Love hurts?

Just this once

Michael's POV

Jermaine's taken his girlfriend away for few days for her birthday which means Ocean and I have the house to ourselves for the next 4 days. So I booked the time off work so we can spend the time getting things ready and spending some quality time together just the two of us.

I'm on my way into the store getting groceries and I start getting that feeling someone's watching me, but when I look around I don't see anybody familiar so I go inside. And the whole time that feelings still there. When I'm done I load the groceries into the car and call Ocean to see if she needed anything else before I come home, I'm really hungry so luckily for me she doesn't need anything so I can go straight home.

"Hi Ray" I sigh without looking behind me. "How did you know it was me?" .

"Lucky guess" I smile through pursed lips, turning around and see Ray walking from behind a dumpster "Why are you hiding behind a dumpster?" I frown confused "It's kinda my home for tonight" he chuckles. "I thought you were staying with friends?"

"I was but the place I was at got raided, then a friend said I can stay with him but he's away for the night soo... Here I am" Ray looked awful last time I saw him and he looks in an even worst state now, which I didn't think was possible and clearly by the look and even the smell of him he hasn't bathed in a long time. "So um, where you going to now?"  He asks casually and I can see what he's hinting at. "You can't..."

"I just need to use your shower real quick that's all, and then I'll be gone I promise"

"I can't Ocean's at home and she's not very good with people coming to the house"

"I'm not asking for money or a place to sleep. Just a shower and something to eat that's all, I thought we were friends?"

"We are but..."

"I've helped you guys out when you both out before" he cuts me off "and how many times did I sit on the restroom floor with you giving you advice? and I always made sure you two got the best Coke around too. I'm sure Ocean will be fine helping out an old friend" he shrugs "Plus I got some stuff on me, we can all party together!" He smiles. "We don't take Coke anymore" I tell him sternly "I wish I could help you but..."

"That's cool! I'll just take a quick bath get something to eat and I'll be out of your hair" he shrugs lifting his arms up. "Fine!" I sigh "but you can't stay long ok? And this is a one time thing!" I say sternly unlocking the car. "Really appreciate it buddy" he smiles getting in. I try to call Ocean but her phone is switched off so I'm guessing she forgot to charge it (again) "when we get there don't say anything to Ocean ok? Don't speak to her, don't look at her or anything, just let me talk to her first ok!?" I tell him sternly as we drive off. "Nice hospitality manners you got. I take it you guys don't entertain much" he chuckles "I'm serious don't speak to her until she speaks to you. She's a little.. Paranoid about people she doesn't know"

"Don't worry I'm really good with women. I can be as sweet and polite as you like" he smiles. I know Ray will be polite to Ocean but that's not what I'm worried about. I'm more worried about how she's going to react and I'm really hoping it doesn't involve me sleeping on the sofa for the next few nights. I know I shouldn't do this but I can leave somebody behind a dumpster like that, especially when that person was once a good friend of mine.

***

We get home and I hear Ocean in the kitchen. "Sit here and don't move!" I say sternly to Ray motioning him to sit down then head in the kitchen.

"Hey, baby" I smile pecking her lips "w-what's wrong!? She stutters sensing something. "I have to tell you something but you have to stay calm ok?" I tell her calmly and she nods. "I saw Ray today and..."