Cheryl POV:
Something in me needed her around. I knew she wasn't comfortable coming into my girlfriends and I house, but she still entered with a smile. I hate to admit it, but the few hours I've spend with her at pops we're some of the best I've had in years. Part of me didn't want this bliss to end.
As we entered through the large doors I walked right through the living room and I went in the kitchen. "I can give you a tour later, have a drink with me first" I said as I began to open a bottle of wine I had sitting on the counter.
"I probably shouldn't, I need to get going soon anyways, long day tomorrow" Toni told me.
"One drink won't do anything! Besides it'll make the tour more interesting" I said as I began to fill another glass. I really wanted her to stay longer. Whenever Ashley was away for business I always felt so lonely in this house. Something about Toni brought me ease. Maybe after everything, we could still have a friendship, I mean she was my best friend after all.
Toni grabbed the glass with a smile. "Fine. But only because this is my favorite wine" she said raising her eyebrow playfully. "Now show me around!"
I knew a part of her didn't want to leave. I chuckled and grabbed my glass "right this way". She shook her head laughing as she followed my lead. I showed the house, ending with the living room that I had rushed her through upon entering.
"And finally, we have the living room.. obviously" I said with my usual sarcasm.
Toni walked around the room observing the details and pictures I had on the walls. There weren't many, just a few of nana Rose, childhood pictures of Jason and I, And a few others. She stopped at one picture which was of me sitting on a motorcycle.. her motorcycle. My heart sank realizing I still had that up. She just stared at it touching the frame lightly until she spoke.
"Wow Cher, what a beautiful picture. You must of had an amazing photographer" she teased knowing she was the one that took the picture.
"Yeah only the best, I hear she's some top notch photographer working for the Good Day Times now" I teased back.
"I really miss that bike" Toni said with a bit of sadness in her voice and a pouting face.
"Why don't you have it anymore? You loved that thing more than anything. She was your best girl" I told her laughing.
"Well I needed some money for an apartment, and hey, that's not true! I loved that bike but SHE wasn't my number 1 girl". Instantly realizing what she just said she tried to recover "I mean, umm". She flustered, not actually able to make a sentence as she looked down horrified.
Hearing those words warmed my heart a little, and seeing her fluster around trying to speak made me just laugh.
"Calm down Toni, it's just a bike" I said trying to change the subject and lighten the mood.
"I need more wine" she said holding her glass out. Toni was trying to drink the embarrassment away.
"Are you sure? You said you have a long day tomorrow" I asked
"I'll be fine, actually do you have anything stronger?" She said as she walked over to the kitchen. I wasn't sure why she needed a drink so bad. It was just a picture...
Toni POV:
Something about that picture made my nerves go through the roof. Why did she have it? Was it to remember me? I just couldn't wrap my head around it. Staring at it brought back so many memories of that day. How we rode my bike to the mountains, took pictures, and just consumed ourselves with one another. I just remembered how much I used to love her. A feeling came over me I couldn't understand. So the only thing I could do was ask for another drink, maybe that would calm my nerves. She opened up her cabinet and took out a bottle of tequila.
"That's more like it" I told her while grinning at the bottle.
"Let's at least celebrate something if we're going to take a shot!" She filled two shot glasses and handed me one. She licked her hand and put salt on it. I couldn't help but stare at her as she did it. Something about it made my stomach jump. "To your engagement." She said smiling. It felt weird to be celebrating with her. Typically those words would excite me but this time it didn't. I don't get it.
She clinked our glasses. We both took took the shot and licked the salt off our hands. The shot burned on its way down. "Ahh" I stuck my tongue out in disgust because let's be honest tequila is gross.
"Still can't handle shots huh?" She said laughing, not being affected by it. She then licked the slide of the glass that the tequila spilled on to. Again, my stomach dropped.
"I can handle it just fine" I said nudging her arm. A small smirk same across her face as we made contact. "Wait, we didn't even celebrate your achievements" I told her.
