What If I Do?

Chapter 22: Another Round

5 Months, 1 Week and 3 Days Laters - November 12, 1997

Life had gone basically back normal since Dave left. Taylor was gone alot touring which was good because then I wouldn't have to see Dave. Those two had become good friends and it was hard to hang out with just Taylor now. When they were home, they went out every night and Taylor would come back the next morning. Abby had moved in and things between her and Taylor had simmered a bit but whenever he came home, those two didn't emrge for two days. I was working at the store everyday now and had even started seeing someone new. His name was Evan and we had been together about a month now but it wasn't going that great. Taylor was about to go back on tour and he insisted that on the one day and night Evan had to work a double shift, that he would throw a party for my birthday. It was on the 14th but he and the guys were leaving that day so this was the last chance if he wanted a day of recovery before flying. Taylor invited Wiley, Pat, and Nate over for lunch and after that more people started showing up, all Taylor's friends. I had invited only two people over, Hannah and Gisele. I was having fun and was kind of tipsy when I heard the door bell ring. I turned around to go get but Taylor was already there and I saw Dave. I headed towards my room and closed the door as I saw Taylor at the end of the hall. I sat down on my bed and lit a smoke before a knock came at the door.

"Who is it?" I asked. The door opened a bit and Taylor poked his head in.

"You're adorable and totally loveable best friend," he replied. I waved for him to come in and he did.

"What is he doing here?" I asked.

"I invited Pat and Nate. It would have looked bad to not include him. Dave is my best friend and my boss. I invited him and he said he probably wouldn;t come ebcause you wouldn;t want him here. I talked him into coming because you have Evan now and I thought maybe you guys could be friends. Please just come say hi or let him come in here to say hi and he'll leave if you want him to. Please Britt," Taylor asked.

"Fine. Let me finish this and I'll be out," I replied as I held up my smoke. Taylor left and I finished my smoke and headed back out to the living room. I looked around and saw Dave standing akwardly across the room holding a bag. When he saw me, he started walking towards me. I walked back down the hall and into my art studio and Dave came in shortly after.

"I thought it'd be easier to talk in here. No one can stare at or watch us in here," I said as he closed the door.

"I get it. Happy birthday. I just wanted to stop by and give you this. I don't need to stay," Dave said. He handed me the bag and I pulled out a stuffed eeyore.

"Oh my god you remembered," I exclamied and hugged the stuffed animal to my chest.

"Of course I did. I can even tell you where we were and what we were doing. We were on the couch having coffee in our living room. You were reading a winnie the pooh book for some odd reason. Your hair was in pigtails and you just looked so cute when you looked up at me and said you felt bad for eeyore. I asked you why and you said because he was always sad and," Dave said but I cut him off.

"And that I wish I could just give him a big hug. Then you said one day you'd make it so I could and you did. Thank you," I finished with a half smile. I looked up at Dave and he tucked a piece of hair behind my ear.

"You're welcome. I miss you. How have you been?" Dave asked as we looked into each others eyes.

"Uh I'm ok. I miss you sometimes too. How about you?" I asked back as I walked out of my art room with eeyore and over into my bedroom with Dave following.

"Pretty good. Just focusing on the shows and stuff. I hear you have a new guy named Ethan," Dave replied. I knew Taylor had told him his name and he was just doing it to try and piss me off.