Tangled In Blue

Take Out the Trash

CORBYN’S POV

You’ve probably figured out that I drove home barefoot, the reason being I didn’t-more like couldn’t go back to Blue’s room and watch Levi fawning over her like some doting husband.

Besides, I had to go and smooth things over with Zara. When I got the frantic call from Mel, telling me what Deacon was planning I had to leave.

I let myself into the house and as I trudged across the hallway I noticed someone sleeping on the sofa in the living room.

Deacon!

I charged over to him and grabbed him by the scruff of his neck “Get out!!”

Then with no less fear and delight, he looked up at me in a daze, red in the face and with bloodshot eyes. “Come on Corbs, I just need to get some sleep...”

“You have some nerve!” I dragged him off the sofa and he hooked his foot underneath, resisting me.

“C’mon man, we can’t still be fighting over that slut...” he fell on the floor with a loud thud and groaned.

Suddenly, Chase came rushing into the room when he heard the commotion. “What’s going on here?”

“Why is he here??!” I gave my brother an angry glance. “After what he did, you still let him into our house??!” I lurched for him and yanked him to his feet.

Chase dashed in between us and pushed me back. “Hey! Go easy on him-he just got mugged on his way here-”

My expression changed to incredulity when I saw the confusion on my brother’s face. “Mugged??!”

“Yeah...he was almost hijacked but-”

“Hijacked?? Is that what he told you?!”

“Yeah, why would he lie? Stop giving my friend a hard time Corbyn. This is very unlike you.” His jaw twitched as he glowered at me.

Seconds ticked by as I stared at him in shocked silence.

“Deacon, why don’t you tell Chase the truth?” My fists clenched as I thought again of what he did to Blue.

Deacon bolted to his feet as the sleep fled from him. “Is that really necessary? We don’t need to get into that. C’mon dude,” he muttered as he struggled to remain on his feet.

“Can someone just tell me what’s going on?!” Chase shouted as he pulled on his hair.

“Where’s Mel?” I asked.

“She’s in my room, sleeping-but what’s that got to do with her?”

“Then wake her up and let her tell you what your friend did to Blue,” I said. “I don’t think I can repeat it.”

I spun on my heel and left the room. I’m sure once Chase got the story from Mel he would throw Deacon out on his sorry butt.

I burst into my bedroom, just wanting to dive into bed and-

“Hey...” A sleepy voice greeted me.

“Zara?” I approached the bed and sat beside her.

“How is she?”

“She’s..uh-I didn’t know you’d be here?” I looked at her as I rubbed her arms up and down.

“Yeah, I-”

“GETOUT!” Chase’s angry voice resounded through the house. “You sick piece of-Just get out!! I never want to see your face again!!” The sounds of a slamming door and snarling echoed in the night.

“What’s going on?”

I squeezed her hands and tried to assuage her. “Stay here. I’ll be right back okay?”

Zara glanced with frightened imploring eyes at me and nodded as I went out.

Deacon's tires screeched on the gravel as he drove away into the still, dark night.

I found Chase in the kitchen, drinking vodka straight from the bottle. “I see Mel told you what happened.”

“I should have killed him!!” His face twisted in rage as he slammed his fists on the granite counter. “Sick bastard!!” He gave a strangled cry of anger and pain in before he marched out and grabbed his car keys from the corner table in the hallway.

“Chase! Where are you going?!” I asked as I followed him to the front door.

“Back to college. There’s too much drama here-I can’t take it,” he muttered as he wrenched the wooden door open.

“I thought you were suspended?”

“It was only for two weeks. I’m back at school on Monday,” he jumped in his Mustang and the engine roared to life. “Take care of yourself, baby brother.” He said before he sped off.

No jerkface? Stonehead? airhead? Guess he really was miffed, I thought as I walked back into the house. I closed the door and leaned back on it, letting out a long and heavy sigh.

“Corbyn? Can you take me home please?” Mel took a deep breath and crept a few tentative steps into the darkness.

“Yeah, sure,” I replied. “Let me just tell Zara.”

“Thanks, I’ll be waiting outside.” She brushed past, without looking at me.

By the time I got back upstairs, Zara was sitting at the foot of the bed and all dressed up. “I think it’s best if I went home too,” she said as soon as I stepped in.

“Okay...sure..” I nodded. “Let’s go-if you’re ready that is.”

“As you can see, I’m all set,” she waved her hands outwards as I moved closer to her, taking her in my arms. She rested her head on my chest and I stroked her soft hair down her back.

“I’m sorry for how things went. I really messed up our date didn’t I?”

“Yeah...you kinda did...” she laughed softly.

“Can I make it up to you? Please?”

She cupped my cheek with one hand, the warm energy spreading as her thumb rubbed it lightly. “Yes.”

Her touch was like an electric shock, forcing my heart to pound. I put my arms around her waist and pull her close. Staring into her eyes, I allow myself the chance to just forget about everything. Blue, my brother, and all the drama.

I stared at her in amazement. She was beautiful, with his astute blue eyes, carefully shaped brows, and expensive highlights neatly sculpted to her gorgeous face. She’s watching me with a sleepy look on her face and I can’t help myself. With the tips of my fingers, I push her long hair off her shoulder, exposing the milky skin of her long, slender neck. Her breath quivers and she leans into my hand.

She moves closer to me, her lips wet and parting. I lean over to kiss her, but before our lips can touch, the front door swings open and Mel's voice travels up the stairs.

"Corbyn! Today would be really great!"