Breaking Up was Easy in the 90's

16. Three's a crowd. Four's a party?

Ariana's POV

After hours of trying to ignore Caleb. I finally decide to go look for him. After looking for him, I see him sitting on the back porch. He was watching there trees flow in my backyard. He must have heard me pop out on the back porch, he looked up at me startled.

"Sorry." I hum. I shut my door behind me. He shrugs, "It's fine. I came out here. I didn't want to disturb you."

I could tell there was so much on his mind. The tone in his voice, and I knew him all too well. "Everything okay?" I ask.

"You want me to lie or answer truthfully?" He smirked. I open my mouth to speak but my phone interrupted us. It lit up as "J." I groan after sliding it. "Yes?" I spat.

"Im throwing a party and Scooter made the genius idea for you and your friend to come." He said softly. "Not saying you have to come, but thought you should get a heads up before Scooter calls you and sets you up."

I roll my eyes, "Did he say what would happen if I didn't come?" As much as Justin's parties were jumping. And crawling with security to keep us safe for the paparazzi. I didn't want to get dragged into Scooter's publicity stunt.

"No. But if he calls, you didn't hear it from me." He chuckles. I quickly end the call angry. Caleb smirks with a light laugh. "Not funny." I hiss.

"Whatever it is. Let's do it." He shrugs.

"Even if it deals with Justin...." I trail off. He takes a deep sigh, "Yes. I think it would be nice for us to get out of your mansion of a house." 

I roll my eyes, "Well get ready then." 

After a few hours of trying to convince myself to not go to Justin's party. Maybe this would be a good thing. I mean Caleb felt some sort of a way towards Justin. And I understood why, but t the same time. He knew the truth behind "Jariana" that the media is perceived to believe. 

I open my bedroom door to see Caleb in black jeans and a white v neck. He eyes me up and down before coughing to break the ice. "Would you like to lead the way?"

I grin, "I shall." I grab his hand and intertwine my fingers with his before heading out the door.

Caleb's POV

I wasn't going to lie. I didn't want to go and surround myself with the man who had a leeway on the girl who I still deeply cared about. I smiled when Ariana turned to me in the SUV. 

"You sure about this?" She sighs. "I mean if you don't-"

I shrug, "It' fine." I lied. And just like the the SUV door shuts. And we head to the party. I beg myself to refrain from any bullshit that comes with Justin tonight. Ariana was on her phone scrolling on god knows what. After a couple minutes went by. The thoughts of Scooter and I's conversation ran through my head like a million times. I know Ariana told me not to trust him. But how could I not after the offer he presented to me. My thoughts stopped as I notice we arrived at the party. I glanced out the window to a bunch of big name celebrities. I was the odd ball out of the bunch. I curse under my breath making Ariana look at me with a quick glance. 

"You okay?"

Biting my lip, "Yeah. Never better." The driver opened the door and he helped Ariana out first as I was close behind her. I looked up at the Mansion that I assumed belong to Justin. Ariana starts walking. I slowly follow not really knowing anyone at this party. I noticed Big Sean walk up to Ariana. She hugged him. They made small talk before we continued on. "Are you friends with all your exes?" I mumble.

I could tell my words upset her. "Excuse me." She spat. "I was being friendly." I decided to keep my mouth shut as Ariana finally found Justin. He smiled at her with a big grin before glancing at me with a distasteful look in his eye.

"Hey." Justin says quickly to me before focusing his attention back to Ariana. why the fuck did I agree to this? Oh right, because I can't stand Ariana getting close to him. Better yet anyone, but me. Ariana sat on the couch as she patted the couch cushion next to her. I hated this feeling. I look like a lost puppy following her around. I had to get up and do something. "I am going to grab something to drink." I smile before quickly turning. That was if I could find the kitchen... or the bar. Or wherever the rich serve their alcoholic drinks. I stumble around and see celebrities everywhere I look. Some even Victoria Secret models. Itching my head, I continue to push through the crowd looking to put some whiskey in my system. And try my best to the jealously I have on Ariana away. One girl decided to run right into me. "Fucking great." I hiss. She looks up with her dark hair and quickly smiles, "I am so sorry." She sighs. "I shouldn't even be here at my exes party." She pulls a strand of hair behind her ear. It finally clicked after the shock began wearing off. I was talking to Selena Gomez. Justin's once on-and-off girlfriend. "No. It's fine. I am trying to find whiskey to get off mine." I state still glancing around to find it. "Interesting." she giggles. "If you would like, I can show where he keeps the good alcohol." She laughs.

As much as I knew this was wrong. Scooter did want me to make myself known to other celebrities. Justin's ex wasn't really where I was wanting to start, but hey. "Sure." I say and just like that I began following her. We walk outside to people hanging out in the pool and smoking. She guided me across the big yard into a small building. She finally opens the unlocked door and there was liquor bottles nicely placed everywhere on shelves.

"Whiskey guy?" She says showing me Justin's collection. She crosses her arms. "I took you as a Tequila guy."

"I can do Margaritas sometimes, but I like my Jack Daniels straight." I laugh. I grab the bottle of Jack sitting on the shelf next to Jameson, Makers, and more. I notice Selena hand me an empty glass from a cabinet. "You know your ex pretty well." I chuckle as I begin pouring the Jack Daniel's into the empty glass.

"Well when you date him on and off for 9 years." She shrugs. "I hated that he couldn't be loyal to me."

"But you still love him?" I smirk.

"God. No." She sighs. "I go to these events because of my manager. And Justin and his manager seem okay with it. The industry plays dirty. Anything for some publicity or drama."

"So I have noticed." I chuckle as I take a sip of the Whiskey.

"You look really familiar." She trailed off. "But I can't put my finger on it."

"Well, your ex dated my ex. Or dates my ex." I roll my eyes taking another sip of Whiskey. "Or whatever the fuck they are."

"Oh shit." She gasps. "You're Ariana's ex from her hometown." She puts her hand over mouth. She sighs, "I got to go. This would be so bad. And I really do not need to put myself into any trouble dealing with Justin again."

"Wait." I sigh. "I'm not siding her with her. Scooter wants us to play this love triangle with Ariana. And I am not to up for that. Bringing up me and her past would not be good in the spotlight."

She bites her lip, "You seem like a nice guy. I don't know why you would get tangled into Scooter's games."

"So I have heard from Ariana and Justin himself. But I am not playing any games. As soon as I ge the chance. I am going home."

"Till you get a taste of the life you could have. Then once you have it. It will all fall apart. It always does. Then you're stuck being this pawn to their chess pieces." Then silence falls between us as I stare at her. I don't know if my type is the same as Justin's. Ariana and now Selena. But she is beautiful and I couldn't see why Justin cheated on her as many times as he did. "Look I really should go. It was nice meeting you."

"What can I do to make you stay? Because honestly you have been the highlight of the whole party. And I have only known you for a few minutes."

She bites her bottom lip before smiling, "I am so sorry, but if anybody sees us together. It will create headlines and drama. And like I said, I don't want to be dragged back into his shit."

She began to turn around, "Then hang out in here with me. We might have only ex issues in common, but I would like to at least get to know you." She stops in her tracks before turning around to me, "You are going to get me in so much trouble with this alcohol." She giggles as she shakes her head.