The Best Friend vs. Brantley Gilbert

A Familiar Scene

*Harper's POV*

"Do you feel a little better now?" My childhood friend asks me. I fiddle with the end of my straw, thinking of how I ended up like this again. 

It hasn't even been two months since he last did this to me. I think about my options as I play with the diamond on my left hand and stare my reflection down past the liquor bottles. A hand waves in front of my face, pulling me from my thoughts. I jump slightly as I glance to my left to the man seated there in the next stool.

"I'm so stupid," I say quietly as I feel my friend's eyes on me. "I should've known this whole time that he was gonna leave me again. I fell back in love with him and now he's just gonna leave."

"Harper," my friend says as he gently cups my cheeks with both hands and wipes away the tears falling silently down my cheeks. "You're not stupid. He just doesn't know what he has. You are amazing. Don't let him trample that."

I sniffle as I look up into my friend's green eyes, seeing nothing but concern and kindness reflected in them as he smiles a sad smile at me and removes his hands from my cheeks.

"Thank you, Cole. I needed to hear that," I say gratefully as I take another sip of my beer.

"You're welcome, Harper. We should get you home," Cole says as he stands from his stool and offers me his hand. I down the rest of my beer and then slide my small left hand into his large one, and my hand immediately disappears in his. I feel him stiffen for a split second before he relaxes and smiles down at me. He leads me out of the bar and to his truck.

He unlocks the doors of his jacked up truck and opens my door for me, slipping his hands on my waist to boost me up into the truck. I settle in my seat as he slams the door and climbs behind the wheel. I'm actually kind of glad he didn't drink tonight cause he's my ride home. I watch the Georgia backwoods zip by as my eyes begin to get heavy and before I know it, I fall asleep.

*Cole's pov*

I can't help but to sneak glances at Harper as she sleeps. She looks so peaceful compared to earlier when she called me, her voice strained and hoarse from crying. I had immediately dropped everything I was doing and rushed over to her place. I had burst through the door to find her collapsed on the couch in a crying heap.

She had shown me a picture sent to her by her good friend Brittany. It was of Jasper, her douche bag of a fiancé, fast asleep with another woman with clothes strewn all around the place along with what looked exactly like a condom wrapper among the clothes.

It took a few tries to convince her to get a couple of drinks with me, but she eventually agreed to come, and I'm glad she did. Seeing her like that and knowing that I couldn't make her pain go away kills me inside.

That son of a bitch doesn't know what he has.

Harper has been my friend ever since grade school. I had been her date to senior prom and walked with her across the stage at graduation.

I had also been her first love, but she wasn't ready. I was hoping that she'd give me another chance, but she totally friendzoned me.

But I'm okay with that. I'm okay with being her friend and still being in her life.

I pull into her drive and put the truck in park, listening to Harper's relaxed breathing. I remember her curled in my chest after our senior prom.

We were lying on the coutch watching a movie, but halfway through the movie, she switched her position from her back pressed into my chest to her face. A couple minutes later, I heard her breathing become more relaxed and I looked down to see her fast asleep, her perfect full lips parted slightly.

Much like her lips now.

I shake my head and step out of my truck. I trudge around the truck to Harper's side to get her out. I lift her into my arms with ease and carry her into her house.

Everything is dark when I walk in, but I know this house like the back of my hand. I carry her up the stairs, each one of them creaking under our weight,  making me cringe.

I finally make it up the stairs, and Harper is still sleeping. I pull the covers back and lay Harper down, pulling the blankets up to her chin. I hesitate before pressing my lips to her forehead, keeping them there for a few seconds before pulling away.

I make my way out of the room, closing the door behind me. I trudge down the stairs and out of the door, locking it behind me.

I get in my truck and head home.

*TBC*