Deadpan - Bennoda

Chapter Five

Mike and I hugged each other for what felt like forever, but I didn't mind. His arms were warm and he didn't seem to want to let go of me, so we remained holding one another, listening to each other breath. I felt myself beginning to grow tired, sleep pleading for me to close my eyes as I let my body relax against Mike's. I was so comfortable.

"Don't fall asleep, sweetie," Mike said lovingly and pulled away from me, forcing me to stay awake. I gave him a warm smile and he kissed me again. "I love you so much, I can't believe we finally get to be together like this. I feel like there's a weight lifted off my shoulders."

"I love you too, but I have to ask... How long have you felt like this towards me?" I asked out of curiosity and he kissed my cheek, which made me shiver slightly as it was the same spot Sage kissed me last and the thought of him made me feel guilty. 

"Oh, geez, are you ready to hear this?" He chuckled and I laughed, nodding.

"Yes, I'm ready," I grinned, excited to hear what he had to say. I was in love with Mike since the moment my eyes met his, but he sounded like he had a story, which was enticing. 

"Okay. I remember when your demo tape came in - the first one, with your own music, before we asked you to try ours. When you started singing, my heart craved to hold you and make your pained voice happy. You sent in our demo and you were perfect, I was in love with your voice, which I thought I only loved for the band until I met you. The second you came into the audition room, I swear my heart skipped a beat because I could match your face to your voice in the demos. You started singing, though you didn't have to because I already knew I was choosing you out of everyone else. When you sang in person, I got goosebumps and chills. 

"After the auditions, we had a band meeting to talk about who we wanted in the band and I wasn't shocked everyone agreed with me on picking you. They were so excited that I agreed, considering I was the most picky out of all of us, and we knew we found the perfect vocalist, but you were perfect to me as more than a vocalist. I kept telling myself I was just in love with your voice, but whenever I saw you or talked to you, I couldn't help feeling like I loved every part of you and that's because I do. I loved every little part of you. The little gap in-between two of your teeth, the tattoos you began to liter yourself with, and especially those dark brown eyes that still makes a chill run down my spine to this very day. I've loved you so much for so long, I was just never sure how to tell you," He finished, I thought, and my heart was racing from being overcharged with love. I wasn't used to anyone loving me so intimately. 

"Oh, Mike, I love you so much," I scooted closer to him and he gave me a sad smile. 

"But you also love Sage and that's killing me," He admitted and I couldn't look him in the eyes when he said that and I felt horrible for it. "I'm sure you loving me is killing him too."

"He just wants me to be happy," I echoed what Sage had claimed earlier and Mike shrugged. 

"Well, so do I, obviously, but I want you to be happy with me. I don't trust Sage with your heart, especially how he hurt it. I don't want him to break your heart again," He sighed and I understood where he was coming from. I shared his fears, but Sage had been so sweet to me that it was hard to say I couldn't give him another chance.

"He seems to genuinely want the best for me, so it's hard to think he'd toy with me like that," I told him and I could tell he was beginning to grow jealous, so I decided to put a stop to talking about Sage. "But what matters right now is that we know how each other feels and if we're going to do anything about our feelings, then we'll have to overcome the hurdles as we come to them."

"I just don't trust him, there must be a reason why he's here now," He pressed and I shrugged. 

"If there was a reason, he hasn't told me."

"You'll have to dig it out of him then," He suggested, which didn't sound like a bad idea. 

"I'll see what I can do," I promised. "He wanted to meet you by the way."

"He did? Why?" He asked, then seemed to think about it for a moment. "I mean, I'd like to know what he looks like and what his personality is like to see what I'm up against, but-"

"That's why he wanted to meet you," I giggled a bit and Mike gave me a loving look, yanking me into his arms and hugging me tightly. 

"Don't giggle, it makes me have to hug you," He chuckled, but his comment only made me giggle again, so he hugged me even tighter. I made myself stop giggling and he let me go. "I mean... I guess I could... meet him." 

"Really? I never thought you'd want to," I admitted and he shrugged his shoulders.

"I mean, I'll probably have to eventually, so might as well get it over with and have it be somewhat casual," He said and I nodded. 

"Where should we meet?"

"Well, I don't want it to be awkward, so why don't we go to the bar down the street?" He suggested and I thought it was a great idea. Not only would we be surrounded by people and not have to worry about any awkward silence, but I could drink to numb the awkwardness of the two people I loved meeting. 

"Sure, sounds like a great idea."

"Right? I can drink," Mike laughed, saying exactly what I was thinking, which made me laugh with him. "Tonight?"

"Sure," I smiled and he tugged out his notebook. 

"We should work on some music for a little bit while we're here," He mentioned and I nodded in agreement, letting the drama pass and work begin. 

After awhile, I noticed it was getting late out and was surprised. Time seemed to have flown by and Mike and I got a lot of work done. I'd even go as far as saying we got even more done after we cleared the air on how we both feel about each other. I decided I should probably call Sage, considering he also wanted me to talk to him after I was wrapped up with Mike.

"I should call Sage and see if he can make it tonight," I reminded him and he nodded.

"Right, I forgot about that," He muttered and I took my phone out, calling Sage.

"Hello?" 

"Hey, Sage," I let him know it was me by my voice, not bothering to tell him.

"Oh, Chaz, hey. How'd it go with Mike?"

"Good. He wants to meet you. Know where the bar is near my apartment?"

"Yeah, meet there in an hour?" 

"Sure thing, I'll see you soon," I hung up and told Mike about the plans, to which he hesitated before nodding his head in response. Tonight couldn't possibly end well, could it?