"Caity, I'm sorry. I should've never kissed you. I'm sorry. Monte and I are talking about it right now. He said he doesn't know what to think. He wants to talk to you, but he doesn't know what to say." I started. Craig breathed. "Wow. Is that it?" Craig asked. "No. I just don't want to read the rest." "Read it, kid." He demanded. I sighed, wiping my cheek. "Alright," I choked. I drew in a deep breath. "I feel really bad because I know this is all my fault. If you'd just come out here, I'll figure this all out. I know you were hungry, so I gave you what I made. You don't have to eat it. I wouldn't blame you if you didn't. Just don't feel like you have to come out right now. Monte isn't mad, just a little disappointed. You can come out whenever you want. It's up to you. From, Mike." I faultered at the end. "Go the fuck, sorry Lei, out there and fix this. Staying in the fucking bathroom isn't gonna solve anything. Y'know, if things gets too bad over there, I have another place to sleep. Just call me and let me know, and I'll pick you up. Okay? Now I want you to eat. Then go fix this. Got it?" Craig chuckled at the end. "Got it. Thanks, Craig. That really means a lot. I'll talk to you later, hopefully with better news." "Let's hope." He said. "Alright, bye Craigafer." "Bye, Caity." Craig laughed. "BYE CAITY!" A little girl's voice rang in the background. "BYE BUG!" I sang back. I smiled as Craig said goodbye another time. "Bye," I giggled. "You sound so funny when you laugh." Craig mocked. "Shut up, or hang up." I teased. "I choose the second option. Craig Mabbitt never shuts up." He laughed. "All you singers are the same." I joked. "Yes we are. Now eat, child!" He screamed. "Okay!" I screamed back. He said goodbye again and I did too as he hung up. I ate all the food on the plate in a matter of minutes. I sighed, grabbed the crumb-filled plate and stood up. I unlocked the door and walked into the kitchen. I set the plate on the counter and turned to the guys. "You guys," I said. I felt my throat tighten. I swallowed hard. "Caity," Monte said. "I'm so sorry." I said, my knees beginning to feel weak. "What're you apologizing for? It's his fault." Monte said. "No. It's just as much my fault as it is, his. Mike already apologized. Now it's my turn." I said, wanting to collapse or run back into the bathroom. "I'm fucking sorry." I said, finally falling under the pressure. Monte stood up and rushed to my side. "Are you okay?" He asked, putting a hand on my knee. "No. This isn't right." I said in a single breath. He wrapped his arms around me. I put one hand on his back, as if to respond. I felt his hold get tighter. The atmosphere still felt heavy as I dropped my hand. "This is wrong. All. Wrong." I mumbled. "Then we'll have to make it right." Monte said, his voice muffled. His lips were pressed to my shoulder. "I'm sorry, you two." Mike said, coming and joining the hug. "It's okay, bro. Just don't try to do anything with my girl, fuckface. Got it?" Monte said, gritting his teeth. I put my hand against his chest. He relaxed. Mike backed away from me a little bit as my phone rang. "Trying to tear me apart. Breaking me down to the bone. So listen closely, 'cause what you don't see, is there's no blood inside this beating heart. Still beating, still breathing..." My phone sang. Ungrateful. That meant it was Craig. I lightly pushed Monte away. I pulled my phone out and answered it. "Hello?" I asked quietly. "Yeah, Caity?" Craig asked. "Nope, sorry, this is her dog, Mayhem." I grinned. "Oh, well, can I talk to Caity, Mayhem?" Craig went with it. "Bark." I laughed. "Bark." Craig said back. "Alright, enough of that. What's up?" I asked. "I'm heading that way tomorrow. It's for The Dead Rabbitts. TJ'll be in town too. Wanna come hang out with us? I'll buy pizza!" He offered. "Can it be vegan pizza?" I asked. "Whatever you want. I'm bringing Leila too, so you'll finally get to meet the little bug." Craig laughed. "That would be amazing. So, is there a certain time you're gonna be in the area?" I asked. Monte looked at me with a confused expression. "Daddy, am I gonna meet Caity?!" Leila shreiked in the background. "Maybe. If it's okay with Monte," Craig said. "I'm 19. I don't need permission." I said, rolling my eyes. "Alright. Then yeah, princess, you are." Craig chuckled. "I'll be in town around noon. Do you think you'll be awake and ready to go?" Craig asked. "Yeah. Can you come pick me up?" I asked. "That was the plan." He said sarcastically. "Sweet. See ya tomorrow, Craig. Bye Leila!" I smiled. "Bye Caity!" They said at the same time. I laughed and hung up. I looked up at Monte. "What did Craig want?" He asked. "I'm hanging out with him, Leila, and TJ tomorrow. They're coming to pick me up at noon." "Are you going to ask?" He said. "Are you my father?" I asked. "No," "And there's your answer." I smiled. "Well then." He said. "Whale then." Mike smirked. "I SEA what you did there." I grinned and pointed at Mike. "I'm shore you did." He chuckled. "Okay, enough of the water jokes." Monte said. "I'm leaving here at noon." I repeated. "Okay. Thanks for at least telling me." Monte grumbled. I leaned into his chest. "Wanna go to sleep?" I asked. "Yes." He said, picking me up and walking to his room. "Bye, Mike!" I said as Monte closed the door. "Where were we when you left me this morning?" Monte smirked. "I think we had just finished fucking." I said. "Woah, we didn't finish. Mike interupted us. " Monte said. "If that's what you wanna do, just ask." I said. "You make it sound like a chore." He pouted. "Fine. Monte, would you like to have sex?" "When you put it that way, no." He laughed. "Alright... I'm about to pull a TJ.... Do you wanna fuck?" I asked. "Yes." He said, smirking. "Alright then." I said, sliding under the covers. "I love you," He said as he met me under the blanket. "You too." I laughed as our clothes were practically ripped away from each other. God, I felt like a hoe.
