Coexist // Dave Franco

chapter 48

Song: Even My Dad Does Sometimes - Ed Sheeran

**********

I stare blankly at Dave.

"His mom passed away?! And-And you knew and didn't tell me?!" My voice rose.

"I was gonna tell you but, Tyler didn't want it to be such a big deal, you know?-"

"Not a big deal?!" I raise my eyebrows and turn to everyone in the back seat. "Tyler is still our friend and we need to comfort him! He's going through a lot!-"

"And most importantly he wanted to be alone." Dave grips the steering wheel.

The car is silent for a moment, with all our thoughts building up.

How could Tyler not tell me this? His mom is like a second mother to me, she's so sweet and genuine-well was.

Lauren shifts in her seat, "Well maybe, we should still check up on him you know? Maybe bring him some food-that's not bad thing." She suggests glancing back and forth at everyone.

Dylan exhales. "Look, I know you girls want to comfort him in his tragic state but he specifically told us he just wants to be alone. And trust me when I say I know when shit gets serious and he was being serious."

Alex jumps in, "What he is really doing is that, he does want space okay? And even though he doesn't want to admit it, because he wants to be tough about it, he needs us." She explains.

They all continue to ramble different reasons about his appearance as I think about what Alex says, and it worries me.

We all have different ways to cope with tragic events and me, being Tyler's ex-girlfriend, I know how he does it.

Then it hits me.

Tyler wanted to be alone because he's back on alcohol.

I'm the only person who knows how to help him in a situation like that and if I'm not there I'd just be a bad friend.

My thoughts drift away and listen closely about their conversation, "It's like when a girl is on a strict diet, and she is offered like a basket of fries; she wants the fries so badly but she knows it's not right so she doesn't take them. Tyler is...saying one thing but means the other. We should visit him." Lauren suggests.

I feel Dave's eyes on me, "Are you alright, babe?" He asks while the three in the back continue to bicker.

"I'm fine." I mumble.

"Look, I'm sorry we can't see him right now-it's just that we promised to let him be on his own for a bit okay?"

I nod. "No-Yeah. Of course, I get it. He-He deserves some space." I lie not making eye contact.

"Wait what?!" Alex shrieks. "I thought you wanted to see if he was okay?"

I shook my head. "Let's just give him some space for a few days and let him come to us whenever he is comfortable."

"Ha. 3-2. Now let's eat." Dylan brags.

~~~

After we finished dinner, Dave dropped everyone off at their houses and mine last.

He walks around the car and opens my door. "I'm sorry, about what went down with the Tyler situation...I-I just get worried easily and-"

Dave smashes his lips against mine and wraps his arms around my waist, "You don't need to apologize."

I kiss him back, "Thank you-"

"Because I already know that you're gonna visit him anyways." He says.