Together Again / Brendon Urie

11. Adler

Brendon sent me home three days ago until they can get the floors, baseboards, and new dining room completed. I spent the first day binge watching Lucifer. I spent the second day cooking everything in my kitchen and storing it in meal containers for the next week and a half. Today, well, today I haven't gotten out of bed. Denise texted me yesterday asking if I was ok and apologizing on Brendon's behalf. I scoffed at my phone before putting it on vibrate for the rest of the day. Honestly do I want to continue working for Brendon? He threw me away so quickly and just when. Just when I let him in he makes sure to take another hit. That's it I'm done trusting him. I regret trusting him at all! He lies, manipulates, teases...his lips on mine, hands on my waist, tongue rubbing mine. What am I thinking? I need to get out of bed, now.
I tear off my comforter, and my ankles crack when they hit the floor walking to the bathroom. I turn the light on and frown at my reflection. My hair is in a messy bun, bags under my eyes and my lips are chapped because I forgot to put chapstick on overnight. I tend to breathe through my mouth at night so its needed. I turn around and turn the water on, testing the water before plugging the tub and letting it fill. I might as well relax, I place some candles on the counter, grab my bluetooth speakers and drop a bath bomb in the tub. I strip my shirt and then shimmy my shorts down. I loosen my bun and then finally remove my panties, leaving me completely naked. The tub is just about full when I enter and I slide under the water. I let the faucet hit my feet and wait for it to be the appropriate amount before shutting it off with my foot. I hit play on my phone that is placed on top of the toilet lid and take a long deep breathe before exhaling.

After I drain the tub and dry my hair somewhat, I move onto my closet. Its warm out today so I wear shorts and a tank top. I walk out to my small kitchen when I hear a faint knock at the door. Its 12pm on a Wednesday, who could that be? It could be my landlord. I walk over and look through the peep hole and my breath catches in my throat. Brendon. He's standing outside my door, hands in his jeans? He's wearing jeans. He also has a black t shirt on and converses. I have never seen him in anything but formal attire, well since high school anyway. This looks like old high school Brendon Urie. Besides his hair, his hair is pushed back into a perfect quiff and he finally takes his sunglasses off before gently knocking again, waiting. I look away from the peep hole, and bit my lip anxiously, do I want to answer? I just announced that I don't trust him when I was in bed but then also I wanted him in bed.
I look through the hole again and he has his phone out. I watch him text and then lock it before sliding it into his jean pocket.

My phone dings in my pocket, shit.

B: can we talk?

I mentally curse and another text comes through.

B: addie, I can hear your phone. Open up

Shit. I take a deep breath, kind of difficult not to then, right?

I unlock the door because its still locked from the night before. I take another mental breath and turn the door knob. Brendon was looking to his right but when I opened the door his eyes met mine. "Hi," he says quietly. "Hi," I reply back. We did more talking Friday. "Um, come in?" I tell him but my tone has more questioning to it. He enters swiftly and looks around my apartment. He's been here a couple times already but I feel like it's just something he does. "The restaurant is done, I had a rush on the dining room furniture. It cost an arm and a leg, but now we can open fully functional. That is, if I still have a cook." He ends sheepishly waiting for my response, but continues when I don't answer immediately. "I was a dick, and I'm sorry. That restaurant is the only thing I have left and I get quite protective of it."

"I just wanted to help," I mumble and he sighs. "I know, and I'm really sorry." He runs his hand through his quiff and makes a piece of hair flop on his forehead. "I've been thinking about you since Friday." He gets quieter, if that's possible. "I don't want you losing sleep over an employee." I joke but his eyes say otherwise. "No, not that." He fiddles with his jean pockets again. "Since we kissed." Oh. We are going to have that conversation. "Listen, you made it clear Saturday that it meant nothing to you and super clear when you threw me out of the restaurant like I was garbage."

"No, no. That wasn't my intention." He stumbles with trying to find his words and I cross my arms getting a little impatient. "Brendon, why are you here?" I ask and he curses. "I like you Addie."

