The Deal

Chapter 23 - Out Of the Fryer

{I know how it looked ~ it wasn't the plan ~ and some day I hope that you'll understand

The Good Side - Troye Sivan}

*Warning - Again, There Will Be Swearing

Chapter 23 – Out Of the Fryer

After I forced Damon to drop me off at the bottom of my street (in case my parents were waiting for me with their eyes glued to the peephole), I began the tedious schlep up the hill to my house where for the first time all day I was allowed a minute to think.

There were so many moments today where I'd questioned if I was actually awake or not.

Firstly, when Damon had come to the footy match only to confirm what he'd confided in me on Friday; that he liked me, even though the circumstances leading up to his revelation weren't exactly ideal. Then there was Warren...ugh, I couldn't even think about him without wanting to throw up. And finally, I'd had an anxiety attack in Damon's car which then led to an argument.

Brilliant. I couldn't wait to crawl into bed and sleep the world away.

As I shuffled up the drive, too tired to even lift my feet off of the ground, I nearly fell over in shock when I caught sight of a scowling Warren sat on my doorstep.

I thought I was hallucinating.

"Uhh..." I gaped at him. "Hi?"

"Where have you been?" he demanded, eyes narrowed.

"Nowhere," I replied, eying him warily. "What are you doing here?"

"We need to talk," he said gruffly, standing up. I choked back a laugh.

"We've already talked, Warren," I said, glaring at him. "You made your feelings towards me perfectly clear. In fact, I don't think there's anyone left in the state who doesn't know how much you hate me."

"Look, I'm sorry," he said, already sounding frustrated. "I shouldn't have shouted at you like that. But when I saw you there with him, I just..."

"Just, what?" I asked, bristling. "You decided to lash out and say all those hurtful things to me? Nice."

"Why do you get to be mad?" he asked, as if he couldn't comprehend a single reason for my being so. "I'm the one you cheated on-"

"I did NOT cheat on you," I growled, cutting him off. "How dare you even accuse me of that?"

"Well, it's an easy assumption to make," he replied, his tone cold. "We all know what Damon's like."

I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket, but I ignored it. Storming towards him, I pointed an accusing finger at his chest.

"You shouldn't believe everything that you hear," I hissed. "If you had of just listened to me instead of immediately assuming the worst - we might still have been together, instead of like this!"

My phone sounded again, and Warren glared down at my pocket.

"Would you please answer that?" he asked, sounding snippy. "It's annoying."

I made it a point to let it ring out, raising my eyebrows at Warren's frown.

"Real mature, Anna."

"Speak for yourself."

He stood staring at me for a minute, arms crossed.

"Why did Damon say that?"

"Say what?"

"You know," Warren rubbed the back of his neck, "That the two of you slept together."

He sounded calmer, a little more level-headed, which made me breathe a sigh of relief. This was more like it.

"Probably to get a rise out of you," I said calmly, trying my best to be diplomatic. "He's not really used to people standing up to him."

"You can say that again," he huffed. "In all honesty, I'm surprised he didn't follow through with his 'breaking all of your bones' threat. Probably too afraid that I'd fight back and overpower him."

"Oh, please," I said, trying to suppress a smile. "May I remind you that he did hit you and you were pretty much down for the count - or are you telling me that was all an act so as not to hurt his feelings?"

"Exactly," he agreed; which made us both laugh. He met my eyes for a moment, before looking away and running a hand through his hair.

"Listen," Warren began, clearing his throat. "I-"

"What the fuck is this?"

Both Warren and I snapped around, our eyes widening when we met Damon's heated gaze.

Holy...