On the Verge

Garrett didn’t text her that night. He wanted to, but he couldn’t gather up the courage to send the single word text. He stared at the blank message for minutes on end, wishing he had the nerve to send it. Sighing, he locked his phone and shoved it into his pocket and giving up for the moment.

He pushed himself into a sitting position, running a hand through his hair. He had been laying down for over an hour, mostly trying to avoid Pat and Em. They were both driving him nuts. Em wouldn’t stop bugging him about Micah. She had even threatened to steal his phone and text Micah herself, so Garrett was on guard. Trying to fix his hair, he stood up and headed for the door.

It was nearly nine o’clock when he entered the living room, where Em and Kennedy were on the sofa, watching television. John was there too, in the arm chair with his laptop open in his lap. Em was the only one who looked to him when he walked past on his way to the kitchen. He heard her walking towards him as opened the refrigerator, in search of food.

“Did you text her?” Em asked, taking a seat at the table. Garrett rolled his eyes, pulling out the orange juice container. He left the door hanging open as he opened the cabinet to get a cup. He poured himself a glass and twisted the cap back on before returning the juice to the refrigerator, kicking it shut as he walked to the table.

“Nope,” he said, popping the P as he set the glass down. He pulled out the chair, sitting down before taking a drink.

Em sighed, shaking her head. “Gary, how are you ever going to be able to get in her pants if you can’t even send her a text?”

Garrett choked on his juice. He wound up coughing several times before he was able to glare at her. “I-I don’t want to, er, get in her pants, Em!” His unsure tone offset the stern look in his eyes. She only grinned knowingly.

They sat there for a moment in silence, and Garrett could tell she was waiting for the perfect moment to do something that would most likely embarrass him. After finishing the rest of his orange juice, he stood and walked the glass to the sink. He turned on the faucet, rinsing it out before setting in on the counter top. Leaning against the cabinet, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and unlocked it. No new messages.

“What, have you given up on texting her and started to hope that she’ll text you first?” Em jabbed, laughing at her own joke. Garrett grumbled something under his breath, shoving his phone back into his pocket. “What was that, Gare?”

“God, just shut up,” he groaned, rolling his eyes. He started taking a few steps towards the living room.

“Don’t get your panties in a twist,” she teased, sending him a wink. “So, John and Kenny had mentioned going to a bar tonight, you interested?”

“Not really,” Garrett responded, his tone flat. She knew he wasn’t big on drinking.

“I figured you’d say that.” She shrugged, picking her phone up off the table. She stayed silent for a moment before raising her phone up. “I’ll just ask Micah then.” It was on speaker, and Garrett could hear that is was ringing.

“Hello?” Micah asked, answering the phone. They could hear music in the background.

“Hey, what are you up to?” Em responded. Garrett slowly walked back over to the table, sliding back into the seat he had vacated a few moments before.

“Not a lot, just the gym at the hotel. What’s up?” Garrett’s mind flickered to the possible image of Micah, running on a treadmill. A blush quickly rose to his cheeks and he shook his head, as if to clear it of such thoughts.

“Well, are you free later? John and Kennedy said something about going out tonight, to a bar or something. I was hoping you’d like to tag along, so I don’t have to play babysitter to them,” Em joked with a quick laugh.

Micah paused. “What about Garrett? Is he going?” she questioned. Garrett’s ears burned red and he cleared his throat. Em gave him a smug smile and he quickly gave her the finger.

“Nah, he’s a party pooper. He’d just kill our fun.”

Garrett frowned at her as Micah giggled on the other end of the line. “I guess you’re right. But where were you thinking about going?”

Garrett quickly got bored of the girls’ conversation about where to go for drinks. His elbow on the surface of the table and his chin on the heel of his hand, his posture continued to get worse and worse until he was completely slouched over, his ear pressed to the side of the table. Finally, after ten minutes, Micah and Em had decided on a bar, and Em said goodbye, hanging up the phone.

“Still dead set on not going tonight?” Em asked with a smirk. Garrett rolled his eyes, sitting up and leaning back in the chair. Em looked at him sternly, pursing her lips.

