Best Friends

20 Why Are You Back?

"it's gonna be here soon. Do you want me to call Mikey let him know you're back?"
"No. It's the first Christmas he's spent with family in two years. Don't bother him with me. Hell he happy if he thinks I am" he handed me a glass of water
"You can talk to him though?"
"Nah. I'm fine. When are you leaving to go home?" He scoffed and shook his head "what?"
"You really think I'm gonna leave you here alone?"
"I'll be fine."
"No. I've already told mum what's going on."
"Your mum fucking loves me."
"Oh that sweet girl you live with? Lexi? Yes that's okay I hope she feels better soon" Adam mocked "You need someone to spend Christmas with. Besides all your presents are here"
"Where?" I said excited
"You are such a child. I'm not telling you where and don't go fucking looking for them"
"Fine" I huffed setting the glass down on the kitchen counter and crossing my arms across my chest
"I'm gonna go watch home alone. You coming?"
"Mind if I go upstairs?"
"As long as you're not searching for presents then yeah"
"No. Just want some time alone. To think" he raised his eyebrow "No. Not like that."
"Look I never tell you what to do but I want you to stay down here for now. I know how it fucks you up when you and Dom fight." I made eye contact with him "Please." I walked out of the kitchen "Seriously Lexi." He pleaded
"I'm just going to put the telly on." I said smiling "You coming?" He chuckled and rolled his eyes
"Yeah. Yeah I am"

Adams POV
"You alright there mate?" I joked
"Yeah. Just tired." She yawned and closed her eyes whilst staying cuddled into my side
"You can't go to sleep. It's only like five"
"You can't stop me"
"Yes I fucking can" I attempted to pull her away but she held strong "Fuck me. You don't give up easy do you?"
"Nope." I sighed "Do you give in?"
"Whatever" she giggled and closed her eyes once again "You're only getting an hour though. You need to sleep properly at night"
"Okay" she mumbled sleepily. I continued watching the telly as she drifted off pulling my phone out once I was sure she was asleep. I waited patiently hoping he would pick up
"Hey mate. How you doing back home?" Dom said cheerfully
"I'm not home. I'm back at ours with lexi. Your mum not tell you? Why'd you get mad at her?"
"I didn't I just... Fuck man I don't know. It just bothered me that I scared her like that yknow."
"Oh poor you." I mocked "She was fucking heartbroken before. Arguably still is now."
"I'll make things up to her. Can you bring her down tomorrow?"
"Nope. No fucking way. You can come down here and speak to her."
"Okay. Fucking bet. I'll be there tomorrow afternoon."
"Whatever"
"Why are you so heated about this it doesn't even involve you?"
"It doesn't involve me. What the fuck! Whose the one picking up the pieces when you fuck up? You know how much shit that girl has been through Dom and all you've done is make her feel like shit since she came back!" I gripped her tight and I knew she was awake by that point "I can't fucking lose her. Not again." I said quietly
"I've got to go" Dom said avoiding eye contact even through the phone before hanging up. I lifted my arm up to throw the phone across the room but Lexi gently grabbed my arm and pushed it back down
"Don't let him get to you" she said softly "It's not worth it" she reached over and took the remote from the arm of the chair "Does this thing have home alone 2?"
"Uh I think so." She sat up but didn't remove my arm around her waist so I just left it there
"There it is" she said putting it on "I'm gonna go get a drink. You want a beer?"
"Uh sure" she soon returned with a can of coke for herself and a beer for me. She took a sip and set her can down on the table before moving back to the way she was lay before just watching the film on the TV.
"Thanks" she said quietly not tearing her gaze away from the film. It didn't surprise me she usually avoided looking at me when wed get into emotional situations. It stopped her getting upset "I'm sorry I left you."
"It's alright. You're back now."
"I know. I just wanted you to know that I'm sorry. I didn't know you felt that way."
"I love ya. Course I don't want you to leave me"
"Good. Cus I need you to keep me here."
"What do you mean?"
"Stop me from wanting to leave again. You're the reason I didn't run away when Dom kicked me out. And I need you to do that again. Yknow... If it comes up"
"Yeah. I can do that."
"Good" she sat up and kissed me on the cheek before settling back down "I'm so glad we're best friends. I love you. Like family" we never really discussed anything like that when she was sober. She kept it all to herself but I knew it was there. I didn't say anything back and judging by her sudden interest in the film I gathered that it wasn't the reaction she wanted anyway. It was more of a point she had to make rather than a conversation starter. I tucked her hair behind her ears as she drifted off into a nap smiling. I didn't want to wake her but I knew I had to eventually
"Just an hour" I whispered while she slept "Just an hour"

Lexis POV
I was shaken awake by the door slamming shut
"What the fuck!" I shouted soon waking up Adam who'd fallen asleep beside me
"Lex?" Tom asked as he walked into the living room
"Yeah. It's me. I thought you were at home?"
"Yeah I am. Just need to drop your presents off from mum."
"She-"
"Didn't need to get you anything?"
"Alright I get it. I say the same thing every year. But seriously she has met me like twice."
"Well you're always welcome to come round."
"Tom why did you slam the door?" Adam finally spoke his voice groggy. Both me and Tom chuckled at him
"Didn't mean to. I just let it close and the wind sort of made it slam. Weathers shit" just as he said those last two words the rain started pelting the windows "See what I mean?" He sat down and started neatly arranging the presents under the Christmas tree "So why are you back here. Adam said you were staying with Dom" Adam shot him a look and I rolled my eyes
"He's allowed to ask Adam." I turned to Tom "We broke up"
"Oh. Why?"
"Right. I'm off for a shower" Adam said clearly coughing up any excuse to leave the room so it didn't wind him up again
"You gonna be alright?" I asked him as I got up from where I'd fallen asleep
"Yeah."
"You sure?" He rolled his eyes and stood up
"Lexi. I will be alright. Tell Tom what happened."
"Okay."
"Right. Okay" he squeezed my shoulder gently before turning around and leaving the room
"You wanna tell me what happened?"
"No. Not really. How long you staying? I don't want you driving in that weather."
"Yes mum" he joked
"You know you love me"
"Yeah. I do" he smiled slightly and it was quiet for a moment before I broke eye contact "Am I alright to stay here then? Cus by the time it stops it will be easier to wait till morning"
"Sure. Don't mind. My homes yours"
"Are you alright. You seem kinda... Zoned out?"
"Just processing. Thinking about shit"
"That ain't good. Never is"
"Shut up Tom" I said rolling my eyes. I got up and started to walk out
"Where you going?"
"To bed"
"Are you-"
"I'm going to be just fucking fine Tom. Leave me alone" he seemed to take what I'd said on board and nodded. Part of me wanted him to react but I knew deep down this was for the best. He understood me more than I realised sometimes.
"Night lex" I waited until I was right near the door about to leave before I responded
"Night."