Family Troubles || Redlyn

Double Date

Ashlyn's POV

"Um, Biggie?" I asked, taking a bite of the pizza. "They're here."

"They?"

"Madeline. EJ."

"Just ignore them." Big Red said.

"What if they get all lovey-dovey?"

"I don't know." He shrugged. "That seems unlikely."

"I guess." I nodded, trying to take my mind off them. "What are you doing tomorrow?" It was a Saturday currently.

"Not much."

"Okay." I kept eating. Inconveniently, we left at the same time as EJ and Madeline. "Hi."

"Hey." EJ said, smiling.

"Hello." Madeline rolled her eyes, but EJ didn't notice. I scowled.

"You good Ash?" He asked. I grabbed his arm and pulled him away.

"I told you, she's bad news."

"No, she's really nice."

"She hates me. And Big Red. And all our friends, besides you." I told him. I was getting impatient.

"I find that hard to believe."

"Look, it's the truth. If you don't listen, I guess you can get your heart broken later, just... be careful?"

"You're making his all up."

"No." I said simply. "I'm not."

"Why do you care who I date anyways?"

"Because I'm trying to help. And so many people would hate you if I never helped you." It was partially true, but it was something I never wanted to say.

"Who?"

"Mainly Nini." I felt really bad for saying that. "I mean, just because of misunderstandings I helped them see... you're likable..." I trailed off. "Sorry."

"I guess it's fine, but I still think I can make my own relationship choices."

"She's a jerk!" I shouted, far too loud.

"Come on EJ, let's go!" Madeline grabbed his hand and started walking out.

"I'm sorry about my cousin. She's a bit dramatic sometimes." He said as they left.

"Ugh!" I exclaimed. "Why won't he listen?"

"He'll figure it out." Big Red hugged me from behind.

"But he's taking the side of a girl he's known for 2 months instead of his cousin?"

"I know, it's dumb."

"I shouldn't have said the thing about people hating him." I whispered, feeling guilty. "I didn't really mean it, I just spend so much time helping and protecting him."

"Yeah." He nodded. "You didn't mean it. He's gonna forgive you. And if he doesn't, that's bad on his part, because then he won't get your help."

"I guess." I knew I'd probably bail him out whenever he needed it. Anyone who knew both of us could probably tell you that. Big Red knew it too.

"Wanna talk, or get your mind off it?"

"Talk, for a minute."

"Where?" He asked. I remembered we were standing up in the middle of a restaurant. Luckily, there weren't many people there.

"Outside." I suggested.

"Okay." Big Red smiled, though it looked forced. As we walked out, making our way to a field, I spoke again.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm worried about you."

"I'm fine. Why?"

"Everything's just been upside down." He said. "I just wish things were stable for you."

"Yeah..."

"Ashlyn?"

"What?" I asked. The way he said it made me nervous.

"Just... please talk to me whenever you need to."

"I do."

"Always. Even if things get complicated with us." He said, a tear running down his cheek.

"I think we can sit here." I said quietly, sitting down. He sat by me. "You can always talk to me too. That includes crying." I pulled him into a hug. "What's wrong?"

"I'm just worried. I don't know when things will be back to normal, and all I want to do is help you, because you deserve better than everything that's been thrown on you." A few tears fell on my shoulder.

"Oh, Biggie... you do help me... so much." I hugged him tighter. "I'll get used to their divorce soon enough. Felicity stopped, and EJ will figure out that Madeline's a jerk soon enough too."

"You really believe that, though?" He asked. "I feel like I say ll those things and you never believe them..."

"Sometimes I do." I said. "Besides, it just takes a few times of hearing it."

"So you believe it?"

"Yeah."

"Okay... but I really, really want you to know you can always come to me." Big Red repeated.

"Same to you."

"Even if we're friends, or dating, or more, or we hardly even talk."

"That wouldn't happen. We'll always stay in touch." I said, starting to cry too. "And ideally we'll always be together."

"Of course." He nodded. "I don't want, or think, that will happen. I want to be with you."

"I love you."

"I love you." He kissed my forehead. "Okay, I'm alright now."

"Good." I smiled.