He sighed, knowing that she wouldn’t stop pestering him about it until he caved. “Fine,” he groaned, rolling his eyes again. A genuine smile carved it’s way onto Em’s lips and her eyes lit up.

“I knew you’d give in,” she teased, smiling still. “You just can’t say no to me.”

Garrett couldn’t help but actually laugh. He ran a hand through his hair, looking around the kitchen absentmindedly.

“Do you plan on showering?” Em asked, raising an eyebrow as she looked to him. She was giving him a look of disdain and he frowned.

“Should I?” he responded skeptically, scratching his scalp.

“It’d help. I mean, you kind of look like a hobo.” Em shrugged, standing up from her seat and walking towards the refrigerator. She opened it, then returned to the table with a bottle of water in hand. She unscrewed the cap and took a long drink. “No offense, I mean, but I have a feeling Micah’s into more...clean-cut guys, since she’s from LA and whatnot.”

Garrett smirked. “Don’t let her hear you say that,” he said, raising his eyebrows quickly. He patted his hand on the table as he stood up. He walked down the hallway, passing John and Kennedy in the living room.

He stopped into the bedroom, grabbing a clean pair of boxer-briefs and a towel before heading to the closest bathroom. He showered quickly and returned to the room to dress and toss his dirty clothes in the hamper. He rolled his eyes when he saw that Em had laid out an outfit for him.

He tossed his towel into the hamper and reached for the black skinny jeans Em had laid out. He grumbled under his breath about how he could pick out his own goddamn clothes as he stepped into the pants and pulled them up his legs. He fed his belt through the belt loops and fastened his belt before grabbing on the shirt. He pulled the grey white stripped fabric over his head and fussed with his hair.

A few minutes later, he emerged from the room as he slid his wallet into his back pocket. He walked into the living room, where John was still sitting in the arm chair. His laptop was open in his lap and he didn’t look up until Garrett sat down on the sofa.

“You look nice,” John teased, his eyes already back to the computer screen. When Garrett remained silent, he laughed. “You’re dressed up to impress Micah, aren’t you?”

Garrett looked towards John nervously. He cleared his throat nervously. “Em laid this stuff out for me,” he admitted, licking his lips. John only scoffed, shutting his laptop rather forcefully. He stood up quickly and began to leave the room. Halfway to the hall, he stopped and turned to Garrett.

“Good luck with her,” John said, frowning. “Maybe she’ll actually remember your name after you unbuckle your belt.” Garrett’s cheeks flared red, from both irritation and embarrassment.

Forty-five minutes later, Garrett was sitting at the bar with Em and Kennedy. Of course, when Em had told John that Micah would be meeting him there, he suddenly had something better to do. Garrett looked to his left where Kennedy and Em both had drinks in front of them. Kennedy was taking a drink from a beer bottle and Em was sipping on a Jack and Coke.

He sighed, flagging down the bartender and ordering himself a beer. He pulled his wallet from his back pocket, flashing the bartender his ID. The fifty-something, greying man nodded, reaching for the cooler and set a bottle in front of Garrett, opening it quickly. He took a drink and grimaced.

A few minutes later, when Garrett’s head was turned, Micah slid on the stool to his right. He didn’t notice her until she nudged him a few seconds later. He turned to her with a smile, which she returned.

“I thought you weren’t coming,” she said, licking her lips. He shrugged, raising the beer bottle to his lips again.

“Changed my mind,” Garrett told her, trying to sound nonchalant. “Do you want a drink?”

“Uhm, yeah,” she responded, smiling still. Garrett motioned for the bartender, and Micah ordered an appletini, fishing for her ID.

As she showed the bartender her ID, Garrett couldn’t stop himself from allowing his eyes to roam over her. The yellow and grey stripped was thin and the outline of her black bra was visible. Her jeans were tight and were low on her hips. As she leaned against the bar, the hem of her already short top came up and Garrett could see the dimples in the small of her back. He blushed and looked down at the bar when she turned to him, smiling.

“So,” she said, pressing her lips together in a timid smile. “I thought you were going to text me tonight?”

She was teasing him, he knew it. He felt his face flood with color and his mouth go dry. “I, uh, I-I-I...I m-meant to,” he stammered, clearing his throat.

