Caught in the Middle

Chapter 19

I awoke to loud yelling downstairs and something being shattered.  I jolted out of bed looking around wildly.  Where was I?  I heard a commotion beside the bed and turned stifling a scream.  Gav was standing beside me looking tired and raggedy.  He must have slept on the couch and everything that happened yesterday came crashing down on me.  There was another crashing sound from downstairs and I jumped.

"Gav"  I whispered who was standing by the door now.

"Stay here."  He said and opened the door stepping out in the hallway and closing the door behind him.

Yeah right, I thought as I ran across the room and slung the door open to follow behind Gav.

He glared at me, "I told you stay put."

I rolled my eyes, "Like I ever listen to you."

He made an impatient sound and continued on down the hallway as yelling could be heard.

"Mace!" Paul yelled, "You need to be quiet, you are going to wake up the whole house!"

Something else was thrown and shattered.

"Shit!"  Paul yelled.

I pushed past Gavin once I realized it was just Mason making all the racket.

When I reached the kitchen my eyes widened in surprise.  There was glass everywhere in the floor, cabinets torn off its hinges and the refrigerator door was wide open with food spilling out.

Paul turned to me a panicked look on his face as Mace threw another glass and I watched as it shattered against the wall.  With the way he was staggering I could tell he had been drinking.

"Mace."  I whispered.

"Don't Jules."  Paul said as Mace snapped his head at him.

"Shut the hell up Paul!  She isn't any of your concern!" He yelled picking up another glass and shattering it on the floor.  He grabbed the edge of the counter, showing the tension in his back. 

"Mace.  It's ok."   I whispered walking slowly over to him.

I looked around the kitchen and noticed that all the guys were standing in the doorways looking at me.  I didn't know what to do or say as they all stared at me.  My eyes met with Jacks and I had to hold back the urge to glare at him.  Instead, I walked towards Mace, being very careful of his temper.

Once I reached him I moved my hand to touch his shoulder when he flinched away from me.  I jerked my hand back at his sudden movement bringing tears to my eyes.  Did he not want to touch me now?  Did he think I was dirty?

"Mace, you are a jackass!"  Paul screamed becoming red in the face.

"It's ok Paul."  I said taking a step away from Mace.  I could feel the tears coming to my eyes.  I looked around the room at all the eyes on me.  I didn't want to cry now, please not now.

"I told you to keep out of it Paul!"  Mace screamed glaring up at Paul. 

Paul took a step towards him, his hands balled into fists, "I ought to kick your ass right now."

"You think you can?" Mace asked through clenched teeth.

"Paul, stop."  I said quietly but he still heard me because his eyes landed on me, and his expression softened. "It's ok, he's had a little too much to drink is all."

Mace turned to glare at me, "I have, have I?" He asked grabbing me by the arm so quickly that I yelped as I was pulled against his chest.  Out of the corner of my eyes I saw all the guys take steps towards us.