In This Life (Sequel to 'In Another Life')

113

"I've been good," I answered truthfully. "Moving to LA was absolutely the best thing for me. I'm sober, have been for a while." I didn't bother adding that little tidbit about me getting drunk after I found out about Amber. "I have amazing friends, and an amazing boyfriend. Colby Brock, meet Levi," I said, smiling at Colby, begging him to behave nicely. Levi met Colby's hard gaze, and smiled like he didn't even notice the stare that could probably cut glass. He put his hand out to Colby to shake. "Hey man, nice to meet you," he said. Colby did the same as he did with JJ, only taking a few seconds longer to shake his hand. "You too," he replied, his voice just as hard. "Wait, Brock? Colby Brock? Where do I know that name from?" Levi replied. Then his eyes widened, and he stared at me. "The guy that you were so messed up about! Right? From before we started dating?" Shit, Levi, why can't you just shut the fuck up?? I nodded, and leaned into Colby more. "Yeah, we broke up, but then we found each other again," I answered. Colby put his arm around me, pulling me close. "When it's meant to be, it's meant to be," he said, tightening his fingers on my hip. "Yeah, I guess so," Levi replied, a thoughtful look on his face. "Hope it works out this time. T was really messed up about you." "I was really messed up about her too," Colby replied, his gaze turning hard again. Fucking men, and their pissing contests. I stood there, watching as Levi and Colby just kind of glared at each other, until JJ put his hand on Levi's arm. "Have you went to see the- Amber, have you seen her?" Levi broke his gaze with Colby and looked at JJ. "No, not yet. I'm not sure I want too. Have you?" JJ shook his head and pulled out a cigarette pack from back pocket. He fished around his pockets and pulled out a lighter. He offered one to Levi, who took it, then to me. I shook my head. "No thanks, don't smoke anymore." JJ nodded, a small proud smile on his lips. "Good for you T. Good for you. Seems like you've really got a good life going for yourself." I glanced up at Colby, who met my gaze, and smiled at him. "Yea, I really do," I said, smiling at Colby. "I'm happy for you Lil T. I really am. I wish Amber could've pulled herself out of that life. I hate how I treated her." He sighed, and took a long drag from his cigarette. "I guess that's something I'm going to regret for the rest of my life. I blame myself for getting you two into drugs. Maybe if I hadn't brought it to the party that night, you guys would've never even had the chance to try anything." I shook my head. "Not true JJ. We would've found it somewhere else. Amber was already on it, before you met her. Me, well, I had tried a few things, and I knew where to get them. All you did was make it easier, but we would've found it regardless. It's not your fault." "How long have you two been together this time?" Levi asked, out of nowhere, gesturing to me and Colby. Colby's eyes narrowed as he met Levi's gaze again. He was really jealous of him, what the fuck? "Just a few months officially, because you guys know I was with Justin," I answered. "So not long then," he replied. What the fuck are you trying to get at Levi? My brain was just whirling with thoughts, praying that they didn't start shit at Amber's wake. "Maybe not officially, but Colby has owned my heart before I even actually met him," I said, putting my arms around his waist. "Glad you're happy T. I'm gonna go inside and see Amber, maybe talk to Mrs. Gail," Levi said, dismissing what I said. "By the way, your parents are here." He turned and walked away before I could process what he said. "Shit," I exclaimed, laying my head against Colby's chest. "I don't want to deal with them." "It's okay. You can do this. We'll just avoid them as much as possible," Colby said, rubbing my back. "Ugghh," I groaned, pulling away from him. "JJ, what the fuck is wrong with Levi? He was kind of being a dick." JJ grinned at me, a big, toothy smile. "He's still in love with you T. He never let you go. He's probably been with a hundred girls since you were carried out my house that night, but you're always the one he comes back too. All he talks about." I ducked my head, and twisted my rings. "I didn't know," I replied softly. "I never felt that way about him. We were never serious." "You might not have been, but he was. He let you go that night because of what ya boy said. He told him that if he really loved or cared about you, then he should let you go, let you get straight. So he let you go." "Well, she wasn't available then, and she's not available now, so he's gonna need to get over it," Colby replied. JJ held both of his hands up in surrender. "Just telling you like it is brother. I see that you guys are happy and I'm not trying to mess up anything. Just telling you like it is." JJ turned back to me and smiled. "You stay clean T. You've got a good guy here. I can see how happy you are. You're different than you used to be. Confident. Strong. It's good. Anyway, I'm gonna go say hey to some people and maybe see Amber, if I can work up the nerve. See ya around." I tossed my hand up at him, and watched him walk away. It felt kind of symbolic in a way, seeing my old life walk away from me. I turned to Colby, and wrapped my arms around his neck. "You were jealous," I said, tapping his nose with my finger. He raised his eyebrows and smirked at me. "No I wasn't." "You so were!" I exclaimed, stepping back and putting my hands on my hips.