The Boy Next Door (Mavin)

Chapter Twenty-Two: Lies and Slander

Chapter Twenty-Two:

"So... she just lives with you now? Without your parents knowing?" Gavin asked.

After Gavin got off work, he had told me to come over so we could talk. We surprisingly had a lot to catch up on, despite it only being a month since we last hung out. Gavin sat on his bed with his back against his headboard. He was obviously sore and tried from work, but he insisted Michael stay.

"Yeah... it's surprisingly not that hard. Lindsay is agile enough to climb in and out of the window. We manage to sneak regular showers. And she knows to keep quiet when my parents are home. Besides, she needed me and I needed someone too," I told Gavin. Gavin looked away guiltily and nodded. I frowned, beginning to feel angry at myself for making Gavin feel guilty.

"Have you ever tried getting her help for her addiction?" Gavin asked. I sighed and shrugged.

"Sort of. I feel bad for feeding her addiction but you can't just stop that stuff cold turkey. She needs to be admitted into a rehab facility honestly but she's intent on staying where she is," I told him. Gavin nodded and sighed, leading us into a long silence.

I took in my surroundings for a moment. It was nice being back in Gavin's bedroom. I missed the times that we had hung out in here and I almost wished I could stay. But I knew full well I couldn't ask that. Gavin was tired.

"Hey, I think I'm gonna head home. You look exhausted," I told him, standing up and beginning to walk towards his door. Gavin shot up like a bolt, obviously not ready to say goodbye.

"Wait, I want to propose something," Gavin said. I stopped and turned back to face him, waiting for him to continue.

"Mi-cool, I don't want to lose you again. I want to get back together," Gavin said, nearly pleading me.

"Well, we can't really do that with Meg being pregnant," I reminded him. Gavin rolled his eyes.

"I don't have to date her. All I have to do is provide for the baby," Gavin said as if it were the easiest thing to understand.

"I think your parents and her parents wouldn't be very appreciative if you started dating someone else while Meg is pregnant with your baby," I told him. Gavin nodded in agreement before his eyes lit up with an idea.

"No one has to know then. We'll just have to sneak around. Just until Meg isn't pregnant anymore," Gavin said hopefully. I sighed, uncertain.

"Gavin, I don't know. It's all very risky," I told him. Gavin took another step closer.

"Please, Michael, I don't want to let you go," Gavin pleaded now. I sighed and slowly nodded my head, accepting his proposal.

"Okay. But we need to be careful. Very careful," I told him. Gavin's eyes lit up again, turning back into the orbs I once knew when he and I first met.

"Absolutely," Gavin agreed before hugging me as tightly as he could. I hugged him back, feeling his head rest on my shoulder. Eventually, I let go when I felt Gavin's arms grow limp. He needed to rest.

"Go to bed. I'll see you tomorrow," I promised him. He nodded drowsily and sat back down on his bed, watching me as I walked out.

"I love you," He said quietly, under his breath.

I love you too, Gavin.
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(Gav's POV)

It had been three months since I first found out about the pregnancy. Meg and I still found it hard to be around each other for long periods of time. Or maybe it was just me not liking to be around her.