Write on me

Chapter 23| You want my time and my affection without being tied to me...

“Are you sure this is where you want to be?” Dane hesitantly questioned as it was a Saturday afternoon and he had asked to spend it together.

I was surprised to get a text from him hours before but happy because it meant I wouldn't have to endure the awkward tension in my home.

Due to it being a weekend he had ditched the hoodie and wore his leather jacket instead. While I wanted to maybe get a peek at his arms, it was probably for the best that the extent of his tattoo joy was hidden. His lip wasn’t swollen any longer but there was a visible scab thanks to the cut.

I was sure one of the football guys had snuck in a punch too because I only saw Adam swing once. His eye wasn’t as dark but it was still quite obvious that he might have been in some sort of fight.

Not that he needed anything to show it off because the entire town most likely knew by now.

I looked up at the sign of my family’s restaurant and ignored the anxious feeling that ran through me. I had debated whether I really wanted to bring him to town and to my family’s restaurant on top of that.

I smiled as me showing that I was hesitant as well would just deter him even more, “Yes. They make the best pasta!”

He briefly tilt his head back with a subtle groan before he stared at me, “And you aren’t completely biased by saying that?”

“Maybe” I shrugged and hoped my dad was still in the kitchen and couldn’t see the delay that was underway.

“We have never gone indoors before” He said thoughtfully while he had been at the diner further down the street many times with his gang.

He was right though, we had always been in secluded outside areas, apart from his room ofcourse.

“Don’t worry, my dad doesn’t own any rifles, so he comes in peace” I nudged him while his hands were in the pockets of his leather jacket.

“What a perfect way to meet your dad. A blue eye and a busted lip” He shook his head and made it sound like it was an actual big deal to him.

It was a big deal to me because he was my first official friend in years and probably the only one that counted at this point. But I assumed he wouldn’t care as much because he never seemed intimidated by anyone.

“My dad knows about the fight. Well, the whole town probably does at this point…” My sister had already told them all about it by the time I came into the restaurant after work.

Of course, Adam was painted in the best light, but I had let my dad know my version of events as well though. “And that you were defending me but if you don’t feel comfortable being confined to a space with so many people, it’s okay”

I hated when my sister forced me into certain situations when we were younger so I didn’t want to be that person if he really didn’t want to be here.

He seemed to think about it as he glanced down the street while he remained rested on his bike before he sighed. “Let’s go”

I couldn’t fight the bright smile that made its way onto my face and took over the nerves which caused him to chuckle a bit before we moved towards the door.

We entered together and the entire restaurant was alerted to that fact due to the little bell that rang through the restaurant as he pushed the door open.

I walked beside him and focused on our destination which made it feel like we were in the hallways at school again due to the lingering eyes.

I moved towards the booth in the corner that was sort of hidden from the rest. It was where our family usually sat for dinner so that we wouldn’t have to deal with the noise from the rest of the people.

“Mere… Oh hi, you brought a friend” Sammy smirked as she glanced between the two of us and I was reminded of the night where she had caught me in one of my storms of overthinking.

I simply nodded and hoped she would stop giving a knowing look.

I ordered for us because I obviously knew what the best food was on the menu.

“How are things at home?” He questioned after she left us and didn’t seem to have been affected by her at all.

I didn’t want to think about how things were at home and I was surprised he had questioned it, “Things are a bit tense as you can guess”

My sister and I hadn’t spoken about it but it was obvious that we were at opposite ends of this war. She probably hadn’t heard the full story because of what I had heard from my parents.

Adam was adored by everyone and Dane was seen as trouble so they would all spin it against him. I wasn’t sure if she would even believe me if I told her what had happened, she would most likely claim I was just trying to defend Dane.

My sister had grown to be supportive of our friendship but that support was as good as gone the moment Dane had punched her precious Adam.

“I didn’t mean to hit him, I just didn’t like the way she was letting him go off on you” He shrugged.

He claimed he never regret the things he did but he still seemed quite apologetic.

“She wasn’t even there” I frowned due to his words.

“Do you think there would have been a difference?” He frowned and while he had never interacted with my sister, he didn’t seem to be her biggest fan.

I couldn’t force him to like her, she had everyone at school fauning over her so I guess he would be the one exception.

“My sister wouldn’t allow him to say stuff like that because everything he said was a lie” I answered as just like I defended him to his uncle, I needed to defend her as well.

