Subtle Beauty - 21. Chapter 21

Here’s the plan: This week is about Mich, so I’m going to forget about ‘me’ for a while and focus on him. Okay. Right. Um... Now make it happen!

“Yo, Coop, you do realize that we’ll only be gone for a week, right? Right?” Mich had a huge frown on his face as he loaded the last of my heavy luggage on the backseat of his car. “The trunk’s full. We’re probably way over the maximum weight limit my car can accommodate. And why do you have to bring the cat?”

Satisfying myself that no one lurked in the shadows, I walked to him and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. Immediately, the crease on his forehead vanished while a smile played on his lips.

“Don’t think for one second your charm’s gonna work on me.” He looked in my eyes and his attempt at an icy look failed miserably. Warm breath brushed my face as he sighed.

“Ok, fine, let’s go. You should thank Seb for this.” The cat stirred on my arms as he reached over and scratched its ears.

Sure, the cat did the trick. I believe yah. “Thanks, babe. Don’t worry, I’ll be leaving most of this stuff at home, so you’ll be bringing back less when you return.”

“It’s fine.” In the early morning light, Mich wrapped his arms around me on the pavement of my apartment. “I guess I was just a bit worried that you might not come back. Your apartment looked empty except for the sparse furniture. It... scared me.”

I burrowed my face on his chest and immersed myself in his all too familiar scent. For a while, no words were spoken and we were content with just being together, as close as we could possibly get.

“It’s time for us to go,” he whispered in my ear.

When he withdrew his arms, his face reflected the same longing I had to maintain the connection we shared. Unsure of what to do next, we stood peering at each other. Some unknown force made me wrap my lips against his and maintain the kiss until we both gasped for breath.

Chest heaving, Mich eyed me with a slight disbelief on his face. “Oh wow. What brought that on?”

Feeling the biggest grin on my face, I shrugged. “Erm, you’re hot, need I say more? And I figured I might as well get as much kissing in as I can have before we get to my parents’ house.”

The blank look returned on his face accompanied by the furrowing of his brows. “What do you mean?”

Why do I get the feeling he won’t like what I’m going to say? Probably because he won’t, that’s why. “Well... we have to keep our hands to ourselves when we’re at my parents’.” I closed my eyes as I spoke, hoping he’d take the news well.

He didn’t. “What?! You’re kidding, right? I mean, I understand if we can’t have sex. The horror of being caught with our pants down by either of your parents, sister or brother is enough to make me wary. But what’s wrong with making out? We do it all the time at my house.”

“Grandpa leaves us alone, my family won’t,” I said in a matter of fact tone while I uttered a silent prayer for Mich to let this slide. It’s getting late.

Dumbfounded, he looked at me with his mouth slightly open. It took him a while to snap himself out of his astonishment. “Please tell me you’re kidding.” His eyes roamed my face, seeking the confirmation he wouldn’t get. “I can’t believe this, you’re not kidding!”

Shaking my head, I turned my gaze from him to Seb. As I rubbed the cat’s soft fur, Mich placed his hand on my shoulder and gently squeezed it.

“The only way I’ll agree to this is if we go back to your apartment right now. It’ll only take thirty minutes max. Unless you ask for more, I have no reason not to comply.”

My head snapped up at his words. “Mich!” The incredulity in my voice couldn’t be mistaken.

He staggered backwards, a sheepish smile appearing on his lips. “I’m just kidding, sheesh.”

I wasn’t born yesterday, Mich. “If you say so. Maybe you should stop thinking about what you’re going to be giving up and start thinking about other things like the two of us in a hotel somewhere tonight.”

He wore a wicked smile on his face as he turned away, a skip accompanied his steps as he moved to the driver side of the car. Once inside, he half-shouted, “What are you waiting for? Aren’t you excited to see your family?”

Right now, I’m more excited about tonight. Sliding myself in the passenger seat, Mich squeezed my hand before shifting from neutral to first gear. Here we go.

*************************

As we sped at seventy miles per hour on a freeway, my eyes took on the passing scenery with my mind tuned elsewhere. I thought about the school year that had just ended—ok so yet to end, but at least the final exams are done with. Naturally, my thoughts turned to Mich; how we’d met, our first kiss, his birthday we spent together, the first time we made love. As I pondered our brief break-up, I couldn’t help but consider its pettiness, taking into account recent events. What a difference a month makes.

The guy sitting beside me squeezed my legs to get my attention. “Are you ok, babe? Is there anything bothering you?”

My eyes landed on Mich’s profile as I turned to him and my lips managed an easy smile in appreciation of his good looks. “I’m good. Just reminiscin’.”

He chanced a glance at me as he wrapped his hand over mine, our fingers crisscrossing. “Oh? About what?”

“About life. School. You.” I paused, weighing my next words. “I’m so glad we’ve met, Mich. You... you’ve become an important part of me in such a small span of time.”

Without taking his eyes off the road, he brushed his lips against my hand then placed it against his chest. “Can you feel it? My heart beats for you, Coop.”

A goofy smile crept on my lips followed by a burning sensation on my cheeks. “Thanks. I didn’t know there’s a poet hiding inside your jock exterior.”

“That makes the two of us,” he said with a wink at me. A moment passed before he spoke again. “Seb will be antsy soon, are you sure you can handle him?”

I lowered my eyes to the cat circling on my lap, his hair stood on end while he flicked his tail hard against my chest. Seb relaxed a little when I brushed his fur. “He’ll be fine. If he gets too agitated, I’ll put him in his carrier, but I’d like to avoid that as much as possible. I don’t like seeing him cooped up in there.”

Mich let go of my hand to scratch Seb behind the ears. “Me too. That’s why I wish you agreed to my idea of leaving him with Grandpa.”

