I've Been Waiting For You

Chapter 30

"Tell your mom the food was delicious." Markus sat down on the bench next to him, still wearing his football gear.

 "You basically enjoyed your own cooking."

"I didn't cook. I only helped a little."

  Markus took off his helmet with a sigh, running a hand through his wet hair. The strands clinging to his forehead. 

  Mitchell gazed at him, even with him being sweaty he still looked handsome. And his scent was so sweet not musty like he just practiced for two hours.

"Are you going to keep staring at me like that?"

"I think I will." Mitchell was unabashed at being caught. He couldn't help it. 

  Markus smirked at him. "I'm going to go take a shower. Do you want to come with me?"

  Mitchell debated in his mind but he knew what would happen if they were alone. And they were still at school.

"No, go have your shower. I'm going to find Kev and Susan."

"Okay. I'll be there soon."

  Markus kissed him before walking away, disappearing into the school building. Mitchell was almost to the exit when he heard someone calling his name. He spun on his heels and saw Tim walking toward him. 

"What do you want?"

"You feel it too. Don't you?"

  Tim stood in front of him but he was gazing in the opposite direction.

"Feel what?"

  Tim turned to look at him, an irksome smile on his face. He wanted to smack that smile right off his face. 

"I'm not the only one that finds him desirable."

  Mitchell knew he was trying to goad him but he refused to be bothered by it. 

"If you have nothing important to say. Stay out of my way."

"Let me give you some friendly advice. Markus is very unique. He has this allure about him that makes people forget themselves. Hold on to him tight or someone might..."

"Tim," Kev was striding in their direction. When he was standing near them, he eyed Tim suspiciously. "What are you doing here?"

"We're good. We were just talking." Tim said with a tight smile.

"Is he bothering you?" Kev moved to closer to stand slightly in front of him. As though he was trying to protect him. 

"No. He was just leaving."

  Tim gave him a condescending look. "I'll see you around, Mitchell." 

"He's going to make Markus mad if he keeps doing this." Kev glanced at him. "Come on, Susan is waiting for us."

"How did you know I was here?"

  Kev raised an eyebrow at him. Of course it was a stupid question. Who else could it be?

  Susan was waiting at Kev's vehicle, talking on her phone. She hang up when she saw them heading her way. "What took you so long?"

  Kev pulled her into a hug and whispered in her ear. She looked at him with a serious expression before looking back at Kev. Mitchell didn't know what was going on with them but he knew it had to be about him. 

"Markus is going to be a few minutes late. He has something to do." 

"That's fine. I can wait for him."

  Twenty minutes passed before Markus came striding out the building.

"I'm sorry for making you wait so long." Markus pressed a kiss to his forehead.

"It's fine. I didn't mind waiting for you."

"How about we go to the Diner. I'm hungry." Susan grinned at them.

"Do you want to go?" Markus asked clasping their hands together.

"Sure."

  They got into their vehicles and drove off to the diner. It was a twenty minute drive so Mitchell put on the his iPod.

The Delvins 'World Outside' played from the speaker. It was one of his favorite songs.

"This is a good song."

"You like it?"

"Yeah, I think it's cool."

  Mitchell hummed along to the song, fingers moving like he was playing the drum.

  The diner wasn't packed when they arrive, which made it easier for them to get a table at the back. Kev and Susan took the seat facing the door.

"Hi, Markus. It's been awhile."

  Mitchell stomach dropped when he saw the waitress smiling at Markus, looking like a puppy that just found its owner.

"Hey Karen...what's up?"

"I haven't seen you in a while. How are your parents?"

"They're good." Markus turned to him with a smile. "What would you like to eat?"

  He took the menus from her hands and gave one to Kev.

  Mitchell noticed the waitress smile slipped slightly when Markus ignored her flirting. He scanned the menu and gave Markus his order.

  The waitress looked at him with a smile. "I'm Karen."

"I'm Mitchell."

"How do you guys know each other?"

"He's my boyfriend."

  He watched the smile dropped from her face, as she peered at Markus.

"I didn't know. I'll put through your order now."

  She left quickly, the sole of her shoes creaking at her hasty retreat. She never looked back at their table.

"I think you just broke her heart, Markus."

  Markus rolled his eyes at Kev. "Oh, shut up."

  Mitchell didn't like that so many people wanted Markus's attention.

"She's pretty. How do you know her?"

"Her brother plays on the same team with me. I think she graduated two years ago."

"She's a nice person. It's a small crush she has on Markus. Don't worry about it." Susan said trying to reassure him. 

  Kev nodded his head in agreement. 

  Markus run his hand over his in a soothing gesture, giving him a smile which he returned with glee. He wasn't about Markus leaving him or being attracted to anyone else.

  Their food arrived but it was a different waitress this time. She kept glancing at Markus but didn't say anything. She placed their orders on the table with a smile then left. 

"I think it actually pained her to not say anything to you." Kev shrugged his shoulders when Markus glared at him.

  Feeling as though he was being watched, Mitchell scanned around the diner. Karen was standing with her arms folded, staring at him. He just stared back at her with an unflinching gaze.

  It wasn't his fault that Markus was ignoring her.

  Karen didn't appear again until they were getting ready to leave the diner. Markus went to pay the bill so they waited outside for him. He peered into the window, and saw Markus talking to Karen, who kept nodding her head.

  They both turned their heads in the direction of the window, and he could tell they were staring at him. Markus glanced at her then walked away.

"See, like I told you. You have nothing to worry about." Sarah said squeezing his hand.