Author's Note: So I've been so mean ignoring this story. Things are going to get a lot worse before they get better for these guys, although the Tammy conflict now gone, a new one must emerge. Hope you all enjoy the chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, blahdy blah blah.

Chapter 9: Two Exes and A Freakout

The next morning Julie sat with her legs crossed on her bed. She was holding the phone, she knew she had a call to make, she sighed, Dean was moving his stuff into his new apartment, and she was dreading what she had to do. She was not looking forward to it, she still didn't know what she wanted to say, she hadn't decided if she wanted to see him again, especially since things still weren't one hundred percent on track with Dean. She sighed and dialed the phone.

"Hello?" God it was good to hear Gunnar's voice.

"Hi Gunnar," she said, "It's Julie, I um, I got your message."

"I figured as much," he laughed, "So, how are you?"

"I'm," She tried to find the right words, "I'm sorry, Gunnar, was I not clear yesterday morning?"

"Clear in what way?" He asked.

"Clear in the way that I'm back with Dean," she said.

"I thought it was pretty clear that you were unhappy," Gunnar said, she sighed, "I wasn't wrong was I?"

"We had just had a fight," she said, "but we're fine now."

"So you don't want to see me then?" He asked.

"I didn't say that," she said quietly.

"So you do want to see me," she could hear the smile in his voice. "Are you free tonight?"

"Gunnar, I," she said, "I can't tonight, Guy's here, and well, another, um," she tried to find the words to explain Tammy, "old friend, and well, I just, I can't, not tonight, actually not ever."

"So, why did you call?" He asked.

"Because," she said quietly, "I wanted to, I don't know, say good bye I guess."

"I miss you Julie," he said. "I miss you a lot, everyday. Do you miss me at all?"

"I miss things," she said, trying to be thoughtful "I miss the way you used to tell me I'm beautiful, I miss the nights out and romantic surprises, I miss your cooking."

"How is your cooking by the way?" He asked, "I mean, you were trying to learn right before we broke up,"

"I can make eggs," Julie nodded, "and pasta and breaded chicken."

"Steps forward from calling for pizza," he laughed. "Are you happy Julie?"

"What do you mean?" She said.

"Does he make you happy?" He asked, "He broke your heart once, I'd hate for it to happen again."

"It's not going to happen again," she said, trying to convince her self of it, "He's changed. I really think it will work this time."

"I hope so," Gunnar said, "Really, I do, for you."

"How are you so wonderful?" She asked, "You just told me that you want it to work out with the man I broke off our engagement for."

"I want you to be happy," he said, "I'd much rather you be happy with me, but if being with him makes you happy, then so be it."

"You're making this very hard for me," she said quietly.

"I'm having a lot of trouble letting you go," he admitted. "I am still very much in love with you."

"Gunnar, I," she tried to come up with the right words. "I love Dean. And I want to be with him. I want you to understand, I loved you, so much. But it, it always felt off. I always felt so uncomfortable, like I wasn't good enough for you. With him, it's comfortable, it's real, I feel like I can just be Julie, can you understand that?"

"I think so," he said, "So, this is good bye."

"Yes," she said, "It is. Good bye Gunnar."

"Good bye Julie," he said quietly. She hung up and exhaled. That was way too hard. She

"Julie!" She heard Connie shout. "Julie, we have a surprise!"

"We?" Julie walked out of the room. "Connie, I've had enough surprises in the past few days. Oh my God!"

"Hey there Gaffney," Scooter smiled, "It's good to see you."

"What are you doing here?" She went and gave him a hug.

"I came into town to see Rick," he smiled, "And I figured since he was with Connie now, there was a good chance I'd get to see you."

"It's so good to see you," she smiled and hugged him again. "It's been so long. You look great!"

"So do you," he smiled, "So I hear you almost got married or something?"

"Julie, I can't find the black pants," Dean said walking into the apartment, "Scooter," he said. "Hi."

"Portman," He nodded, Julie held her breath, this could get bad. "Um, hi."

"Hi," Dean stood staring at him. "What are you doing here?"

"We invited him," Connie smiled. "Was that a bad idea?"

"Dean," Julie said, giving him a look, "Isn't it good to see old friends?"

"Julie," he said, "did you make that phone call?"

"Yes," she nodded.

"And?" He asked.

"It was just a phone call," she said. "And now it's over."

"Did I miss something?" Scooter said to Rick.

"Man, I have stopped trying to follow," Rick shrugged.

"Oh, it's not that hard," Connie rolled her eyes, "See, Gunnar called Julie last night and she called him back this morning."

"Who's Gunnar?" Scooter asked.

"Julie's ex fiancé," Rick said, "That much I know."

"So she did almost get married," Scooter nodded.

"She was engaged for four days," Connie said, "And now she and Portman are back together."

"Ah," he nodded, "Got it, all caught up."

"So," Dean turned to them, "Scooter, how are you?" Julie smiled, she knew that Dean didn't feel threatened by her high school boyfriend. A big step forward for the man who used to get angry when they would tell stories about Scooter.

"I'm good," he nodded.

"Hi," Colleen said walking in. "Is everything OK here now? Because I'm trying really hard to not completely lose control."

"You must be Colleen?" Rick said pointing.

"Yes!" She said, "And you're Rick?"

"Yes," he nodded, "Hi."

"Hi," she said. "And you are?" She pointed to Scooter.

"Uh, Scooter," he said. "Julie's high school boyfriend."

"Oh," Colleen said, trying to not cry, yet another ex, another complication. Why oh why had she answered this ad? "OK."

"Hey you guys!" Guy rushed in, "Oh God," He stopped and looked around, "Hi Scooter."

"Guy," Scooter said, "hey. So, you still all gay or whatever?"

"Yeah," Guy said, "It doesn't really go away or anything man."

"Oh, right," Scooter said. "Cool."

"Oh my God!" Colleen shouted, "You people are insane! This is not normal! Do you realize that? People don't do this!" She ran into her room and slammed the door.

"That poor kid," Gary said walking out of his room. "Oh, hi Scooter, hey where's Tammy?"

"She went back to Cali," Guy said, "I just dropped her off at the airport. She said she had caused enough trouble."

"Oh," Julie said, "that's too bad. We had a long talk last night, hashed it all out. I thought things would be good."

"Tammy was here?" Scooter said. "I haven't seen her since your prom Jules! Remember, when she,"

"Tried to make out with you," Julie nodded, "Yes, I remember,"

"So hey!" Connie said, "How about we all order some food?"

"That sounds fun." Guy nodded.

"Yeah," everyone nodded and shrugged.

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