Because of My Best Friend

16. Slight Panic

*ADIAN POV*

It’s been over a month since I officially asked Justine to go out with me, and everything has been going great- as much as it can go with a long-distance relationship.  We see each other every weekend- alternating between my town and hers.  We video chat almost every night and send each other random texts throughout the day.  It may seem like more work to others, but it doesn’t feel like it, at least, for me.

I’ve honestly never felt this type of rush in a relationship.  Even though we are still ‘new’, the excitement I have to see her is crazy!  She really puts a boost in my day and all I want to do is make her smile and happy.

Tanner and I are having a drink tonight to catch up.  I don’t know what’s going on between him and Kelsey, but this will be the second weekend he’s not seeing her, and I can tell he’s down in the dumps about it.  I personally thought he was going to jump the gun before me asking her to be official, but that didn’t happen.  She even came down to see him the weekend after I asked Justine out, and everything seemed to be fine, but knowing him, he’s wanting what I have with Justine, and it’s getting to him.

“Hey man.”

I look up from my phone and Tanner sits down with a half smile on his face.  The guy is so easy to read, and can’t fake his emotions for s**t.  The waitress comes over and gets his order, and he leans back, loosening up his tie.  “Rough day?”

“Nah, same ole, same ole.  You all packed up to head out tomorrow?”

“Yea.  I hate packing though.  I’m thinking about just keeping stuff at hers, and vice versa.  That way we don’t have to get checked every time we hop on the plane.”

“Wow…. Already at that stage, huh?  You like her that much?  That’s a big step.”

I smile to myself.  I guess it is a big step, but kind of necessary with our situation.  “Yes, just as much as you like Kelsey….”  He doesn’t respond, and takes a long pull from his beer.  “What’s up with you guys anyhow?”

He rolls his eyes at me, knowing I’m being nosey, and lets out a hard sigh.  “She wants to keep it casual- no labels.  I think she’s just been burned to many times.  Don’t you hate it that because of those asshats mistakes, it becomes my problem?  I could make her so happy and would never do that shit.”

I nod in agreeance.  There are way too many shitty people in the world, and don’t give a s**t how their actions affect the lives of the ones they hurt.  It’s bullshit.  

I feel my phone go off, and I know it’s Justine.  Tanner scoffs seeing the smile on my face as I open up her text.

Justine:  Sorry babe!  I have to cancel our video chat tonight- have to be out of the house until late.  Text you later! Aidan:  That’s alright baby girl.  Everything okay?

Justine:  Yea- just some family stuff.  I’ll miss your face!

Oh well.  We are seeing each other tomorrow night.  I guess it won’t hurt to miss one video chat.

*

*

I’m sitting at my desk during my lunch break, at a loss for what to do.  Justine just texted me saying she needed time this weekend to herself. 

Everything was going great, or was it just me?  Am I crowding her too much?  There’s a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach that I can’t avoid.  I know Justine isn’t the cheating type, but after what happened with Olivia, it’s like, do I really know anyone anymore?

The more I think about it, the more I work myself up.  I have to find out for myself.  I just have to know.  I tried calling her twice, and it rings and rings until it goes to voicemail.  She’s never not by her phone….. so now she’s avoiding me?

I try not to freak out, really try.  Usually, I would call Tanner, but I think that would make matters worse.  I’m constantly tapping my pen to my desk, trying to rationalize my thoughts, but I know I won’t be able to do anything unless I know what’s really going on.

*

5 hours later and I’m standing at her door.  When I left work early and boarded the plane, this felt like the right move, but now I’m second guessing myself.  My palms are sweaty and I don’t know what to expect.  Would she be mad that I came?  If she’s really feeling suffocated, this is definitely the wrong move.

I saw her car downstairs so I know she’s home.  Before I can psych myself out, I knock twice on her door and pray she answers it.  I hear a lot of shuffling around, and her whisper yelling.  Who does she have in there? 

When she opens the door, I feel my gut drop as anger takes place.

“Aidan?!  Wha.. W-What are you doing here?” 

Her face is flushed and her hair is messed up.  She’s only in a tank top that looks half hazard.  She has red marks on her arms and neck.  Is she really with another man!!?

Not again.  How could sh---

“FIRE!!!”

Before she can turn her head, the side of her face gets smacked with what looks like green slime.  It’s like I don’t even exist anymore as she lets go of the door and turns a glare in the direction of the living room.

“Uh oh… you did it now Bailey.”

“I’m going to KILL YOU!” Justine screams, running from the doorway.

I peek my head around the corner and see two kids haul ass to the guest room, slamming the door just in time.  Justine starts banging on the door, yelling death threats and promises that they would never get any Christmas presents from her again.  I exhale a breath, knowing that she’s not here with another guy, and I start feeling guilty for even thinking that.

I come inside and shut the door, taking in the disarray of the apartment.  Toys are spread everywhere, pillows thrown.  Nerf darts litter the floor.  I can’t even get started on the mess in the kitchen.  It’s like a warzone.

I look down the hall and Justine is sitting on the floor, glaring at the door, so I go sit next to her.  As soon as I do, she leans her head on my shoulder.  I don’t even care about the green s**t in her hair.  I’m just glad she’s not mad that I came.  “Do I want to know?”

She lets out a humorous laugh.  “Those two DEMONS, are my niece and nephew- last minute babysitting.  Last time, Kelsey and I babysat them together, and she took them to a candy story right before we dropped them off, so their dad thought it would be best to hock them up on sugar before giving them to me.  It was all her fault and she’s not even here!!!”  She whines the last part, touching the gross mess in her hair.

“Is this why you didn’t want me to come?”

She lifts her head up, and there’s a sadness in her eyes that I don’t like to see.  Before she can say anything, the door in front of us cracks open.

“I’m really sorry Aunt Justine,” a little boy says sorrowfully.

Her sadness quickly turns to anger, glaring at him.  “I should whip you raw Bailey!”

The door opens up more as a little girl, who looks very similar to the boy, displays a sad face.  “We’ll calm down, we promise- won’t we Bailey?”

Bailey nods his head while staring at me.  “Who are you?”

I shrug my shoulders.  “I’m here to cut off the wi-fi.”

Both kids gasp in shock as Justine laughs.  They both look to her pleadingly as if that was the worst thing in the world to happen. 

“I’ll keep it on if you two go clean up the living room- is that all Ms. Justine?” I say, turning to her with a smirk on.

“The kitchen as well,” she states looking at the kids.  “Unless you want to play board games all night?”

“We’ll do it!!!” they say as they run to do just that. 

*

*

“I’ve never met any of Justine’s boyfriends before,” the little girl known as Bianca states.  It took her and her twin brother less than an hour to clean all of their mess.  I watched them while Justine washed the gunk out of her hair, and when she came out, we ordered Chinese for dinner.

“That’s because he’s special,” Justine replies, passing me the noodles and making me smile.

“You’re pretty special too gorgeous.”  Both of the kids fake gag, making us laugh as we continue our meal.  I found out the twins were 8 years old, and very mature for their age, when they're not on a sugar high.  Justine said Kelsey went out of town- code for going to see Tanner.  That will be a great surprise for him.

“Are you going with us to the hospital to see Uncle Danny, Aidan?” Bailey asks.

I stop mid-bite to look at Justine, who has on a half smile towards the kids.  Her brother’s in the hospital?  Why didn’t she tell me?

“Of course he is,” she says after she clears her throat, but when she looks at me, she seems unsure.  It clearly bothers her if she isn’t telling me the whole truth.  I guess we’ll have something to discuss tonight.

“Right…. who’s ready for movie time?”