Life at Best

Chapter Four

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Chapter Four

Brynne sat in her parents' driveway in the back of their car, wishing they could just get on the road already. Her flight left in a little over two hours and all she wanted was to get to the airport already, get through security and get away from her parents' watchful stares.

They had been like this since she had told them she was going to go to North Carolina against their wishes almost a week ago. Every conversation they had was tense and she had secretly heard them talking when they thought she was asleep upstairs about how they thought this was just another step in her losing her sanity; the next step being a full emotional breakdown.

They had contacted her therapist behind her back and let her what was going on. Little did they know, but Brynne had already been talking to her therapist about her decision before she had consulted her parents, and she was 100% behind Brynne. She had even said she thought it was about time that she went and faced her fears head on if only to be able to get some closure for her when it came to her relationship with Martin.

Besides, her best friend needed her and that was enough for her to make up her mind immediately, no decision really necessary.

She leaned back against the seat; yeah... it was time for her to get away from her parents and go out and start living her life again. That would be better for her than sitting cooped up in her parents' house with them breathing down her neck forever.

*

Julie was like a little kid on Christmas morning. Today was the day that Brynne was arriving in North Carolina and she could not wait. It had been way too long since she had seen her best friend and both of their lives had changed drastically since the last time they had spent time together.

Before everything went down between Martin and Brynne, anyone would have thought it would have been Brynne who got a ring way before Julie, especially seeing as Julie was dating Mr. Dale I-don't-want-to-settle-down Earnhardt, Jr.

Things were so different now, but Julie hoped that very soon things could go back to the way they were between Martin and Brynne and then it could be just like the old times again.

"Baby it's early," Junior groaned.

"Brynne comes today!"

"Julie, I realize she's your best friend, but baby can't you wait another hour and come back to bed and snuggle with me?"

Julie sat down on the bed next to him and absentmindedly ran her fingers through the hair at the base of his neck, "As much as I would love to, I have to get the house cleaned up, the guest room set up, figure out what we're having for dinner tonight and go pick Brynne up from the airport! Not to mention I should look online and find some dress shops we can go check out like tomorrow!"

"Her flight doesn't get in for hours and you're really going to drag her dress shopping the first full day she's here?"

She kissed the tip of his nose and grinned, "Time's a-wastin' baby! What happens if I can't find a dress I like for like a month? I can't wait that long!"

Junior flopped back against the pillow and sighed, "But I miss you!"

"And I miss you too! But I have stuff to do! So curl up and go back to sleep until you have to get up and go to the shop and I promise I'll be quiet!"

Julie practically skipped out of their room and down the hall, leaving Junior muttering in bed, "Women!"

*

Martin couldn't focus on anything.

It was worse this morning than it had been in a very, very long time.

Funny thing was, the person who used to distract him from his work, was back at it again. Too bad things were very different now.

Before when Brynne used to distract him it was because she would be texting or calling him all day; or the rare times when she had been in North Carolina he had been distracted because she was waiting at home for him when he left work for the day and that had been the best feeling in the world he had slowly come to realize - just a little too late - knowing she was there waiting on him.

It was one of the many things that he now missed so much.

But today, the source of his distraction was the knowledge that as of later this afternoon they would be in the same city once again. After this afternoon he would be one step closer to getting Brynne to talk to him again and hopefully then one step closer to being with the only person in the world he wanted to be with.

He didn't know where she was going to be staying, or how long she would actually be in town, but he was determined to see her and talk to her before she left.

It was inevitable that they would run in to each other.

He just needed to bide his time and make sure that when they finally did he had a plan of how he intended to get her to listen to him. Because if he could get her to listen to him he felt like he might have a shot at getting her to come back - all he had to do was grovel and beg and apologize and tell her exactly why he fucked everything up all those months ago.

Martin sighed. He was screwed.

*

The airport was noisy around Brynne as she exited the plane and began heading towards where she anticipated Julie would be waiting for her, excitement rolling through her belly; it had been way too long since she had seen her best friend and so much had happened since then. She couldn't wait to have some girl time!

She loved her parents, but she missed having her own place and her own space and having someone around to talk to that understood her. All she had gotten from her parents since she had come to New York was silent (and not so silent) looks of concern, and questioning if she was in her right mind all the time.

That was annoying.

Brynne glanced around the busy airport, scanning the crowds for her best friend. She had to be here somewhere!

Almost as if Julie had heard Brynne's thoughts, it seemed like no longer than two seconds later she saw Julie push between two groups of people, out of breath and looking flustered. Airports were not her favorite place to be.

"Julie!"

Julie looked up at Brynne's voice and grinned, beyond excited to see her; it really had been too long.

The longtime friends met in the middle of the airport and embraced quickly before stepping out of the way of the crowds. Julie looked at Brynne and smiled, "You look good, Brynne!"

She laughed, "What were you expecting me to look like exactly?"

"I was just saying, but honestly you've sounded so depressed the last few times I've talked to you, so I wasn't really sure what to expect."

"I've definitely been better, but talking to my therapist has really helped me. She's made me realize I need to move forward, one way or another," Brynne shrugged, "But enough about me! Let me see your ring! I am sure the picture you sent me did it absolutely no justice!"

Julie thrust her hand out and Brynne whistled lowly, "Wow! He spared no expense for this ring! I don't know if I've ever seen a ring that big!"

"I love it," Julie giggled, "We should totally get out of here though! We can go get you settled at home and then I can show you some of the ideas I already have!"

Brynne laughed, "I can only imagine what you have thought of already! We are going to plan the biggest fairytale wedding ever in only four months' time!"

The giddy smile on Julie's face said it all, "A girl can dream, right?"

***

Up top is Julie's engagement ring!

This one was short, but hey I'm on vacation this week and seem to be quite productive with this story so I should be able to get you guys out another chapter later this week! Let me know what you think!