Troublemaker (5SOS)

Chapter Seventeen

Once Michael got to his car, he turned toward the house, hoping to see Tara's eyes still on him.  The door was closed, and the house was dark.  She wasn't there.  He tilted his head back and slouched into the seat, sighing.  He couldn't believe the last few hours he had.  He pulled out his phone and saw a text from Calum-- one word-- Drinks?

Michael clicked on Snapchat instead of replying to his friend, typing "too soon?" to Tara, then immediately deleting each letter.  "Already thinking about the next time I get to see you," he typed, instead.  Before sending it, he decided that it would be better if he didn't.  Michael switched back to Calum's text and replied with "Tell me where and I'll meet you there".

As soon as Calum responded with the name of his bar of choice, Michael started the car and drove off into the night.  He ended up at Risky's, an old dive bar well-known to locals, and found Calum and Luke at the end of the bar closest to the stage.  His clenched jaw relaxed as soon as they told him that Ashton bowed out of the last-minute plans.  Luke slid a pint of beer toward Michael as Calum stood to use the bathroom. 

"I wasn't sure you'd come.  So where'd you disappear to so fast?" Luke asks as Calum is still in earshot. 

Michael pushed his hair out of his eyes and took a sip of the beer.  "Fuck off".  His tone was playful, but he meant it.  He was feeling on edge.  It's like his encounter with Tara made him feel everything multiplied.

Luke scoffed, but kept his eyes on Michael as he shifted on the bar stool.  The last thing he needed was another lecture, or to feel guilty about something that made him feel so good.  Calum returned, excited to share the story of his date with Tara's sister.  Michael swallowed hard, hoping that he hadn't noticed his car at their house.  From the sounds of it, he didn't notice a thing out of place.  He heavily implied that he had sex with Kody, and Luke's grin only egged him on, but Michael was skeptical.  He said nothing, though, because how else would he know unless he was there?  Michael lost interest in the story as he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.

It wasn't Tara, it was Ashton.

Am I being stupid?  Ashton asked, hopelessly.

Michael furrowed his brow, unsure of what to say, or even why he was going to him about this, of all people.

I mean, he continued, things were going perfectly last night.  Did I ruin it by bringing you guys along?

Michael gulped the rest of his beer and flagged down the bartender for a refill before responding. 

Why do you think that?  I think everyone had a great time.  It was almost too easy to play dumb.

I haven't heard from her at all, something just seems off, Ashton said.

As Michael was trying to type up a response, another text from Ashton interrupted him.

Oh, I think I spoke too soon!  She's texting me now.

Michael could feel the heat in his ears, quickly switching over to Snapchat to see if she'd sent him anything.  Nothing.

Good.  Michael replied, trying his best not to sound bitter.  Let me know how it goes. 

Before Ashton could say any more, Michael turned his phone off and placed it back in his pocket before slamming the second beer and ordering another.