Chapter 268: Almost Mine, Almost Me
Micah stared at Clyde’s shaken eyes, his own brow furrowed with deep concern. There was something uncharacteristically fragile in Clyde’s gaze. Something that made Micah’s stomach twist. Clyde always seemed like stone: steady, unreadable, unshakable. But now... now he looked like something inside him had cracked.
Micah reached out, placing a hand gently on Clyde’s arm. His touch was light, uncertain, but firm enough to feel the muscle under it stiffen. "Can you tell me now what happened?" he asked softly, voice edged with frustration.
Clyde’s pupils trembled. He inhaled sharply, then turned his head away, avoiding Micah’s eyes. The shame burned him from the inside. He couldn’t bring himself to speak. His fists rested in his lap, clenched, knuckles pale. The memory of losing his temper was still too fresh, too humiliating.
"Oh, come on!" Micah yelled, full of irritation. "I’ve put up with you this long! Don’t give me this crap now!"
He smacked Clyde’s arm, the sharp sound echoing in the tense space between them. His patience had worn thin.
Clyde didn’t move, didn’t even glance at him.
Micah gritted his teeth. "Alright, fine," he muttered and unbuckled his seatbelt. He shifted in his seat, leaning closer. In one bold motion, Micah leapt, grabbing Clyde’s face, one hand on either cheek, and turned it toward him.
Clyde’s body stiffened like dry wood, his shoulders locking as if Micah had just pressed a switch. Their faces were far too close. Clyde could feel Micah’s breath across his face. Pale blue eyes met hazel, and the air thickened with unspoken tension. The position was... ridiculous. Embarrassing. Suggestive, even.
"There we go. Now, you are looking at me," Micah said with a smirk. He squeezed Clyde’s cheeks together, squishing his lips into an unflattering pout. "There," he teased, tilting his head, "you look like a fish."
He let out a chuckle, clearly amused, and started playing with Clyde’s face like a child poking fun at a grumpy cat. His thumbs pressed gently at the corners of Clyde’s mouth, fingers sliding along his jaw in exaggerated motions.