I Think I Love You

Chapter 14: Mia

Chapter 14: Mia

Why do I suddenly feel like I'm in the wrong? Instantly, I get a jolt of what this might look like and I'm quick to respond in denial. Noticing how close Brayden and I were standing, I jump back. I didn't do anything nor did I have any intentions of doing anything wrong! Yet why do I still feel like I'm caught in an act? No one says anything for the longest time – it's like we're all trying to process what's going on. Mac breaks first, and I prepare to respond anticipating what he might say.

"Brayden?!" I'm stunned. His voice comes out coarse and there's an underlying tone of disbelief. I feel my pupils dilate and my eyes dart from Mac to Brayden. They know each other? This is news to me, although I realize it doesn't really matter whether they knew each other or not. After-all, this is a small town, meaning you're bound to run into someone at one point or another.

"What the hell are you doing at my girlfriend's house?" he's walking towards him and I catch Brayden take a step away in retreat. Brayden's shaking his head and I can tell that he's just as shocked as the both of us with the way that his jaw is dropped. He looks from Mac to me, back and forth until it finally clicks. He still hasn't spoken a word so Mac starts again. What the hell is going on here?!" he accusingly asks, louder this time, demanding an answer. In all my years of knowing Mac, I've never heard this tone before. Then again, we've never been in this situation before either.

"I-I'm just dropping her home man" he says with his hands up like he wants no trouble.

"Oh yeah? And walk her to her door too? Is that all you want to do Brayden?"

"Look Mac, I didn't know! This is all it is", Brayden's eyes grow wide like he's broken some code.

Mac's eyes grow fierce like something else clicks. "Oh, I get it! Is this why you're not into Meg?! Is it Mia?!"

Who's Meg? What are they talking about? I find myself lost, and suddenly a foreigner to this confrontation.

Brayden's face pales as if he's caught in a lie. He starts to head down the front steps to meet Mac on the lawn. "What? No, that's different" he assures him. I guess it wasn't convincing enough as the tension grows with Mac's disbelief. He steps toward Brayden and pushes his shoulders, challenging him. I watch as Brayden postures to push back before deciding not to retaliate.

"Stop!" I hear myself yell not wanting them to get into a fight over something that means nothing! I rush down the steps to jump between them when their glare doesn't break from the other. They don't back down. I decide to remove myself from whatever was about to happen, and terrified myself, I grasp my arms. They're not going to fight. They shouldn't. Over what?!

They stand close facing one another, Mac fuming while Brayden is prepared to defend himself.

"You're a fucking liar" Mac spits, more calmly than his earlier accusations. I catch one of his hands curl into a fist, and pray no one gets hurt.

"I don't want any trouble man, I'm sorry. I overstepped."

"Don't drop my girl home again" Mac says.

After a short pause Brayden nods his head, and his face grows stern. Her purses his lips together as if to refrain from saying something distasteful.

"Look, I'm gonna go." He turns his head to look at me before he leaves and heads for his car. We don't say a word. I'm still gripping my arms together, as if doing so is my armour. Mac's cold stare doesn't break from Brayden's car until it's out of sight.

He lets a few seconds of silence pass before he turns his face to look at me. His eyes are still cold, but there's a hint of disappointment in them like he's been betrayed.