The way he described her was like no other. His smile widened at the sound of her name and he got giddy when he talked about their newest adventures together. It was a pure type of love that they shared; it was hopeful. There was nothing stronger or more powerful than the team they've created together. She's the yin, he's the yang, and they swirled around each other to become one. They were a perfect masterpiece.

Maybe it was because they've known each other since they were in diapers. Their fathers were best friends which only forced them to become closer. Maybe it was the pull when he came to the realization that she was off limits. Everyone loved forbidden romance.

Tyler and Lacey, inseparable and brave.

"So, how have you been, buddy? I feel like we haven't gone out one on one in a while." Tyler happily took another sip of his beer.

I chewed slowly on the last bite of my chicken wing before answering. "We're together everyday though." My chest felt heavy, unsure why.

"Yeah but that doesn't count. You've been cooped up in your room lately, and Lace is always around so we never get a chance to talk about the really important stuff," Tyler retaliated.

I raised an eyebrow and shrugged. "Important stuff, hm... How are you guys doing anyway?"

"Nice try, Eli, but you know that doesn't work with me," Tyler gives me a cocky smile. Fuck. "How was the rest of your weekend?" Tyler's face was investigating, as per usual. Perhaps he should have studied forensics instead of business.

I looked around the quiet bar for a moment before focusing back on our conversation. How would he react if I said I hung out with Lacey's friend all weekend to distract me from reckless decisions? Especially when he was convinced I hated her.

How would he feel if I expressed my interest in adding her to my list of one night stands?

"Hm, it was pretty quiet, How was yours?" I said. I played with the frosted glass of beer in front of me.

"You ignored all my texts," Tyler squinted his golden eyes. "You must've been up to something."

I eyed his face. Creased forehead and risen eyebrows. He thought I slipped up, but wasn't certain nor did he want to accuse me of breaking sobriety so soon.

"I wanted to give you time with your family. I laid low for the most part anyways." I said, dismissive.

"You're family too, E." Tyler scolded. "But anyways," He glared at me. I felt victorious for our dropped conversation. "Zoey finally let loose with me a bit, I think I can thank you for that."

"That's great, Ty. I'm not sure what I have to do with it though," I sipped anxiously on my beer, which he mimicked before rolling his eyes.

"She listens to you more than me or our parents apparently. She's been giving Margaret a hard time. But after whatever you said to her alone, she came out of her shell," Tyler gave a smile, satisfied of building his relationship with his sister again.

I wasn't sure that Zoey would actually take my advice and talk to her older brother instead of me. I'd prefer it - I'd be a terrible role model.

"So, I wanted to talk to you about something," Tyler moved his beer to the side of the table and clasped his hands over top.

I raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "Is this a business meeting?" I laughed, hiding my discomfort. "I'm not joining the ferm," I joked to hide my nerves. I knew I did something wrong when he asked me out in a public place.

He shook his head slowly. "No," He replied in a Serious tone.

I sighed but it sounded like a growl of annoyance. "We used to go out all the time without this untrusting, investigating behavior. You know, actually have fun? I'm fine, I'd tell you otherwise, you know that by now." I leaned back in my chair. "Fuck me, man. I'm not this fragile person just because I got sent to the looney bin."

Tyler shook his head again. "No, that's not it."

"Well, the fuck did you want to talk about that we couldn't talk about at home?" I frowned.

Lacey knew all of my history, most of it at least. What could he possibly need to interrogate me about that she couldn't be a part of? I hated formal meetings, it was why I didn't choose a job that required a suit.

Perhaps he wanted to tell me that I needed to move out and he was sick of having my negative, reckless energy around. I guess wouldn't blame him. I would be crushed. I'd hate to be rejected by my only friend.

He smiled and looked down at his glass. His face although strong and sharp, had the happiness of a child. He looked up at me and grinned, his white teeth illuminating our table. "I'm going to ask Lacey to marry me."

shock appeared on my face before I had a chance to register what he just said. I cracked a genuine, happy smile. "No way," I flipped my hat backwards so the beak was behind my head. I wanted to see his face. "You're serious?"

