The Best Man

Chapter 3: Meghan

I woke up the next morning and realized I was alone in bed. James must have gone for a jog. It was something he loved doing in the morning and I would never understand it.

I picked up my phone from the night stand and checked it for messages. I had phoned my friends Laura and Kate last night but I never heard back from Taron. I huffed as I checked my messages; he had read my text but not replied. What was going on with him? This wasn't like him at all.

James and I packed our stuff and drove to the airport together. Yesterday had been our last day and what a way to end our holiday. We had agreed to hold an engagement party in a few days and there was some planning to do.

The flight was short and we took the tube back to our flat in North London. We would both go back to work tomorrow so we decided to unpack and James actually wanted to look after his mom who lived nearby. She had been on her own ever since his dad died earlier this year and that had been tough on him and his mom.

"Why don't I drop you off at Taron's place when I drive to my mom?" James suggested.

"You don't have to do that. It's a detour" I let out a breath "And anyway, he seems kind of busy"

"This is obviously something that is bothering you" James said. He knew me so well "So let's go"

I grabbed my purse and we walked over to where he had parked his car. He dropped me off at Taron's place which was around 10 minutes away. I could always take the tube back in case he wasn't home.

I rang the bell and waited. Nothing happened. I rang the bell again and sleepy Taron opened the door for me. He wore pajamas pants and a white shirt, his hair was ruffled. It was 3 PM and he was still in his pajamas?

"Meghan" he slurred, sounding surprised "What are you doing here?" He sounded drunk.

"Are you drunk?" I asked incredulously. I didn't think I had seen him like that in .... ever.

"Yeah" his eyebrows danced before he repeated "What are you doing here?" in a not very friendly tone.

My face hardened "I wanted to check in with you. I was kind of worried. You never replied to my text"

Taron just shrugged.

"Can I come in?" I asked, pissed now. He obviously didn't care.

He stood back so I could come in and closed the door behind me. Then he walked towards his living room and I followed him. To say it was a mess would be an understatement.

"What the hell happened, Taron?" I was really worried now.

He shrugged again and I just wanted to shake him out of it.

"It's nothing" he said as he walked by me towards the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water. He reeked of booze.

"Well I guess you don't need me then, since it's nothing" I said sarcastically.

"Yeah. You can go and plan your wedding with your fiancé. Oh, congratulations by the way" he said as he stood opposite me.

"Thank you, Taron" I said, really disappointed in his behavior. I looked into his eyes and I swear I saw sadness flicker through them before he shut off his emotions and just blankly stared at me.

I shook my head, turned around and slammed his door behind me.