Who Run the World? Girls.

15 - This Time We're Sober

Chloe read through the wedding invitation, scanning the address, trying to get an idea of how the ceremony would be organised. She was looking forward to Cynthia Rose's wedding so much, because all the Bellas would be able to reunited at the event. The wedding was now only two months away, so Beca would have to get going on getting a mix prepared in time for them to perform.
Thinking of Beca, Chloe's smile faded. The two of them hadn't spoken properly since the kiss and Beca hadn't come home that night after hastily packing a bag and rushing out the morning before. She wouldn't pick up her calls, and Chloe was really worried about her.
Why did she feel it necessary to blank her best friend when she was the one who hit on her? Chloe didn't mind the kiss, (she even secretly enjoyed it at the time) but knowing it would only grow Beca and Jesse apart further, she had to put a stop to it. It was the best thing to do for both of them, yet Beca was pissed and Chloe felt like she'd done something to offend her.
Chloe shook the thought off and pinned her invite to the fridge. She threw Beca's onto the coffee table, where her phone buzzed next to where it landed.
"Please be Beca," Chloe mentally begged, but as soon as she picked up the phone, she realised it was just a text from her boss saying the cafe was closed for that day.
Chloe sighed. She needed to do something to get her head away from Beca.
She scrolled down her contacts list until her eyes met Dylan's name and she pressed for it to call. She waited a second before his voice was heard through the speaker.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's Chloe," she said.
"Oh, hey," he sounded relieved. "I thought you were my brother."
"What's so bad about your brother?"
"Nothing. It's just, he asked me to help him paint the nursery for his new baby and he's been on my back the whole time about it. I said I would do it today but he keeps calling me," Dylan explained.
"Oh, so you won't be free today?" Chloe asked in disappointment.
"I'm afraid not. But listen, you could give me a hand if you want. I mean, I could do with the company. My brother and his wife will be out the whole day so I'm sure it'll be cool," Dylan said.
Chloe thought about it for a second. "Yeah, okay. It can be fun, right?"
"Sure. We bloody know how to have fun, don't we?"
Chloe laughed, reminiscing the time they spent together on the night they first (officially) met. Like the time he was so drunk after their deep conversation about the hardships of their lives, that he stood on a wall next to the lake and shouted "Fuck the world. Tonight we are free", before losing his balance and falling straight into the water. Chloe hadn't stopped laughing for a full half an hour, but then she got a stitch and threw up, which was the less pleasant side of the memory.
Dylan gave her the address and the time they were to meet at his brother's house.
"Well, I guess I'll see you soon then," Chloe ended before he hung up.
This was to be the first time she'd see Dylan after their drunk night out, and Chloe was quite looking forward to it. They hadn't only talked on the phone a couple of times, so this was possibly a chance go get to know him better, this time sober.