Tyler pulled a small object out of his jeans pocket. In his hand was a small box to which he opened, revealing a ring with a large diamond attached to it. The thing glimmered and flashed; a perfect style for Lacey. It was a clear sign that he had money.

I took the ring out of the box to inspect it a little closer. "Holy fuck, eh?" I said while looking at the band. On the inside there was a small engraving in cursive writing that said I love you, together always. "Big rock."

Tyler deserved happiness, and I couldn't be more ecstatic that he found happiness in Lacey. But holy hell, the thought of tying yourself down to someone was laughable. Sounded more like a problem than a lifestyle.

I gave the ring back and watched his eyes light up in pure joy as if he was on ecstasy. "What do you think?"

"I think you almost gave me a panic attack, you dick," I mumbled and although he cracked a smile, he didn't respond. "What do you mean?" I asked.

"Eli," He dropped his famous childlike smile. "I'm so in love with that girl, but your opinion means everything to me."

His confession had me surprised. Would he really not go through with his plans if I told him not to? Did I have that much of an effect on him? Maybe if I told him that he needed to slow down on his work groove and try not to please her so often... Lacey didn't need all the bells and whistles.

"So your final decision is in my hands?" I asked, slow.

Tyler gave me a nervous look and slowly nodded his head. "I know there's a lot more in that head of yours than you say out loud, E. Ultimately, you know what's best. She's my world. I love her so unconditionally. I just don't want to fuck up something good."

What in the fuck?

I clasped my hands together and rested my chin over top my hands, my elbows on the table. I didn't know my opinion was so important to him. Especially when it came to his girlfriend. He would drop anything for her. If she asked to never walk again, he'd carry her everywhere. "Does she make you happy?"

Tyler chuckled. "The happiest. I don't know what I'd do without her, honestly."

I narrowed my eyes. "How did you snag such a ten like her?" I teased, light heartedly.

"Couldn't tell ya." He grinned. "I'm waiting for the day she realizes that she could do better. I have to lock that down while I can."

"When she comes to her senses, You'll have me at least," I joked. Although I shouldn't be making such promises when my days could be numbered.

Tyler was nothing but good. She couldn't do better.

"Yeah, it's relieving to know you'd have my back if anything were to happen to me." He exhaled a shaky breath. It wasn't often that he was nervous. Usually he had a poker face as I did.

"Anytime. Just like you did for me."

"We'd be on the same level of fucked up if she packed her things and left," Tyler laughed. "I'd spiral without her. Off to the looney bin I go," he joked.

"Pfft, damn." I said, stunned. "Maybe she should leave you so we can get on the same level. I can teach you a thing or two."

"I want you to be my best man," He closed the fuzzy dark blue box and stuffed it back in his pocket.

I stared, shocked. I was thrilled. "Wow, I don't know what to say," I rubbed my face in my hands. I smiled. I was second hand happy. My friend was happy.

"That's unlike you," Tyler smirked. "No sarcastic comments?"

"I'm just really proud of you." I admitted. "I'm honored you want me to stand up there with you." I flashed my teeth.

"First and only person I thought of. So, what do you say?"

I raised my beer "It's going to be one hell of a wedding," I cheered him and chugged the rest of my beer.

For a while, we talked about nonsense. How he was thinking of proposing to his girlfriend, the various wedding plans he has for the two of them already lined up. We talked about his sisters and Zoey mostly, how she's going through changes. We both agreed that she will be a troublemaker when she's older and boys come into the picture. Their dad will have their hands full Tyler says, if his dad was actually present. I think Ty will have his hands more full with her than anything.

My brain was distracted.

"The sober life has you tamed," Tyler commented while eyeing me.

I looked down at my half drank glass of beer. "What?"

"I meant the pills and the blow and the... Whatever the hell else you took."

I narrowed my eyes. "You forgot the heroin syringes," I muttered a dark joke.

"Oh fuck, and how could I forget the tabs of acid?" Tyler smirked. "That was an interesting trip to watch you go on."

I laughed. "That doesn't beat when I thought the couch was trying to swallow me while on mushrooms."

Tyler sprayed his beer across the table which I quickly deflected by moving away. "Aha, what? You never told me that."

"Sometimes drugs were fun," I mumbled with a light smirk.