“While I know that Grandpa is more than capable of taking care of him, I just can’t be parted with this little guy. He’s mine, you gave him to me.”

“I didn’t know you can get this selfish.” He shook his head as he laughed silently. “Just remember our deal, you pay for new upholstery if he decides to vomit inside or worse.”

“Why are we talking about this again? I already agreed to this. Heck, how can I refuse? You did everything except make me sign an agreement.” I made a face at him thinking he couldn’t possibly see me while he concentrated on the road.

To my surprise, he turned sideways and stuck out his tongue before bowing his head low so he could better read a sign on the road. “You know I’m just kidding, right? I can’t picture this trip without Seb. He belongs here with us, we’re like... a family.”

“Family?” The tone of my voice was teasing. I saw as red streaks crept on his cheeks. Even his ears seemed to turn a light shade of red.

“Right. Um, speaking of family, I’m glad you invited me to tag along so I can meet yours.” Nice segue, real smooth.

“Figured now’s a good time than any.” With a smile playing on my lips, I added, “That and bringing you along saved me money for plane fare.”

“I knew it, you’re such a user.” The car lurched as he avoided my attempt at punching his arm. “Watch it, I’m driving.”

He became quiet and I left him to his thoughts, my attention shifting to the view outside. After some time, I decided to break the silence. “Your coming with me means a lot, Mich. Thanks.”

Mich brushed my cheek with the back of his hand. His eyes caressed my face as I turned to him. “I’m glad we get to do this together, Coop. You have no idea how excited I am to meet your family.” Satisfied of what he’d done, he looked straight ahead again. “So, um, care to share a little more info about your family? I know you have a father and a mother, a sister named Ellie and a brother named Ben, but that’s it.”

I couldn’t help but grin at what he said. He’s right, I haven’t told him that much about my family. But where to start?

I opened my mouth to speak, but he cut me off. “Hold that thought. Let’s stop for lunch, ok? I’m starving.”

We pulled up at a diner beside a small gas station. Mich suggested I leave Seb in the car if I didn’t want to lose him in case he decided to bolt out of fear. Watching the poor cat, he did seem a little frazzled. Not wanting to risk it, I left Seb inside the car with a sandbox on the floor just in case. I wouldn’t leave though until Mich partially rolled down all of the windows to let air in.

At the diner, we ordered a large plate of fish sticks, a cheeseburger for Mich and a regular burger for me. The pitcher of soda arrived almost as soon as we finished ordering and Mich poured each of us a glass full.

Pushing a tumbler to my side, he ordered, “Now talk.” Crossing my arms, I looked back at him with my eyebrows in the air. He bit his lower lip as his cheeks flushed. “Please.”

“Since you asked so kindly.” Buying time, I took a swig of my soda while I thought of what to say next. “I love my Mom so much. She’s the kindest person in the world, well, in my opinion. I just look at her and I know that everything will be ok as they always do whenever she’s around. The first thing you’ll notice when you first meet her is her radiant smile, she wears it on her face like... make-up. Not that I’ve ever seen her wearing make-up, but that’s the only way I can describe her smile.”

Mich’s expression turned pensive and I paused for a while, waiting for him to ask the questions which seemed to bubble inside him. The food we ordered arrived, but he hadn’t said anything still. With an uncertain feeling hanging over me, I took a bite of a fish stick I dipped on mustard. “Ok, as for my Dad, he’s sort of my role model or something. He was the one who taught me the value of a good education and the importance of saving money. My Dad wasn’t able to go to college due to financial reasons, but he didn’t let that stop him from learning. Through hard work and dedication, he is able to provide for the needs of his family. He owns a bookshop, by the way. Started it up on his own.”

I didn’t dare look at him anymore, his silence and blank expression unnerved me. Instead, I focused on my food, relishing its surprisingly good taste in my mouth. With my burger halfway finished, I started again. “Ben is ten years younger than I am and I sort of took care of him when he was a baby. Or I helped out my Mom with that. I thought he’d grow out of hero worshipping me when he got older, but he never did. To him, I’m cool even though I’m really a dork. You’ll love Ben, he’s a sweet kid.”

Placing a tissue on the table, I placed three pieces of fish sticks on it then neatly folded it up.

“What are you doing?” His voice held a hint of amusement.

Without looking up, I answered, “Saving some for Seb.”

His chuckle reached my ears and I found myself smiling. Gazing up, our eyes met and I saw as concern crept in his. “What about Ellie?”

I knew he’d ask that. “My relationship with Ellie is complicated. But that doesn’t meant I don’t love her. I do.”

He touched my hand briefly, but it was enough for me to know he understood. Silence settled around us as we finished the remaining food on the table.

“Mich, can I ask you something?”

A smile accompanied his nod.

After licking my fingers, I reached for a tissue and wiped my mouth clean. “What would you do if I die?”

“What weird game is this?” He laughed, but his eyes shot me a nervous glance. “Right?”

I tried to meet his gaze, but he didn’t let me. He dropped his head and mashed the fish stick in his hand. Clearing his throat, he repeated, “Right?”

“What if I were serious?”

“No, you can’t be serious because if you were, you’d have said something right after coming back from your hospital trips. So let’s drop this game. It’s weird.”

“It’s not weird,” I mumbled, heart pounding. “I just... I need to know.”

Mich just kept shaking his head then I saw his fish stick drop to the table. He stammered, “Is this for real? Is this what your doctor told you?”

I didn’t say anything right away and Mich’s lips started to quiver. “No. This can’t be for real. You’re not going to die, Coop. You’re not. You're just fine.” He stood up, the chair scraping against the polished floors. “And if... if you're not... No. I’m not going to let you.”