My Cutthroat Romance

Chapter 23

{Ugh sorry for accidentally screwing things up for a few seconds there. Anyway, I'll be posting 2 or 3 chapters at a time, for a while, to catch up with Miss Sweeney's 51 posted chapters. Hence, enjoy!}

"So, he's crazy and you're...? What are you just horny or something?" Zacky asked, confused by Gerard's numerous attempts at explaining the situation.

"No Zacky." Gerard half-laughed, leaning on his hand. "More like…lonely…but not really lonely…more like…I've been single for a year and a half..." He summed up.

Cari-Leigh stared at him for a while.

"Gerard, I hope you know that most people wouldn't advise seeking affection from the mentally unstable." She said blankly.

"He's sort of cute though." Gerard shrugged.

Cari-Leigh brought her hand up to her face.

"So let me get this straight. He's crazy, he's gotta be around twice your age and Gerard, you think he's cute?" Zacky clarified.

"Well…you know…" Gerard shrugged.

"Listen, I'm not gonna stop you doing anything, but if this gets into something…more, are you gonna be able to deal with him if he's insane?" Cari asked, in all seriousness.

"Well…if I can't that's my problem, isn't it?" Gerard retorted quietly.

"I just don't want you to get hurt, so be careful." The girl told him, hugging him tightly.

"I promise Cari." Gerard said, rolling his eyes at her.

"You better." Zacky cut in playfully, jabbing him in the arm.

"I'll be fine. I can take care of myself, honest." Gerard smiled, getting up off the bench and going to make some more toast.

"Oh and sorry for the awakening." Cari laughed.

"Though I suppose you rather enjoyed that." Her brother grinned mischievously

"As a matter of fact I didn't." Gerard began, his cheeks turning pink. " He picked me up over his shoulder and then dropped me on my feet. I nearly fell over, thank you very much."

"You were warned beforehand." The barber drawled, seemingly out of nowhere, but he was at the bottom of the stairs between the living room and the kitchen.

Gerard started slightly at the unexpected sound of his voice.

"You really need to stop doing that." Gerard glared at him.

"Oh, did I startle you? I am so terribly sorry." He replied, his soft tone dripping with sarcasm, a smirk glittering behind his eyes.

"Very funny Mr. Todd. Did you want something?" Gerard asked in a disapproving tone.

"I would've asked if I did." Sweeney replied matter-of-factly.

"Then why are you down here?" Gerard pressed, putting his hands on his hips.

His hostility earned him a mildly surprised look.

"I see how it is."

Gerard scoffed at the false offended tone.

"Oh please, spare me your pain. I need a cup of tea." He grumbled.

"You did have one made for you. It was very nice."

Gerard glared daggers at the man across the room.

"I am this close." He held his thumb and index finger about a centimeter apart. "To throwing something dangerous at you." He threatened, in all seriousness.