Chapter 25
Tammy's POV
Note to self: Dress up. Smile. Don't stress. Move on.
"Hey, mom! Hey, dad!" I greeted my parents, giving them both a quick kiss on the cheek.
"You look nice, are you going out?" My mom asked, eyeing me speculatively.
I smiled and nodded, "Yup, I'm going on a date with Danny."
"Danny? Your best friend Danny?" my dad asked, a confused expression plastered on his face. "Aren't you going out with that Blake guy?"
My expression turned wretched the moment his name was mentioned out loud. It's been weeks that I decided to give Danny a shot and at the same time, forcing myself to forget Blake. Key word – forcing.
I caught a glimpse of my mom nudging my dad on the side and mouthing him the words "They're over. Stop mentioning his name, Dummy!" and my dad smiling at me guiltily, feigning innocence. I just rolled my eyes at their poor attempt to clear out the tension. I saw Danny's car outside our house.
Finally!
"Gotta go, mom and dad! You guys have fun here," I beamed and saw them giving each other strange looks and googly eyes towards each other as soon as I mentioned the last sentence. "...but not too much fun, okay? I don't want any more siblings. And besides, you guys are way too old for that," I joked, grinning at their ridiculed expressions.
My mom was about to say something when I decided to cut her off with a simple "Bye!" as I walked out of my house and into Danny's car. My parents may be weird at times, but I'd hate to be in the way when it comes to them spending time with each other. And every time I see them look at the way that shows how much they're in love with each other, is another reason why I still believe in love. But then again, love is truly a rare thing to find. It was never as easy as all the romance movies and novels portrayed it to be.
Like hell, why can't my love life be like a Nicholas Sparks novel?
Stepping out of the house, I finally relaxed at the smell of fresh air and the sight of a new day ahead of me. Then I caught a glimpse of my best friend – who apparently confessed his love for me weeks ago – giving me his million watt smile as he casually leaned on his Lexus convertible. I walked towards him as I returned a smile back at him.
"Well, hello there, pretty lady," he greeted me flirtily with a wink. Another side of Danny I have yet to see. I suddenly noticed what he was wearing, ripped jeans, plain white shirt and a brown leather jacket. My face contorted in confusion...Danny wearing a leather jacket? That's new.
"Um, D? What are you wearing?" I couldn't help but ask him as I eyed him from head to toe. Was he –?
My thoughts were cut off when he suddenly said, "Yeah, do you like it? It's my new look," he replied with utmost confidence as he smirked. Yup, my best friend Daniel Matthews just smirked. Am I seeing this right?
"D, are you trying to look like a bad boy?" I cautiously asked with a raised brow.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because since you liked bad boys so much, I thought maybe you'll fall for me faster if I'd act like one." I resisted the urge to face palm myself. Seriously?
"No, D. Right now, I'm trying my best to forget one and I think I'd rather fall for my adorably awkward best friend, not the bad boy wannabe."
"You think I'm adorable?" He asked, his face immediately lighting up like a Fourth of July firework display.
"Yes, D. Just be yourself and help me move on. That's all I ask from you."
He took off his leather jacket in one swift motion. "Well, good thing I don't have to keep wearing that jacket. It's itchy as hell and it's definitely not my kind of style."
For weeks, Danny has been nothing but sweet and caring. He has been cheering me up ever since the day at the fair. He's definitely every girl's dream best friend. But could he be the right guy for me? Can I move on from Blake and learn to love Danny?
Can I?
Well, that's one question I, myself, couldn't answer just yet.
***
Blake's POV
Note to self: Forget her. Forget the kiss. Forget the feeling you felt when it happened.
Damn it!
Dark bags are forming in my eyes and I most probably look like a fucking panda right now. Jesus, I'm being such a chick about this. It was just a kiss, nothing more. Why am I making such a big deal out of this?
Because it was with Tammy... The voice in the back of my mind reminded.
"Hey man, didn't you get enough sleep? Been thinking about Tammy too much?" Tommy teased, giving me a knowing smile. Tommy and I are now at a bar, it has been a long time since we've hung out and I most certainly needed a breather. I was rotting inside the confines of my own room, drenched in the memory of that silly kiss.
"No." I snapped rather guiltily for my liking. Tommy raised his brow in suspicion. "I mean, no, that's stupid. Veronica was just an animal in bed, man. That's why I didn't get enough sleep. You know her... She could never get enough of me."
Lie.
Of course I was thinking of Tammy the whole time. The whole duration after that surprising kiss from her at the fair was more than enough to haunt me every waking moment. But I wasn't going to admit it. I was just too prideful. The excuse about Veronica never getting enough of me was true though, and I hated it. She's too easy.
I knew Tommy didn't believe my lie. It was either I was a shitty liar or he was just really great at detecting my lies from afar. I'd like to think it was the latter part. And I guess he's like freaking Sherlock Holmes because lies aren't the only thing he can detect; he can also distinguish whether I'm having problems. This is why he then asked me cautiously, with a worried look etched on his face. "So, how are you doing with your mom's passing and all...?"
I knew that was coming too. "Well, I kind of missed her scolding me already, if that's what you mean." I joked, trying to lighten the mood. I heard Tommy heave a sigh of relief. "But seriously though, I'm on the stage of acceptance. I guess I've accepted that every one of us dies and if it's our time, it's our time. I know she's in a better place right now and I'm happy with that thought in mind. At least she's not suffering anymore." ...unlike me. I thought bitterly.
