Only Fools Rush In (And I Ain't No Fool)

The bag of muffins knocked against my leg. Following Peter through the trenches of the venue, I kept my eyes peeled for any sign of Angus. The concert was indoors this time and the band had an interview before playing. Peter insisted on bringing me over early to catch the interview, giving me some experience with journalism. All the way there Peter described his evening to me in great detail.

"She was incredible, Hannah, I'm serious," he said, opening a door for me. "Crazy smart. Hoping to get her doctorate one day. Pretty too, like, super pretty." Every single hallway we passed was empty. Angus was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps that was a good thing. I wasn't sure I was ready to talk about last night. "Wants to learn to drive a motorcycle. Said I'd teach her sometime."

"You can't drive a motorcycle," I said.

"How hard can it be?" Peter said. "Anyway, I might be seeing her again later tonight. That's okay, isn't it?"

"Huh?" Peter stopped walking and I almost ran into him. "Is what okay?"

"If I go out with Mitzi again tonight." I shook my head to clear it then quickly nodded.

"Of course that's okay, why wouldn't it be?" Peter shrugged.

"You're my guest, Hannah. I don't want to leave you alone and ignore you the whole time you're here." I managed a smile and punched his arm.

"I'd love to have you out of my hair for a while," I said as we continued walking. "Could use the peace and quiet." Peter smirked and stopped again. "What?"

"Speaking of dates..." he said and I groaned. "How was your day with Angus? The schoolboy himself?"

What could I say? Do I tell him Angus kissed me then ran away like he made the biggest mistake of his life? Or do I just say it went well? It did go well. At first. At least that wouldn't be a lie. "I'd rather not talk about it."

"Why not?" Peter frowned. I shook my head.

"It's none of your business." I walked around Peter when he grabbed my arm. "Let go!"

"Shh! Calm down," Peter whispered as a security guard walked by. Waiting until he was gone, Peter leaned closer. "What happened?"

"Nothing happened," I said. "I just..." Tears pooled. My chest ached. "It's nothing." Peter's expression turned dark and ice cold.

"Did he hurt you?" I wordlessly shook my head, knowing my voice would crack if I spoke. "Hannah, did he hurt you? Did he do something to you? Tell me the truth."

"He didn't do anything to me!" I yelled, pulling my arm away. Peter looked like he was out for blood. Anger flashed like ten suns. Angus wouldn't get hurt if I had anything to say about it. "Peter, I swear Angus didn't hurt me. He was nothing but a complete gentleman the entire day." His expression relaxed.

"Alright, I believe you," he sighed, unclenching his fist. "If he ever does, I'll kill him."

"No, don't do that, please don't," I pleaded.

"Mal can fire me all he wants, I'm not letting anyone hurt you." My whole body warmed in comfort. Peter's protective nature was a force to be reckoned with and not something you wanted to cross. "So if he didn't do anything, what happened?" I wracked my brain for excuses.

"A misunderstanding," I said. "I think." Peter whistled.

"Uh oh," he mumbled. "That's never good." A big man carrying a tuba squeezed past us. Peter crossed his arms. "Are you guys...still friends?"

"I don't know," I wailed. How could I explain what happened without giving up any details? "I...he...we...eugh!" Groaning and sighing and growling I ran my hands through my mane. Peter snickered at the feral sight of me. "Men are so confusing!"