Before Everything [Book 2.5] (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter Four: Espresso

"Man, six months is way too long!" Dean said as he hugged Thomas. Thomas laughed as he hugged his friend back and they started heading toward his car. The last time they had seen each other had been Thanksgiving when Dean had managed to go to Seattle for the holiday.

"Yeah, I can't believe you are almost done with your first semester," Thomas replied enthusiastically. "So, how's college?"

"Honestly, a lot more tiring than I expected it to be. When I'm not in class or studying, I'm working and so I barely have any time for myself, but it's not like I have anything better to do," Dean replied as Thomas started driving.

"Are you still avoiding Julie?" he asked, stopping by a red light and looking at Dean from the corner of his eye.

"It's not like a have a lot of common classes in order for me to actively avoid her. And it's not like I'm a big fan of parties," Dean replied with a shrug. He silently watched as Thomas nodded and kept on driving.

His apartment building wasn't too far away from the airport and on the way there Thomas talked about how different it was playing with professionals. It wasn't his intention to offend his High School Coach or his fellow players from a year ago -Dean knew that much- but Thomas just couldn't not compare. As great as he was said to be, even he struggled to score some goals. But in no way did that hinder his ability to try and accept every challenge.

By the time they got out of the car, Dean could in no way hide his huge proudful smile at the accomplishments of his friend. He opened the front door to his apartment building and when they got inside Thomas hesitated for a second, coming to a stop. He shed a glance at Dean and then lowered his head.

"How is... he?" he asked softly, shedding another glance at Dean and noting the waver of his smile.

Dean let out a thoughtful breath, trying to come up with the best way to answer to that question. Lying to Thomas had never been an option, but he feared the way Thomas might take the truth.

"Getting better," he eventually answered, as vaguely as possible. Something told him Thomas needed more to be satisfied, but he was glad when all Thomas did was nod and start walking again. He didn't need to hear more. The honesty in Dean's voice was enough for the weight on his chest to slightly lift. It was enough for him to be able to breathe again. I didn't completely ruin his life. He's getting better.

"How are you?" Thomas asked as they slowly climbed up the stairs. Dean shook his head. He knew what Thomas was actually asking him.

"Becoming his friend won't make me hate you," Dean replied and waited for Thomas to open the door to his apartment on the third floor.

"I know but..." Thomas muttered walking inside.

"We don't talk about you. He knows you're my best friend, so we don't talk about you. At least, not in the way you think," Dean assured him.

"Then in what way?" he couldn't help but ask.

Dean winced at the question and cursed himself for letting that slip past his tongue. He had contemplated saying it to Thomas, but he didn't want to have that conversation over the phone. He didn't want to have that conversation in general but keeping it from Thomas made him feel bad.

"Stop thinking for a second," Dean told him. "I mean, just listen and don't think until after I'm done talking, okay?" he said and took a deep breath. "At that party where I hooked up with Julie, I was pretty emotional afterward and I happened upon..." he cringed, but didn't stop, "I happened upon Mark and another guy I had met earlier that day and Mark and I kind of kissed. As I said, I was pretty emotional and Mark was definitely high and a little drunk and it was a small quick kiss with no emotions behind it and it meant nothing and it won't happen again, because I have no feelings for Mark and he has no feelings for me and he's your ex and you're my best friend". That final sentence has come out in a hurry and Dean had to take a deep breath after it ended.