Stubborn Love

Part 7

Part 7

Anna, Clyde and I get home and I see Milo sitting on the back porch steps playing with his nails. He looks up and grins small, and pushes his hair back.

"Let me help you with that," he says softly and takes the bags off of Anna's hands.

Anna smiles at him, "thank you."

I see a spark light up in her eyes as I look at Milo who had a look as if he was admiring her. I walk up the porch stairs and clear my throat loudly, unlocking the door. I look behind and see that Clyde was the only one following me. I roll my eyes and walk in. Clyde runs to the entertainment set and turns on the TV.

Finally, Milo and Anna come in and set down the groceries. Anna giggles then walks over to Clyde and watches TV with him.  I look over at Milo who was taking out some items for me. I walk past him, and hit his shoulder. I feel Milo staring at me, expecting some type of apology. I walk past him again and put the chocolate milk and lunch snacks in. I go back seeing what else needs to be in the refrigerator.

Milo leans over and whispers, "don't you think you're being a little hostile?"

"What?" I ask.

Milo glares at me and breathes out of his nose.

"Can we talk outside?" he asks.

"Sure. Anna, do you mind putting the rest of the groceries away?"

"Sure thing!"

Milo and I walk outside to the backyard. I tie my hair up and don't bother to look at him.

"I'll talk when you're ready to act like an adult," he says.

"Ugh," I groan and look at him.

"Want to tell me what's going on?"

"What?" I shrug.

He giggles, "Haze, you can bullshit all you want, but I know you pretty well. I know when something is up with you."

"What? No you can't."

"Yes, I can. You make your jaw tight, you stick your chin up and your eye isn't at eye level and you just did that. So, what's up?"

"Do you like Anna?"

"What?"

"You heard me. Do you like Anna?"

"No! And even if I did, why would you care?"

"For plenty of reasons. I don't need you playing with her and I don't really appreciate the mix of business and pleasure."

"Yeah, she's cute, but I'm not planning to take her hand in marriage? Besides she's a nice girl. Why wouldn't you want someone  as nice as her to be with guy like me? Do you not want me to be happy with someone good, Haze?"

"Of course I do! That's not even what I'm saying, Milo. Just don't do this, if anything triggers I don't want her asking me questions about you, or having to be a shoulder to cry on because of your stupid actions you'll do."

"Oh come on, Haze. You know I'm better than that."

"What?" I begin to laugh. 

"Stop it," Milo's face turns red. 

I begin to laugh harder and start to hold my stomach that was cramping up. 

"Haze, I mean it."

My laugh bursts harder and it echoes throughout the back yard, I wipe my eyes. I then felt a harsh grab on my shoulders. 

"I mean it, Hazel, shut up!" Milo shouts and shakes me.