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Almost Easy

Chapter Sixty-Four: Pillow Fights

“So what have you been up to?” Lauren asked me curiously as we ducked out of the Huntington street and into a little boutique.
None of the clothing in this building even resembled something I’d ever consider wearing but I was new to the whole female-friendship thing; I didn’t think it wise to object to her only suggestion. So, I went along with it and pretended to be interested in the costly items.
I shrugged, “Nothing really. I’ve been writing with my drummer a little…I watch a lot of television.”
She giggled, “I hear you on the TV part.”
It had been six days since Brian had left and I was already feeling the loss. He called every night before he went on stage and nearly every morning when he woke. His morning calls were mostly void of any depth because he was usually very hungover or, occasionally, still drunk. I was also not a morning person so my responses were basically just grunts.
But I’d been busy with unpacking and had gotten everything put away within a couple of days. The house was beginning to feel more like home—but I knew it would be lacking until Brian returned. Only five-ish weeks to go.
It felt like an eternity.
“It’s nice to get out,” I said pointedly, trying to be friendly.
She nodded happily, “It is. I spend way too much time at home lately.”
“Well I’m happy to entertain you whenever you get the urge for socialization,” I half-laughed, pulling out a silk black blouse from the rack and inspecting like I was actually considering purchasing it.
“That’s cute!” she said to me, nodding in approval at the garment.
I shrugged and put it back.
“Can I ask you something?” I mused aloud as we continued to browse, Lauren had just pulled out a little red cocktail dress.
“Shoot.”
I bit at my lip a little, “Why do you hate Brian so much?”
I watched as her spine tensed up and her fingers took a weird shape. She used the dress as an intelligent tactic to not make eye contact with me.
“I don’t know him well enough to hate him,” she shrugged.
I smirked, “The parts you know, you seem to really dislike.”
She looked at me quickly and then went back to browsing, folding the dress over one of her arms.
“I’m not trying to make you feel weird about it,” I backpedaled. “I’m honestly just curious.”
She shrugged with a sigh, “I don’t know, Blair. He just sort of strikes me as…a douchebag. He was really awful to you that one night—I don’t really forget about stuff like that, I guess. I don’t like people who treat their girlfriends poorly.”
And just like that, it all made sense. She’d come from an abusive relationship and was obviously finding misplaced realities about my relationship. I appreciated her honesty.
“Well,” I started slowly, “for the record, Brian isn’t a douchebag,” I laughed through the d-word. “You’re right, he wasn’t the best that one particular night but I also was pushing him to come out of his comfort zone. He doesn’t always show it, but the man is a total introvert. Sometimes my antics make him…uncomfortable.”
She seemed to be listening.
“He’s maybe the best person I’ve ever known,” I continued. “Aside from my friend Tyler, anyway. And maybe Jimmy….I digress. Brian has a big heart. He’s really wonderful once you get to know him. Not that I’m pressuring you to throw your impression of him aside,” I smiled, “but if we’re going to be friends…I don’t know how that will work if you hate my boyfriend.”
She nodded along as I spoke, seemingly digesting the information I was gifting to her.
“You’re right,” she said finally. “I guess I don’t really know anything about either of you. It’s not fair of me to judge him from one night. Jimmy says a lot of really nice things about him…about both of you, actually.”
“Jimmy is nothing but honest,” I grinned. “To a fault.”
She giggled, “Definitely. I really like you, though. So, it seems only right to at least give Brian a chance…”
I nodded, “He’s great, I promise.”
“I can be kind of a sore thumb sometimes,” she smiled at me. “I’m always assuming that people have the same history as I do. It makes trusting people kind of difficult…”
“What was he like?” I asked carefully. “Your ex-boyfriend? I mean, if you don’t mind my asking…”
Her face grimaced, “He was a real piece of work. A serial cheater if ever I’ve seen one. He came from money and, for whatever reason, seemed to think that meant that world owed him something…Any time I tried to object…or tell him no…about anything…” she hesitated briefly. “He was…not so nice.”
I wasn’t really sure what to say. I’d never been through, or known anyone who had, anything like that. I mean…the whole David thing was pretty close, I guess. But not even. One isolated, tiny incident was not the same as sharing your life with someone who ultimately became violent.
“I wasn’t allowed to have any friends!” she told me with an awkward laugh. “That was the worst part for me. I could handle the beatings and whatever…You kind of…tune it out after a while…But being totally alone—that was the tricky part.”
I smiled sympathetically at her, “Well…You can have all the friends you want now, right?”
She shrugged, “Like it’s that easy.”
I laughed knowingly, “Oh, I know. I have exactly three real friends in my life. Three. It used to be four, but…you know. So, I get it.”
“Exactly,” she grinned.
Our shopping trip turned into dinner which turned into heading back to my house to watch movies, which then turned into drinking a ridiculous amount of wine. I was already pretty wine drunk by time the phone started to ring.
“Hey pretty girl,” Brian said into my ear.
I smiled from ear to ear, darting into the kitchen to speak more privately.
“Well hello, Mr. Haner.”
“What are we up to?” he asked me.
My brain was warm, “I’m a little wine drunk.”
“By yourself?” he laughed quietly.
“No, no. Lauren is here.”
“Awwwwwwwww,” Brian responded really dramatically. “My girl made a friend!”
“Stop that,” I smiled.
“Okay, well I won’t keep you from your female bonding,” he paused. “Wait—are you pillow fighting yet?”
“Yes. Naked.”
“Fuck,” he grumbled. “Why is this my life?”
I chuckled, “Are you ready for your show? Are you warmed up? Fingers ready to be godly?”
“No, never,” he laughed. “But the show must go on, despite my shortcomings.”
“Give me a break,” I scoffed.
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” he said pleasantly. “You go back to your lesbian love.”
I giggled, “I will do that.”
“Love you,” he said sweetly.
“You know I love you more. Have a good show!”
I stood there awkwardly for a second after hanging up, reveling in my relationship and how very secure I felt even with a forty second phone call. I was adjusting pretty well to the distance, I thought. Surely a friendship with someone who was also missing their other half would be a good addition to my life.
And so, I returned to the living room to watch some sappy chick flick and get further intoxicated. I instinctively set up a bed for Lauren on my couch before I, inevitably, got too drunk to remember where the blankets were.
It was a pretty good day—even if I couldn’t spend it with Brian.

Notes

Might have a few more chapters for this than I'd anticipated.

xx

Comments

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RamonaFoREVer RamonaFoREVer
6/18/19

@LostinDreams77
Oh!!! I'm so glad!!! <33

fyction fyction
5/13/19

Only on chapter 6 but I bloody love it already lol

LostinDreams77 LostinDreams77
5/13/19

@kiss my sas
Omg!!! Lol

fyction fyction
3/27/19

Ok, time for a re read on this one now :D
Baby Blair, come at me!!!

kiss my sas kiss my sas
3/27/19