AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A few weeks later.
I’ve been checking my email daily for weeks. Getting results can take up to six weeks so the results should be here any day now. I’m trying hard to keep my mind busy so I don’t obsess over it.
Callie, Jake, and I moved into our house last week and we are finally getting settled enough to start our music lessons again. We are still decorating like crazy for Christmas. All three of our families are coming over including Nick. Callie and Jake’s families haven’t seen each other much since Jake’s family is from California. She doesn’t know this yet, but since all her favorite people will be here Jake is going to propose. I helped him pick out the perfect ring for her, and whether I liked him or not, he makes her happy and that’s enough for me. I hope he can love my best friend the way she deserves. That bitch is my soulmate.
I will find that kind of happiness one day, but I’m okay with being alone for now. I feel like I have a lot of soul-searching to do at this point in my life, especially with how my last relationship ended. Also, with this new life development, let’s just say I’m glad I’m not dragging anyone around with me.
I did have that kind of love at one point with Max…I think. We got together when I had just turned eighteen and we were together for almost three years. I thought he would propose. My world came crashing down one day when I took off work and went to his dorm to surprise him. My plan was to decorate his room since he had a hockey game and would be out until late on his birthday. Instead, he surprised me by being in bed with some redhead. She had no idea about me, either. She and I tried to become friends trying to bond over a common enemy but that didn’t work out. She was a complete bitch and I’m one of those people who can’t be fake. If I don’t like you, then my face will tell you. It was also just too weird. Last I heard, Max was playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the two of them were dating. Good for them, I guess.
It’s Christmas Eve and we are hosting our first holiday in our new home. Our families were starting to arrive, and –big surprise– Nick was late. Callie’s mom has been here since eight this morning. She owns a restaurant and is a fantastic chef, so she does most of the cooking for us anytime we have an event.
Brie and I sat in my room wrapping a few small things for my friends. We started talking about my old room and how she’s making it into an office library. She’s always wanted to own a cool sliding ladder for her bookcase.
“It’s a great idea. I think that will look awesome.”
She smiled but was looking down. “Have you got the results yet?” She was asking in a careful tone.
I grabbed her hand to reassure her. “You will know as soon as I do, Brie, I promise. I would never keep it from you.”
I refreshed my email on my laptop sitting beside me—still nothing.
When it was time for dinner, I helped Callie’s mom serve everyone. I loved being surrounded by everyone. Things with my parents were still tense, especially since I moved out. They’ve been trying not to hover. Instead they have been letting me come to them as I process everything without hovering. I was probably drinking too much to keep my nerves in check, but I wasn’t driving anywhere, so BRING ON THE WINE!
Since I can remember I have always sat with Callie on my left and Nick on my right. If I didn’t sit between them, they would bicker the entire time. They fight like a married couple.
Callie has been a part of our Christmas forever and Nick joined the crew when he was fifteen. He had just moved to town to live with his grandma after his parents died suddenly. Nick never speaks about it, and we don’t ever push it. We became friends quickly, he’s like an older brother to Brie, Callie, and me. Lucky for us, even though he was a year older, he was in the same grade because he was held back in elementary school. When he was ten he missed a ton of school because he was really sick. His parents chose to hold him back, which worked in our favor.
Everyone assumed Nick and I would end up together. We were always called “The blue-eyed twins”. He is a very handsome man and we did try once. He was my prom date our junior year. We kissed that night, right outside the prom, and it sucked. It was awkward, like kissing a brother. I felt no sparks, and he said the same.
There is always someone joking about us making beautiful babies. We would laugh it off. We never really spoke of the prom incident again, except for the occasional joke when we were drunk. We are definitely better off as friends. I always thought he and Callie would end up together because they were always either flirting or fighting like they were married, but when Callie met Jake that idea faded fast.
We used to have Nick and his grandma over for the holidays since it was just the two of them. We liked giving his grandma a break by letting someone else cook for her. Nick was a horrible cook, but he tried.
We miss her so much; she passed away just last year. This Christmas will be hard for him, but so far he is the same ol’ Nick. I am just glad he's here.
After dinner, we opened presents with the last present being Callie’s engagement ring. Nick caught the entire proposal on video, and I took a ton of pictures. It was perfect. Callie couldn't believe I didn't tell her; I tell her everything, even when it's not my secret to tell. I'm downright horrible at secret-keeping and I also happen to be the worst liar on the planet.
About an hour after all the excitement ended everyone headed home except for Nick. He was staying the night at our house so that he didn’t wake up alone on Christmas morning. Plus, I think he just wanted to drink a lot and not have to drive home. He also wanted some leftovers in the morning, I’m sure. The poor guy could barely make eggs without burning them. We have a pull-out couch in the music room for guests and that’s where he sleeps when he stays over.
We all retired to our rooms so Callie and Jake could celebrate their engagement. Before heading to bed, Nick stopped in my room to say goodnight. I was sitting in the dark, using my book light to write.
“Hey, you doing all right?”
I looked up, smiled at him, and clicked on my lamp. “I’m good. My nerves are just getting to me waiting on these results. I’m kind of in a constant state of wanting to throw up.”
He chuckled. “Well, if you need to talk about it, you know where I’ll be.”
“Thank you, Nick; I appreciate you.”
I knew he could tell something else was wrong because he didn’t leave and instead walked in.
“What’s up, buttercup?” He sat down on my bed.
“I just hate being alone on nights like this. I’m so freaking happy for Callie and Jake but—" I didn’t want to finish that sentence because I really am happy for them. “I’m just…a little jealous, I guess.”
“I get it.” He looked at me and I could see the hurt in his eyes. Part of me always believed Nick would someday admit that he had feelings for Cal, but he hasn’t. He looked off into the room a little, and I cleared my throat, bringing him back to reality.
“Want me to stay with you until you fall asleep?” he asked.
