Pony who shoved his hands in his pockets and dropped his head back.

"Come on, Johnny" he said tiredly. "Getting a little dramatic for someone who's just gettin' a taste of his own medicine, ain't you?"

The corner of Johnny's lip pulled into a grin that didn't reach his eyes. His confidence was unnerving and completely out of character. He looked back at me and kissed the hand he was holding.

"I'll talk to you tomorrow, ok, Cal?" he asked quietly, a glint of softness returning to his eyes for a brief moment. "Promise." I shook my head.

"Johnny" I swallowed, surprised at the feeling that leaving Pony with him was giving me. "What happened to your hand? I've been so worried about you all night. Please tell me you didn't..." His eyes flitted to Pony and then back to me again as I rambled nervously until, finally, he put a hand to my cheek and looked into my eyes to stop me.

"Callie" he said calmy. "I'll explain everything tomorrow." He moved closer to me and lowered his voice. "Just go home. Please," he nearly whispered, dropping his chin and looking up at me through his raised eyebrows. All I could do was stare back at him helplessly. I didn't want to go. I couldn't stomach the thought of the two of them fighting. He ran his thumb over my cheek and then leaned in, kissing me softly. My face tinted as I struggled with the awkwardness of kissing him in front of Ponyboy. Something about this kiss felt intentional and malicious. The moment his lips left mine, his eyes wandered over to Pony with a trace of animosity. Pony tried not to break form but I could see the tension rise in his body.

"It's alright, Cal" Ponyboy called over to me, taking a step towards us. "We're big boys. We don't need you to babysit."

"Don't fight" I pleaded with him, dropping my hands off Johnny's chest. Neither of them took their eyes off each other.

"Just go, Callie" Pony repeated, shaking his head with a slight grin. "I ain't gonna fight him. And I know he ain't gonna try fightin' me." Johnny caught the meaning in his words and stepped forward. His bruised hand curled into a fist at his side.

"Yeah?" he squinted at him. "Why not? Cause you're so tough?" Pony glared at him, eyeing him for a moment as though he was considering how far he wanted to go and then shook his head.

"Whatever, Johnny" he said dismissively. "You got what you wanted already. Why bother?"

"I don't know. Maybe 'cause this is the second time I've found you cuddled up to my girlfriend, Pone."

"Oh, did I cut in on something between you two?" Pony retorted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "My mistake. What kind of an asshole would do that to his best friend?"