This Year's Love // Michael Clifford

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

Brittany Dawson

"Um, your shorts are kind of short, B," Michael says.

"What? No, they're not." I shake my head at him through the mirror, then go back to applying liquid eyeliner on my eyelid.

"I just don't want Evan getting any ideas," he replies.

"Nobody gets any ideas about me," I snort.

"I do," he mutters, but I wasn't sure if he meant for me to hear it. "Just be careful, okay? This guy is a lot older than you and he's more mature and exp-"

I roll my eyes. "More experienced. I know, Michael. I get it."

"He doesn't know how to be around you like I do," he adds. "I just-"

"Stop stressing out, dude," I chuckle, tossing the eyeliner onto the makeshift vanity and picking up the mascara.

"Be home by-"

"Ten," I finish for him. "You told me all the same rules this morning when I mentioned going out with Evan tonight."

"Okay, good. I just want to get one movie in before we have to go to bed and wake up early to catch our flight," he replies.

"Alright. Well, I'm gonna go now," I say. "I'm meeting him in the lobby." I wasn't really. I just wanted to get away from Michael's worried ass.

"See you when you get home," he says, capturing me in a hug.

"See you then."

///////

"Woah," I admire, looking around at the sky and the water surrounding the 1800's-style vessel.

"How is it?" Evan asks, leaning on the railing beside me.

"Beautiful," I reply, taking in the sunset and warm July weather.

"A good second date?" He nudges my shoulder.

I look up at him with a grin on my face. "Yeah," I answer. "Perfect."

"Once the vessel takes us back to land, do you want to go get some food?" Evan asks.

"Sure." I nod.

Fifteen minutes later, we were back on land and heading to a restaurant that Evan deemed perfect for a second date. I could totally agree as soon as I bit into my steak. While we were not dressed for the occasion of such a fancy restaurant (me in my tee shirt and shorts and Evan in practically the same thing, except jeans), the dinner was all around well.

There was just one tiny detail I couldn't shake though. One so infinitely small perk that caused me to second guess Evan and these dates in all. It started with M and ended in ichael. And boy was he mad when I showed up at a 12:30 that night (or shall I say morning?).

"Bullshit," he sputters. "Once we get back to St. Louis we're done."

Thunder clashed and hearts broke.

/////

Don't be mad babies. Shit happens and I want this be as real as possible. You'll get your Bichael (Mrittany?) soon. I have the perfect plan.

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