Half an hour later, Chloe set off on her feet since it was only a twenty minute walk to Dylan's brother's house. His brother was called Chris and he lived in a small family bungalow with his pregnant wife, Hannah.
When she arrived at what she thought was the right house, she spotted Dylan standing by the open front door, facing the inside. He was wearing a plain, light-blue t-shirt, grey shorts and flip-flops. His hair looked a little messier from the back, but what did she expect? He wasn't exactly dressed for a night out this time.
"Hey," she said as she approached the little gate at the front.
Dylan whirled around and smiled when he saw her.
"Chloe. It's good to see you," he grinned. He was so polite, something secretly found quite adorable.
"You too, Dylan. How've you been?"
"Good, I guess. Nothing's really changed. Still job-hunting, how about you?" He asked.
Just as Chloe was about to answer, a young man in a shirt, who Chloe assumed was Chris due to the features he shared with Dylan, strolled out with a bag over his shoulder. He stared at Chloe for a second, before Dylan began the introductions.
"Uh, Chris, this is Chloe. She's a friend of mine. Chloe, this is my brother, Chris."
Chris raised his eyebrows and pulled a friendly smile. "Oh, of course. Dyl said you'd be coming. It's nice to meet you. Thanks for helping us out," he said, shaking her hand.
"It's a pleasure, I'm happy to help," Chloe told him.
Chris turned back to his brother. "Right, you got everything? Remember to feed the cat and note down any calls we get. The baby's room is green, so don't take the magnolia by accident-"
"Jeez, you sound like dad. I think I'm old enough to know the difference between green and magnolia," Dylan retorted.
"Alright. Hannah, you coming?"
Chris called into the house.
"I'm coming," called a female voice from inside.
Shortly afterwards, Hannah exited the house, her baby bump outstanding. She must have been about six months gone.
Chloe greeted her, and after a couple of minutes the couple were pulling out of the driveway in their car, her and Dylan waving out to them until they were halfway down the street.
"Okay, let's get to work," Dylan smiled.
"You're the boss. Lead the way, sir."
They entered the house, Dylan showing Chloe into the first room on the right.
"This is the baby's room. The baby's a boy, likely to be called Harry. Apparently he wants the walls to be green," Dylan explained, rolling his eyes.
Chloe looked around the room, the bare, grey walls appearing so dull. There was a window facing the street and a couple of boxes sitting in the corner, one with a picture of a cot on it.
"Dont you think it's adorable? Babies are so cute," Chloe said.
"Nah, I don't take much notice of them. I mean, I'll probably have my own when the time comes. But at the moment I'm not fussed," Dylan said honestly.
"Oh, I can't wait to have my own. I can see it being quite an accomplishment, to be honest."
"Mm, that's fair enough. Hey, can you grab those brushes and bring them over here."
Chloe picked up the brushes and passed them to Dylan who placed them down next to the paint bucket.
"You start painting that side, and I'll start over here and we'll meet in the middle, alright?" Dylan said.
"Sure. So you're going to be an uncle. Doesn't that excite you at least?"
"I feel like a real adult because of it, but yeah, it's quite funny to think about it. I missed out on the Godfather spot, though," Dylan said with a smirk and as stroked the first lot of paint onto the wall.
"No way, but you're his brother," Chloe complained.
"It's okay, because Hannah's sister and his man got it. I've placed dibs on the next baby though. I might have my own wife by then as well. But there's no rush," Dylan said.
"Your Facebook said you were 25. Is that right?" Chloe asked.
"Yeah. So I still have ages to get married. But that's enough about me, I think. Tell me, do you have any siblings?"
Chloe laughed at the thought of her sister. "Yes. I have a sister, although I don't really like her," she said.
"Oh, really? Why's that?" Dylan asked.
Chloe told his everything about Sophie, and by the end he was laughing.
"Wow, I totally understand. I've been living in the shadow of my brother all my life. The only thing is that he's older," Dylan said.
Their conversation continued and slowly the room became greener and greener. By the time it was all done, Chloe was tired from all the laughing and talking they were doing. Dylan went to get them coffee while she sat down on a crate and admired their work.
Dylan returned shortly with a mug of coffee for each of them, and he sat down next to her. Chloe shuffled over to make some room.
"Man, I thought you were absolutely crazy when you were drunk. In a good way, but still. Crazy. But I've come to realise that sober, you're actually really cool," Dylan said, not looking at her, sipping his coffee.
Something fluttered in Chloe's stomach. Was he complementing her? Oh crap, he was.
All she did was chuckle. "Hm, I think I prefer you drunk. You're more entertaining that way."
She thought of how clumsy he had been when he was pissed.
This time he chuckled, before jumping up.
"I think we both deserve something to eat. So how about we clear up here and go somewhere?" he suggested.
"Where do you have in mind?"
"I don't know. Maccy D's, Taco Bell? You know me (sort of), I'll go anywhere."
They were both forgetting that this was their second meeting since they were so comfortable around each other.
"Sounds like a plan," Chloe grinned. Was this a date, or was she overthinking it? Either way, it was so fucking spontaneous and that's what she was beginning to love.

A/N
Hello!! Sorry it took so long to update, I've had so much school stuff happening. Just a note to the people I know in real life who have found me out - please don't judge me :')
To everyone else, thank you so much for reading and voting and commenting! It means the world to me so don't stop anytime soon!!
Thanks thanks thanks,

Jo x