Surprise Me.

Chapter 11- Disapproval is Worse than Anger

Colby drove us to a Dairy Queen first. On our way out, a little girl who couldn't have been older than six complimented Colby's tattoos. Her brother said he liked my "pretty water hair." Laughing at the experience, we went to a playground and acted like children. He pushed me on the swings, we rode the mary-go-round, slides, everything. He even fell off of the monkey bars, throwing me into a fit of laughter. When we pulled up to the house, however, things turned more serious.

"I had fun with you." I said as he held my hand over the console.

"I did too." He replied, looking almost sad. "We need to talk."

"Let's talk."

"Listen, Maddie. I love Sam like a brother. I would never do anything to upset him."

"Oh." I knew I sounded disappointed, but there was nothing I could do.

"You're the only exception." I met his eyes and he smiled, gently squeezing my hand. He leaned over the seat and kissed me. The minute his lips met mine, I saw movement in my peripheral vision. Sam was in the window.

"Colbs." I said shakily, pulling back and looking at the figures that were approaching us.

"What?"

"Sam."

"Shit."

We immediately opened the doors and got out, acting as if nothing had happened. Sam knew better. He was practically fuming as Kat followed him.

"You two. Inside. Now." He roared. I obeyed, Colby on my heels. The minute we were inside, he kept barking orders. "Maddie, go upstairs."

"No, this involves me too." I protested.

"Go upstairs!"

I scoffed and stormed up to my room, Kat following me.

"What the fuck were you thinking?" Sam yelled. "That's my little sister, Colby!"

"I know." Colby said quietly. "She wanted to go to a friend's party and I offered to go with her."

"So you kiss her in the driveway?"

"What is wrong with him? I don't need him to protect me anymore!" I said, crying as Kat sat on my bed and listened.

"He's your brother and he's doing what he thinks is best for you."

"Then he should ask what I want."

"Do you even love her or are you just playing with her?" Sam sighed, exasperatedly.

"I love her, Sam. Truly, I do. Ever since she came out here I've been happier and I know you have been, too. She's awesome and perfect in every way. I love her."

"I'm done. Come with me."

"What do you think?" I asked, pacing around my room.

"My opinion won't change anything. You and I both know that."

"No, but it might be nice to know that I have someone in my corner."

"I'm sorry."

A knock at my door tore my eyes up. Kat yelled "come in" and Sam opened the door, a sincerely upset Colby standing behind him.

"You two are done." Sam announced. "I don't approve of any of this."

"Sam, I-" I began.

"I don't wanna fucking hear it right now, Maddie."

"I don't fucking care. You're being unreasonable."

"Okay, let's assume you two do date. I know both of you. You won't work out. When you break up, it will ruin everything. You two will hate each other and that will spread into our friendship. No, that's the end of it."

I stormed out of my room and down the hall, turning into the first door I saw, oblivious to who's room it was. I stood in the middle of the room and cried into my hands.

"You want the lights on or off?"

My head shot up. Colby leaned against the doorframe, his bloodshot eyes matching mine. He closed the door before he moved over and hugged me, letting me cry into his chest.

"I'm sorry." I cried. "I didn't mean for this to happen."

"He caught me kissing you, not the other way around. This isn't your fault."

"If it were, that might make things easier."

"We just need to go to sleep. Things will be easier in the morning."

"I'm not going back to my room."

"I've got some t-shirts that will fit you."

"I- seriously?"

"Maddie, we're not doing anything tonight, we're both exhausted and upset. I'll even sleep in the beanbag chair over there and you can have the bed if that makes you more comfortable. But if you feel safe here, stay here."

"Thank you."

Colby handed me a t-shirt and I changed out of my dress in the bathroom connected to his room. When I came back out, he had changed into pajama pants and he embraced me again, this time it was simply because he could. I grabbed his hand and dragged him over to his bed with me, cuddling up under the black comforter with him.

"Colbs?" I whispered as I laid on his chest, his arms around me.

"Mm?"

"Your best friend's a bitch."

"Before he was my best friend, he was your brother."

"My brother's a bitch."

"Agreed. For now."

"Goodnight, Colbs."

"Night, Maddie."