“Trust me, he tried to,” Em commented, popping up between Garrett and Micah. She giggled, pressing her hand against her mouth. “He sat there staring at the text, but he just couldn’t send it.”

As Em laughed rather hysterically, Garrett turned scarlet and Micah couldn’t help but smile. “J-Jesus, Em, you’ve been here for fifteen minutes and you’re already drunk?” he growled at her, his cheeks burning.

“Shush, Gary-poo,” she said, giggling again. She pressed a finger to his lips to silence them and Garrett leaned away from her.

“K-Kennedy, control your woman,” he pleaded, looking back at his bandmate. Kennedy only put his hands up, signalling that he had no control over the situation. Eventually, Em got bored with embarrassing Garrett and returned to her seat on the other side of Kennedy.

When Em left, Garrett felt more at ease. Somehow, the distance between them seemed to close. Soon, her elbow was touching his and when she turned her head to look absentmindedly around the bar, her hair would touch his shoulder. After her appletini, Micah moved on to a beer. After an hour, when Micah started laughing at his jokes, Garrett knew she was near the point of intoxication. His hand was setting on the bar, his fingers tapping random beats on the bartop. She gave him an annoyed look, placing her hand over his to stop it’s motion.

“Would you stop?” she said quietly, smiling softly. “You’re driving me nuts. Do you always jitter when your tipsy?”

He licked his lips before taking a sip of beer with his free hand, trying to distract himself from the fact that her hand was touching his. The distraction didn’t work and all he could think about was the warmth and softness of her hand. Her nails were a matte shade of taupe, and were short and rounded. There were three freckles on the back of her hand, in the shape of an awkward triangle.

She cleared her throat, feeling his unease. She withdrew her hand, whispering an apology as a faint blush danced across her cheeks. They sat in silence for an awkward moment. Garrett looked to his left and discovered that Em and Kennedy had disappeared.

When the door to the bar opened a few minutes later, both Micah and Garrett turned to see the person who walked in. Micah cursed under her breath, turning back to face the bar. She pressed her fingers against her temple to try and shield her face. Garrett frowned in confusion and turned again to look at the new person.

The guy looked about their age. He was taller than Garrett, with shiny black hair. He was pale and wearing a red polo and an expensive looking leather jacket. The man shoved his hands in his pockets and looked around the bar.

“Who is that?” Garrett asked Micah quietly, touching her arm to get her attention.

Her eyes darted towards him ans she licked her lips. “It’s my ex,” she said nervously. “I forgot until just now that his cousin is one of the bartenders here.”

It was obvious to Garrett that she was worked up about it. He turned to see if her ex was still near them, and it turned out that he was right behind them.

It didn’t take long for the boy to slide onto the stool next to Micah, obviously startling her as he looped an arm around her waist. Micah inhaled sharply, looking extremely uncomfortable as he leaned closer to her.

“Babe, I didn’t know you’d be here,” the mystery guy purred into Micah’s ear. Garrett could barely hear him, and Micah gave him an apologetic look.

“Cain, let go of me,” she hissed at him, trying to move away from him. He said something incomprehensible and she rolled her eyes. “Jesus Christ, Cain, you’re drunk.” Cain only laughed.

Garrett was beginning to feel more and more uncomfortable. A blush rose up his neck as Cain kissed Micah’s jaw as she continued to push him away.

“Come on, Micah, just come back to my hotel with me,” he pleaded, giving her a poutty expression.

“Cain, I said no, okay!” Micah snapped at him. Cain finally released her, his expression turning to a scowl.

“God, I was just offering. Don’t be such a bitch,” he scoffed, sliding off the stool.

“Don’t say that to her.”

Garrett didn’t even realize that he’d opened his mouth, let alone spoken, until Micah looked at him in surprise. His mouth immediately went dry when Cain suddenly turned and looked at him in shock. His shock quickly turned into amusement. He smirked, looking towards Micah.

“And who the hell are you?” Cain asked, still smirking.

When Garrett opened his mouth the closed it again, Micah interjected. “Cain, this is my friend, Garrett,” she said quickly. She sounded nervous.

