When You Need Me | Scomiche

Chapter 11

     It was nice to step off the plane into Beau's arms. Beau was almost the same height as Scott but wasn't as broad. He smelled different too, sweeter than Scott who smelt... manlier. Mitch wasn't feeling up to do anything and would've preferred to just lay in bed, but Beau had other plans for them and he really did want to spend time with his boyfriend. 

     Ever since the plane landed in L.A., Mitch had been trying his hardest to act 'normal' and happy for Beau, but he couldn't get his mind off of Scott. 

     He was ushered into his bedroom with instructions to wear something pretty and be ready to go at nine pm. Beau drove them to a little restaurant close to downtown LA and Mitch was surprised to find out they had reservations. It wasn't until they were almost done with their meals that Mitch remembered being told a surprise was waiting for him. He was pretty sure he figured out what was going on. Or what was about to be going on, rather.

     Oh no... Mitch paused the bite that he was taking to glance over to Beau who was looking at him with twinkling eyes. He offered a weak smile in return.

     "You know I love you right?" Beau reached his hand over to grab Mitch's.

     Oh dear god. Mitch's heart was starting to race, and he wasn't sure it was in a good way. "Yes." It came out breathier than he was hoping.

     "There hasn't been one other person before you that makes me feel the way you do. You make me so happy and I'm constantly amazed by your beauty and talent." Why did he have to be so sweet? Mitch was really starting to panic now. He didn't want to tell this man that he couldn't marry him. How could Mitch be here, about to get proposed to, and Scott be at home suffering? 

     He watched as Beau rose from his chair, reached into his pocket, then bent down onto his knee in front of him. He could hear small gasps from the tables around him. "You are my happiness and my life, and I want to start a family with you. Please, Mitch, make me the happiest man in the world by becoming my husband?" Beau was looking handsome as ever, declaring his love and promising to be faithful the rest of his life to Mitch, but all he could think about was how everyone was staring at them. He swallowed thickly when he realized Beau was waiting for his reply. And apparently every other damn person in this place.

     "Beau..." It must've come out wrong because the man's features slowly morphed into shock then disappointment. "I really, really love you, but we aren't ready for this. I'm not ready for this. We are still so young." Mitch's heart was physically aching now and he was pretty sure he was gonna throw up soon. Beau hung his head and awkwardly slid back into his chair, glancing around them.

     Mitch stared down at his unfinished meal until Beau spoke, "I thought we were on the same page about this."

     "We have never discussed marriage."

     "But we already live together and we joke about the future together. Maybe I just got the wrong impression. Being away from you really made me excited for this too. I was bummed you had to leave in the first place but I missed you so much and it made me realize how I don't want to live without you by my side. I thought maybe you felt the same way." Mitch's eyes burned and the guilt of his actions from the past four days made his whole body numb. Yeah, he didn't really cheat on him, but this is why he was never in a serious relationship when Scott was around. 

     Scott was different. They were allowed to cuddle and be in each other's personal space. They shared an innocent kiss on the head or cheek or whatever every once in a while. They were "basically married" as they always used to say and he could never devote himself, and his heart, to someone else fully. If Scott was going to be back in his life, he wouldn't be able to give Beau the attention and time he deserved. He already knew when they dated other people, jealousy was a big factor from the significant others, none of them were ever truly happy sharing. He knew Beau would be the same. Mitch felt a hand press against his cheek and a thumb brush back and forth. "Can I just ask why you are saying no?" He debated whether or not to mention Scott, and decided the truth would be better in the long run. He sighed.

     "It's just..." the words got stuck in his throat. Another heavy sigh, "Scott." Beau genuinely looked confused by this answer.

     "Did you cheat?" Beau was too calm when asking this and it unnerved Mitch.

     "No. I would never cheat on you."

     "Then what does he have to do with our relationship? Last I knew you hadn't talked in like two years, then you leave me for four days, and now that you are back, you are hesitating. What changed Mitch? Is he an ex? I thought y'all were just good friends, you know, bandmates, or whatever."

     "No, no, we never dated." Not entirely true. "We are just best friends. His mom, uh... was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I have to go back to him. He needs somebody because when he went back to Texas, he left everyone he had behind in L.A." Mitch was doing a terrible job of telling the truth and Beau was starting to look a little annoyed now.

     "But that doesn't have anything to do with our relationship, Mitch." Mitch was close to full-on panic attack mode and he didn't want to be talking about this here anymore.

     "Can we please go home now? People are still staring." Mitch was practically begging. Beau's features cooled and he stood up to pay the bill and drag Mitch out to the car to head home.

     The car ride was incredibly tense and Mitch was drenched in sweat by the time they pulled into the driveway. Before they both got out he grabbed Beau's wrist. "Look, I won't say no just yet, okay? Just give me a little time to think about it, please."

     A sweet smile crossed Beau's face and he leaned over the center console to press his lips gently against Mitch's. "Okay, I can do that."

***

     Once again, Beau was fast asleep and Mitch found himself restlessly wandering out into the living room. He clicked the TV on and turned the volume on low. He needed to talk to someone about this. Maybe get a better point of view on the situation at hand and explain to him why he couldn't make himself just say yes to Beau. He pulled his phone out, opening 'recents' and called the one girl who kept his head on straight.

     "Hello?" Who the heck is answering Kirstie's phone? Mitch pulled the phone away from his ear to glance at the screen. God dammit. Why don't you ever double check what you are doing, idiot? Mitch cursed himself for calling the wrong person. "Mitch?"

     "Hi, Scott." Mitch leaned over to the remote to turn the volume up on the TV a bit, hoping that it would cover the sound of him talking.

     "I guess it was your turn to call at three am, huh?" There was amusement in Scott's voice. It made Mitch smile.

     "It was an accident, but I guess we can talk." He let a little sass out, not having done so in a week.

     "Oh, I'm grateful you have given me your time, your majesty. No one could be as lucky as me right now." Mitch's smile widened. Scott always managed to improve his mood without even trying. He always made drama feel so small and simple. Maybe he could talk to Scott about the conundrum.

     "Hey, Scott?" Mitch's voice now serious. "If I ask you something strange, can you promise to answer it honestly?"

     "I would never lie to you, Mitchie."

     "Promise me, please."

     "I promise." Scott was a little worried now. Mitch wasn't usually this serious with him.

     "Well, Beau proposed to me tonight." Scott's heart dropped. "And I told him I needed to think about it. If things... Would... What do you...?" Mitch sighed, not able to form a sentence. He took a deep breath and started over. "I guess what I'm trying to ask is what do you think I should answer? Do you think I should get married to Beau?" Mitch's heart was racing once again tonight, but this time it wasn't suffocating him. He didn't mean to ask such a heavy question but he needed to know where their relationship stood according to Scott. If he said yes, then their one hundred percent platonic friendship would be back in full swing. If he said no, well Mitch wasn't really sure he was ready to think about what that meant. His anxiety spiked due to the lack of answer from the other line.