When It Goes Too Far

Chapter 4

I wasn't sure how to handle everything that had happened earlier today. First, they all come in, install some GPS voice-recording crap which is creepy all on it's own, and Mac asked me to dinner TONIGHT! Normally when someone of the male persuasion asks someone of the opposite sex out for dinner, they give them til the next day. Not just 'Hey, you know that dinner you agreed to? Yeah, that's happening tonight'.

So when someone knocked on my door later that night, my gut told me that it was Mac. My heart began to flutter as I stood up from the couch, making my way towards the door. Before you guys jump to conclusions, it's not because I'm having butterflies or I'm nervous about this 'dinner date', because that's the farthest thing from it. I wasn't sure what direction this night was heading towards and I did not like that one bit.

When I opened the door, his eyes instantly started scanning their way down my body. "What? Didn't want to make it look like you were too interested?"

I couldn't help but respond with a smirk as I grabbed my purse from beside the door. "When did you become a psychic?"

"Real funny Raelynn. Come on, let's go." Damn, what was with the rush?! Shutting the door behind me, I began following him towards the street.

"Where is it we're exactly going?"

"You'll see"

It took 30 minutes and a few short conversations before we pulled into the driveway of a house. My mind fully focused in on my surroundings and realized that we were currently in the driveway of Bozer and Mac's house. Woah, Woah, Woah. Why are we here? This might be me jumping to conclusions but I don't want to be here unless he plans on cooking dinner here. I just don't know him that well, alright?! Despite what some might say my name suggests, I have class ok?!?!

He must have seen my body tighten up instinctively because he glanced over at me, a concerned look on his face. "Raelynn, what's wrong?"

This probably should have been one of those moments where I kept my mouth shut on the whole situation to avoid confrontation. You know me well enough by now, that's not what I did.

"What? Don't you have to at least by me dinner first?" The car was shadowed over, not giving me much detail of his face, but I could still see the crimson color start rising in his cheeks.

"What? Oh god no that's not what I meant! Jack, Riley, and Bozer came over tonight for our weekly movie night with barbecue cooked by Jack and I figured you'd want to come with." Wow, I'm usually a lot closer to my out of the park theories than this one.

"Oh, ok-"

"I would never do that Rae- Not that I don't want to- I just want to- Not tonight. Maybe some other night- or never- you know whatever works for you- I wouldn't want to pressure you or anything- Unless you want to be pressured." He must have finally noticed what his rambling mind was saying because he shut his mouth, his face getting even redder. I have to admit, I didn't care If I didn't even eat tonight. That awkward rambling session was payment enough for everything.

"I'm just going to head inside." Mac got out of the car, shutting the door behind him. I watched him as he practically sprinted his way up to the front door. Once I knew he was a safe distance away, I allowed myself to chuckle softly in the car. Seeing the many sides that I have seen of Mac so far, the 'awkward, I lost complete control of my brain to mouth filter' side of him the best.

After allowing myself the brief chuckle, I exited the car and headed up the house myself. I found myself chuckling once again when I saw the door was left ajar, from him being in such a rush earlier.

When I entered the house, shutting the door behind me, Bozer seemed to appear out of nowhere. "There you are Raelynn!" He approached me and quickly gave me a hug before backing away.

"Did Mac seriously leave you outside?"

"Well, ya see, awkwardness entered the picture." As I told Bozer this, we both started making our way towards the back porch, where the smells of heavenly goodness began making its way from outside.

"I hope that's the food I'm smelling," I called out as I got outside. My suspicions were confirmed when I saw the grill opened up and fired up, dark colored smoke rising from it.

"You know it. If there's one thing a Texan knows how to do, it's cook barbecue. That and fire a gun at the age of twelve." Jack responded from somewhere behind the grill. Honestly, the thing was so huge, I'd never know for sure.

"Yes, we get it Jack, you like guns and meat." My eyes turned their attention to Mac, who stood off towards the side, a drink in hand. His eyes kept darting between Jack and myself, more commonly resting on me. I know I look good, but come on! I'm kidding, I'm not that conceited. Most of the time.

"I don't know that yet!" I raised my hand, a smile finding it's way onto my face.

"The more time you spend with us, the more it will get beat into your skull." Once again, Mac must have noticed what he said because his face got bright red once again, brighter than before. Man, he was just FULL of awkward moments tonight wasn't he?

"Anyways, the meat's pretty much done. Why don't ya'll head inside and start up the DVD player? I can already hear Bruce Willis calling my name." Almost simultaneously, Mac rolled his eyes as Riley and Bozer groaned from inside.

Before I could raise an eyebrow, Mac made his way over towards me and began pushing my shoulder towards the door.

"The quicker you learn not to question Jack's obsession with Bruce Willis, the better."

"It is not an obsession my friend! And even if it was, it's a damn good obsession to have!"

(Third Person POV)

The movie ended a few minutes ago, the ending credits for Die Hard still playing across the screen. Paper plates were scattered on the coffee table in front of the couches, littered with dirty napkins and rib bones that had been picked clean. The gang was spread out all over; Riley had already gone home earlier in the night, having to get up early tomorrow to visit her mom. Bozer had made his way towards his bedroom shortly after the movie ended, giving a quiet sendoff to Jack, Mac, and Raelynn. Mac and Jack were the only ones left awake as Raelynn was fast asleep, her head tucked into Mac's neck.

He noticed her resting her head on his shoulder 30 minutes earlier, but didn't think anything of it. After the awkward conversation they had in the car, there was nothing that could have happened that freaked him out more than that.

Both Mac and Jack's eyes rested on Raelynn's sleeping form. She seemed peaceful, her feet resting beside her on the couch as her head was gently tucked into his neck.

"Should I just take her home?" Mac asked Jack quietly, careful not to wake Raelynn. Not that he would ever admit it, but there was something about watching her sleep that put him- at ease.

"Yeah? And get her into house how?" He did have a point. "Just take her to the spare bedroom, by the looks of it she ain't going to be waking up anytime soon."

"Do I just carry her there or..."

"No, you're going to push her off the couch and wake her up. Yes, you're going to carry her! God, I have I taught you nothing about everything?" Mac knew he was going to have to carry her, but something about that felt wrong with him. He felt as if he were invading her personal space somehow.

Carefully to not make much noise and disturb her, he gently pushed her head out of his neck. After adjusting his position, Mac slipped his arms underneath her knees and behind her back. With one lift, he was able to effortlessly lift her into the air and start carrying her towards the spare bedroom. He didn't know if it was based on muscle memory or what, but Raelynn gently nuzzled her face into his chest, not waking up.

The two of them eventually made the short distance to the spare bedroom. Without turning the light on, Mac had walked over to the bed, placed Raelynn on it, and covered her with a nearby blanket.

He didn't know why, but he found himself staring at her as she now burrowed herself into the blanket, curling herself up into a small ball.

"Sweet dreams Raelynn." He whispered into the room, maintaining eye contact with her sleeping form. He then exited the room, shutting the door behind him as he left.