When the Past Becomes the Future

Prove It

"What's wrong?" Brian finally asked when they pulled into the driveway. The pair had been quiet the whole drive home. 

"Too much to drink too fast." she lied giving him a fake smile.

"You wanna tell me the truth or what?" Brian asked. Even after all these years, he knew he like a book.

"I guess I'm just trying to figure out how my life got some complicated." She sighed.

Brian cocked his head to the side, "What's so complicated?" he asked in confusion.

"I'm just trying to think what I should do?" she answered.

"Do about what? You thinking of giving that fucking slimeball a second chance?!" He asked raising his voice.

"It's just things could get hard. I mean we are both on the lease to the house. We were supposed to be getting married. I guess I'm just confused." Juliette responded.

Brian was dumbfounded. He felt himself grip the steering wheel so tight his knuckles were losing color. "Let me get this straight, this guy is basically having online sex with other women for money and you are honestly thinking of forgetting about that because you share a fucking lease? Break the fucking thing!"

"It's just I didn't even give him a chance to explain..." Juliette said, feeling herself slipping into her old ways. For so long all her family wanted was for her to find a man and give Levi a family. So she settled on the first one that seemed like a good guy. Even though she wasn't completely ever happy, being with David was safe and what everyone wanted. So she put everyone's feelings before her own.

Brian just shook his head, "You are un-fucking-believable Juliette." If his tone didn't give away  that he was mad, the simple fact that he called her by her full name was a dead give away. He almost never called her Juliette.

"Brian I just..." she began but was immediately shut down.

"You just what?!" he exclaimed. "You just wanted a fun night with me, let me take you upstairs and fuck you, make you feel better than you have in years, and then go back to him?!"

"Would you stop?!" she yelled, "It's not like that. Will you let me explain?"

"NO!" Brian shouted getting out of his jeep but before he shut the driver's door he turned and looked her in the eye, "What happened to you? The Jules I knew would never forgive an asshole like that. I started to see her come back to life tonight; didn't last very long I see." He added then slammed the door to the jeep causing Juliette to jump.

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"Hey man." Sal said groggily from the couch. He had just started dozing off when he heard the front door open. "Guys have fun?"

"Oh yeah, fucking great time." Brian snapped sarcastically.

"Everything okay?" Sal asked obviously sensing the tension and frustration from his friend. Quickly Juliette entered the house behind Brian looking like she could burst into tears at any moment.

"We're fine." Brian barked. "Thanks for coming over, I'll talk to you tomorrow." Brian said coldly.

Sal Vulcano had known his best friend long enough to know when to push an issue and when to leave it alone for the time being. Tonight was a night to leave it alone for now. He quickly gathered his stuff and headed home, hoping whatever happened would be squared away in the morning.

Without even looking at Juliette, Brian made his way to the kitchen to find a bite to eat. He knew he shouldn't head to bed on an empty stomach. While he rustled in his cabinets, he felt her enter the room. "Would it kill you to stop being such a stubborn prick and see things from my side!?" she exclaimed.