Rush Together.

DAHLIA'S POV--

I walked into the door of Brian's house with him following close behind me. I hadn't payed much attention when I was brought here the other night in such a drunken state of mind. Pictures of the guys adorned the walls, a couple were older ones with me in them. It was quaint and small, but fancy. Definitely enough for a bachelor like him. As he walked into the kitchen to do God knows what, I helped myself to the bathroom, locking the door behind me and starting up the shower.

BRIAN'S POV--

I walked into the kitchen to at least throw something together to bring to the party. I was so stressed out at this point that I just needed to distract myself from it. Carefully and meticulously, I prepped the rub for the ribs I decided to make. Of course, this momentary peace was too good to be true as Zack's ringtone blared from my pocket. Reluctantly, I pulled the phone up to my ear and pressed talk.

"Hello?..."

"Hey man. We need to talk. Now. Are you with her?" He asked angrily.

"No, she's upstairs in the shower. What's up?"

"Why were you eating breakfast with her? Did you two fuck after you left the party?"

"Whoa, dude" I yelled, "you need to chill the fuck out. Nothing happened. She came over and she crashed here. Why do you even care? You were with that Gena bitch this morning."

"I know, okay? I know I shouldn't be upset or whatever. Sorry man. And Gena? Gena's cool but she's...shes not--"

"Dolly." I finished for him.

Even after all these years, I knew Zack still loved her. Even though he was furious, when she walked in the door, his face lot up just a little bit and so did hers. As I talked to Zack, I thought you about the first time he told me he loved her. We were at the beach having a bonfire and singing. She and Matt were singing a song she wrote called "Dear God" and Zack was looking at her in a trance-like state, mesmerized by her. Granted she was and still is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. But it was a different look, a look of true love. He smiled really big and looked over at me. "I fucking love her, man" is what he said. I knew he did already but hearing it from his mouth made it all the more adorable.

"I have to make this right. Just talk to her for me. Please. I just need her in my life. Even if it's only as an acquaintance." He begged.

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose "Fine, man. I'll talk to her."

And with that, we hung up. Fuck me for being such a good friend because God knows..I love her too.

DAHLIA'S POV--

It felt amazing to shed the dirty clothes from my skin and even better when the warm water hit my back. Slowly, the hangover washed out of my bones and down the drain. As I relaxed, I closed my eyes and thought back to high school. My daydreaming was interrupted by someone opening the bathroom door.

"Uh, Brian?" I called out, wiping the water from my eyes.

"Yeah, it's me. Can we talk?"

"I'm kind of in the middle of something." I said as I shampooed my hair.

"Well, tough. You don't pay attention to me when you're doing your hair and makeup."

Shit, that was so painfully true. "What is it, asshole?"

"Do you..ever think about Zack? Or miss him?"

"I..I not if I possibly can help it. I mean, sometimes. Why are you asking?"

"Because I think he misses you too." He said, sending chills through my body. Zack missed me?

"He called me and begged me to talk to you. He really wants to talk to you at the barbecue. Now, I'm not saying forgive him or kiss his ass. But give the guy a chance. Maybe he'll apologize to you."

"I don't know, Brian. He really hurt me."

"But you love him." Brian said, shocking me.

I poked my head out of the shower and glared at him. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. I think you two are still crazy about each other. Just talk to him."

"Fine. But I don't love him. Now get out so I can get ready."

Brian smiled and stood up to walk out the door, leaving me to get ready. I questioned myself. Did I love Zack? Did he Stoll love me? I contemplated the entire time I got ready, blowing and curling my hair in small spirals. I put heavier makeup on than usual to hide the tired bags I had under my eyes from the lack of sleep I'd had the last couple of days and put on a slim fitting white dress with the back cut out and some white heels. A little dressy for a barbecue but still cute. I walked downstairs to meet Brian who was wearing a black v-neck and tight fitting dark wash jeans. His hair was long and flattened under a fedora.

"You look..beautiful." he said, eyeing me up and down.

"Thank you, Brian. You ready?" I said, slipping my coat on.

"As ready as I'll ever be." He said, grabbing the ribs he made made his jacket."

We rode to Jimmy's talking about the new album the boys were working on, the upcoming promo tour, and other things. As we pulled in, I felt a nervous pang in my belly. Zack was in there and things were about to get intense.

Notes

Sorry I've been so inactive guys...My boyfriends mom found out she has brain cancer and we're all just trying to deal with that right now. Hope you like this chapter, even though it's kind of a filler.