How To Stay Afloat (BxB)

Chapter 31: illegal substances and a menace to family bus

We're standing in Austin's room, hugging until Austin speaks up again. "Now that Kevin knows about us I thought maybe you'd be more comfortable around others, too." He admits. "You said you want to meet my friends, yet you can't be seen with me on a motorcycle. It's confusing."

"I know. I'm sorry. I already told you I need time." I say. "I want to be able to come out when I want to. When I'm ready. You said that's okay."

I can see Austin clenching his jaw.

"Yeah, whatever." Austin says nonchalantly.

"Austin." I say, trying to get him to look at me.

"Maybe you should leave. I'm sure Kevin has time to hang out with you again." Austin says. Now he's angry again. Perfect.

I reach out for Austin again, but he slaps my hand away. "Just leave, I'm too angry to think straight." His voice is harsh.

I take a step away from him when I hear footsteps followed by someone clearing their throat.

Austin's father is standing in the doorframe, looking at us angrily. He is wearing that expression he had when I first saw him. That angry look.

"What is going on in here?" He asks in a slurred voice. I knew there was a hint of alcohol in the air when we entered the flat.

"Nothing." Austin says as he quickly pulls away from me further. He rolls his eyes.

His father steps inside, squinting his eyes. "Nothing? So you're shouting around over nothing? Are you out of your mind?"

"Sorry for waking you dad." Austin scoffs.

I can see his dad clenching his fists. The one time I saw his dad sober he seemed like a decent guy. I never understood how alcohol can turn normal people into someone completely different.

When Kevin told me about his dad being aggressive when he gets drunk I always thought he was overreacting, knowing his dad was the sweetest soul ever before he moved out. Maybe he never overreacted and I should have listened to him.

"Who's that?" He asks, clearly not remembering meeting me three times already.

"Sammy, you should go now." Austin demands, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"What?" I ask him in disbelief. "No, of course not!" I say. Why does he want to kick me out now? We should leave together.

It feels like I'm frozen in place as I watch Austin and his dad stare at each other. His dad looks tired and drunk, but also furious. Austin just looks pissed off.

His father is going to hit him when I leave.

"Get the hell out of here." Austin yells and for a moment I think he is talking to his father. That is until he grabs the hem of my shirt.

"What the hell?" I shout as he roughly pushes me forward. I stumble from the force towards the door. Austin's father takes a step aside so I don't crash into him.

"Stop shoving your friend around like that." His father yells angrily as he watches me stumble against the door frame.

I look at both of them wide eyed. What's going on? Why is Austin mad at me now? What did I do?

"Are you alright?" His dad asks me, breaking my brain completely.

"I said get the fuck out!" Austin yells and stomps towards me. "Now! Leave!"

His father steps between us. "Austin, enough." He shouts.

Is his father now protecting me from Austin? Why is Austin mad at me? Didn't he just tell me he didn't want to get angry?