It's Alright to be Together

Chapter 15

“Hey Y/n.” The voice was soft, broken unlike the usual confidence you were used to hearing in it. You almost didn't recognize it.

“If you're not a paying customer, I'm going to have to ask you to leave, Zane.” Once again you were at the register. The black granite countertop separating you from the electric blue gaze.

“Actually, I am.” Zane replied with a little more confidence.

“What would you like to order today?” Your tone was dead. You didn't even attempt to be cheery with him. Not wanting to look at him any longer, you look down at the register as if intent on getting his order right.

“I would like a…” His voice trailed off. Confused, you looked back up only to see him stunned and staring at something near your shoulder. You followed his broken gaze to a hickey that was showing since your shirt shifted slightly. You blushed and readjusted it.

You two stood there in an awkward silence. Both of you knew who put it there. Part of you wanted to say it meant nothing, because it did, and Zane was the only one. But most of you knew that he hurt and lied to you and you had no obligation to coddle his feelings.

The bell jingled. You looked to see who it was. Zane stared at the counter.

“Jason.” you said, slightly surprised, though you shouldn't be: he came at the same several days a week.

“Hey Y/n.” he replied, but he wasn't looking at you. “Is this guy bothering you?”

“No, he's-”

“I was just leaving.” Zane said. You noticed him clench his fist and prayed a fight wouldn't break out. Jason seemed to sense this too and stood his ground, but Zane only came close enough to emphasize the height difference and paused to give a menacing gaze. Jason didn't falter and moments later Zane walked out the door.

You exhaled in relief, realizing you hadn't been breathing. “That was close.”

Jason smiled at you. “What are you talking about? I practically had him whimpering away like a little puppy.”

You giggled at the thought, unable to help yourself-both of you knew that's no where close to what happened. It was the first time you'd laughed or even cracked a genuine smile since the break-up and it felt good.

“Thanks,” you said, knowing he was just trying to cheer you up. Jason seemed like a nice guy, >:) but then again, so did Zane.

“No need to thank me, I should be thanking you.” He leaned on the counter, smiling flirtatiously at you.

“Me?”

“Yeah, for showing me that dazzling smile of yours.~”

You blushed and shyly looked away as more customers trickled in-the beginning of the morning rush. Jason looked over his shoulder and noticed as well. Time was limited, so his next words came out a bit rushed. “Anyways, I know you're just using me to rebound and that's fine with me, but I wouldn't mind if it became something more where I could wake up and see you.”

He walked away before you could reply and then the customers were at the counter.

“Good morning! What can I get for you?”

~*~

“You look awfully happy.” Jenny noted, happy you were seeming at least a bit like your old self after nearly a month of moping around for almost a month.

“Yeah.” You smiled, nearly shocking Jenny.  

“What happened? I'm curious as to what brought back my Y/n.” She glanced over at you as you two walked towards her apartment.

“Nothing.”

“Oh fine, don't tell me. Does it have something to do with that extremely long walk last night?”

You looked over at her surprised. Did she know?

“Don't look at me like that. I know the signs. You snuck out last night for a rebound. I'm just a little hurt you didn't invite me as your wingwoman or anything.” Jenny stopped at the door of her place and jiggled the keys as she unlocked it.

You chuckled. “It's not like that. Well, it sort of was, but it was a date.” Both of you walked in, closing the door behind. The neighborhood cat jumped down from the couch and rubbed against your shins.

“A date? Already?” Jenny sounded very surprised and, in a way, you were too. It was quite soon after the break up to already be back in the game considering how close you were to Zane. You still weren't completely over him and something told you that you never would.

“Yeah. Zane came in,” you both sat on the couch and the cat claimed your lap, “and this guy asked me out just before Zane walked up so all he heard was me accepting it.”

“So it was a rebound.”

You blushed. “A bit. But not one that really requires a wingwoman so you didn't miss out.”

Jenny laughed. “It's funny though. I've been single for over three months and not even month after your break up, you're already back in a relationship. How do you do it?” You shrugged. Jenny laughed. It felt nice. You'd been spending the last month thinking of how you were never going to get over Zane, of how you would never find anyone like Zane, and of how you might've made the worst mistake of your life. But now, you didn't feel that way. You felt like you could survive without Zane in your life. Although he may have seemed like quite the catch, there were other fish in the sea that weren't backstabbing cheaters.

“So who's this lucky guy?”

“Someone nice.”

“You're not going to have a secret boyfriend from your bestie, are you?”

You blushed, imagining Jason as your boyfriend. “No, we're more like friends with benefits for now.”

“From how you're acting, I'm going to disagree. I think things are going to change between you and this guy. And you better tell me every second off it.” Jenny playfully nudged your arm.

You smiled. “Will do.”