It's Thursday and I'm a bit nervous because Eddie is coming over to meet Zach today. Since he has to pick me up.
I told Zach about Eddie's band and left out a detail of where exactly it'll be. I just told him it'll be a little late around eight and that I'd be back before midnight.
He wasn't exactly happy about it. So he told me if he was going to cover for me, he wanted to meet him.
I agreed so Eddie's going to come and meet him quickly before we head off to his place to get ready. It's going to be quick. Hopefully. Especially since my mom gets home around five and he can't be here by then.
He's nervous. I know he is. Even though he won't admit it.
It's lunch now and I'm heading over to go talk to him but when I get to his table he wasn't there.
"Hey," I say to Dustin and the rest of the guys.
"Hey," they just say nonchalantly before continuing their conversations. "Where's Eddie?" I ask nicely.
"You tell us?" Gareth asks calmly but very much annoyed.
Gareth doesn't seem to like me much. I can tell by the way he talks to me. He didn't mind me too much back when I met him but things have changed. I try to be nice though but I guess I can see why they'd be upset. I have been stealing their best friend lately.
"Did you guys hang out yesterday?" I ask Gareth.
He doesn't respond. Just continues eating and I see Jeff look at him a certain way.
"Yes, we did," he answered for him. "We practiced a bit together. Especially for today."
I just smiled and nodded.
Good. I'm glad they spent time together. We couldn't regardless because I had work. I did end up letting Steve and Keith who was there miraculously know that I couldn't come in Friday. He was fine with it. I'm surprised I'm not fired by now. I've called out like three times in the span of a month and a half.
"That's good. I'm excited to see you guys tonight. Your band sounded great the last time I heard. You guys are really something," I say with a smile but they seem to look at me confused.
Jeff looks a bit shocked. Gareth looks annoyed and Fred just looks done.
"He's bringing her?" Fred says talking to them like I'm not there.
"Are you really surprised?" Gareth responds, shoving his fork aggressively into his salad.
Jeff looks at them very much annoyed.
"Don't mind them. It'll be great to have your support," he says with a smile.
I try my best to pull mine before I excuse myself and walk away.
*
"You okay?" Eddie asks as we start to drive to my house.
"Yeah. Fine."
"Okay, because I'm the one who should be scared right now," he says half serious.
"I'm telling you, he's gonna love you," I say with a smile.
"Let's hope so," he just says grabbing my hand.
I smile and after a moment I couldn't help but bring this up before we get to my place.
"Hey, so..have you been blowing your friends off for me?"
He doesn't say anything but I can see him clench his jaw.
"Because I don't want you to not hang out with your friend because of me. We don't need to hang out all the time you know," I say looking at him but he just frowns and pulls his hand away.
"I like being with you," is all he says.
"And I love being with you," I respond making him look at me for a second.
"But your friends should come first. They were here before me and it's not fair that you blow them off for me."
"I just...I don't want you to go through some shit and think you can't come to me because I'm occupied."
"I won't," I say shaking my head.
"Eddie..my life. My situation is something I've dealt with for the longest time and believe me when I say I will be fine. Besides, I know I can come to you and I will. If I need to," I say pulling a smile and he looks over at me.
He hesitates smiling back but ultimately does.
"It's your last year," I say and he looks at me like I'm crazy. "I know it is. So don't forget to spend it with everyone that cares about you. Not just me because when schools over and done with you'll be surprised at how quick people move on with their lives. You don't want to regret not spending time with them."
He looks at me and just nods.
"Ok," he says after a moment of silence before kissing my hand.
"Just promise me if there's anything. Anything you need when I'm busy, that you won't hesitate to tell me."
"I promise."
"You know you can tell me anything right?" He asks looking at me now.
I didn't respond at first.
All the things I haven't told him just resurface in my brain. All the things that happen that I wouldn't tell him. Being talked down on is one thing but being hit is another thing I don't think I could tell him.
I feel like I'm lying when I say the next thing I say.
"Yeah of course."
He looks at me and brings my hand to his lips and kisses it before focusing on the road again.
*
We get there fairly soon after our talk.
I knock on the door and he has his hand interlocked with mine tightly.
I can feel how clammy his hands are. Or maybe those are mine. Regardless we're both pretty nervous.
I open it after knocking and as I walk in Zach is on the couch watching tv.
He sees us and gets up quickly.
"Hey...Zach. This is Eddie. Eddie this is my brother Zach," I go introducing them.
It's awkward for a second before Eddie reaches his hand out to shake Zach's.
"It's nice to meet you," Zach goes.
"Ah-you too," Eddie says awkwardly.
We just stand there fairly quiet for a bit until Zach tells him to sit.
We all sit and all you can hear is the tv in the background.
"So," I go starting the conversations. "Eddie is the one who takes me to work sometimes. You'd be surprised at how little I actually skate places with this one around," I say with a very uncomfortable chuckle.
Zach just nods with a smile and I look over at Eddie who's listening in amusement like he wants to laugh at me.
"So..how'd you two meet?" Zach asks.
Damn.
Well, my mom already knows so it's not a secret.
"Halloween."
Zach looks a bit shocked.
"You're-"
"Birthday," Eddie finishes his sentence with a smile.
Zach just nods seeming satisfied that he knows that.
"At school?"
