First Time, Worst Time, Best Time

New Boyfriend

When I woke up the next morning, Misti was in the shower and Mom was already asleep. Misti emerged from the bathroom with a towel around her head.

"When did Rick leave last night?" I asked.

"I think it was around two this morning. We fell asleep," she replied.

"Yeah, I fell asleep quick myself."

"I bet," she teased. "It looked like you were expending lots of energy when we came in."

"Ha-ha. He was only here for a little while," I explained.

"Don't worry. You don't have to answer to me. I just hope you'll be careful. Brad has turned into quite the player since you've been gone."

"I know, I know."

"So, are you guys going out or what?" asked Misti.

"I think so. He said he'd call me today."

"Cool. What are your plans today anyway? I was going to go hang out with the girls if you want to come."

"That sounds fun. Do I have time to take a shower?"

"Please. I really don't want to have to smell you all day," she joked.

I got some clean clothes and headed for the bathroom. I really felt stupid for being so nervous about Misti. Those old issues were obviously in the past. I finished getting ready in record time and went to join her in the living room. She grabbed Mom's keys and we headed out the door.

We arrived at Jerri's and she led us back to her room. Amber was due anytime and we just goofed off for a few minutes while we were waiting. Misti and Jerri were a few feet away and standing by the closet when I heard one of them mention Jon.

"Are you guys talking about Jon Miller?" I asked.

They both stopped talking and looked at me.

"What?" asked Misti.

"I thought I heard one of you say Jon. I just wondered if it was Jon Miller," I explained.

They exchanged a look and came to sit on either side of me on the bed.

"Bryonna, you have to swear never to mention anything you hear us talking about to Amber," demanded Jerri.

"No problem. But why do you have to have all the secrecy? I thought you were all best friends," I asked.

"We are. We love Amber to death, but there are some things she's better off not knowing. For all of our sakes," stated Misti.

"Okay," I said slowly. "Can one of you tell me what's going on?"

"It's okay, Misti," insisted Jerri when she was about to speak. "I trust her."

"Alright. Whatever you want," shrugged Misti.

"Bryonna, I have been seeing Jon on and off for years."

"What?"

"I know, it sounds crazy, but you need to know I got involved with Jon before Amber ever did. I don't understand it myself sometimes, but a part of me loves him and always will."

"Then why don't you guys just get together?" I asked. "How could you watch him with Amber?"

"You're just not old enough to understand," Misti interjected. "Love is a complicated thing and you'll know that for yourself one day."

"I just hate that both you and Amber are getting hurt. Can you not see that?" I questioned looking at Jerri.

"I've had the same argument with myself a million times, but I always come back to the same thing. I love him and I know he loves me. He was my first. I can't just walk away from that. Can you try to understand?" she pleaded.