When You Need Me | Scomiche

Chapter 21

     The next few days were excruciatingly stressful for everyone. It started with an incredibly awkward goodbye between Mitch and Beau. Beau went in for a last kiss and Mitch let it happen but didn't reciprocate. They parted with a "see you later" and when Mitch turned around he was met with amused and uncomfortable expressions from Kirst and Scott. Scott's mom still hadn't woken up and the doctors couldn't find out what damage the seizure had caused. Scott was constantly nauseous and refused to eat. On top of that, he was acting awkward around Mitch, who was annoyed but understanding. Scott seemed preoccupied and probably didn't want a repeat of what happened the other night so he was avoiding touching him at all. 

     Kirstie, with good intentions, kept grilling Mitch for information, but Mitch wasn't letting up since he and Scott still hadn't talked. Mitch's manager had called repeatedly about news from the Vogue shoot. It was all good things and Mitch was bummed he couldn't fully enjoy his success. There also was more pressure now to go back to L.A. and resume his career. He was getting antsy here in Texas. The paparazzi had followed Kirst, along with some to see what Mitch was up to now that his career was lifting off. One had snapped a picture of Scott and Mitch at a Starbucks drive-through, awakening the old shippers, and now none of them could go out anywhere.

***

     Mitch and Kirstie looked up from the couch when Scott came crashing in. Mitch could tell he was angry. Probably another day with no information on his mom. Scott stood still in the entryway with his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. Mitch looked over to Kirst who was looking back at him with her bottom lip sticking out. He slowly rose from the couch and walked over to Scott and stopped in front of him. He could see Scott was talking large calming breaths, so he wrapped his arms around him. Scott didn't push him away but he didn't hug back either.

     "I need a drink." Scott's voice finally broke the silence. "We are all gonna dress up, and go to some club in Dallas and drink because I can't stand to think about those moron doctors one more minute." Mitch leaned back.

     "Okay, if that's what you want. What time are we leaving?"

     "I'll give you and Kirst twenty minutes." He walked over to the couch and plopped down, pulling out his phone. Kirst and Mitch scurried to their things to get ready. They both opted for black, not in the mood to wear anything fancier, and now that winter had actually settled in, they were forced to wear clothes that actually covered them up. At almost exactly twenty minutes, they met Scott at the door and headed downtown in an Uber to a club. 

     They ended up at Station 4, one of the more popular gay bars in Dallas. The music was loud and there was always people dancing and having fun. Mitch wasn't quite sure this was a good idea, especially since the paps knew the trio was together and at home, but he let Scott make his own decisions and followed him through the sweaty bodies towards the bar. He leaned on the bar and observed Scott as he ordered two shots and downed them both.

     "I was hoping one of those was for me." He had to speak loud so Scott could hear. He looked up from the empty shot glasses, an annoyed expression appeared and Mitch's face fell. Maybe he wants to be alone tonight. "Never mind." He turned away from Scott and waved the bartender over, ordering two drinks. Scott still said nothing as they stood next to each other and Mitch was annoyed right back at him. As soon as the drinks were in his hands, he was off to find where Kirstie ended up. He found her dancing in the crowd they had passed through earlier. Her face lit up when he held the drink out to her.

     "Where's Scott?"

     "He is at the bar. Wanted to be alone." She frowned at that but drug Mitch into the crowd with her.