Gray Area (sequel to White Noise)

Ch 6 - Not-Date

As I fell into my new routine, the days seemed to fly by. I'd work during the day, then go straight to Tori's house to hang out with her, Calum, and Michael. I'd stay until the last possible minute, drive my ass home, sleep, and do it all again.

Even with two of our crew absent, there was never a dull moment. Those crazies could turn any situation or conversation into a good time. That's one of the many reasons why I love each and every one of them.

Soon enough, it was time for Ashton and Luke to arrive. They were scheduled to land late at night on a Sunday. I knew Tori and Calum hadn't had any time alone in a while, so I volunteered Michael and myself to pick up the children because I'm an awesome friend like that. I was even thoughtful enough to babysit Michael for most of the afternoon, too, giving them several hours of peace and quiet.

Michael was at it before we even pulled out of the driveway to go to my place. "So, we're going to be all alone for the rest of the day, huh? What can we possibly do to pass the time?" That damn smirk on his face...ugh.

I knew where he was going with that comment. And even though I knew he was just joking around, as usual, I still felt slightly uneasy. Not necessarily in a bad way. Like, he didn't make me uncomfortable or anything. It's just that I'd rarely been alone with Michael for several hours before, and never at my place. I wasn't quite sure what to expect or how to entertain him.

"Don't even start, Clifford. It's my place, which means I call the shots. There will be no passing of the time by sexual means." I rolled my eyes at him and tried my best not to smile.

"Well, damn. You can't blame a guy for trying." He winked at me and gave me one of those crooked one-sided smiles and topped it off with a friendly pat of my thigh. Asshole.

I'll admit, despite how I acted, I kind of loved it when he flirted with me. I guess you could call it flirting. Really, though, it was just Michael being Michael. From what I'd seen, he acted no differently with other females. He was a charmer, and the boy loved women, period.

But nonetheless, even though I'd pretty much sworn off men, it was kind of nice to get a little attention now and then, even if it was from Michael. Okay, I'll admit, especially if it was from Michael. He knew exactly how to get to me. But then again, so did Luke when he wasn't being a scaredy cat.

I know I had told Tori that Michael, as well as the other guys, were like my brothers. And they were. But, like Tori, I was definitely not blind. Not only were they all hot, but they also had the personalities and hearts to match. They were the total package. The girls who ended up with any of them were going to be the luckiest girls on Earth. But enough of that...

After a couple hours of Netflix, it didn't take long for Michael to grow bored at my lame ass apartment. I had no video games and no food, which were the only things that mattered in life to Michael, besides sex.

"Seriously," he complained, "I understand not having a game system. But how do you, of all people, not have any food? You eat as much as I do."

"Yeah, well, why do you think I spend so much time at Cal and Tori's? And when I'm not there, I eat out. Do you know what a waste it is to cook for one person? That's why God made fast food restaurants and drive-thrus." True story.

"So, what you're saying is, we're going out to eat for dinner."

"Ah, you catch on quickly, Mikey. So, what's it gonna be: McDonald's, Wendy's, Taco Bell - "

"Hold up," he interrupted me. "How about none of the above? Let's get some real food. I eat that junk all the damn time. Let's go sit down and eat, have a drink, maybe, and enjoy ourselves."

"Really?" I was about to agree, but I had a thought. "But what if you get recognized? It'll look like we're on a date or something. And there will be pictures all over Twitter again, adding fuel to the fire."

"Lex, I don't give a shit about that. So what if people think we're dating or whatever? Is that such a horrible thing?"

"Well, no, but it's not true."

"I mean, we could make it an official date if that would make you feel better. That way, it wouldn't just be a rumor because it would be true. I'm just saying." Michael said all nonchalantly, as though he actually believed I'd consider such a thing. Then he reached over and put his hand on mine and gave me with that stupid pleading look with his eyes that he's so good at. Fuck.

I opened and closed my mouth a couple of times, unsure of how to respond. And I felt...nervous? I wasn't comfortable with the way my body responded to his suggestion and touch. At all. "I'm going to pretend that you didn't just say that, and I'm going to go change. I'll be ready in a minute." I made my exit quickly, knowing I was turning beet red, which was ridiculous. I needed to get my shit in check.

That asshole couldn't be serious. No, he was never serious. It didn't really matter anyway, because I wasn't going to go on a date with him, or anyone, for that matter. I'd vowed never to let my heart get stomped on ever again. So I was keeping it tucked safely away, out of Michael's and every other man's reach.

Once I was ready and gathering my keys and purse, I noticed Michael eyeballing me. "What?"

"You look nice," he answered with a smile.

"I literally just changed my shirt, dude. I look the same as always."

"You still look nice," he shrugged.

"You're insane, Clifford. Let's go." I didn't know how to handle Michael when he was being genuinely nice. It was weird.

We made it through dinner without any further incidents of awkward niceness on either end. Praise the Lord. And somehow, I believe no one knew who Michael was. If they did, they were kind enough to leave him alone, and no photos surfaced on social media that I'm aware of.

If it had been an actual date, it would have been a perfect one. We laughed until my belly ached. And we actually got so caught up in whatever nonsense we were discussing that the waitress had to kindly remind us that they were closing. It was about time to pick up the boys anyway.

I guess Tori's hormones must have had her feeling generous or motherly, or else she was just plain crazy. She had convinced Calum that it wasn't necessary for the boys to rent a house of their own like they normally would, when she and Calum had more than enough room for them all. She was one brave woman. I loved being with them all, but we're talking a few months of being cooped up with those boys. I'm not sure I'd be able to handle it.

We picked up Ashton and Luke at the airport without incident. Even though it was wonderful to have our whole group reunited, being so late, we didn't have time to make a big fuss about it. I dropped everyone off and told them I'd be over the next evening, and we'd find something to get into.

Michael was still in the passenger seat while the others got their luggage out of the trunk. He asked, "Why don't you just stay here?"

"This is a huge house, but I doubt there's room for another person. And I ain't sleeping on the couch when I have a bed waiting for me at home a couple miles down the road."

"Well, you can share my bed. I don't mind," he said with a straight face.

"Shut the fuck up, Clifford." Was he ever going to give up?

He rolled his eyes. "Okay, sorry. Goodnight then, meanie. And thanks for today and the not-date. It's been a while since I've had that much fun."

"Exactly. It wasn't a date. But you're welcome. I had a good time, too. Goodnight, Mikey."

He stared at me for a moment and shook his head. Before I could ask "What?" he opened the door and got out.

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