But Who Would You Live For?

Lying's All I've Learned

Tyler:

The champagne glass in my hand was obviously for show. I wasn't a drinker and unlike Josh, I didn't plan on starting this late in my life. The crowd of people around me didn't share my same mindset. They were all freely throwing back glass after glass of the bubbly liquid. Even Jenna was taking tentative sips of the drink. I didn't blame her. She was celebrating her brand new engagement after all.

The impromptu party was taking place in the basement of my parent's house. As soon as the announcement left my lips my mother was on the phone calling half the town. And my sisters were on their phones texting the out of town family members who were close enough to drive over. Our families merged together perfectly. Everyone was excited for us. It was good seeing our lives colliding. Her parents laughed with my parents. Her siblings danced with my siblings. Her friends drank with my friends.

Well, most of my friends. Josh couldn't make it tonight. Apparently he and Debby had a previous engagement that they just couldn't get out of. He sent his apologies for the both of them via text after I left him a message about it. Even though Josh himself couldn't make it, his parents, sisters and brother did. Josh's family was like my family. Josh was my family. And my best friend. And my lover-

"There he is!" Abigail slumped her arm over my shoulder. Leaning close enough into my face for me to smell the alcohol on her breath. "The man of the hour."

"Hey, Abby." I smiled at the erratic redhead.

"Don't you hey Abby me." She chastised. "What are you doing all hidden in the corner? This is your night."

"It's Jenna's night." My eyes searched the room for my fiance and found her standing near the steps talking to my mother. As if she felt me watching her, she tilted her head to peek at me.

"A night Jenna couldn't have without you." Her words slowed, but only slightly. I gently slipped the half finished glass from her and and she let me. She leaned closer to the side of my face. Lining her mouth up with my ear. "You know, Ashley and I-" A hiccup. "We used to think you and Josh were in love with each other."

I froze. "What?"

She laughed my shock off easily. Stepping away and taking her glass back. "I know. I know." She waved her hand dismissively. As if the idea of it was now absurd. "It's stupid. But you were just so close. And sometimes he would look at you and you would look at him and-" A sloppy shrug. "It looked like more than a friendship."

"Oh." I pressed my lips against the previously untouched glass in my hand.

"Why isn't he here again?"

I jumped at the chance to change the subject. "He and Debby had a date or something."

"It's after eleven. They have to be back by now."

She was right. This gathering stared around seven and he told me he was on the date already. There was no way he was still there now. So there was no reason my best friend shouldn't be here with me. I handed Abigail my champagne which she took graciously. I was going to go and get Josh right now. The party around me showed no signs of slowing any time soon. He and Debby could still have some good times here.

Jenna gave me a questioning look when I passed her to head up the stairs but didn't try to stop me. The main floor of the house was thankfully void of any family or friends. Good. I wouldn't have to explain to anyone why I was temporarily leaving my own engagement party.

Josh and Debby's house was only a ten minute drive from my parent's home. I tried both texting and calling him at every red light. But my messages never switched to read and my calls were fed to his automatic voice messaging system. Maybe they were still out. Maybe they'd gone home and went straight to sleep. Maybe they were in bed right now having-

No. NO! I did not want that image in my head.

The what ifs flew from my mind when I pulled up in front of his house and saw the light on through the front curtain. Either they were home or they really didn't care about the environment. I got out the car and rushed up through the dark yard to his front door. I could hear murmuring on the other side. It sounded like the television was on. My knuckles rapped against the door twice. Foot steps neared the entrance and I held my breath as the door swung open.

"Debby." I was both happy and disappointed to see her. Happy they were home. Disappointed that it wasn't Josh who opened the door. "You're back."

She leaned her hip against the frame. "Back from where?"

"Your date." Her face twisted in confusion so I elaborated. "You and Josh had a thing to go to?"

Debby was shaking her head before I finished. "No. Josh and Brendon had a thing to go to tonight. He's still there."

"Brendon?" I glared down at my shoes.

"Urie."

"He ditched my party to hang out with Brendon Urie? So he really is his type." I glanced up at Debby. "Of friend."

She cleared her throat uncomfortably. "Did you say party?"

"Yeah. Jenna and I are having an impromptu engagement party at my parent's house." And then I thought to add. "You should come. She'd love to see you."

Debby clapped. "I'll go get my shoes."

A/N: I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who is still reading this. My update schedule sucks and my writing isn't the best so THANK YOU FOR STICKING AROUND! Also, I know that Josh and Tyler's is so strange and confusing but that's just how I see them. Too close to be just friends but not close enough to  be more.