A moment of awkward silence filled the air between us when none of us spoke another word. "Well, hey man, I've got some news for you, though, it may –" Tommy exclaimed, brushing off the previous topic aside for now.
"What news?" I asked, cutting him off mid-sentence, expecting it was something good.
Tommy noticed my expectant look and said, "It's not good though... I don't know if you've heard, but Tammy and her best friend, Danny, are sort of a thing now."
My heart couldn't help but hammer in pain at the thought of Tammy moving on, but I shrugged it off quickly. It was my doing anyway. And I was a jerk. "Good for them," was my only reply. I'd be lying if I said I was happy for them because truth was, I don't think I am.
"What are you going to do about it?"
"Nothing. I'm not going to do anything about it. I'm staying out of her life because I've caused way too much shit already."
"Dude, c'mon, you have to –"
"No Tommy, just stop it already. Let's just drink okay. Tonight's my treat. And I'm expecting to get completely wasted tonight." I demanded, drowning myself in alcohol once again to forget the bullshits in life. Tommy joined in moments after and both of us were definitely drowned in alcohol as memories afterwards, all passed by like a blur.
The morning after, I had another one of those major hangovers. I could say it was all worthwhile and money well paid for but it all boils up to what happens next. Maybe last night, I did happen to forget my worries and found a temporary distraction with the alcohol in my system. But that was pretty much it, a temporary distraction. It comes back the next morning and rules two times more pain than before. And that's exactly how I'm feeling right now.
I decided to go downstairs despite the excruciating pain I felt in my head. As I stepped outside my room, I could already smell the salivating scent of bacon and pancakes Aunt Sarah was whipping up. I went down the stairs and into the kitchen, thinking about eating already.
"Good morning, sleepyhead." Aunt Sarah greeted.
"Hey, Aunt Sarah." I greeted back whilst sitting down on the dining area, ready to chow down on my breakfast. This shall do the trick to cure my hangover.
"Woah, slow down there." Aunt Sarah jested, enjoying the sight of me eating like a total pig. "Oh yeah, your dad's coming over to check on you today."
I just nodded in response as I turned my attention back at my appealing breakfast once again. But as I was eating, I couldn't help my thoughts flying to one place or another. I wondered how my dad's doing. I haven't really seen him since mom's burial. Maybe I could get some advice from him, man to man, about Tammy. I wonder what Tammy's doing now too. Scratch that, I should really stop thinking about her; she's already taken for crying out loud!
I was snapped out of the internal battle I'm having with myself when I heard the doorbell ring. I was about to stand up when I heard Aunt Sarah bellow, "I'll get it!" Moments later, she called out again, "Blake! Your dad's here!"
People often told me how I looked so much like my dad. It was like I was the exact replica of him when he was still in high school – the eyes, the nose, the body structure, even the hair. And then I pondered, will I really look like him when I'm in my fifty's – Gaining extra weight, greying and balding hair? Um, I love my dad but no thank you.
"Good to see you, son," he greeted with a smile. He was looking better now compared to the last time I saw him. He looks a lot jollier now. Maybe he's finally accepted mom's death. It wasn't sudden, and he knew better about her illness so maybe he was prepared after all. He's a strong man and I do look up to him as a father.
I smiled back. "Good to see you too, dad."
"So, what's with you and this Tammy chick?" he suddenly asked, catching me off guard.
My eyes widened in shock. "What? Who told you about –" I wasn't able to continue when he pointed his finger to the direction of my Aunt who is now smiling innocently. Huh, so this was all her doing. I gave her a look saying why did you do that without telling me? She just shrugged, waved goodbye and headed out to who knows where. Sneaky Aunt.
"So? Aren't you going to tell me about this girl?" my dad prodded, asking for answers.
I sighed and told him everything from the very beginning. The day Tammy and I first met, the time when we got paired up in an English project, our first date, me breaking her heart thinking that I might forget mom along the way, me using Veronica to forget Tammy, the accidental kiss at the fair, the feeling I felt after the kiss, and last but not the least, my personal favorite, her moving on and dating her best friend. Note the sarcasm!
"Wow," my dad replied, internalizing everything I just said but soon continued, "But I have to say, that was a dumb move you made there, son."
"Gee, thanks dad," I retorted sarcastically whilst rolling my eyes.
He chuckled at my retort. "I'm just stating the truth, Blake. But on a serious note, all I can say is follow your heart. I know it sounds cheesy but that's the only thing I can say based on my experience. I followed my heart and found your mom and that was the best decision I made in my entire life up until now. I can see that Tammy means much to you. If you think she's worth it, get her back."
I thought about what my dad said and then it hit me. The moment I pushed Tammy away was also the moment I regretted the most. Because now I've realized that I've fallen for the girl I willingly let go. I let her slip through my fingers. I didn't think it would be such a loss at my part to see her happy with another guy that isn't me. Call me selfish, dumb, or stupid, but I know I made a mistake by letting her go. My mom would've been happy to see me finally settling down with a girl I loved, if ever she was still here.
And with that in mind, I've come to a conclusion that I'm not going to give up just yet. Never again. I'm sorry, Danny, but I'm getting back what was once mine.
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A/N:
I finally updated! Sorry about my inconsistent updates. I've been busy and lost inspiration to write this chapter. Hence, the late update. But for my readers who have sticked with this story, waited and continued to vote and comment, THANK YOU! ILY all. :*
Anyway... Good news?
BLAKE has finally come to his senses to do the right thing. Woohoo! TEAM BLAKE! ;p
COMMENT & VOTE & FAN & SHARE!
-Ally x