Fighting For Us

6. Pictures

The drive here I feel like I can hardly breathe. My phones vibrated several dozen times, but I threw it on the back seat after sending the pictures I received to Sammie and Dylan. My brain and my heart are so confused. The first picture stings the most. He's actually smiling at her! I know he'd never cheat on me, especially with her, but that picture is burned into my brain and a complete mind fuck. Knowing how Marley is, these are probably staged, but it doesn't stop my brain from going wild with this. I need to see them. Need to see him. I know Sammie's there, and she would never let anything happen. But can she really be next to him the entire time?

They were still practicing when I pulled in, so I went and sat up against a tree in the shade. It's near the building, so its the complete other end of the field from where I saw Dylan. I left my phone in the car, and just brought my keys with me. I sit here with my knees pulled to my chest, and my face buried against them. He'll either find me or he won't. My brain still trying to process everything. I hear the grass crunching as someone walks towards me. I don't look up. He gets close to me and I catch a waft of his scent.

"Are you okay?"

His voice is soft and sweet. Bringing memories flooding back of when he'd talk to me like that. I can't bring myself to look at him yet. I don't need him comforting me. Anytime he's involved, things get rocky with Dylan and I.

"You shouldn't be here Theo."

"I don't have to be with you to be an empathetic human being."

I look up at him, and can't help but feel bad for being short with him.

"I'm sorry. My brains just all over the place."

"I'm guessing that it has something to do with Marley and Dylan?"

"You saw that too, huh?"

"Not all of it. Jack and I were walking back from the bathroom and saw the last half of it. You could hear the slap all the way from over here."

"Slap?"

He chuckles and nods.

"Ya, looked like Sammie slapped her good. Coach yelled at Marley to leave, and she did."

"What the heck happened tonight?!"

He stands up and sticks his hand out for me to take. I take it, and stand up. I catch a glimpse of someone coming towards us over his left shoulder. It's coach. He looks concerned.

"Maitland!"

Theo turns to his left, looking at coach with the same confused look on his face.

"I need you to back away from her NOW."

He looks at me, both of us still confused. It's not until coach looks to his right, that it draws our attention out to the field.  Theo sees who it is before I do and immediately starts walking toward coach.

Dylan's running towards us. With how bright the sun is, I can't read his face. My heart and head are battling again. I want to run into his arms, but I'm also still so confused, and need answers. Coach steps in front of Theo, as it's unclear to him as well what is about to happen. I don't realize I'm doing it, but my hand goes up, asking him to not touch me. He slows and stops about three feet from me. His eyes are searching my face. He looks scared. He looks over at Theo and I can see anger rising in him.

"He didn't do anything. He saw me sitting here and came to make sure I was okay."

He looks back at me, and I can see the anger subsiding. Coach looks to me to make sure I'm okay if he walks away and I nod at him. He grabs Theo's arm and pulls him away with him. I try to focus on Dylan's eyes, but his glistening torso is extremely distracting.