Chapter 58 - Slip Of The Tongue

Well this took longer than I expected. I didn't update last week cause I didn't want to force myself to write. That would've been stressful. Also I want to apologize if my writing is all over the place. It's really hard to stay consistent. I really hope you guys enjoy this chapter though!






Keegan's POV




"Don't think I didn't notice. How did you score a man like him? He's very hard to approach, let alone get close to. During my later high school years I watched him act like a huge grump towards everyone who came up to him. Only a few got close enough for him to keep them around. Even then, he was still a jerk to them. And it seems nothings changed, he's still that grumpy cactus I've known him to be. But when he's with you it's like he's a whole different man. He's kind and caring towards you. That's something he's never really shown so it was easy to pick up on." She explained. I played with my fingers nervously, my heart still racing. The expression on her face was unreadable, I didn't know whether she thought it was acceptable or not. 




"Do you love him?" She asked.




"O-of course. More than you could ever know!" I answered.




She smiled. "That's good to know."




"Y-you're okay with it?"




"I'm okay with it. Does that really matter though? If you two are happy together then that should be enough." She said, offering another smile. "I can tell Theo's happy being with you. As I said earlier, he acts much different around you than when he's around anyone else." I couldn't hide the blush creeping onto my face.




Just as the conversation ended loud noises started coming from a couple isles over. It sounded like people shouting.




"Ooo, I love drama." Shaylene said excitedly, clapping her hands. Before I knew it she was on her way to the isle with the source of the noise.




I was surprised by the person that stood there in front of us. It was Shaine. It seemed as if her and another girl, one I've seen around school were in a fight.




"I'm not telling you again, I won't pay for that." Shaine yelled, clearly upset.




"You break it, you pay for it." The girl responded in a snooty tone.




"YOU bumped into ME!" Shaine yelled, using hand gestures.




"You're a lying b****." The girl huffed, flicking her head away from Shaine. Shaine scoffed at her. Their heated argument was drawing a lot of attention, it even pulled Charlie out of the woodworks.




One of the workers came over. "What's the problem here? If you two don't settle down we're going to have to throw you out."




"This a**hole wasn't watching where she was walking and bumped into me, dropping a load of crap on the floor. Now she wants me to pay for it." Shaine boiled. "I have a car to pay off. I can't afford to spend it on some rich chick."




"Ooo, I like that spunk." Shaylene came waltzing into the fray. "Look, I can pay for all the damaged goods, so you girls can be on your way." She told them as she pulled out her wallet. She handed two one-hundred dollar bills to the worker trying to break up the fight. He nodded and walked off. Shaine and the other girl studied Shaylene closely, wearing looks of suspicion. The moment she looked this way our eyes locked.




"Keegan?" She said my name, confused.




"Hey Shaine." I tossed a little wave. "I didn't expect to see you here."




"Neither did I." She raised her brows. "My parents forced me to head to the store in their stead. I'm trying to get it done early so I have spare time."




"Why are you shopping all the way out here?" Charlie questioned, popping out of the dissipating crowd.




"I live in the area, idiot." She rolled her eyes.




Charlie shrugged at Shaine's hostility. "Right."




"You guys are friends?" Shaylene asked, very confused. Charlie nodded.




"We're going to see a movie, you have to tag along!" She implored.




"I left work early so I could have some free time after all of this... maid labor, so I'll pass." Shaine declined her offer.




"Don't be that way, we're all friends, right." Shaylene pressed, taking hold of Shaine's hands. Shaine looked up to me wearing a look of distress. I just smiled at her, there was no denying Shaylene what she wants.




Shaine pondered for a moment. "Well... I do technically owe you for earlier." She gave in. "Alright."




Just then I felt a hand land on my back. I quickly snapped my head back to see Theo, a soft smile rested upon his face.




"Where's my drink?" He asked, staring at Shaylene. She looked back for a split second, placing the now empty cup in his hands. He looked down to the cup and back to her with scrunched brows.




"Did you-" Theo started, only to be interrupted by Shaylene.




"This girl's coming with us to the movies." She said, completely ignoring Theo. He gave up.




"I didn't know you were here." Theo said in surprise.




"Yeah, well, I am." Shaine looked off to the side.




