When and where?

I respond to John’s text while I make sure Alex is looking out the window. I don’t want him knowing about this. He would want to go with me, which would make John mad, which wouldn’t help anything get resolved. I flip my phone on silent, just as John’s response comes in.

Meet me at Domino’s at 4. I get off of work then. We can figure something out.

Okay.

I slip my phone into my pocket and grab Alex’s hand. He smiles at me, and kisses my hand. “Love you.” He whispers in my ear.

“Love you more.” I kiss his cheek.

We pull up to the pizza parlor and walk inside. Alex and I take a seat in the booth side by side and Jack sits across from us.

“You good with a large pepperoni?” Jack asks us.

We nod in unison and order waters and our pizza.

“So tomorrow.” Alex thumps on the table excitedly. “I’m so excited to get back on tour.”

“Same here man. It’s going to be pretty crazy this year.” A smile splits across Jack’s face. “You excited Di?”

“Thrilled.” I smile, a little distracted by the whole John situation. “It’s going to be pretty cool. Much better than my everyday life.”

“It might get pretty stressful. I hope you are up for it!” Jack says. “We’ll be there for you though, so don’t worry.”

“We going to do anything tonight?” Alex asks Jack. “It’s our last night here.”

“Hell yeah man! Let’s go to a bar or something. Diana you can come too. 9 sound good?” Jack offers up.

I think for a second, making sure it won’t coinside with my meeting with John. “Sure. Sounds perfect. I have some things to do before though, so I’ll probably be around the loft at 8:30.”

“What stuff?” Alex asks me, looking confused.

“Just some girly things. Waxing, nails, hair, pack. All that good stuff.” I lie smoothly. “Trust me, you don’t want to be around for it.”

“You sure babe? I don’t mind.” He looks at me, almost hoping I will ask him to come along. Fuck, I really feel like an asshole.

“Yeah. I’ll call you if something changes, okay?” I ask kissing him on the cheek softly. He smiles and pulls me closer to him. I rest my head on his shoulder and close my eyes, letting him and Jack talk.

The only reason I’m giving John a chance is because he and I had such a good relationship before we started dating. He and I were really good friends. He mistreated me, but he still holds a special spot in my heart. I have no idea how to explain it. I know there is no way in HELL I would ever get back with him. I just feel like I should give him a chance to talk. Just one more. If he treats me like shit again, oh well, I’m leaving tomorrow. And I will tell Alex, just after it happens. I love him, but I don’t want him getting hurt by John or worrying about me. I know there is no way Alex would let me go alone, and I know John wouldn’t appreciate that. Sometimes, you have to pick and choose your battles.

All of a sudden, I feel a poke under my arm. I jump up, very ticklish. It’s Jack messing with me.

“Wake the fuck up man. I was asking you something.” He laughs.

“What?” I groan.

“Have you cancelled your classes and shit?” He asks me.

Fuck. No, I actually haven’t. “No, not yet.” I respond cooly. I don’t want Alex worrying. I look at him and he already looks worried. I kiss him and assure him, “Don’t worry. It will all be taken care of.”

He smiles softly and looks at the pizza as it makes its way to our table. We dig in, talking in between bites about tour, what to expect, who I’m going to see, how to survive basically. I listen, taking it all in, but in the back of my mind, I can’t stop thinking about John. I’m a little nervous.

“I’m going to use the restroom really quick.” I tell the guys on our way out.

I run into the bathroom and grab my phone out. I send a quick text to John.

This is the very last chance I am giving you to talk to me. Please don’t do anything stupid. And for the love of god please don’t hit me. I just want to be civil with you.

I wait a few seconds and get a response rather quickly.

Of course not. I’m so sorry I ever laid a hand on you. I promise, all will be okay.

I leave the bathroom with my phone stuffed in my pocket, relaxing a little. I’m not sure why I trust him right now, but I do.

I walk up to Alex and Jack and snake my arm around Alex’s waist. He kisses the top of my head and holds me close. Jack slips his hand into Alex’s back pocket and we walk to the car.

“I just don’t want to look like a third wheel. I’d rather look like a threesome relationship.” Jack explains grinning.

We get in the car and ride in silence. As we pull up to the loft, I glance across the street at my car parked in front of my loft.

“I’m going to grab my keys and go baby.” I kiss Alex slowly.

“That’s fine princess. Just let me know if you need me, I’ll have my phone on me.” He kisses me back, slapping my butt as I walk away.

I run inside to grab my keys and look at my phone’s screen, checking the time. 3:40. I drive to the Domino’s we had ordered our pizza from that night. I pull up, seeing John’s car sitting in the parking lot. I look in the mirror, fixing fly away hairs and makeup smudges. I step out of the car and walk into the shop. I see John and half smile at him. His jaw drops as soon as he sees me. I blush and look down.

“I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” John called to the rest of the store and approached me. “Hey. You look…amazing.”

“Thanks.” I say indifferently. He never said that when we were together, so it really means nothing to me. “Ready to go?”

“Yeah, do you want to take my car or yours? I can just drive you back here to pick your car up. I was thinking a park?” He suggests.

Excellent, a public place. Exactly what I was hoping for.

“Sure thing.” I agree. He holds the door open for me and I climb into his car. We race off to the nearest park in silence. John decides to break it.

“So…how have you been?” He asks me glancing at me.

“I’ve been pretty good. Busy.” I say, trying not to bring Alex up. “And you?”

“Same. I obviously have a job. It pays pretty well, but it keeps me out of trouble for the most part. I don’t see my old friends anymore. We talk once in a while, but that’s about it. Living with my dad has been nice. He missed me.” John rambles.

“That’s really good. I’m happy for you.” I say a little jealous he got his life back on track without me.

“How’s the new boyfriend?” He asks politely.

“He’s good. We are trying to take things a little slow.” I lie. Alex and I have been faster than any relationship I’ve ever been in.

“That’s good. Can’t rush into something you might regret.” John nods.

We ride in silence and pull up to the park. It’s empty except for maybe a couple of kids. John parks the car and we walk up a hill and sit on the top of it.

“So look. There’s something I wanted to tell you. I’m sorry Diana. You were the best thing that ever happened to me, but I just didn’t realize it. But I do now. I treated you like such shit it was disgusting. I honestly don’t know how you stayed with me as long as you did. I guess all I’m asking is for you to give me one last chance. Please Diana, just one more.” John pleads.

I look at him, torn. He does seem different, but I have Alex now. And I love Alex so much. But John is a new person. Maybe he deserves one more chance?

Notes

Filler, sorry classes are getting hectic. You all must hate me for this chapter but hang in there, it will be okay!
Thanks for the support (:
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