Stay ~ Applewood Series #1

30| jesse

It is almost pitch black outside when we arrive to the venue. While we were driving I had gotten a text from Bronson this time that everyone was outside the entrance waiting for us to arrive.

Pulling up to the front doors I step out and then go over to the passenger side to help Abby out of her seat. I don't know if I can put into words how gorgeous she looks tonight. She looks beautiful always, but she has a seemingly new confidence in her getup.

Leading us around to the front, I hand over my car to the valet so they can take over.

The slight wind chill bites at my face, but only for a moment when we step into the warm hall. My eyes scan the space for my friends and stop when I spot neatly styled brown hair attached to the biggest person in the room.

"I see Sterling angel," I coax her to walk with me. She is still timid around new people, but I have faith in my friends that they can make her feel more welcome than anyone else here.

"Oh my- holy sheet it's you!" Bronson comes bounding up to me and takes me in a big bear hug, nearly knocking me over. "Dude, what the heck took you so long?"

I laugh at his dramatic ass. With him and Bronson, no matter how much time has passed from how long we've talked or seen each other, it is like time never even passed. "I'm here now, aren't I?"

"You are," Sterling's quiet baritone voice is barely audible over the rest of the noise. "How have you been?" he asks, taking me in for a shake and then a short hug.

When Sterling steps back, Bronson takes it upon himself to pinch my nose. "Shit, what is that for?" I demand.

"For not texting me enough."

I roll my eyes. "You can text me you know."

"That's no the point!" he whines, then suddenly notices I'm not alone.

"Hey, you're Abby!" I fight the urge to roll my eyes at him.

Her eyes go wide and I can see her mind working a million miles a minute on how to approach the grown toddler.

"I am, and you're?"

Bronson turns to me with a gaping mouth. "You didn't even tell her who we are? What are we, chopped liver?"

"Oh no, I know there is Sterling and Bronson, but I just don't know who is which," she rushes to clarify.

Growing tired of his nonsense, I put my hand on the small of Abby's back and point to each person I introduce her to. "Angel, this moron is Bronson-"

"I am not a moron, you take that back you...you... cotton-headed-ninnymuggin!"

"And the giant back there is Sterling." I continue on and ignore Bronson's antics without discouraging him.

"Nice to meet you Abby," Sterling smiles then turns his attention to me. "You do know there are people who are much larger than me, right?"

His girlfriend, Gina, pats him on the stomach and rests her head below his chest. "Yes, but you're the biggest out of all of us here baby," she teases.

"Ooh la la," Delena, Bronson's girlfriend, sings while Bronson himself makes a gagging noise, pointing his finger down his throat.

"Gina and Delena," I finish off with the girls who both chorus their own hellos to Abby.

She waves with a big smile that warms my heart. She likes them!

"I love your dress!" Delena gushes, reaching out to touch the fabric. "Oh, it's not scratchy like I thought it would be."