Tyler's faced morphed back into serious. "But you're done with them, right?" He asked, sternly speaking. "I know how you get when you dip into something... You craze for it."

I raised an eyebrow off my amused face. "I can find more interesting quests to amuse myself."

"Good," He eyed me.

I haven't slipped yet and I didn't plan on it. I'd like to say that I'm in a good place with my addictions but Tony put a stress in that. Fucking loser, he is.

I missed having Tyler as my number one sidekick - how we used to be before I went away. He reassures me that nothing has changed but I can see the way he looks at me now, and things are considerably different. He worries more, he fears me. Not intimidation, but fears where I'll end up - Maybe in a ditch somewhere, who knows.

I don't think he fully forgave me for what I did to Lacey.

I wondered what Aria was up to. She'd be surprised to see me being more live than I have been around her. Maybe I'd like to talk about her with my best friend without being questioned about my motives because I don't even know my motives myself.

Maybe I just want to spend time with her. For Lacey's sake, of course. Or maybe I'd like to fuck her and get it out of my system.

I attempted to shake my thoughts of her away, but I wasn't not successful when her name slipped out of my best friends mouth.

"I saw Aria's car at your work today," He said suspicious.

"Broke down, that's why I stayed later than usual." I shrugged it off and sip on my fourth beer.

"When did that happen?" He narrowed his eyes.

"Saturday."

"Saturday," He repeated. "I thought you said you stayed home all weekend?"

"She called me to tow it for her," I muttered. "...And we spent the day together." I added dismissively.

"You did?"

"Yeah, it was no big deal."

"I didn't even know you two had each other's numbers..." He mumbled.

Thoughts of that day flash through my mind and I couldn't help but crack a small smile from my cold expression. The thought of her laugh, her body, her intelligence... Her high state. Hm.

Tyler caught my content expression. "Are you friendly?"

I knew he didn't mean friendly in the way he worded it. He's only asking in a polite and subtle way if I've fucked her or not. I guess I had a history, not that I can remember half of them.

This means Lacey didn't tell him that Aria was assaulted by her ex boyfriend a couple years ago. "Nah, not like that," I said. "I didn't even mean to hang out with her it was kind of unexpected." Unexpected indeed.

Tyler smiled.

"Do you plan on continuing to hang out?" He asked, the way he said it was almost questionable.

I thought about that for a moment and the fact that I told her that we'd be friends after this. I haven't spoken to her since, but soon I will have no choice considering I had her car held captive and she will most likely appear at my house at some point.

"It's possible," I contemplated.

"Okay," He said, his eyes burning into my face. I smiled at the thought of her but quickly turn it into a smirk. "Just don't do anything to, y'know, strain Lacey's friendship." He warned.

"Don't worry Ty, it has never crossed my mind." I said a confident mouthful of lies.

His smile widened. I'm unsure of the reasoning behind it.

"I'd like you and her both to be there when I ask Lacey to marry me." He stated in a warning, to be kind but a hint of playful. Mostly to not fuck up his special night.

"Let her know then," I said.

"You won't tell her?"

I laughed. "Not likely."

Tyler was suspicious over my weekend events. He had a look in his eye like he knew something that I didn't and it was beginning to piss me off. Luckily, he decided to drop my unwanted conversation of the caramel haired girl and switched back into something more worthy of subjects.

Even when I parted ways with Tyler, this overwhelming feeling grew on me. I waved goodbye to him while he made it out to his fancy car and I, back to my truck. Instead of going home like I probably should have, I decided to take an alternate route to a familiar place that I wish I didn't know very well.

I pulled up to Sam's nice house and run down shed, mentally sighing. Why must I get myself into these things? Why must I be such an idiot all the goddamn time?

I got out of my truck and flicked my cigarette butt on the side of the house before making my way up to the shed around the back.

The sound of muffled voices peaked my interest as I opened the door - instantly regretting my choices.

Here lied a bloodied faced Sam who was coughing through his muffled pain, while an unharmed Tony gave me a petrified face.

They weren't not alone. Three familiar faces glowered in my direction. My body stiffened while the leader of the three walked up to me.

"Eli, Eli. It's been a while, hasn't it?"

Fuck.

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