Page 41 of Falling for my Best Friend

T W E L V E

- Aiden -

I waited until Lucy unlocked the door to her apartment building before pulling away from the curb.

I don’t know if it was just the hit of sugar from the unreasonably decadent portion of ice cream I’d just taken to the face or the fact that nobody lifted my spirits like she could, but I was feeling really good.

I knew it was unfair to compare my girlfriend to Lucy considering that we grew up together, but it was disappointing that neither Chelsea nor my parents could feign even a fraction of the enthusiasm that Lucy did in my goals.

It wasn’t like I was under any delusions that Chelsea was The One or anything, but she was still supposed to be the person I could rely on more than anyone. Unfortunately, she just wasn’t interested in the same stuff as me... apart from sex and money, of course. But I did care about her, and we’d been through a lot together.

Which is why I was going to have a talk with her as soon as I got home.

After all, no one else knew how poorly she was taking care of herself, and I had waited long enough to say something.

And I had every right. Plus, if my parent’s awkward relationship had taught me anything, it was that communication was an essential part of a relationship. Or at least, avoiding communication at all costs doesn’t help anything.

She was sitting on the couch when I let myself into the apartment.

“Where were you?” she asked, keeping her eyes on her magazine.

“Hello to you, too,” I said, tossing my keys in the bowl by the front door.

“Well?”

“I went to check out a new ice cream place with Lucy.”

“Of course you did. Cause I can’t leave you alone for two seconds without you going to hang out with her.”

“Chill, Chelse. You know I like ice cream, and you don’t eat it. It’s not a big deal.”

“Are you sleeping with her?”

I laughed. “Yes, getting ice cream is code for that. Didn’t you know?”

“I’m serious, Aiden. You’ve been spending a lot of time with her.”

“Gee, I guess you’re right. I mean, if I started hanging out with her when I was ten-” I looked up and pretended to count on my fingers. When I looked back at her she was seething.

“I’m not laughing.”

“And I’m not sleeping with Lucy, okay? If that was going to happen it would’ve happened a long time ago.”

She tossed the magazine to the side and crossed her legs.

“Are you sure you’re not upset about something else?”

“I’m fine.”

“Okay, good,” I said, taking a seat on the couch. “Cause I would never cheat on you, babe. You know that, right?”

She nodded.

“Are you in for the night?” I asked.

“Yeah, why?”

“I was hoping we could talk about something.” I scooted next to her.