Alrighty. I hope you guys enjoy chapter 3 and thank you all for the comments and support!
"Dez?" I asked, hoping he'd recognize my voice. I was pleasantly surprised, but of course, it's Dez. One should always expect the unexpected.
"Austin Monica Moon. Oh my god! How are you, buddy? I haven't seen you since... since... what happened." Dez's allusion to what happened all those years ago led Austin to quickly change the subject.
"I divorced Cassidy."
"Oh, god, dude? Um, why?"
"I don't know."
"Well, that's specific. So, why'd you call?"
"I need to talk to you." I fiddled the the pages of Ally's songbook, anxiously awaiting his response.
"Sure, dude. I'm in L.A. tomorrow for some press and stuff. Wanna chat?"
"Yeah," I replied, cooly. I didn't want to sound like this was the best thing to happen to me in the last couple of weeks from Hell- which it was.
"Coolio, how 'bout I call you when I'm there and we can pick some place to meet up? Kay?"
"Yeah, thanks man. Talk to you later."
"Adios, muchacho." I hit End Call and flopped back on my bed. Dez. My best friend. I was going to see him tomorrow after nearly seven years. Hopefully I won't have to relive the last time that we saw each other. Of course, I knew I would.
xx
Message from Dez
Hey, Austin. I was hoping we could meet up 2day? Maybe at that restaurant Mini's? U know it?
I read it to my self and typed a simple reply.
Yes. 1?
It was an agonizing wait after I sent it. Nearly five minutes... well, it was really tough when this message was the last thread holding me to the past I so desperately was clinging to.
Sure. See ya!
I sighed at his response and relaxed. Maybe everything could go back to normal. If I tried hard enough. And if my friends could forgive me. If Ally could ever forgive me.
xx
I arrived at Mini's at 12:45 and Dez was already there. Weirdest most eccentric guy I've ever met, but he was never late. Ever. I guess some things never change. I walked towards the tall man with the fiery red hair and held out my hand, hoping for so much enthusiasm for our reunion. Like I said, with Dez, always expect the unexpected. Dez stood instantly and embraced me so tightly I could barely breath and I was sure that my feet weren't even touching the ground.
"Buddy! How've you been?" Dez finally put me back on the ground and I straightened my shirt, searching my brain desperately and pleading with my mouth to form words. Anything.
"I'm, uh, sorry," was all that came out. Dez looked confused, then understanding took over his expression and he embraced me again, gentler and more comforting.
"I know, dude. Me too." I've known this guy for more than half my life and I still couldn't understand most of the things he said. We got a table and both ordered. Then he started to talk. "What happened?"
"I don't know. I really, really don't." I didn't have a better answer. I truly didn't know why she divorced me. I didn't know anything.
"Well," Dez seemed to rack his brain for the right thing to say in this situation. I have to say, all that seven years has done to change Dez was give him more money, a busy schedule, and
more tact. "How are you doing, y'know, with everything going on?"
"Actually...," I paused, trying to figure if I should bring up Ally's songbook or not. I decided it wouldn't hurt so I continued, "I'm doing well. Much better than I'd expected. Mostly... because of this." I took Ally's book from my backpack and slid it over to him, waiting for him to understand.
"Oh, god, Austin. You kept this? After everything that happened?" Dez held the book and flipped it in his hands. Studying everything about it then quickly and reflexively replacing it on the table. "I guess I can still hear Ally telling us not to touch her book," Dez laughed. I returned it and I felt like there was this weight lifted off my shoulders. This was Dez. My Dez. My best friend whom I've known forever. It was easy to talk to him.
"Yeah...," I paused again. I really couldn't think. "I found it the other day when I was sorting through some boxes of my old things. I guess it just brought back some memories."
"Hell yes. It makes me feel like I'm seventeen again," Dez replied. I smiled at his comment and continued my story.
"I guess I'm just looking for an escape- and this has been a pretty good one."
"I bet." Dez looked towards the waiter as he handed him a plate with a portion much to small but absolutely adorable. "Thanks," he told the waiter, then waited for me to be served before expecting any more explanation.
"I miss her. I miss me. I miss us. All of us, together, as friends," I hoped that Dez would understand my vagueness, but it was Dez, I figured he would help me whether or not he fully comprehended. That was just the kind of guy Dez was- always there to give you his pants when you needed them.
"I get it, man."
"So, have you been in touch with Trish or, um, Ally?" I asked, trying to be cool but failing miserably at the mention of Ally. Oh my god I missed her so much.
"Nah, not really. I mean, Trish and I had that thing for a couple of months after you left but that fizzled pretty quick and then we all kind of lost touch. Actually, I talked to Trish a few months ago and she mentioned something about Ally... I just can't remember what. I guess it wasn't too important." Dez finished his statement and glanced at me, then down at his food to finish the last bite. I was silent for a while, hoping for Dez to remember any detail about my long lost Ally. Finally, he spoke. "Oh yeah, Ally's in Miami for a year to work on songs and see her parents. I still can't remember why though. She's taking a break from touring."
"Seriously?" I knew I was getting excited and tried to hide it. Of course Dez noticed.
"Dude, it's been seven years. I know that there was a lot between you guys and I know that that kind of chemistry doesn't go away... but Austin, you were married, you need to forget about her."
"Well, maybe my divorce is a sign that I should go find her. Oh, who am I kidding... yeah, I need to find her." At that moment, there was a screech of delight a few tables over. Dez and I jerked our heads around at the noise and found a woman tightly embracing a man at another table, dazzling ring on her finger.
"Wow," Dez sighed.
"Yeah," I replied, "definitely a sign."
"OH!" Dez exclaimed. He clapped his hands together and turned towards me. "I just remembered why Ally's in Miami, and Austin, you're not gonna like it- Austin? Austin?" Dez slumped back in his chair as I saw the door of the restaurant close behind me. He picked up the money that I'd left and flipped it around in his hands. If I knew then what he was about to say, maybe I would have never gone to Miami.
"Ally's engaged."
OOO drama! Well, it's only been a week this time so maybe we can all be happy for that? Plus, I've got the next chapter all planned out and I'm excited. I think the next one is going to be the chapter that we find out a little more about Cassidy and the divorce, what do you think?
ALSO, I'm still looking for ideas and this one that just blew all of your minds (probably not but who cares) was from Frenchie12 (who also gave me awesome ideas for my last story) and writermeAL. So, thank you! :D