Shaine followed us as we finished the rest of our shopping. We all walked off to the large illuminated movie theater after dropping the groceries off in the car. Shaylene and Charlie were just as hyper as ever, joking around. Theo's energy was zapped. He was beginning to look like a zombie in the presence of Shaylene. The only time those two settled down was when were seated in the theater, though there were still occasional whispers throughout the movie. I made sure to grab the seat next to Theo. I wanted to be as close to him as possible. It seemed he wanted the same, cause when the lights dimmed he took hold of my hand.




I enjoyed the movie despite being distracted by Theo caressing my hand like half the time. We decided on which movie we were going to watch at the last second, so I was pleased with our choice.




After the movie we all hung out outside the theater and talked until Shaine had to head home. She really opened up during the twenty minutes of conversing. She told us about the crash she had awhile back, and how her parents are making her pay off the car that her and her brother totaled. They became a lot more strict with her after the incident. That's the reason they have her doing so much labor.




The car ride back to the Martin's home was dead silent, which was odd since Shaylene was in the car and all. I guess she wore her self out. She was also the only one drinking alcohol, which I found funny as she kept insisting on being the one to drive home.




"How was it?" Darby questioned as we walked through the front door.




"It was fine." Theo responded with a half smile crossing his face, dropping the bags onto the living room coffee table.




"It was rad." Charlie answered with a beaming smile.




"I second that." Shaylene mumbled under her sleep, making Darby giggle.




"Well I'm glad you kids had fun." She said before heading to the kitchen to check on dinner.




Theo, Charlie and I flocked the living room and took over the TV while Thomas and Shaylene talked about politics and other stuff I had no interest in.




"Thomas and I were just about to eat, are you guys hungry?" Darby asked, looking between us.




"Yeah, I didn't eat much while we were out." Charlie answered, walking towards the kitchen.




"I'll have some too, if that's okay." I replied, trying not to be too forward.




"Sure you will." Darby chuckled as she placed a hand on my shoulder. As she was guiding me to the kitchen she looked over her shoulders before asking Shaylene and Theo if they were hungry.




"No but I'll join you guys." Theo replied, following behind us.




"Yeah, same." Shaylene softly groaned.




We all took a seat at the table despite some of us not being hungry. It made the place feel more homely having everyone together like this. Charlie and I discussed his interest in returning to sports. I could tell this change was heavily driven by that fact that the family started giving him the attention he needed. It surprised me how much he changed. Not long ago he could've been mistaken for a dim, feint light. Now he shines bright like the sun, albeit he still has his moody, sassy moments.




Tuning out of my thoughts my attention locked onto the current table topic. "Our anniversary is soon." Darby reminded Thomas.




"I'll have to take you somewhere special." He smiled, taking her hands into his.




"Speaking of love," Shaylene started, turning her attention to me. "I didn't know you two were an item."




A loud silence captured the room, suddenly making it feel haunted. Every pair of eyes in the room landed on Theo and I. Not a single sound was made other than the one from Darby's form being set on the table. I was still trying to figure out if Shaylene really said that aloud. My heart in a race, sweat building upon my shaking skin, I panicked. I didn't know whether to run for the hills or sit and be slaughtered like a chicken.




Darby glanced back and forth between Shaylene and Theo. Shaylene's expression was flat for awhile until she realized what was going on.




"S***, was it a secret?" She sat forward, a look of worry crossing her face. I looked to Theo with one of pure horror. He seemed confused, probably cause Shaylene was the one who outed us.




"Is there something you're not telling us... son?" Thomas raised a brow.






Theo's POV



"Keegan, head to my room." I ordered. After a moment of hesitation he removed himself for the table, looking like a worried puppy. He walked off and headed up the stairs.




The moment he disappeared from sight Mom spoke. "Will someone please explain what's going on?!"




I turned a sharp glare to Shay. She leaned back shrugging. "It's true." I confirmed. "Keegan and I are dating." Mom's expression was unreadable, Dad looked confused.




"Why did you keep this from us?" Mom asked, the tone of her voice heartbroken.




"I... We didn't keep this from you. We just never got around to telling you." I sighed holding my head.




"Look, if you two aren't pleased with my decision that's too bad. I love Keegan with all my heart and I'll never leave his side." I told them in an overly serious tone.




"Th-that's not it. I'm actually happy for you two, sweetie." Mom said, reaching across the table for my hand.




"What?" I questioned, wondering if I was hearing her wrong.




"When he opened up to me I realized how big of a crush he had on you, so to see that both of you got what you truly long for makes me happy to no end." She assured, brushing her thumb over the back of my hand. "I just wish you didn't feel the need to keep it from us." She offered a smile, but I could tell she was hurt.




