Loyalty

Chapter 17: Date?

Brian's POV

It was Saturday night. Time for Jess and I's.... date? Maybe? I didn't know what to call it, because I still wasn't quite sure what this was. We told each other that this would just be us hanging out, like old times. But I think we both knew it felt different, for a few different reasons. The main one being that we had both just confessed our true feelings for one another, and neither of us really knew how to deal with that. But it had also been a while since the two of us just hung out, so it kind of felt like we were getting to know each other again.

I told myself a million times, not to get my hopes up. After getting my heart broken before, I was trying to protect myself from going through that again. I didn't want to be depressed about a relationship before it even started.

We were both hesitant to call this a date, but I can't help but admit that's what it felt like. As much as I tried to deny it so I didn't put too much pressure on it, this night felt like our first date.

-----

A few hours after I left her house, I was back to pick Jess up for our date, or whatever this was. When I opened the door, she looked gorgeous, as always. I've known her for almost five years, but she still made my heart skip a beat every time I looked at her.

I took Jess to a nice restaurant in the city, called Delmonico's Kitchen, which is just a few blocks away from the Garden. She tried to tell me that it was too fancy, but I wanted only the best for her, even just as a friend.

Since I had gotten the tickets for the show, Jess tried to pay for the dinner. Ever since I've known her, she never tried to take advantage of me, even now, when the show has gotten extremely popular. But I was a gentleman and insisted on paying for everything. I would've done it whether this was a date or not.

Jess and I had the most amazing dinner, but it was not just because of the food. The two of us talked to each other so effortlessly, just like we used to. I was so glad to have things back on track with her as my best friend.

"So what have you been up to lately? Anything new and exciting in your life?" she asked me, trying to catch up.

"Well, actually I have a project coming up that is supposed to be kept a secret," I told her.

"Oh really? Are you going to trust me with this big secret?" she asked, kind of teasing me.

Of course, I trusted Jess. I would trust her with my life.

"I'm actually really excited about it. They're filming a sequel to the Hatchet movies. It's called Victory Crowley, and I'm going to be in it. The movie comes out next year," I told her.

"Look at you, you big movie star. I know you love those movies. I'm so proud of you," she told me, beaming with excitement for me.

"Really? You don't even like horror movies. Remember we watched the first Hatchet movie together?" I reminded her.

"Yes, I remember that. And I do hate horror movies, but I still watched it because I knew you liked it. So of course, I'm going to watch this next one if you're in it," Jess assured me.

"Thanks for always supporting me Jess, even if you hate what I'm doing," I said, somewhat jokingly. She laughed.

"I like MOST of the things you've done," she teased.

"What DIDN'T you like? Was it Jokers Wild?" I asked her. It was a sketch show that the guys and I were really proud of, even though it wasn't received very well.

"I liked Jokers Wild!" she said, defensively.

"Well as long as you liked it, I don't care what other people thought of it," I told Jess. Her opinion was the only one that really mattered to me.