Rebound Love

Re-group

Oakley

I called Aspen when I reached the restaurant's parking lot. My eyes were red and I was not in the mood for people watching me all teary and dramatic in public. I needed privacy and my girls. Preferably with alcohol, but baby Vee would feel good in my arms too.

Hmm... maybe I should go all Aspen and adopt a baby. Well, I could adopt a fur baby, that sounded more doable for me. I had a Newfoundland growing up and the dog was my best friend until he died of old age. The big bear was as cuddly as his temperament and I loved him and cried for him for weeks after his passing. I hadn't thought of getting another dog since then.

"Hey, so...I just found out Emory cheated on me." I tried to sound okay-ish, but my voice was shaky towards the end. I heard Aspen curse from the other line and that made me smile. "No...I'm at the restaurant's lot. I thought I was going to come in, but...I really don't want to get dramatic in public." I heard Aspen chuckle and told me that they were waiting for the bill and should be out in a couple of minutes. "Yeah? Okay, I'll wait."

I wiped my face and got out of the car when Brynn knocked on my side of the window. She told me to give my keys to her, explaining that her driver would get my car to Aspen's later. Kennedy was quick to wrap me in her hug, and then I was passed to Brynn before Aspen gave me baby Vee to hold and they all embraced me in one big group hug.

It was exactly what I needed, I thought as I basked in their affection and forgot about the emotions I had to deal with earlier.

"We're all getting back to mine. Baby Vee will be with her nanny then you will tell us everything."

Aspen explained while Kennedy keeps close to my side and wouldn't let go of my hand. We sat side by side in Brynn's Bentley Limousine, the car that Brynn got from her producer for her latest award-generating movie.

"Well, I guess that means you're going to the reunion anyway." Kennedy chimed in. She sighed and scooted closer to me. I could see her heart broke for me as I told my girls about what happened.

Out of the four of us, Kennedy was the most emotional, I came in second then there was Aspen, and lastly Brynn. The actress had always been a pro at faking emotions and she was making real money from it. But her emotional walls were up for miles and none but the three of us had managed to get close to her. Her lover cares, but she always disregards their feelings, always saying that they were all in it for her fame and money.

"Reunion?...uh, I guess so. I already told Emory that I'm taking the rest of the day off and also next weekend off when I end things between us." I didn't sound so excited when I finished off my second glass of champagne. It was a celebration, Brynn stated, as she opened a bottle of Cristal Champagne and a non-alcoholic sparkling wine for Aspen. Someone needed to be sober for Vivienne and the sexy mom will take the responsibility in a heartbeat.

When we arrived at Aspen's, I was light on my feet and I was ready for the second round of alcohol shots and trashing my ex before I needed to face reality and go back home. But my step halted when I saw the most gorgeous young man standing on Aspen's porch. The man looked exactly like Archer in his teenage days. That got me to instantly sobered up.

"Mm... Aspen, who's he?"

"He is Vee's nanny and he's off-limits for you." She patted my chest as she walked to her porch and greeted the younger man. He could pass as a high schooler, though I would say that he's probably in his early twenties.

"Damn...where does Aspen get the hot manny from? I may need one in the future." Kennedy looked as eager as me as she scanned him from head to toe.

"Girl, you're not even pregnant." Brynn giggled and trailed after Aspen towards her front door.

"Well, I didn't think a male nanny could be that hot. This might be the kind of motivation I need to procreate." Kennedy always said that she wanted to wait because she was still too selfish for her husband's sole attention to have a baby. Turns out it only took a hot nanny to get her to think differently, a gay one at that. Yes. I knew because I noticed the young man was checking me out with interest in his eyes.

"Oakley! Kennedy! I'm not having the door open all day and let the cold air inside." Aspen shouted and that got both of us to get moving and hurried our asses into the house.

"Jamie, this is Uncle Oakley and Aunt Kennedy. Oak, Ken, this is Vivienne's manny, Jamie."

I moved forward to shake his hand while Kennedy was going in for a friendly hug. It threw the guy a bit but that only made me laugh. I realized it was the kind of distraction I needed.