"Sorry mom... sorry dad, I just... I just didn't think you would've been okay with it. As annoying as you guys are I didn't want you to be disappointed in me. Especially if it complicated things with me and Keegan." I explained. Mom started getting all emotional, both happy and sad. I could certainly tell the look on my father's face was one of disappointment. He just sat there and nodded. I could understand any disappointment they have for me, but I made it clear to them that I was going to be my own man, and make my own choices.




"So you're gay?" My father asked, his voice low.




"I'm bi I suppose." I clarified.




"I may not understand it, but know that I'll always support you." It was his turn to offer a smile.




"There's really nothing hard to understand here. If two people are in love that should be enough explanation. Love is love, regardless of gender." Shay chimed in. Even though I didn't give a rat's ass what she though it was nice to know she understood.




"I've been with several chicks before, but none have captured my heart, not like Keegan has." I reminisced, letting a smile grow on my face. "Everything about him just makes me feel so... happy. When he let's his shield down he's the most funny, goofy and charming person ever. It makes my heart feel light. Even when he's sad, my heart longs to be by his side, I want to be there for him with every passing moment." I continued. My father looked over to my mother and pinched her cheek. With the face splitting grin capturing her appearance I could tell how much they were in love.




"I think I do understand it." He said, looking back to me.




"Enough with all of this mushy stuff, I want to enjoy my dinner." Shay whined. I could tell she was happy to see our parents getting along though, Charlie too.




"You've been quiet this whole time, what's your take on this?" I tilted my head sideways to ask Charlie.




"I could tell there was something between you two." He smirked. "I just never thought you would become a thing." He chuckled. I just smiled.




"It doesn't matter what I think though, or any of us for that matter. You wouldn't care either way." He jabbed.




"Exactly." I replied with a breathy laugh.




"Go, be with him, I'm sure he's worried." Mom said, brushing me away with a hand gesture. I didn't want anything more than that. I stood up from my seat and strode off to my room. I waited a moment as my hand rested on the handle. I twisted the knob and walked in. Keegan stood by the window, staring off to the stars. He quickly turned when he heard my presence.




"What happened?" He asked nervously as he made his to side. "Is everything all right?"




I placed my hands against his soft cheeks. "Everything is fine. They took it well."




"This was my fault." He lowered his head. I didn't know what he meant by that but I knew whatever it was he was probably falsely blaming himself. I assured him he did no wrong.




"I told Shaylene that we were together. Well, she kinda found out, b-but I couldn't deny it." He explained. Well then, in that case she's more so in the wrong than he is.




"To be honest, I'm glad. Now that this is all over we can finally be together without any barriers or road blocks. I can show my affection for you anywhere I please." I told him, placing a kiss on his forehead.




"Keeg, I want to be by your side forever, if you'll allow me." I said to him. A sparkle of light flashed in his eyes.




"I want nothing more." He replied happily. As I trailed down his face I could see it beginning to flush a bright red. I closed the distance between us, pulling his waist to mine. Our lips worked together with perfect motion. He placed his hands against my chest, grabbing my shirt to hold himself up on his tiptoes. I lowered my head giving him easier access. The kiss continued even as we shifted towards the bed. He pulled me down with him making me topple over on his small frame. His giggle as our bodies collided made me go straight back to kissing his lips. His small, quiet moans sent chills down my spine. His moans increased when I trailed both of my hands under his shirt, connecting with his soft warm skin. I worked my hands up his slender body, pulling his shirt with them. He reached his arms out allowing me to pull it over his head. His soft brown hair bounced atop his head, escaping the shirt's collar. His skin looked so pure under the moon's light. After admiring his beauty for a moment I leaned in and started kissing his neck. He leaned into my touch, inaudible moans escaping his lips. He reached for the bottom of my shirt, trying to lift it as I did his.




"Well someone's feisty." I teased with a smug grin.




"I-I'm, sorry" He apologized. "Was that too direct? I'm not used to this..." He said, worry capturing his tone.




"No, it actually turns me on." I grinned, returning to his lips. He melted under my touch as my hand connected with hid cheek, giving me a sense of control and dominance. We continued for quite awhile. I didn't think it was possible but tonight made me fall for Keegan even more than I already had. I just wanted to hold and protect him in my arms forever.




After the exhaustion kicked in Keegan snuggled against my chest and fell asleep. While doing so I brushed my hand through the locks of his smooth brown hair. I felt his warm breaths against my skin as he rested there peacefully.

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