At least until I spoke to her about things, if she wasn’t planning on being passive aggressive with me.

“Or maybe that’s what he thinks because its things she agrees with” He raised his eyebrow while it wasn't the conclusion I wished to get to.

“I really don’t want to get into this right now, Dane.” I sighed and glanced over my shoulder to see Sammy serving at one of her tables while I wished our pasta would make its way to us so I had eating as an excuse not to answer.

“Because you don’t want to face the idea that your sister, who claims to protect you, allows her boyfriend to say things about you” It wasn’t in the hostile tone it had been when he had snapped at me on the bleachers about her, but I still didn’t appreciate him trying to make me see my sister in a bad light.

“Dane…”

“Everybody has a blind spot to what they believe is right and wrong. She lets him talk s**t about you because she loves him, and you are here with me even though everyone in school thinks I am a spy because you like me” His mouth twitched as he showed bits of amusement and I was grateful he was technically giving up on the hate parade of my sister.

“You heard about that rumour?” I questioned as I didn’t think they would say it within earshot of him.

“I have heard all of them. It’s not like they go out of their way to hide it even though they believe I’m not listening.”

I nodded as Sammy approached with our food.

I thanked her as he simply sent a nod her way while she smirked at us before she went back to one of her other tables.

“It’s good, isn’t it?” I questioned as he took his first bite and he fought a smile. “Better than the burgers at the diner” I added.

“I don’t think it can be compared, but there are only a few places that happen to let our gang in so we can't pick and choose” He shrugged.

“I didn’t think of that. Is that why you were so hesitant to come in here with me?”

He shook his head, “I don’t care what they think but I know how it can look with a whole bunch of bikers walking in. I don’t blame them for that because I have been in places and things have happened and innocent people were collateral damage”

I nodded as I twirled my pasta before I heard him again and wondered how he chewed so fast, “I have heard what they claim about us as well, there are varied versions, but I heard.”

I sat back and set my fork down as I narrowed my eyes, “Us… You always say us but you made it clear that you have no intention of us being together”

He took a bite before he wiggled his eyebrows as he chewed. I watched as his jaw moved with each bite before I decided to focus on my pasta instead.

“I just don’t want to make anything official because that means you are tied to me and you know what that’s like…”

“Before this you said it was because you weren’t good for me” I frowned as his reasoning seemed to change each time we spoke about it.

“Does it sound like I am singing a different tune?” He glanced up at me.

“It doesn’t matter what you say or sing. You always find me and as long as everyone sees us together there is already an idea of us so the point you are trying to make is silly” I shrugged.

“You don’t get it” He sighed and tried to find the words as his mouth remained parted but I spoke instead.

“I understand perfectly. You want my time and my affection without being tied to me”

“I am tied to you but things don’t have to be official, Meredith”

I tried to remind myself about what Emily said that they don’t need to put an actual label on things. But I was sure this was different because it wasn’t like it was just lingering in the air with an ambiguous answer.

I had made it clear how I felt and he had made it clear what he didn’t want as well.

“Princess…” I heard my dad’s voice and glanced over my shoulder to see him approach in pure chef form with a dishcloth draped over his shoulder.

“Dad!” I stood up and moved to his side while I caught Dane’s brief smirk due to his pet name for me.

“This is Dane. Dane, this is my dad”

Was it weird introducing a boy to my dad?

Yes.

Did I ever picture it happening?

No.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Blake” Dane stood up and extended his hand in a very civilized manner as my dad shook it briefly.

I was grateful he hadn’t given him the tight handshake thing he had done with Adam but then again it wasn’t like Dane was picking me up for our first date.

“My daughter’s close friend. You can call me, Carl. You are quite the talk of the town.”

“Dad…” I sighed.

He chuckled, “Don’t worry, son. I don’t judge quite easily, and I believe my daughter is a pretty good judge of character”

“That she is…” Dane nodded and let his eyes fall on me while I heard my dad clear his throat.

“I will leave you two to enjoy your lunch then” He smiled before he turned the corner and left us alone once more.

“You can breathe now, Meredith” Dane smirked as we sat down again.

“Me or you?” I narrowed my eyes while he shrugged.

“I am used to parents not being too pleased, but he genuinely didn’t seem to judge me” I could tell he was surprised.

“Yeah, I have to warn you that my mom isn’t as keen on you” I finished off the last of my pasta and meant my words just so he would be prepared for meeting her at some point in the future.

