Strings Of Fate

Chapter 21: Confused heart

The evening was young, and as the car pulled up in front of the apartment building the car fell silent once the radio was shut off. Angel sat in the passenger seat eyes fixated on his fidgeting hands rather than the windshield.

As the engine shut off and the sound of keys moving drew his eyes briefly to Cherri, she set them down on her lap leaning on the armrest between them. "So what did ya wanna talk about?"

Angel struggled to meet her eyes, his mind tracing back to Alastor's words from earlier.

It is rather obvious that there is a space between you two. Considering how worried she seemed at the hospital I do genuinely think she cares for you.

I do see that there is an obvious neglect to your side of this friendship and that I believe is where you need to make your feelings known. Although, you cannot expect her to relinquish her boyfriend just to please you. The same could be said for you if you were the one in a relationship and she were in your shoes.

Alastor was right...he was likely going to end up dating Daniel with the way things were going and he knew Cherri would support him fully if it were to come to that. And he knew she wouldn't leave him or push him away just because of that.

Angel took a deep breath and shifted in his seat to face Cherri who was waiting for what he had to say. "I don't like Pentious..." Cherri frowned.

"Angel-"

"No, let me finish first." Angel cut in, putting a hand up. Cherri closed her mouth, giving him that.

Angel scratched lightly at his arm as he attempted to continue, keeping his eyes on Cherri's conflicted green the entire time. "I don't like Pentious...and it ain't because he's an ass. But, cause he's actually a nice guy who...treats ya' like a queen. He's treated you better than any other man has in da' past and I know you're happy with 'em. And that...fucking scares me."

Cherri's frown deepened but she didn't look angry, far from it actually. "Angel..." The blonde shook his head biting down on his lips as his eyes became glossy.

"I know it ain't right, I know. But I'm so fuckin' terrified that your gonna leave me Cherri...that...that I'll be alone again. Fuck I sound like such a wuss..." Angel muttered, his voice croaky as his throat felt tight. He looked away squeezing his eyes shut, no he didn't want to cry not in front of her.

A sigh was Cherri's first response. His explanation was short, but it was all Cherri needed to hear to understand the situation. She reached across the armrest and pulled Angel close, hooking an arm around his neck into not so much a hug but close enough to be one.

Confused, Angel looked up to find Cherri looking down at him, now with a smile but just looking at him.

"Are ya' fuckin' dense." Angel sputtered, forgetting for a second that this was Cherri. She loosened her grip so he could move away because being that close was a little weird even for them. She didn't wanna cuddle him after all, she still kept her arm around his shoulders when he moved away enough to keep eye contact with her.

"Anthony, I ain't goin' nowhere. So stop pushing me away." Angel remained silent for a second. "I miss you dumbass, I miss hanging out with you. Ever since you got outta the hospital you've been avoiding me. I just wanna hang out like we used to. Does it matta' if I'm getting dick on the side from a decent man?" Angel rolled his eyes at the vulgarity, not minding it.

"No...I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I've been a dumbass... Isabella." Cherri rolled her eyes now.

"And a jealous ass, and a self-absorbed jerk and a big ol' baby." Angel pushed away sticking up his favorite finger but not meaning it. Cherri laughed.