Bittersweet

Chapter 32

"So, what do you want to know?" He asks raising his eyebrows.

"Well there are a lot of things" I say making sure he's prepared for my questions.

"I'll try to answer" He says shuffling around to get comfortable. "Hang on, let me order a drink" He says looking around for a waitress.

"Excuse me, can I get a coffee?" He says then looks at me. "Want anything?"

"No I'm okay" I shake my head.

"I'll be right back with that" The waitress says walking away.

"Alright, go ahead" He says intertwining his fingers and placing them on the table.

"Okay this one might sound a little weird but it's seriously bugging me" I start and look at his expression. He nods telling me to continue. "Well ever since the accident you've been uh, acting really different" I shrug slightly.

"What do you mean?" He frowns.

"I mean, after it we were actually able to have normal conversations and not just fight all the time. And I don't know, you were just less intimidating I guess" I shrug once again. He looks at me for a moment before chuckling and shaking his head.

"Well Caitlyn, you see I could have died that day which made me realize a few things" He says smiling.

"Like what?" My eyebrows frown. The waitress comes by and puts Austin's coffee on the table but does not say anything more, clearly noticing the tension.

"I'm afraid that's confidential" He says stiffening a little and taking a sip of his coffee.

"Alright" I say a little frustrated. "And what about today? Why did you basically force me not to go with Chase?" I purposely chose the word force so he actually realizes what he did and because I really don't think that he does. I can tell this has an effect on him as his body stiffens and his eyebrows slightly stitch together.

"Because, you're being stupid to actually go back to him after what he did" He says nonchalantly.

"Yeah well it's not your decision, it was my choice." I say folding my arms.

"And I already told you, I don't care" He shrugs being just as stubborn.

"You can't just say you don't care and expect me to be okay with it?" I look at him like he's stupid. This matter has really pissed me off and I need more explanation than this.

"I just don't like him okay? You almost got raped because of that fuck-wad!" He raises his voice and slams his hand on the table making some coffee jump out of the cup. I didn't know he would even remember that. A couple people around us give disapproving glances. Austin takes a deep breath calming himself down. Does this means he cares about me or is this all about his rivalry with Chase?

"Say something" He says his voice much calmer.

"I don't understand why that bothers you so much?"

"And you're not going to understand" He says frustration clear in his voice.

"Well then make me understand" I urge.

"Fuck, I knew this was a bad idea" He says running his hand through his hair. "You know what, I'll just drop you off-" He starts but I cut him off.

"No, okay fine fine, forget I asked" I say in defeat. I still have more questions that I want to ask and I do not want to waste this opportunity. He looks at me clearly trying to make a decision. "Please?"