Too Much Clickbait - Sequel to Clickbait

84

     Heath's P.O.V
     I frowned, looking at Zane as he popped in his headphones and got onto his laptop. He side-eyed me as I closed the bedroom door behind me, mumbling. "I really don't wanna talk about it right now, dude."
     "I mean, are you ever?" I raised an eyebrow, walking over to his nightstand. I put the dinner and wine bottle down, staring down at Zane. I noticed he was watching Andrea on YouTube and I sighed, grabbing the laptop and slamming it shut. Tossing it to the other side of the bed, I walked over to the foot of it, seeing Zane reluctantly listen to me. "You think I haven't noticed the shit that's been going on with you the last month? The yelling, coming home late, not talking to any of us, not posting as much... You've been a fucking wreck. I totally get giving you your space, but not any more, man. What the fuck is going on with you two?"
     It was like I had free him from a jail cell by the way he shot up from his slouching position, beginning to rant. "She has been fucking Brennen like a rabbit for months! Months, Heath! And she didn't even have the decency to tell me! I just... It's not fair." Zane frowned, looking down at his hands. He began fidgeting with his fingers while he spoke. "I just want what you and Katie have, you know? I see you guys and I just wish I could have her. Like you guys always are just laughing and goofing around and-"
     "Did you just say have her?" I raised an eyebrow. Zane's face shot up, his jaw slightly open. Before he could speak, I pointed my finger in his face. "If you ever come near Katie when she is alone and I find out about it, I'll break your fucking neck."
     "It slipped, I swear, Heath!" Zane pleaded. I went to get off the bed and leave before he grabbed my arm, pulling me back down onto the edge of the bed. I slowly turned my head towards him, unamused. "I mean it. I don't want her. She's yours, end of conversation."
     I hesitated a second, something in my but telling me not to believe him, though I tried to speak past it. "I know this girl., Veronica.. She's a sweet girl, little younger though. If you want I'll set her up with you."
     Zane smiled before grabbing his food from the side table. "Thanks, baby."
     I nodded my head, smiling, as I walked out the door. I grabbed my phone from my pocket, texting Veronica, when something in my head told me that this wasn't the first time Zane has mistakenly complimented Katie in front of me. And as I walked back to the table, being greeted by a quick kiss from her, I couldn't shake the feeling that it wouldn't be the last, either.

     *****

     "I'll rock his fucking jaw." Katie shook her head violently back and forth, her face turning red. Katie had just gotten off the phone with Gabbie who had said she saw David driving by the apartment and called her a few times, trying to see if she was home. "I knew this prank was coming for a fucking week and I'm still mad about it! Charlie is still with Scott and Todd on their hike, but... If they are in on it-"
     "They know better, babe." I stood up and off my bed, putting my hands on her shoulders. I rubbed her arms, feeling the thick material that was her burgundy hoodie she got from Scott's merch line draped over her body. She pulled the sleeves over her hands, looking down, as I pulled her closer into my chest. Kissing her head, I spoke into the top of her scalp. "David's probably got a snake or some shit. It won't be that bad. All we have to do is fake a reaction and then we are done."
     Katie pulled away, visibly going pale as she spoke. "I don't fucking trust him, Heath. I don't want to go over there."
     "I need to get my shit from Jason and you need to get your dog. Stop stressing." I laughed, trying to calm her down. "I swear, everything is going to be fine."

     *****

     Upon entering the boy's house, I felt like something was off. I knew Katie sensed it to as she instinctively grabbed onto my arm, tugging at the black leather of my jacket. I threw an arm around her, peaking around the corner to see Jason and Brandon sitting on the computer watching one of Jason's vlogs as he edited. They turned their heads to face us as we closed the door, walking further into the house. Katie gave them both hugs as Jason spoke. "Hey! It's good to see you, man! How have you been?"
     "Cut the shit, Jason, where the fuck is David?" Katie snapped, leaning a hand down on Brandon's shoulder while she spoke.
     I smiled to myself as I saw Brandon fold his hands in his lap, respectively not touching Katie as he side eyed Jason. Jason stuttered, trying to defend his innocence, before Brandon looked at me. He tilted his head to the right before going back to looking at Jason. "Katie! Katie! I swear! I don't know where the fuck he is! I'm not David's keeper!"
     "You sure suck his balls enough!" Brandon and I laughed at Katie as Jason tried to not crack, though, he turned red as he smiled. I looked to my right, where Brandon had side eyed, seeing David's camera around the bend. Unknowingly, Katie had been following my eyes, causing her to spin around. She let go of Brandon, charging at David. "You son of a bitch! Where the fuck is it? I'm not playing, David!"
     "I don't know! I don't know!" David laughed, coming around the corner. He got in Katie's face with his camera, snickering as he spoke. "Look, I don't want you going in there until everything is set up... But, I'll give you a hint... I don't think Charlie likes the animal."
     "Charlie!" Katie screamed, causing the dog to go wild with barking. Katie elbowed David over, making him land on the floor, as she took off towards the kitchen. Following her, I jumped over David who quickly chased me, followed by Brandon and Jason, to capture Katie's reaction. I felt my chest burn, unsure of what sick shit David had pulled, though I knew whatever it was, I was going to probably be watching Katie get taken out of this house in handcuffs. Getting to Jason's door, we could hear scratching at the door. Trying to pull it open, Katie realized it was locked. Without second guessing, she gave two swift kicks to the door knob, busting the knob off the door itself as well as cracking the molding on the side. "Are you fucking kidding me?"
     Standing behind her, I saw Todd on the floor in a black speedo with puppy ears and whiskers drawn in marker on his face. He began to laugh as speakers on the side of Jason's desk played one of Katie's vlogs with Charlie barking on it. Before I could ask about the real Charlie, we heard barking coming from the living room.
     Relieved it was the real Charlie, Katie pushed past us to get to him. I followed behind everyone until Katie let out a high pitched wail. I pushed the boys to the side to get to her before I saw Scott scooping up Charlie, and running out the side door, screaming. "David, what the fuck is wrong with you?"
     David snickered as I felt him push my side to get our faces reaction to the large reptile sitting in the middle of the living room. I watched as the crocodile sat still, flicking his tail back and forth. Frozen in fear, I swallowed the lump in my throat as I looked into the eyes of the beast. "David... David, that's attached to a rope or something, right? Da-David, when they, when they hiss like-like that... That's them mad."
     Katie went to take a step further when the crocodile slowly opened his mouth, the hissing becoming louder. Running, she darted to the back to Scott's room and slammed the door. I went to follow suit before a man with a graying beard and black baseball cap came in, revealing a leather rope that was attached to the crocodile in a harness- like fashion. I looked at David and the boys who laughed wildly before, walking off, not entertained for a second over the shit they pulled. I opened the door to Scott's room, surprised she didn't lock it. As I stepped further into the room, I felt a draft. Upon searching, I saw one of the windows had been opened to the backyard and Katie had hopped out of it. I began to breakdown in laughter, following suit, as the boys did the same. She sat in the yard next to Scott, hugging Charlie with her arms and legs for protection as he panted happily. Scott has an arm on her lower back, rubbing it lightly, as we walked over. "Babygirl, why didn't you lock the door?"
     "Crocodiles can't open doors." Katie croaked out through nervous tears as she spoke into Charlie's fur. Everyone began to laugh at Katie's joke, though I knew better not to, as I saw for the first time in the entire time I've known her a flash of something on her face. Though I couldn't put my finger on it, I knew it was directed towards David. And for a change, I was thankful I was not him.