He chuckled, “Oh, so I am meeting both your parents?”

“Not right now” I smiled and suddenly felt a bit awkward as he seemed to imply something, “I hope it wasn’t too weird.”

“No, I am just teasing you. I am surprised he hasn’t requested to meet me sooner, the fact that your new friend is a guy had to make him hesitant”

“You know, in the beginning even I was hesitant and now I can't even remember what the beginning was like” I stated and wasn’t sure where the words had slipped from but he soon spoke as well.

“Me neither.”

●●●

“Thanks for being nice to Dane, dad” I spoke while my head was rested back as I sat in the passenger seat as we were on our way home after his shift at the restaurant.

Dane had left shortly after we finished dessert once he got a text from one of the biker members. If I hadn’t heard his phone go off, I would have believed he was just trying to make a run for it after meeting my dad.

“I didn’t expect such an array of tattoos but he seems like a nice guy.” I heard my dad and stared at him while he focused on the road. I hoped he got somewhat of a good impression of Dane in the short time they spoke.

“He isn’t much of a talker so it's not him being rude or anything” I mumbled as I knew my dad supported the friendship but I wanted him to like Dane abit at least.

“You are just friends, right?” He questioned and briefly glanced at me.

“Yes.” I frowned and wondered if he could tell we had kissed.

But you couldnt possibly be able to see that just by looking at us...

I hoped.

“Would you tell me if you were more?”

“Would you approve if we were more?”

“I am honestly not sure, Princess. I am happy to know you have someone looking out for you but I don’t condone the violence” He held a weary tone.

“Adam was provoking him, dad. He left the fight looking worse and we both know Adam cannot fight” I pointed out something that my dad knew all too well because my sister would be first to get into any fight before him.

He was all talk for the most part until of course he risked being embarrassed otherwise.

He chuckled as we pulled up onto our driveway, “That is true.”

I laughed as I exited the car and moved towards the porch with my dad beside me but stopped in place as I saw Emily seated on the steps leading to it.

“Emily, what are you doing here?” I frowned while she greeted my dad and he did the same before he moved inside.

“I know it’s probably weird that I showed up here but I kind of feel like you were avoiding me at school since that whole thing between Dane and Adam happened.” She shrugged as she moved towards me.

I was.

“Not really, I was just studying for a test and stressed about it so I resorted back to my old ways of blocking out the world.” That was the partial truth.

“I am sure that was part of it, but I do know you feel like if I hadn’t said anything it could have all been avoided”

It was like she could read my mind.

“That’s exactly how I felt for awhile and I am sorry because you didn’t deserve me avoiding you when you have been there for me when I needed someone other than Dane. I just never wanted there to be any drama because of me but turns out there already had been but I had been too blind to see it” I shrugged.

“I didn’t know about him saying things about you before that either, otherwise I would have told you. I am really sorry though, I hope you don’t think you can't trust me” I could see she was sincere which made me feel bad for avoiding her. I wasn't sure why I always did that when I felt abit upset towards someone.

I just didnt like the confrontation, I guess.

“It's not that big of a deal. I am over it, I was just pushing my anger towards you because if I didn’t I would have to deal with my sister”

“Have you spoken about it?” She questioned and we moved over to the little swing bench on my porch.

“No. Our schedules haven’t been syncing up and my dad told me she is having a sleepover with Amber and Stacy this weekend so I am not sure when we will...”

“Do you think she’s avoiding you?”

“Maybe.” I shrugged.

“Well, if you ever want to stick it to her by having your own sleepover, my house is always available. Except for this weekend because my little brother has his friends over and it’s a madhouse”

“Mmm.. So, did you come here because you felt bad or because you needed an escape?” I teased.

“Both” She shrugged and while I would have normally counted down the minutes until she left, I suddenly felt like my social battery was at an high.

“You can come inside for some hot chocolate, if you want?” I offered.

“Really?” She smiled.

“Yes, my parents will be so happy to discover the dangerous outcast isn’t my only friend” I added a rare dramatic tone for effect.

“Mmm.. So, are you inviting me in because you want to share your hot chocolate with me or prove to your parents you have a friend?”

“Both” I smirked and we laughed as we moved up to the porch.

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Author's note:

I really hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!♥

I am sorry if its not the best, I am feeling abit sick but still wanted to update though. ?