Scott manages something close to a laugh... almost. The corners of his mouth turn up just a little. "Yeah... I'm not quite fast enough but I can hit a target."
Justin gives an encouraging nod to Sapphire, letting her know that she was doing a good job. Backing away a few steps, he stays within earshot, but out of the line of sight to offer at least the feeling of them being alone so they could speak freely. He wanted to remain close though, not only to observe Scott, but be there if anything went wrong.
Scott chews a little more on his jerky and gives Sapphire a sidelong glance. "You don't have to finish it." He grins a little. "I just wanted to see if you'd eat it. Here." He hands her the open can of Mountain Dew. "This helps."
Withdrawing again, he keeps busy with his piece of beef jerky. "You, um... seen Hope lately?"
Alec isn't happy, but he knows he shouldn't go up against both Eli and Ryan. It didn't feel right though. He was used to being able to fight his way through and get his way. He wasn't used to giving in because he cared about who the other people were. It was a confusing sensation and one he didn't like. He'd like to take a swing at Leo's mouth, but knowing that it would upset Ryan held him at bay. It still didn't feel good though.
Backing off a step he looks to Eli, then Ryan before spinning on his heel and going back to the car to clean up.
Eli relaxes and lets out the breath he'd been holding. Turning to Leo, he gives him a warning look. "I know you mean well, but you might wanna watch your step there, bro. You know better."
"Yeah, well..." Leo bites his tongue from saying what he really wanted to. "Thanks."
"Uh-huh." Eli throws a glance in Ryan's direction before going back over closer to Alec to keep an eye on things.
Fifteen minutes later, Leo was seated beside Ryan in her car. Eli and Alec had been left to close up the garage then walk the few blocks to where Eli had his bike stashed after he'd met a friend for the replacement car. They'd done a good enough job that nobody would notice anything strange going on or be able to say they'd seen the group.
Leo picks at some dried paint on his jeans, quiet for a few minutes as they head down the quiet street. "Look, Ryan, I..." He stops and shakes his head, a little laugh coming out. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to fire up Alec's temper like that. It's just... I couldn't talk to you with him around because..."
He stops again, watching the passing lights and trying to gather his thoughts. Another awkward laugh surfaces. "I knew exactly what I wanted to say and it has now completely flown out the window." He shakes his head again. "Oh well... I guess all I wanted to say anyway was that I'm gonna try from now on to be a little more, um... friendly at work and stuff. It's time I owned up to the fact that you've moved on with Alec, and... all I've been doing lately is making a complete butt of myself." He shrugs lamely. "I guess that's an apology."
5/30/10
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