When You Need Me | Scomiche

Chapter 6

     Mitch could feel Scott breathe deeply against him and then slowly pull back a little. With one arm still around him, Scott placed a finger under Mitch's chin and lifted his face to meet his eyes. Mitch noticed it was a little gentler than Beau had done a few days ago. He raised his eyes to meet Scott's. 

     "Why are you here?" he could feel Scott's breath on his face.

     "I came to see you." He hoped his eyes were doing enough talking for him. Scott's eyes flicked back and forth between his own.

     "Okay." Scott pulled away from Mitch to turn to his family but left a firm grip on his arm. Mitch looked down at it.

     "Oh, Mitch! It is nice to see you", Rick stood up from the couch and rounded it to bring him into a hug. "Don't mind my buddies here, we were just watching the game." He gestured in the general direction of the TV.

     "Hi, Mr. Hoying", he could make himself to call him by his first name ever. "How are you?" Really? He thought to himself. How are you? That is the stupidest question, of course he isn't okay.

     "I'm uh, I'm alright. Hanging in there", Rick offered a weak smile. "Anyways, I'm gonna get back to the game. Y'all should catch up." He rounded back around the couch to sit with the other men.

     Mitch looked up to see Scott and Lauren communicating with their eyes. Instead of trying to decipher the silent language of siblings, he focused on the hand that was still on his arm. He noticed Scott's grip was tight. Not enough to hurt him but enough that it felt different than what he could remember and if Mitch were to guess, he probably looks like he is ready to run with how stiff and awkward his body was being right now. If Scott looked like that, Mitch would be holding onto him to keep him from fleeing too. He kinda liked the large hand holding his arm. It was large and strong and warm. His head turned to the middle of the room where Lauren was now picking up her son. 

     "I'll just uh... be putting Landon to bed. You know, reading him stories and whatnot. So uh yeah... It'll be a long time." Her son now settled on her hip, she focused on Mitch. "Mitch, we should catch lunch or something while you are in town."

     "Yeah, I would really love that." And when she walked passed towards the stairs, she pressed a little kiss to his cheek.

     Mitch still didn't want to look at Scott. He could feel the blonde's eyes roaming his face so instead of making eye contact, he looked at the hand on his arm again. Apparently, that was a mistake because Scott's hand pulled back from his arm fast enough you would think that Mitch's skin burned him. He frowned. "I'm guessing you are here to talk?" He finally looked up at Scott's face. His eyes scanned the familiar features. He was a little scruffier and his hair was a tad longer but still styled the same. He had dark circles under his eyes and he looked older. He was incredibly handsome still. Laugh lines, sharp jaw, and all. Scott's face flushed red. "Mitch?" Damn, he forgot to reply again. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

     Scott stood there for a couple more seconds before turning around and grabbing his keys off the hook next to the door, he reached back and grabbed Mitch's hand since he still hadn't moved and didn't seem to get the hint that he was supposed to follow. Mitch took in a sharp breath as he was tugged forward a little forcefully and out the door. He followed Scott to his car and when Scott opened the passenger door for him, he gave a weak smile in thanks before sliding in. He jumped a little when the door was closed and watched as Scott rounded the front of the car. What is wrong with you? Mitch turned to the window and looked at his reflection. This is the same Scott you've always known. Relax. You will be fine. He didn't even think to ask where they were going.

     Mitch shook his head a little at the familiar drive towards their old high school. It was strange that everything could look so similar and also so different from what he remembered. He looked at Scott out of the corner of his eye. Scott was tense, but his facial expression wasn't angry. In fact, his eyes seemed distant, almost as if he was on autopilot. His heart ached when he remembered why he was even here. He had to get out of his head and stop second-guessing himself and just be there for his best friend. He reached his left hand over the console and place it on Scott's thigh, palm up. Scott looked over at Mitch and then down at the hand resting on his thigh then back to the road. His right hand moved down and he laced his fingers through Mitch's. A small smile crossed Mitch's face.

     Not long after that, Scott was pulling into the old parking lot next to the football stadium of their High School. Scott disconnected their hands and hopped out of the car. Mitch followed him over to the gate and when they got to the fence, Scott bent down and laced his fingers together creating a platform for Mitch. Just like when they would come here in the summer during high school, Mitch placed his foot in Scott's hands and was up and over the fence. Scott climbed the top and landed hard next to Mitch. They stood for a second just looking at each other before Scott's hand found Mitch's again and was leading him up the bleachers. He settled at the top and Mitch sat down next to him. 

     The silence was a little strange to Mitch, but it was nice to be sitting next to the familiar man. He felt more whole now than he had in the past year and he vowed right then and there to never let them go even a week without talking again. Scott stood up to reposition himself, straddling the bench fully facing Mitch. Mitch did the same, bumping their knees together. They were about to have their first conversation in over a year.