Hard Rock and Heartache

Lover's Lake

    I wasn't sure what to do when I saw Steve sitting there, smiling my way. I could not believe he actually showed up. Late, of course, but he was here and something told me it wasn't to support Eddie or the band.

    Exhaling a nervous breath, I waved back before looking toward an extremely confused Eddie. "Sorry..." I mouthed the words, taking a couple of steps down off the stage steps just when Eddie poked his head around the wall to see what it was that had startled me. He frowned almost instantly, and the feelings were reciprocated as Steve lost any semblance of joy at the sight of Eddie looking back at him.

    "Uh," I looked between them, slowly making my way toward the table while motioning conspicuously for Eddie to follow me. Which he did, but he didn't appear to be happy about it, standing behind me quietly when we walked up to the small group.

    "Sorry I missed the show," Steve said coldly, and Eddie scoffed, smiling but there was no humor, "No big deal there Steve, you didn't miss much."

    "I'm sure," Steve retorted quickly, ending the conversation between them while they stared one another down before Steve turned to me. "You ready to go?"

    "I- what?" I was confused and with the way Eddie looked down at me, his brows furrowed, so was he. "No, I was going to hang out with them for a bit," I explained and Steve sighed, looking around the room as if to assess the threats that lingered.

    "Hmm, I don't know if..." Steve began, but Eddie cut in, "I'm more than capable to get her home safely." I tensed when Eddie's arm draped over my shoulder, holding me close and staking his silent claim in front of everyone. Steve's eyes grazed over the contact before looking me dead in the eye. "Is that what you want?" He asked and for some reason, it felt like an ultimatum.

    "Steve..." Robin said softly, she and Nancy had been silently watching the conversation this entire time. "Let's just go," I was thankful that she was working to alleviate the pressure I felt. "We'll hang out soon, right Charlie?"

    I smiled, nodding, "Of course." When I looked back at Steve, I could tell it was like pulling teeth to get him to leave me here with Eddie, that protectiveness showing as his jaw tensed and he nodded in defeat. When he stood up, I took a small step back to give him room while Eddie let me go, watching the exchange. And much to my surprise, Steve took a breath to calm himself before smiling down at me. "Have fun and be careful."

    "I'll be okay, and I'll see you at school tomorrow," I assured him, letting our gazes linger on one another a little longer than intended before he and the others began to make their way out of the front door.

    My smile faded watching them go, my heart aching at what Steve was feeling right now. But a soft voice had my focus turning, "Hey... you okay?" Eddie asked, his brown eyes so gentle, concerned. "Yeah, yeah," I laughed awkwardly, closing my eyes, waving away my worries, and sighing before looking back up at him, "Come on, your band awaits their leader's grand return."

    Eddie beamed, kissing me on the head before interlocking our fingers. And after everything we just did, it shouldn't have given me butterflies, but it did. The contact, the display of affection for all to see, it made me smile while he led me over to the booth where his rambunctious friends cheered at his arrival.

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    The next few days were rather uneventful. Eddie and I ate lunch together with the Hellfire club once, much to Steve's dislike for the idea. I was simply trying to spread my time out equally between them and my friends. Not to mention... it was hard to stay away from him. But, other than that, I only dealt with my friends hounding me about what had or had not happened that night at The Hideout with Eddie.