Thirty One

'What the hell is going on? Where have you been? Why are you bringing her home?' Mike fired the questions at us like a machine gun.

'What would you care?' shouted Lisa. She slammed the car door and stalked towards the house.

'Don't slam the door.' I hate it when people slam my car doors. The car didn't do anything wrong, unlike us.

Mike stared at me for a second, disbelief, anger and embarrassment cycling over his face before he chased after Lisa.

I figured I shouldn't go in, but I shouldn't leave Lisa either. The front door slammed and then opened again as Lisa then Mike reached the house. I got out of my car and leant on the front bonnet, watching the house for signs of trouble, or signs I should run.

Some muffled shouts were followed by silence.

I was beginning to think I should leave when Mike appeared again, quietly closing the front door behind him.

What had Lisa told him? Should I run... fight... deny it? I fumbled for my keys as Mike sauntered closer, his head down and his hands in his pockets.

'She won't talk to me,' he said, kicking absently at my front tyre.

'Maybe when she calms down a bit,' I offered, then bit my lip. We should have got out stories straight while we had the chance.

'Sorry about all this,' said Mike. He scuffed his shoes on the concrete driveway.

'It's ok.' I said, feeling awkward that he was apologising to me. Seeing Mike out of sorts almost prompted me into confessing that I'd porked his girl. But then I remembered how upset Lisa had been when she had arrived at my place and the burning red bruise on her cheek. The thought of anyone harming her fired me up. If he hadn't been such a loser, Lisa would never have come looking for me, and none of this would have happened.

'So...' said Mike. 'How come she was with you?' He finally looked up. There was rage in his eyes, but subdued, like he was thinking the worst, but trying not to believe it. That kind of pissed me off too. Nine years should have bought me more trust than that.

'She was upset, real upset. I've been doing my best to calm her down, make her feel a bit better... so you guys can sort things out.' I added the last bit on a whim, but I figured it was pretty inspired.

Mike nodded. 'Do you think... did she say... I don't know what to do.'

'I think you need to treat her better if you want her to stick around.'

Mike gave me a sharp look, searching for how much I knew.

I blanked my face as best I could.

'I want her to stick around,' he said cautiously.

I nodded, like I could feel his pain. I guess I could in a way. I wanted her to stick around too. Me, that is. I looked away.

'So... Lisa came to your place? This morning?'

I swallowed. This was going to get tricky.

Thirty Two