Starting Over.

Chapter 20 - Girls night.

“Hi Ryan!” Angela stood there holding a large pillow in pajamas.

“Hey Angela! You’re the first one here. I’m making cookies.” I said walking back to the kitchen. She followed me closely.

“I brought popcorn! I came a little early to pop it.” Angela said walking over to the living room and coming back without the pillow. She had a few bags of popcorn. She put a bag in and turn to the counter watching me scoop. My phone started to buzz and she looked at it.

“I’ll silence it in a moment.” I said and Angela looked at me.

“It’s David.” She said as the phone stopped.

“I know.” I said and gave her a quick smile.

“So it’s true you guys had some kind of argument?” Angela asked.

“No, no argument.” I said as the phone buzzed again. We both looked at it and I sighed grabbing it. I clicked it on.

“Ryan! Finally!” David’s voice was worried.

“David I asked you not to call. I have people coming over and Angela is already here.” I said adverting my gaze from Angela.

“Listen, I need to explain myself somehow.” He said and I slightly laughed.

“There’s nothing to explain.” I said as a knock came at the door. “I have to go.” I said.

“Ryan wait!” I heard before hanging up. I looked at Angela taking my cookies out.

“Oh sorry!” I walked over and she swished her hand.

“Go grab the door, I got this.” She said with a smile. I walked out and to the door. I opened it and the rest of the girls stood there.

“Ryan!” Carol yelled out walking in while holding a bag of nail polishes.

“Hey Ryan! I got chips!” Tilly said holding up the chips as she walked in.

“And I brought hard seltzer and wine.” Sam said flatly and I mouthed the words “thank god”. I walked into the living room noticing everyone was in some kind of pajama.

“I’m going to change real quick. Do you guys want to pick a movie?” I asked and Tilly jumped up and grabbed the remote.

“Yes! I’ll pick something!” Tilly squealed. I walked into the kitchen.

“Angela why don’t you join everyone?” I asked watching her empty the popcorn into a large bowl.

“Almost done! Also your phone is ringing like crazy.” Angela added before leaving. I grabbed it and shut it off. I went upstairs quickly and changed into my pajamas. I ran back to the kitchen and got out my other tray of cookies. I started putting them on a platter as I heard the cackling of woman in the next room. I grabbed the platter and walked in.

“There you are!” Carol said as I placed the tray among the snacks.

“Yep! Here I am.” I said as I sat on the couch.

“So Angela said your phone was going crazy. Sam said you dumped some flowers in the garbage. Did yesterday’s not go well?” Tilly asked and everyone looked at me.

“No it went really well.” I said.

“Ok then are you ignoring him for the fun of it?” Sam asked.

“No. The ending was bad.” I said to Sam and then held out my hand towards the wine.

“I’m going to grab glasses!” Carol said hoping up and walking into the kitchen.

“Elaborate!” Sam said in a demanding tone.

“Wait for Carol!” Tilly said and Angela pulled her phone out.

“I’m going to order a pizza. I didn’t realize all we had were snacks.” Angela said and then everyone started yelling what they wanted.

“I got them and a cork screw!” Carol said handing it to Sam. She set up the glasses and Sam quickly popped the top.

“Ok, three pizzas will be here in a hour tops.” Angela said.

“Here Ryan.” Sam held out a glass filled almost to the top.

“Wow! Thanks Sam.” I said almost laughing. I took a few gulps and when I came back I saw everyone watching me.

“Spill! Why was the ending bad?” Angela asked.

“Oh gosh. We got here and we were kissing.” I said as everyone started to ooo and giggle. I smiled but then continued. “Well we were kissing and he moved to my neck. Then it got weird.” I said and everyone got really quiet.

“Weird how?” Tilly’s voice was not as bubbly as it normally was.

“Well he paused and then he had this look of concern. He abruptly left. It was…” I shook my head. “Almost insulting to be left like that.” I said and they all exchanged looks.

“I’m sure he had his reasons.” Angela said.

“Yeah.” Tilly said nodding.

“He’s kinda a reserved guy.” Sam said.

“Oh totally.” Carol said and looked at me. “Im sure he has a totally reasonable reason.”

“Wow, if my best friend Tonya were here. She would call him a bunch of names.” I slightly laughed chugging my wine to the bottom. I came back and everyone was staring at me.

“Let me fill your glass!” Sam said getting up and walking over. She poured it to the top again.

“Thank you.” I said taking a drink.

“Let’s start the movie.” Tilly said with excitement.

“Are you going to talk to him?” Carol asked.

“I will eventually. I just need some time to cool off.” I said and they all smiled at each other. I took a few more drinks off my wine as the movie started.

“Ryan have a cookie or something.” Angela suggested.

“No I’m ok.” I said and Carol started going on and on about her nail polishing skills. She painted Tilly’s nails as some kind of romantic comedy played. Sam was really into it, shushing us to hear better. I started to feel the wine as my vision spun a little. Angela again offered me a cookie.

“You’re looking a little tipsy and you need something to soak up the alcohol.” Angela said and I took the cookie holding it in my hand. There was a knock at the door.

“Pizza!” Sam said jumping up and running to the door. She came back in and leaned close to me. “The door is for you.” She whispered and everyone rushed to the window. I got up and walked to the door. David stood there sheepishly. I walked out and closed the door.

“I told you I had company.” I said and he nodded.

“I’m sorry. I know you’re doing a thing, but I had to come apologize for yesterday.” David said and I sighed.

“Ok.” I said and I stared at him.

“I’m sorry Ryan. I know I ending last night abruptly. Things have been going well and I had a moment of panic that we were going too fast. The truth is I like you… No, I really like you Ryan.” He threw up both his hands and I stepped forward and hugged him.

“I’m sorry I got so mad. I needed space to cool off and the girls made me realize that there had to be a good reason.” I said as we parted and noticed him looking at my window. I looked over and the girls all waved.

“I would kiss you, if there wasn’t a audience.” David said looking back at me and smiling.

“I don’t care who’s watching.” I said.

“Good!” He said quickly before leaning in. He gave me a quick kiss. “You have been drinking.” He laughed.

“Oh, sorry.” I said and he laughed.

“I’ll come pick you up tomorrow.” He said and I looked at him confused. “For your car pick up?” He asked and I nodded.

“Right. Tomorrow.” I smiled.