"What achievements? I'm literally unemployed and have no clue what I want to do with my life" she said seriously.
"Well let's drink to that" I refilled the glasses, "here's to not knowing where life will take you!" I said as I clinked our glasses again. She just laughed and downed the shot like the first one.
"Ughhh" I winced again in disgust, this time I forgot the salt and it was so much worse.
She giggled st my sour face, and walked away to the living room, leaving me behind to watch her leave. The wine was already kicking in from before and I felt a little more at ease.
I followed her into the living room after a moment to see her laying on her back on the couch with her feet over the arm. She had the remote in her hand and started to flick through the stations.
"Can you grab me that bottle of wine please" She asked
"Sure" I told her making my way back to the kitchen.
I came back with her glass and the wine and poured her another glass.
"What a gentlewoman" she laughed. I could already tell the alcohol was getting to her. She was watching the Hangover, since it just started. "Are you going to watch it or just stand there she said climbing up the arm of the couch sitting normal.
"Sure, I'll watch it for a little. I used to love this movie" and I sat on the opposite side of the couch. The shots were definitely getting to me.
After a while of not speaking she randomly blurted out "isn't this weird?" She didn't even look me, but continued to stare straight ahead at the tv.
That question completely through me for a loop. I mean, it was weird. Why was I with my ex girlfriend drinking and watching a movie. Why wasn't I in my hotel room sleeping and getting ready for my long day? I started to completely analyze my actions. I think I wanted to be here. I think I wanted to spend time with her. But I couldn't let her know that. We were friends after all. Maybe I just missed the friendship. Yes that's got to be it.
"I mean, no.. you were one of my best friends. I think it would weird if we didn't catch up." I said trying to lighten the situation.
"Umm..Toni. I meant that the baby has sun glasses. Wow, are you okay? Is there something we should talk about?" She said laughing at my comment. I think she enjoyed watching squirm.
I couldn't believe what I just did. I clearly just told her I Second guessed being around her. Not knowing what to do, I decided it was time to leave.
"I should get going Cher, it was good catching up". As I said those I words I stood to my feet and took a few steps. Clearly the shots got to me more than I had anticipated because I completely lost my balance and fell to the floor. I couldn't help but bust out laughing.
"Jesus Toni," she began to laugh, but not just any laugh, a laugh of complete hilarity. In between laughs she said "are you okay!?" And started dying of laughter once again.
All I could do was lay on the floor laughing myself. I haven't heard that laugh in a long time. It was beautiful. My legs were still a little wobbly. "Can you help me to the couch?" I asked as I started to die down the laughing.
"Anything you need!" She said getting up and grabbing hands launching me off the ground to my feet. She put her hand around my waste and walked me back to the couch. I sat down and put my hand to my head since I was just a little dizzy.
"Did you hit your head?" She asked as she started to groom the side of my head. She looked worried for a moment and stared into my eyes. There it was. That pit in my stomach again. Her touch made me so nervous. But why. I clearly don't have feeling for her anymore. I'm engaged. I love Derek. I'm happy with my life. Why is she effecting me like this?
"I'm fine, just dizzy" I told her and I looked down. I could feel my cheeks getting hot. Damn it.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh" she said as she removed her hand from my head. "I just forgot how much of a light weight you were. Don't even think about driving right now. The same way you didn't let me walk". In a very sarcastic way she repeated what I told her "I'll never be able to live with myself if something happens to you". She had a devilish grin on her face.
"Wow, sorry that I still care about your wellbeing. Next time you can just do whatever you want". That comment made me a little upset. Was I in the wrong for caring about her?
"It was a joke Toni, relax. Obviously I care about you and don't want you to crash because you can't handle your tequila." She said rolling her eyes.
She still cares. Those words pulled at my heart a little. Maybe I cared a little too much. Great now I'm stuck here until I sober up.
Thanks for reading so far!! If you have any suggestions please feel free to comment!! Things are just starting to spice up!