Because of My Best Friend

20. Saying Yes

*JUSTINE POV*

The flight home seemed longer than it usually takes.  Leaving gets harder every time and the distance sucks.  I hate that I only get two nights a week of Aidan’s arms.  Only two mornings of his smiles.  It’s not enough.

I still couldn’t believe he suggested moving in.  Yes, it’s been seven months, and we do love each other, but is it too fast? 

It feels right, as crazy as that sounds.

But there’s so much in Fairview- Mom, both my siblings, Kelsey….. I know everyone and how things work.  I know the roads and the best take out places.  If I move with Aidan, it’s be a whole new world.  Am I ready for such a change?

Kelsey should still be at work, so when I open the door to see her lounging on the couch with the questionable leftovers from last week, it’s a surprise.

She gives me a half smile as I put down my bag and take off my shoes.  “Everything good Kels?”  I walk over to the couch and she lifts her legs so I can have my spot- putting them right back down as I get adjusted.

“I have something to tell you….”  She sounds sad and is wearing her guilty face.  Immediately I tense up, not knowing what the hell it could be.  I snatch the remote and put the TV on mute. 

She looks to me then at the food in her hands.  “Tanner asked me to move in with him….”  We both glance at each other, then she looks down again.  “And I said yes.”

Her voice sounded so small and I take a breath while we sit in silence.  What a small world, right?

“Aidan asked me to move in too,” I sigh out.  I look to Kelsey and her eyes have bugged out slightly.  “I said I would think about it.”

She puts her food down and we both scoot closer together and hug each other.  Then, for whatever reason, both of us start crying.  Not the terrible, ugly crying…. But definitely the soft, ‘sniffle so you don’t snot’ cry.

We eventually pull apart, her grabbing some Kleenex while I pick up her bowl and take a bite, not even caring that she didn’t microwave the leftover spaghetti.  “So how did he ask you?  Aidan didn’t lead me to think that Tanner was going to.”

She laughs out loud, then blows her nose, shaking her head.  “I don’t think it was planned at all.  We were in the kitchen making dinner.  I harped on him about leaving the empty milk carton in the fridge, yet again—you know how much that irritates me- and then when it got quiet, I turned around and he was looking as if he had the best idea in the world.  He had his arms out, like this.”  She hung her arms by her side and one hand had an ‘ok’ sign, while the other was pointing to the sky.  “He looked right at me and said ‘move in with me’.  I laughed out loud for a second, but then I realized he was serious, and when he walked up to me, I just found myself saying yes,” she sighs out, shrugging her shoulders.

“I’m happy for you, Kels.  Tanner’s great for you.”

“And Aidan is great for you, Justine.  Why didn’t you say yes?” she asks concerned.

I lean my head back on the armrest, contemplating the same thing.  “He’s such an amazing guy, Kelsey.  He even went as far as to gather information on colleges around their town so I could go back to school.  I think I was just shocked, and then with mom and Danny, you- which I guess is not an issue anymore, I just said I would need some time.”

“Your mom and Danny will be fine.  They have Maria to help out now, and you shouldn’t feel guilty about wanting happiness.  Justine, whatever amazing voodoo magic that gave us these great guys seems like a once in a lifetime thing.  Grab life by the balls and actually enjoy it, for once.”

We both let out a laugh, then Kelsey goes to the kitchen and brings back a glass of wine for each of us. 

“I guess we knew this was coming eventually, huh?”  I raise my glass to her.

“At least we both got great guys who live in the same city,” she says on a wink.  She raises her glass to mine.  “To us, Justine- my best friend, my sister.  I love you with all of my heart.  It was because of you that all this happened, and I’ll be forever grateful.”

We clink glasses and take a giant gulp.  “I love you too, Kels.  But you were the one who suggested the bar.  If it wasn’t for that lame club, we wouldn’t be in this position.”

“But you were the one who had us go to Dallas,” she challenges back.

“Well, what else was I supposed to do after that d**k cheated on you?”

She’s silent as she puts on her thinking face.  After several seconds, she then raises her eyebrows, as well as her glass again.  “So…. To Michael?”

I laugh as I clink her glass, yet again.  “To every douchebag that breaks hearts, so we could find the real men afterwards.”

*

*

It’s been three days since I’ve been back.  I haven’t told Aidan that I’ve decided to move in with him, because I don’t know when that’ll be. 

Our lease is up at the beginning of February, but Kelsey said she’ll probably move out after the new year, so she can look for employment.  I would need a new job as well, but hopefully something part-time, at least when I start back to school.

Looking through all the information Aidan gave me, I found one school that I really like.  It was only 30 minutes away from Aidan’s apartment, and they offer financial support.  I have a small savings built up so that can help with expenses until I find a job.  There’s no way I’m letting Aidan pay for everything, but I feel like that’s a battle for another day.

Mom emailed me this morning saying she wanted to have lunch today.  It’s been a really slow day, and only 15 minutes until my lunch time, so I go ahead and log off my computer and grab my purse.  I slowly make my way up to her office, knock before entering, and sit down on one of the seats in front of her desk while she’s taking a call. 

It’s going to be hard to leave everyone, and everything I know... even if Kelsey’s going to be in the same city.  I’ve never lived with a man before either.  I hope it goes well.  If living together will be like how we have been, it won’t be too long before we’re married and have ki—

“You’re fired.”

I zone out quickly and sit up straight.  “Huh?”

My mom’s face is serious, as she deadpans again.  “I said you’re fired.”

“Oookkkkkaayyy…… and on what grounds do you have for dismissal, mom?”  I level a glare on her, not knowing what game she’s at.

She lets out a breath before standing and rounding her desk, leaning against it and crossing her arms.  Why is she trying to be intimidating right now?  “You don’t seem to have the balls to quit, so I’m just giving you the go ahead.” 

I’m confused for a second, then I roll my eyes.  Damn you Kelsey.  “I was going to tell you…..”

“Oh please.  You’re probably still thinking about when would be the right time to go.  Your lease is up in February.  You should take a couple of weeks to start filling out applications, and take a tour of the campus.  It’s too late to start the spring semester, but they might have a program there where you can work while you study.  It’ll be good for you.”

Tears start brimming my eyes as my mom’s stern love comes out.  “But what about you…. And Danny,” I whisper out as a tear falls down my face.

She leans in and cups my face so I have to look at her.  “Justine, you selfless girl.  You helped me out instead of living your life, and I always regretted not sending you back to school, but now I can redeem that.  Danny and I will be just fine, and you’ll only be a quick plane ride away.” 

She kisses my cheek as my mouth wobbles.  I’m trying so hard not to sob, but they are happy tears nonetheless.

“And Danny will be so excited.  He used to be so proud to say his sister was in college when he was younger.  I’m sure he’ll be happy about that too.  And he already thinks Aidan part of the family, so you have no worries with us.”

I sniff up some air and grab a Kleenex from her desk.  “It’s the right move, isn’t it.”  I say it as a statement.  With the support of my family and Kelsey moving as well, my heart feels happy and light.

“It is, daughter of mine.  Now, go tell my son-in-law to come to dinner this weekend.  I’ve got a quick phone call to make and then we can go to lunch.”

I get up and grab my purse quickly.  “We’re not married…”

“Yet,” she says with a smirk.

As I walk out the door to her office smiling, I grab my phone to text Aidan about dinner, but the more I think about it, the more I want to tell him right now.

Hey babe, how a—

“Yes!” I yell out… possibly too loud, due to the stares I’m getting around the office, but who gives a s**t?

Justine… wha-

“Yes, I want to move in with you!”