If I Let You Go

Chapter 24 - Marcus' rebound

"Marcus!", Rain whose leaning against his car, looked up when heard the familiar voice.

Rain nodded a little as he accepts a one arm hug from Theo. They tapped each other's back a couple of times before letting go.

Theo texted earlier that he's about to exit the gate, so Rain decided to just park at a roadside inside the walled city where Theo's univ is located.

Rain gestured for Theo to enter the car after the hug as he himself sat on the driver's seat.

"Any reccom for late lunch? I'm starving, I haven't eaten since breakfast.", Rain asked Theo when the car started moving.

Theo faced him and said, "You're staying in QC right? Let's go for Italian. I know this place in Visayas avenue."

Rain nodded at this because he is also familiar with the place Theo's referring to. It's a place that he and his family frequent since he and River were little. The place has a couple more branches now in malls. The original branch in Visayas Ave looks a bit run down now but the place still offers good food.

"So, now that you're back, how are you getting along without the dreamy cocoon of Pagudpud?" Theo asked teasingly.

"It's fine I guess..." Rain paused for a few seconds, and then, "Met him the first time I agreed to go out with my twin..." he ended the sentence with an unsure note.

Theo immediately understood that the 'him' Rain's referring to is the dumbass who hurt his friend.

"That's a shitty thing to happen." Theo exclaimed.

"Yeah." Rain shortly said and did not add anything to the one-word reply.

The rest of the drive passed in silence, with the two of them enjoying the music from Rain's playlist. Luckily, they reached the place in under an hour. There is not much traffic since rush hour is still more than a couple of hours away.

They sat at a booth and ordered onion rings for starters. Then an oil-based pasta and pizza to share as mains.

While munching on onion rings, "And the shittiest thing is that he acted as if nothing happened. He said it's been a while and commented on my improved height." Rain continued as if their conversation more than an hour ago is still on going. But Theo noticed that despite the supposed emotion filled words of his friend, Rain's tone remained stoic and cold. As if he's telling a story of someone else.

"Pfft, don't let him get to you.", Theo said annoyed. "Eat up, do not let him ruin your appetite." And Theo moved the onion rings nearer to Rain.

They finished the meal discussing what happened in their lives while they were apart. Theo paid for the meal, refusing Rain's offer to share the bill.

"How 'bout we head to Circle* later and look at the sunset? Might get your mind off your dumbass ex." Theo suggested.

Rain agreed by nodding.

"Let's grab some coffee before we head inside QMC*." Rain requested to which Theo smilingly nodded.

They headed to a Starbucks reserve a block away from the Italian place. After Rain parked his now solely owned red Vitara, Theo, who got off the car first, gestured for Rain to join him near the entrance of the coffee shop. Once Rain joined him, Theo placed his arm across Rain's shoulder. Rain's kind-a used to Theo's touchy-feely personality, so he did not shy away from the gesture.

After they ordered their drinks to go and were standing at the claiming area, Rain scanned the shop to pass time.

His eyes landed on a table near the glass wall, and he saw the last person he wanted to see. Taylor's seated across the lady Rain saw at Laoag airport. This caused Rain to sharply turn his head back to face the counter where the barista's preparing their drinks.

Theo, who's slightly startled by the action asked, "Something wrong?"

Rain straightened his stance and coldly said, "He's here."

Theo scanned the place as if he will be able to recognize Taylor, but Rain pulled on Theo's sleeve as if to say, don't look

"You Ok? Just be calm, our order's about ready." Theo placed his right arm across Rain's shoulder once more and gently rubbed Rain's right upper arm a few times.

"I am calm." Rain insisted with a cold voice.

"Two Venti iced caramel macchiato for Marcus!", the barista's voice rang as she announced Rain and Theo's order.

Theo removed his right arm from Rain and grabbed the coffee carrier from the counter. They were about to leave when Taylor appeared beside Rain.

"Rain, what...", Taylor started but Rain interrupted him.

"Keep away from me Taylor." Rain coldly said.

Theo quickly inserted himself between Taylor and Rain. He then placed his free left arm across Rain's shoulder placing his hand on Rain's left upper arms. He guided Rain towards the exit.

"Give me the key." Theo demanded from Rain to which Rain complied readily by inserting the car key in between his left upper arms and Theo's palm. Despite Rain's cold demeanor, Theo can actually feel that a heightened emotion is brewing inside his friend. Rain is too emotional to drive right now.

But before they reached the car, Taylor caught up with them and rudely removed Theo's hand from Rain's shoulder, forcing the two of them to face Taylor.

"Who the hell are you?" Taylor angrily asked.

Rain pulled at Theo's sleeve and whispered, "Ignore him, let's go."

But Theo ignored Rain.

"I'm Theo, Marcus' rebound. The one he turned to when a dumbass let him slip through his fingers." Theo widely smiled and held out the hand holding the car key for Taylor to shake.

Rain choked back a laughter and thought, 'Theo's terrifyingly crazy!'

Taylor ignored Theo's offer of handshake and turned to look at Rain as if confirming Theo's statement.

Theo retracted his hand and placed it again across Rain's shoulder.

"If you'll excuse us, we have a date, so we'll go ahead." Theo continued

"What?!" Taylor angrily asked.

A/N:

* Circle/QMC – Quezon Memorial Circle is a huge park in the heart of Quezon City. It is surrounded by an oval shaped road aptly named Elliptical Road. The notable feature of the park is a huge monument with a mausoleum containing the remains of Manuel L. Quezon, a former president of the Philippines.