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.
"I do and his name is Evan. He's great but I don't think it's going anywhere," I said as we both lit smokes.
"Uh oh what's wrong with him?" Dave asked, being sarcastic.
"He wants to be plastic surgeon. We've been together a month, haven't slept together and yet he's planning our future. He wants five kids, 2 girls and 3 boys. He thinks I need a nose and boob job as well. His professional opinion," I replied.
"He's nuts. Your nose is adorable and your tits are perfect. You should leave him. Those are both my personal opinions," Dave said and I laughed.
"I probably should. I've been thinking about it but I don't really have a reason," I said and stood up. I walked over and out onto my little balcony.
"You don't need one if you're not happy. You should go after whatdver makes you the happiest," Dave said as he joined me.
"What if what makes me happy can't stay faithful?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.
"What if what makes you happy can stay faithful this time?" Dave asked back raising an eyebrow as well.
"Dave maybe we're not meant to be. We've had two failed attempts at trying to make this work," I said. I was about to say more when Dave held his hand up.
"Look you can protest this all you want but I love you. That's right I said it. I was a moron for cheating on you which I guess Taylor told you about. I had a good thing and I screwed it up because I was just divorced and didn't want to settle down again yet. I look at you and I see you walkign down an aisle in a white dress to me and us having those 5 kids. I want everything with you and I know I'm going to have to fight like hell to regain you trust but it's worth it. You are worth it," Dave said. When he finished, we just stared at each other. I put my smoke out and then turned back to him with the ashtray.
"What makes you so sure that it would work this time?" I asked as he put his smoke out.
"Before I answer that answer me this. Do you love me?" he asked in return.
"You just want a flat out answer to that?" I asked as I sat down on the chair behind him.
"Yes," he replied as he turned around and sat down in front of me. I looked at him and just smiled.
"I never stopped," I said in response.
"Then this will work. We love each other and right now that's a good starting point. I screwed up twice here and I'm not going to do it again. We can do this if we both work at it. We'll do it the way we did the first time. No sex from the get go," Dave said and got on his knees in front of me. He put his hands on my knees and looked into my eyes. "Six months atleast. We'll work our way up like we did last time. I'm going to show you that I want this. I know it's alot to ask for but leave the guy that wants to fix you and come be with the one who loves every thing about you, including that scar from your surfing accident."
"Dave I don't know what to say," I responded.
"Just tell me you'll think about it and if you do want to try this again, leave that asshole. You're perfect the way you are and I always will," Dave replied with. We heard someone cough and we looked over to the door and Evan was standign there.
"I work a double shift and you throw a party and spend the whole time alone with your ex. From what I hear he doesn't think we should be together. Do you mind explaining to me what in the fuck is going on?" Evan asked. Dave and I both stood up like we had just been caught doing something bad.
"He's right though. We shouldn't be together. You told me you'd fix my nose and boobs once you became a plastic surgeon. You want to fix me and that's not ok. I'd rather be with a guy who can accept me for me. We're over Evan. Please take your tooth brush and leave," I replied. Evan didn;t even try to talk em out of it he just went to the bathroom, grabbed his tooth brush and left my room.
"Well that was easy," I said and turned back to face Dave. He had a huge smile on his face as he walked over to me and kissed me.
"Is that a yes then?" He asked as he held my face just inches from his.
"No one but me?" I asked in response. Dave looked at me and then nodded.
"No one but you," He said back. He knew I needed to hear it and that was just another reason to love him.
"Then it's a yes. I swear to god if you screw up again I'm smacking you," I responded with.
"Deal. Now shut up and let me kiss you before we go get wasted," Dave said and kissed me again.
I could not believe I was about to do this again. We smoked another smoke and then a joitn before going out and joining everyone. I ended up getting plastered and having probably one of the best nights ever. When everyone but the guys and Gisele had left, we all just sat around the coffee table like we had the first night and talked. I was sitting on the floor when I stood up and decided to go to my room. I turned around in the hallway and motioned for Dave to follow me and he nodded to know he got the hint. I went to my room and went outside to the balcony again. I smoked a cigarette and was walking in after when Dave walked in.
"If you wanted me to sneak away in here with you for birthday sex you're not getting it," Dave said as I got on the bed. I patted the bed beside me and he joined me.
"No sex just cuddles. Unless those aren't allowed," I said and gave him a look.
"Oh we can cuddle the shit out of each other. You, me and eeyore will have one giant cuddle party," Dave responded with. I grabbed my eeyore and cuddled up to Dave
"Cuddle party for the win," I said as Dave laughed. I was happy that we were back together but I didn't know if I should get my hopes up again. While we cuddled and watched tv before drifting off, I promised myself that if it didn't work this time that this was the last. No more chances after this. 3 strikes and he's out for good!