"I wish you would stop calling me- wait what?" I was about to get defensive at the nickname only he uses but um. He smiles, he cheeks now tinted pink. "I like you, a lot. Just like I did in high school. And I promised-"
I look at him confused now. "Promised what?" I ask losing my defenses. "I promised Sarah I would try!" He bursts out and then shakes his head like he wants to take it back.
Try what? Oh. Try to have a relationship after her? This is him trying. My heart does this double patter, leap, skip, thump thing in my chest and I'm speechless. Brendon Urie trying to love again? I'm not saying he loves me, that's insane. But the fact he is trying to move on and he wants to do it with me? Wait a second. "Brendon, I don't know what to say."

He smiles, "well you didn't say no right away, so you like me back at least." Smug bastard, but it's true. "I didn't say-" he raises his eyebrows and gives me a pointed look. "Addie, can I take you on a date?" He asks with more confidence this time taking his hands out of his pockets and standing up a little straighter. "And what if I say no?" I ask and he smiles. "Then just know you crushed any chance I had at moving on after my dead wife."

"Brendon!" I gape at him and he laughs whole heartedly. "Oh my god! I'm kidding, kind of, but please don't say no, this took a lot out of me." He ends smiling and holding back more laughs. I shrug because what can I say? "I guess-"

"Great! I'll pick you up at 8!" He turns to leave my apartment and I'm still standing in the same spot very confused. He comes back and stares into my eyes. "Oh and wear sneakers." He says smoothly into my face before kissing my cheek and walking out of my apartment.

-

I'm dressed and waiting for Brendon to come pick me up. It's 7:30 and I've been ready since 7, call me punctual, or excited, either one. So I sip some wine to calm my nerves. Well a glass a wine later and you can say my nerves are subdued. I finally hear a knock at the door and dart out of my seat a little too quickly for my liking. I slow my pace and try to act casual as I open it. Let's just say I've never seen him look so good. Sure I've seen him in dress shirts and nice slacks but this Brendon. Just take my panties. Woah. Easy Adler. Brendon smiles when my eyes meet his before I undress him with my eyes. Black v neck shirt, ripped skinny jeans, black converses, and a black leather jacket to complete this bad boy look. But he isn't a bad boy, he looks soft. The thing about his whole ensemble are his glasses. Yep, thick framed, square nerdy glasses, but boy does he make them work.

"Addie? You ready?" He asks a second time, lord I was too busy eye fucking him to listen. I quickly nod my head and snag my purse that I conveniently placed by the front door. He smiles again and blushes, Brendon Urie blushing? This has to be an alternate universe because if you told me 4 months not only would I be working for Brendon Urie but I would be going on a date with my high school arch enemy. I would have laughed in your face and then looked at you with pity for your being insane. Well look who's insane now. "After you," he gestures and I walk ahead of him. I feel his gaze at a little while and I turn around to catch his eye. He was completely checking out my ass because yes, I wore high waisted skinny jeans as well. He laughs at being caught but doesn't deny it. How admirable. "Sorry, not sorry." He laughs again, his cheeks tinted pink, but his smirk says otherwise.

He opens his car door for me, but um this isn't his car. "Um, where's your tesla?" I ask, not that it matters but this car is kind of a downgrade. "I turned in my lease early to get money for the restaurant. I hope you don't mind the lack of interior." He laughs again before closing my door and entering his side. "Brendon, I don't care what car you have. I was just wondering because its obvious you changed cars. I can't believe you did that for the restaurant." I finished completely speechless, it was such a selfless thing to do. "Well I didn't do it for the restaurant, I did it for the people that work there, and eat there and have families there." He explains turning the car on and proceeding to our unknown destination. Ok I have to admit the more he talks the more I am impressed and aroused.

A couple minutes go by in silence, the car radio playing quietly in the background. "Where are we going anyway?" I ask now that we are heading downtown. "Bowling," he announces and oh my god I am horrible at bowling.