I'm Not The Only One (Scomiche)

13: Interrogation

Caty was the first to speak up. "Fine. No more... health questions or anything related to it."

Scott cleared his throat. "Can I just say something?"All eyes shifted to him.

"Uhm... so..." he stuttered.

I placed my hand on his. "Scott, you don't have to -"

He covered my hand with his other one. "No, Mitch, I do." He took a deep breath and turned to the three pairs of eyes shooting him dagger looks. "I know I screwed up. Big time. And I also know I hurt your friend and you have every right to be mad at me. But I just wanted to assure you that I'm trying to do things right this time. I really do love Mitch and I intend to prove that not just to him but also to you."

They remained silent, all still glaring at Scott.

"Mitch, can I borrow you for a sec?" came a voice behind me. It was Sherry. "I need to discuss something with you."

"Uhm..." I looked at her then back to Scott.

"Go," he said with a small smile. 

I reluctantly stood up and followed Sherry. As we walked away, I glanced at the crowd I left behind. I was pretty sure the girls wouldn't waste the opportunity to really tell Scott how they felt.

After twenty minutes, I rushed back to the table only to find Scott missing. "Where is he?"

"Chadd's in the mens' room." Brookes replied.

"I meant Scott."

"Oh." She shrugged her shoulders. "Who cares?"

"He's probably in hell," Lia muttered.

"If he's in hell then doesn't that mean he's in your territory?" Caty joked.

I was getting impatient from all the unhelpful replies. "Did he leave?" I scrambled to get my phone from my pocket. I checked but there was no message from Scott. "What did you say to him?"

"What makes you think we said anything to him?" Caty asked as she crossed her arms over her chest. 

"Because I know you!" I was starting to get really frustrated.

"I regret nothing. Not a single word I said," Lia said nonchalantly.

"Same." Brookes and Caty uttered in unison.

"Aaargh! I am so done with all of you!" I turned on my heel and stomped away. I heard them call my name but I didn't bother looking back. My eyes were hazy with worry and frustration that I didn't notice the person coming from my side.

"Fuck!" he hissed as half of the contents of his beverage spilled onto the floor.

"Oh god. I'm sorry, I... Scott!"

"Mitch! Thank god you're back."

"Where were you?!"

"I went to the bar to get myself a drink. I kind of needed some space to breathe," he admitted. "But I'm headed back now and -"

I grabbed his hand. "Let's go."

"What?" 

"We're not going back to that table." I attempted to drag him but Scott was much bigger than me and he stayed mostly rooted to his spot.

"But what about your friends?"

"I'll send them a message to tell them goodbye."

He stood unmoving. "Are you sure?"

"Yes! Now, put down that drink and let. us. go."

He placed his glass on the nearby table and started walking. I kept my mouth shut all the way to the parking lot, during the drive home, and until we were at our apartment door.

I headed straight for the couch and sat down ungraciously then lifted my feet and rested them on the coffee table.

Scott followed suit and took the spot beside me. When I continued to stay silent, he wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

I leaned into his chest and released deep breath.

"You seem upset."

I snaked one arm around his waist. "I'm sorry for the way they acted."

He rested his cheek on the top of my head. "I know they're just looking out for you."

"Care to share what else they asked or told you while I was away?"

"Hmmm, let's see..." he paused and seemed to think about his answer. "They said it was nice of me to finally come out of douchebag land. My apparently non-existent balls was threatened as well. And oh, castration also came up."

I pulled away to look at him. "They did not!"

He chuckled. "It's fine, really. You have very protective friends."

I shook my head, still trying to think of how bad it got during the short period I was gone.

Scott stood up.

"Where are you going?"

"Stay put. I'll be back in a sec." He disappeared into the kitchen and re-emerged a minute later with a bottle of wine and two glasses.

I just looked at him and waited for an explanation.

"To celebrate," he started to explain while he poured alcohol into the glasses. "Regardless of what happened, it's still a milestone, don't you think? Us as a couple, dining with your friends for the first time." He smiled. "Besides, you dragged me away so fast I barely got a sip of my martini earlier." He handed me my glass.

"How are you still smiling after tonight?"

He leaned closer. "Because, baby, we are doing things right this time. Baby steps but steps in the right direction nonetheless. I know it'll take a while but I'm going to prove to them that I'm worthy of you."

My heart melted at his words. "I love you."

"And I," he paused to plant a chaste kiss on my lips, "love you, too." Scott raised his glass. "To more awkward group dinners?"

I couldn't help the chuckle that escaped my lips. "To more awkward and threat-filled get-togethers with my crazy protective friends. Cheers." I clinked my glass with his.