Cold air blasted against her and she shivered. One look towards the door and her heart stopped. Please don't turn around. Please don't turn around.Would Garrett hear the unspoken plea? Scott wore a look of confusion and sadness with no explanation as to the cause. It tugged at Caitlin's heart, but she had no ability to help him.
Garrett turned around and she cringed, waiting for the explosion. With one eye open, she surveyed the scene. Scott's expression had turned to fierce anger. Now she understood. An urgency to apologize filled her, but not here, not now, with Garrett and most of town watching. This was an explosive situation, but did Caitlin have the ability to defuse it?
"Are you ready to leave?" Garrett asked, but not expecting an answer.
Intensity poured off Scott as he leaned against the bar, swigging his beer. He continued to stare between Caitlin and Garrett, his anger swelling. Caitlin's blood ran cold; her stare became ice-like "Caitlin?" Garrett said, grabbing her hand.
"What?" she barked "Are you ready to leave?"
"Sure." He grabbed her hand and practically dragged her towards the door. She felt the sting from Scott's venomous look. Against better judgment, she turned and sent an "I'm sorry" look his way. His curious intensity weighted her down, and she was suddenly torn between staying and explaining the situation and leaving with Garrett. Neither option sounded pleasant.
The ride home was quiet, but different than earlier. Someone needed to say something, anything, before the tension escalated to a point where escape was futile. She sensed any words would cause him to explode, so she remained quiet. With the truck stopped in front of Caitlin's house, she waited for Garrett to speak. When he said nothing, she got out of the vehicle and headed up the porch steps.
Garrett beat her to the front door and blocked her path. "Do you like him?"
"No. It's not like that at all." If she muttered another word it would definitely send him into protector mode. Anyway, facts and information were missing, so until she had more evidence she would not tell Garrett anything. Leaned against the porch railing, her hands clasped behind her back, Caitlin looked down. Waiting was no longer feasible. They had to discuss their future. With a deep breath, she looked up at him and saw a perplexed man. "Garrett, where do you see me in your future?"
"You'll always be here."
She closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep frustrated breath. "That's not what I mean and you know it. Stop avoiding my question."