Bad Taste (Part I) // Colby Brock

197 - Rebecca

Colby'd decided that today, the day I was going to be telling my mother that all her hopes for me were going to be lost, was the day he'd lie in. He was laid in, I suppose, our bed on his front with his arms under the pillow, his head turned toward me, and his back completely on show. The 'X' tattoo at the base of his neck was clear as day, as well as the wolf and the moon on the back of his arms. He looked peaceful, as always, so I wasn't intending on waking him up.

Tara was waiting for me downstairs after hearing my phone call with my mother—she'd decided also to come into Colby and I's room to tell me she was going to take me to the studio, "whether you like it or not." I'd been comfortably wrapped in Colby's arms, but I didn't let it get to me today. I needed all of my argumentative energy for my mother, as there was no way I wasn't going to get a talking to about my decision.

With only my phone and keys, I was prepared to leave. Tara was undoubtedly waiting at the bottom of the stairs for me, so I walked over to Colby and looked at him for a second. He didn't shift or open his eyes, he just laid there asleep. I wasn't going to wake him up—if he knew I was going out at a time like this without him, he wouldn't be happy anyway.

I leaned down, placing a light kiss on his cheek to make sure he didn't wake, then hurried to the door, light-footed. He could've slept through me jumping to the door, but I had to be careful anyway.

Angela, unfortunately, was also coming, I found when I reached the bottom of the stairs to see her and Tara leaning against a wall while they talked. I didn't feel like making conversation, heading straight to the front door without either of them. They caught up soon enough.

Tara sat in the passenger seat while Angela was forced into the back of my car—there was no way I was going to have her any closer.

"I'm going to have to get back for a meeting," Tara said as she stared out the window, nodding her head to the music she'd put on, "but I can't leave you alone."

"It'll be fine."

She rolled her eyes. "It won't."

"It will," I insisted. "My abilities are in perfect working order, I'll be able to defend myself and Angela, if it comes to it. Besides, inside the studio at this time will be safe enough. Just get back to us to come with us home."

"Home," Tara repeated with a grin, staring at me across the seat. I could feel Angela looking at me, too, and knew I'd fucked up. Although I was basically living at the house anyway, my agreement with Colby to actually stay there hadn't been made public yet—I hoped to avoid it altogether, actually.

"Something you wanna tell us?" Angela urged as she shifted forward in her seat.

I cast a glance at an eager Tara before sighing. "Nope."

"You say nope when you're lying," Tara giggled.

"I'm hardly lying. There's nothing I want to tell you."

"But something you could tell us," Tara pointed out then reached over to turn the volume down. "You're officially living with us, aren't you?" I didn't respond. "When did he ask you?"

I groaned. "We're not talking about this."

"Why not? It's hardly like I'm asking about your first time together again—which I still want to know about, by the way."

"I'm not telling you a damn thing, okay? Just focus on protecting us and getting back before we decide to leave and forget your ass," I snapped, shutting her up. Angela slid back in her seat while Tara huffed and turned to look out the window. I felt a sting of guilt in my gut, though I quickly pushed it aside for nerves instead. I had bigger things to worry about than if I'd upset my best friend—the main one being my mother right now.