“Your ‘friend,’ huh?” Cain clicked his tongue, looking Garrett over. “Fucked her yet?” His question was aimed at Garrett, who flushed red immediately. Cain laughed.

“You are such an asshole,” Micah said, her voice rising quickly.

“And you are such a slut,” Cain responded, laughing again.

“Don’t call her that!” Garrett snapped, finding his voice somehow.

“You think you’re tough, don’t you?” he challenged, still smiling.

Garrett swallowed, his pulse pounding in his ears as adrenaline rushed through his bloodstream. Glancing over at Micah who still looked slightly panicked, he stood from the stool, his knees shaking slightly. His palms were sweaty and his mouth was dry. He opened his mouth to say something, but shut it, much to Cain’s amusement.

“Come on, Micah, let’s go. I’ll show you what a real man looks like,” he said, reaching for her hand.

She jerked away from him. “I said no, Cain. Just leave!” Micah pleaded, frowning in concern.

“Jesus, Mic, when did you turn into such a stuck up bitch?” he questioned in surprise. “This time last year, you would have vanished with me in a flash.” Micah pressed her lips together, choosing not to respond. Cain smirked in satisfaction.

“Y’know, she’s just too classy to leave with some drunk bastard who has to curse at girls to make himself feel better,” Garrett snapped, fed up with Cain after only a few moments.

The next few seconds happened in a flash. Cain’s fist collided with Garrett’s mouth before he could even react. The punch sent Garrett reeling back into the bar. Micah screamed, startled, and a bartender pulled Cain away as he raised his fist for another strike.

Micah rushed to Garrett, who was slightly disoriented. She looked over her shoulder as the bartender pushed Cain out the door, yelling something about taking it to another bar.

“A-Are you o-okay?” Micah stammered as Garrett blinked several times. “Your bleeding, oh my god!” Garrett could tell that her hands were shaking and her eyes were wide and alert.

Garrett wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and saw blood. He licked his lips and winced when his tongue moved over the cut on his lip. Micah was fussing over him then, and heat rose up his neck when he realized that everyone in the bar was staring at them.

“I’m fine, Micah,” he told her sternly. He had to hold her wrist to stop her from trying to mend the situation. There were tears of frustration and anxiety in her eyes and she was breathing heavily. He smiled slightly painfully to assure her that he was okay. “C-can we just go?” Micah nodded anxiously.

Still seeing a few stars, Garrett reached for his wallet and dropped thirty dollars on the bar, to pay for their drinks and the scene they had caused. He took his lip between his teeth and he could still taste blood. His knees were still shaking a bit as they walked towards the door.

Outside on the street, Micah took a deep breath. “I am so sorry. I had no idea he would show up. I feel horrible,” she rambled. She continued to speak and Garrett silenced her, putting a finger against her lips.

“I’m fine. Let’s just get out of here,” he mumbled, scratching his scalp. She nodded, pressing her lips together. She looked him over again, frowning, before walking to the curb to hail a cab.

Garrett could tell that she was still shaken up as she glanced back at him nervously. For some reason, taking a punch for her gave him a boost of confidence. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and walked to the curb.

She was able to get a cab quickly, and the both slid into the back as Micah gave the address of the studio house, then her hotel.

Inside, Micah sat with her hands in her lap, staring down at them. She seemed to be shivering then. She looked up quickly and noticed that he was watching her. Her timidness made him smile. He slid towards her bench seat in the back of the cab.

“You, uhm, you look cold,” Garrett said, putting his arm around her hesitantly. She leaned away from him a bit, but didn’t shrug his arm from her shoulders. He could see a blush spread on her cheeks.

“T-thank you.” She licked her lips, looking up at him quickly. “Y-you didn’t have to stand up for me.”

“Of course, I did,” he said, frowning.

“You really didn’t.” She turned to look him in the eye. “God, he really got you.” Her brow creased as she examined his busted lip, which was now swollen and bruised.

Garrett shrugged nonchalantly. “He punches like a girl,” he said, brushing it off. Micah smiled and laughed quietly. She looked at him again quickly, smiling. She scooted a bit closer to him, leaning into his torso. He caught the scent of her perfume, which clung to her, and a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.