"Well, we met at school at first. I almost bumped into him like two times but I officially talked to him at this party."
"Party? You went to a party," he asks seeming surprised.
"Yes. I can go to a party," I say annoyed.
"No- yeah but you know. You're never one for parties," he goes now just talking to me.
"She's really not," Eddie adds.
Zach looks at him curiously.
"Well I've had a change of heart," I say looking at them both.
"Really? Because you used to always complain and talk about how parties are stupid and filled with people who have nothing better to do with their lives but drink and act stupid," he goes ranting.
"Okay- well I was wrong," I say feeling a bit embarrassed now as I look at Eddie who's smiling.
"Hey this isn't about me," I say defensively. "This is about you," I go pointing to Eddie.
He just looks at me, clearly trying not to laugh.
"Right. Well, can you give me a minute alone with your...friend," Zach asks with a little grin.
I look at Eddie as he gives me a face that screams 'don't leave.'
"Okay," I say standing up.
"I'm just going to pick my outfit for later," I tell them but mostly Eddie.
He just pulls a forced smile and nods.
His leg is bouncing now and he's playing with his rings.
I don't want to leave him alone but I know Zach and he wouldn't be cruel to him unless Eddie says something absurd which he wouldn't.
"K."
*
I looked around and decided to wear something a bit comfortable and this time bring a sweater.
I grabbed a white short t-shirt that fit me nicely for once. I tend to wear bigger shirts but this one fits me nicely. Then I grabbed some black jeans and my boots. To top it off I grabbed the black jacket Eddie let me borrow.
I'm growing a collection of his clothing over here.
I have like two shirts he's let me borrow and two jackets.
I like it though. I love the fact that if someone asks me if these are my clothes...which would be very unlikely. If they do, however, I can say it's my boyfriend's.
I laid my clothes on the bed and then went to gather my makeup quickly. When I grabbed them I realized my nails looked a bit bland. So I grabbed my black nail polish and brought it with me.
I grabbed my big bag and folded my clothes carefully and stuffed them in there. As well as my makeup in the smaller pocket of the bag. When I finished I headed to the restroom to brush my teeth.
I heard laughing and I couldn't help back up and walk into the living room.
I noticed them both laughing together.
Weird.
"Everything good..in here?" I ask looking at both of them all smiley.
"Yeah, I was just telling him some interesting stories of when you were a kid."
I looked at Eddie who looks very amused.
"I didn't know you liked to sing," he says with a cheeky smile.
Oh god.
"You didn't," I warn Zach who's face falls a bit. Like he's now scared.
"Hey maybe you should come up there with me," he says winking with a grin.
"Wha-So what are you guys like friends? Buddies"
"Oh yeah-" Zach goes placing a hand on Eddie's shoulder and patting him. "All good. I already gave him the talk," he says with wavering eyes.
The talk.
He probably means the 'dad talk' that my dad can't make for me.
A little weird for it to be him but nonetheless. Hopefully, he didn't spook him.
I just sigh.
"Whatever I'm going to brush my teeth. Don't talk about me!" I shout from the end of the hallway.
*
"I'll see you later then?" I tell Zach with my bag, my keys, and my boots in my hands.
He just nods.
"Have fun," he tells me and I start to walk out to Eddie's van until I notice he's not by me.
I'm at the van when I turn and see him talking to Zach a bit more seriously now. He just nods and Zach pats him on the shoulder saying goodbye from the looks of it.
He unlocks the van letting me hop on.
"What was that about?" I ask.
He looks at me normally and just shakes his head.
"Nothing. Nothing worth repeating."
I just nod and look out the window.
He starts the van and I wave at Zach goodbye before we're out of his sight.
*
"So, I was going to ask," I say as we walk into his place.
"Yeah?"
When we walk in I see his uncle in the living room reading a newspaper.
"Hello, Mr. Munson."
He looks up and smiles at me.
"Please, Mr. Munson is my father," he says getting up. "And he's dead." I look at him and try not to chuckle. "Call me Wayne," he goes hugging me. "Hello, Darlin."
I smile as he pulls away. Feeling very happy that he likes me.
"I'm gonna play with my band tonight," Eddie tells him. "She's gonna get ready here if that's fine?" He says but by the tone of his voice I can tell he's not really asking.
"Of course. You're welcome here anytime Mary."
"Thank you," I say with a smile and Eddie grabs my hand and pulls me along.
"Alright we'll be in my room," he says walking away.
"Hey- no funny business!" We hear Wayne shout before Eddie closes the door.
"Sorry," he says.
"Don't," I go shaking my head. "He's sweet."
Eddie just rolls his eyes.
"Great well I'm going to pick my clothes out," he says heading to his closet.
"You don't mind if I shower do you?" I ask.
"No, you can't use my shower. Clog it up with all your hairs," he says seriously making me speechless before he turns to look at me with a smirk.
"Ass."
He chuckles.
"I'm kidding. I don't know why you ask anymore, really," he says looking through his closet still before picking out a random black tee.
"This is your place too."
"But it's not," I tell him seriously.
"Yes it is," he says walking up to me before pecking me on the lips. "Now go shower, and before you ask..yes you can use my shampoo and the soap and god-you can use my toothbrush for all I care," he says as I grab my bag cringing.
"Ew. No. I already brushed my teeth anyway."
He just shrugs and I go shower.