"He was referred by a good friend. He loves kids and is looking for some extra money and a place to stay near campus. I'm paying him very well and let him stay in my guest bedroom. I'm not ready to lose him so stop staring at him. Three of you. Seriously, Brynn, you're gay." Aspen scolded as soon as Jamie disappeared behind the yellow bedroom door with baby Vee giggling in his arms.

"Oh...hun, I know, I've cheered on lots of drag kings shows to know he has the kind of jaw and cheekbones to make it. But no...this is not that, Jamie kinds of reminds me of someone. I just can't make myself remember."

"Oh...my god! I know. We just stalked his f*******:! He looked exactly like young Archer!" Kennedy finally got it and my cheeks suddenly felt warm.

"Hmm...maybe, well...enough about Jamie. We should move to the bar." I didn't want my girls to start talking about Archer again. I hated my love life. And I wanted my Archer to stay in my little Dreamland. Untouchable.

With my words, Aspen turned somber when she put her hand on my back and ushered me deeper into her lounge where Brynn was already pouring me more wine. She was sticking to a theme and I was letting her cause I just wanted to be near my best friends.

"So are you staying there?"

"Of course. I need to focus on my work. I need to learn from the best and Emory is the best in the industry. I just need to get my feelings out of the way."

"Well, I still think it's best that it happened so fast. Now at least you can focus on your work. I know one day you'll be better than him." Aspen kissed my temple and wiped the tears trailing down my cheeks. I was mourning for the romance that I lost. Most of all I was morning for the idea of me and Emory.

If a man like him couldn't get the romance right, would I ever find another man who will?

Hours later, Brynn had left to get her beauty sleep for her next morning shoot. She had taken Kennedy home on her way back while I was still talking to Aspen. It had been a while since we talked and I just remembered how bold her words can be.

Aspen left me in the lounge to take a shower. I was staring at the window, hugging myself and thinking about my life goals. I was twenty-eight. I would think I'd be married to the love of my life by now. In reality, I still struggle with my career. I felt like a failure and the emotions made me teary all over again. And with Aspen gone, I was all alone when I finally let go and sobbed. I was hugging myself as I let all my feelings out.

"Oakley? Are you okay?"

"s**t!" I cursed and quickly reached for a tissue to wipe my tears away.

"Sorry...if I startled you, but do...you need anything?" Jamie stepped into the room looking all worried for me.

"N-no...I'm just waiting for Aspen, she offered me to sleep here. But I think I'm going to..." My words were cut off by the baby monitor in Jamie's hand.

"It's Vee, I need to go to her."

I should let the guy do his job. But little Vee's cry pulls me in and I suddenly misses the little bundle of cuteness.

"Hey, princess...what's the matter? Are you hungry?" Vee cried again telling him exactly that. I chuckled in the background and that made her look at me. And in seconds she was struggling in Jamie's arms, holding out her grabby hands for me.

"Give me Vivienne you can go fix her milk. We'll follow you to the kitchen." My voice was still throaty from my last cry, but I was already smiling wide with baby Vee in my arms.

"Hmm...maybe I can steal you while your mom is in the shower." I chuckled as I poured her with sweet kisses making her giggle in my arms.

"I know you're my best friend, Oak, but so not cool." Aspen laughed from the kitchen entrance and then sat on one of the breakfast stools letting me hold her baby, knowing I needed her cuteness to cheer me up.

"I'm thinking of having a baby for me too." I blurted out then we heard a spoon clanking on the kitchen sink.

"Sorry," they both heard Jamie and knew that he was eavesdropping on our conversation.

"Yeah, I'm thinking of getting a fur baby. I don't think Vivienne would appreciate me as much if I adopted a kid or baby. I still think she's too selfish for my attention."

"A dog or a cat? You know... Jamie told me he volunteered at an animal shelter every week. Are you still doing that, Jamie? You always said is better to adopt than to buy."

"I still do. I'm going to the shelter tomorrow."

"It's settled then, you stay here tonight and tomorrow we will all go and see what fur baby Vee approved her uncle Oakley to take home."

I wanted to tell her no, but she insisted on telling me that she didn't want me to be alone tonight. I didn't have that bad of a breakup, and Aspen knows this. But she also knew that I was having a quarter-life crisis. Just like she did when she decided to have baby Vee.

Back then I had stood by her and talked to her all night before she reached for her final decision. Now, it was time for her turn to be there for me.