Shit Happens (A Day to Remember)

16: To Plant a Seed

Song: To Plant a Seed - We Came As Romans

"Hey babe, just got off the plane."

"Fuck."

"What?"

"I thought the plane landed at 3." He sounded upset.

"I told you it was at 2." I frowned.

"I'm sorry babe. I'm not going to be able to pick you up," He said hesitantly, like he thought I would be mad. I wasn't exactly happy.

"What am I supposed to do then?"

"I'll call you back in a minute." And he just hung up. I stood there in shock. What the hell was that?

I made my way to the baggage claim and reclaimed my bags before Neil called me back.

"Jeremy is on his way to pick you up."

"Okay." I sighed. I've been in Florida for 20 minutes and it's already off to a rough start.

"I'm really sorry. I got doing something and I am unable to come get you. I'll make it up to you though. I promise."

"I'll see you in a bit." It was my turn to hang up abruptly. Was I being ridiculous? Yeah. He just got busy. That's not his fault. I was just bitter.

About 15 minutes later Jeremy showed up. He helped me put my bags into his car and we were off.

"So, I know you're mad at Neil but you're probably going to be more mad at him." Jeremy said as he started driving.

I sighed. "What?"

"Neil isn't ready for you at his place yet. He wants me to take you to my place for a bit until he's ready. Something about the place being a disaster." I didn't say anything. He was right. I was more upset. I just wanted to see my boyfriend. "I'm sorry, McKenna."

"Are there any bars around? I kinda feel like having a drink."

"It's 3 o'clock in the afternoon." Jeremy laughed.

"And?"

"Alright, to the bar we go."

A short while later we were in a bar some where downtown. There weren't a lot of people there, considering this was Orlando, but there were a few. I didn't drink, but that was on Jeremy's demand.

"Hey there, sweetheart." A smooth, sultry voice said as someone slipped into the barstool next to mine. He was attractive. He looked to be a bit older than me, but not much older than Kevin or Jer. "Can I buy you a drink?" He smirked. I hesitated. Jeremy was in the bathroom and therefore not supervising me. I could take the drink and chug it before he returned...Just as he returned. Damn.

"I'm not drinking, thanks." I said politely to the man.

"Derek," the man held out his hand.

"Mikey." I shook his hand, which he raised to his lips and gently kissed the back of my hand.

"Jeremy." Jeremy groaned.

"Boyfriend?" Derek nodded in his direction.

"Boyfriend's best friend." Jeremy interjected.

"Are you two...does he know?" Derek suddenly looked concerned.

"Oh! God, it's not like that." I blushed. "My boyfriend couldn't pick me up from the airport so he did. But I guess he's not ready at his place for me. Not finished cleaning I guess." I shrugged. Derek snickered. "What?"

"'Not finished cleaning'? Sounds pretty suspicious to me, darlin." He took a swig of his beer. "But that's none of my business."

"What? You think he's cheating on me?" I frowned.

"I'm just saying be careful, baby." He eyed me up and down, like a lion stalking its prey.

"Don't call me that." I snapped. He started leaning in to me and I leaned farther away.

"He probably doesn't want you anyway, baby."

"She said she doesn't want you to call her that." Jeremy growled.

"Is there a problem?" The bartender asked.

"This prick won't leave her alone." Jeremy told him, pointing to Derek. The bartender kicked Derek out and gave us free drinks, on the club. "God, I hate assholes like that. Thinking they're entitled to be a dick because a girl is pretty." Jeremy ranted. I just laughed.

"Sadly that's not the first time that's happened. C'mon, let's go play pool."

Jeremy and I played pool for about an hour. Jeremy was in super protective mode and chased off any guy that came within 4 feet of me. It was really cute actually. Eventually Neil finally called and told us he was ready for me.

"So how's Danielle?" I asked on the way to Neil's place.

"We've, uh, been...better." He shrugged, a hint of hesitation in voice.

"What's going on?" I questioned.

"We're kind of on a break I guess. She became really possessive and jealous, like out of nowhere, and I told her I needed space." He shrugged again, shifting uncomfortably in his seat as he drove.

"Damn, that sucks. I'm sorry, Jer. Hopefully she chills the fuck out."

"I'm not even sure I want her too. I just wasn't feeling it anymore I guess."

We pulled into Neil's driveway and he was sitting on the lawn with a blanket and some pillows. I hugged Jeremy, thanked him for protecting me from douchebags, and said goodbye. I ran over to Neil and sat on his lap, wrapping my hands around his neck and kissing him.

"This all for me?" I grinned.

"Well, this isn't all of it." He smirked and shrugged. "But yeah."

"Oh? I've got something for you too." I wiggled my eyebrows at him.

"Ooh, what?" He asked, sounding like a little boy being told his mom got him a present.

"Well, I'd show you now, but," I looked around his neighborhood, then turned back to him and whispered, "I could be arrested for public indecency." He chuckled and kissed me, wrapping his arms tightly around me, lifting me, and pinning me on my back.

He leaned down and said in a breathy, sexy whisper, "I made dinner."

"You really do know how to seduce a girl."

"I grilled some burgers, made some pasta salad, baked potatoes, corn on the cob...I kinda went all out."

"Damn."

He ran inside and brought out all the food so we could have a sort of picnic on his front lawn.

"This is why I couldn't pick you up by the way," Neil said as we dug into the feast he prepared.

"You were cooking?"

"Yeah. I wanted dinner ready when you got here."

"Oh thank God." I whispered to myself, which apparently was not as quiet as I thought.

"What?" He questioned, a confused expression on his face.

"It's nothing. Thank you for dinner, babe." I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. He turned and kissed me again.

"I'm glad you like it."

After dinner we went in his house, had ice cream, and watched several of the Friday the 13th movies. Then I gave him his surprise, and we fell asleep.