Graduation was in a few weeks which was something I never expected to happen, but I still managed to combine work, an intense relationship and meeting with crazy friends with my college life. I had to admit that the last few months I didn’t do it on my own, I had the privilege of asking my successful billionaire boyfriend for help. Nick loved to help, it helped us grow closer together. Since I shared my news with our close friends, Evan had been bugging me about a celebration lunch. I loved spending time with Evan so I agreed. When I told Nick about my lunch date with Evan he pushed me to accept it, like he really wanted me to spend time with Evan. I figured it was because he rather has me away from Brandon. I didn’t share with Nick about what happened at the club, but I felt like Nick knew. Like he somehow found out about Brandon and his waitress. Obviously, Nick installed multiple cameras at the club to guarantee everyone’s safety so maybe that’s how he found out about his club manager banging a waitress. I was getting paranoid about what Nick knew and what he didn’t, I couldn’t help it. Brandon didn’t always make the right decision, but he was like family to me. If I could I would protect him. Sitting across Evan I was going over the menu, trying to decide what to eat. I wasn’t that hungry so I was scanning the soup list. Making my decision I told the waiter my order, going for the creamy mushroom soup and earl grey tea. I knew it wasn’t a great combination, some people would find that really odd. But I loved my soups and teas. To me, there was no odd combination. My lunch date, however, did raise an eyebrow at me when I placed my order. He wisely decided to keep his words to himself.
“So are you going to tell me what has been bothering you?”
I placed my menu back on the table and leaned back against my seat, trying to get as comfortable as possible, “You know I witnessed Brandon and his waitress having some fun during work hours, I shouldn’t have witnessed it, but it still happened. Now I’m being paranoid about Nick, wondering if he knows.” I narrowed my eyes on the curious looking Evan, “Did you share it with Nick?”
“Why would I be sharing that with Nick? I actually don’t care who Brandon bangs. Well, that’s a lie. It’s good news that Brandon found a girl to spend time with because then he won’t be thinking about banging you instead.”
I was conflicted. Evan obviously didn’t share anything with Nick, but his words that followed made me want to kick him under the table. I didn’t though, Evan obviously said those words because he meant them. He cared about Nick and he didn’t want anything to come between Nick and I. Brandon wasn’t his friend so he didn’t give a fuck about Brandon’s feelings.
We both remained silent when the waiter placed our food in front of us, thanking him. I placed my teabag in my cup and let it sit for a bit. Evan took a sip of his water and glanced back at me.
“So what do you think,” I asked after a while, breaking the silence first.
Evan looked up meeting my gaze, “About what?”
“Do you think Nick found out on his own?”
Evan leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest, “Nick always knows everything. He has a whole team working for him to inform him about everything and everyone. So yeah, I’m pretty sure Nick knows without you telling him about your friend being indiscreet with one of his co-workers.”
Taking the teabag out of my cup so the tea wouldn’t taste bitter I placed it on the saucer and reached for my cup, holding it in both hands to let the warmth comfort me.
“So why hasn’t he talked to Brandon about it? I’m sure Nick disapproves.”
“If Nick hasn’t taken any actions it’s either because he hasn’t had the time to deal with it or he’s letting it go because he knows what Brandon means to you.”
Or he felt the same way as Evan about this situation. I was leaning towards the latter. Sighing, I glanced down at my cup. I didn’t like making Nick feel that way, but I wasn’t going to stay away from Brandon either. I was convinced we could make this work, we just needed to move past it all.
“I’ll admit that Brandon hasn’t been the greatest friend these past few weeks, but you know, he is still my Brandon.” I looked up to meet Evan’s gaze, “You get that right?”
It didn’t surprise me at all when Evan nodded. It was the same for him and Nick. My boyfriend had not always been the greatest at expressing himself so I could understand that it must have been hard for Evan to maintain their friendship, but somehow they managed to survive. So I knew Brandon and I could get past our struggle as well.
“Since we’re on the Brandon subject-” Evan eyed me suspiciously as if he was worried if he can speak his mind freely, “I’ve seen him a few times at a club I regularly visit.” My confused expression must have made him realize I didn’t understand why he was telling me this because he continued, “With that waitress. Her name is Sasha and they seem really happy together.”
“So you know her?”
“Not personally.” He shook his head, “I went to say hi to Brandon and he introduced me to his girlfriend.”
My cup almost slipped through my fingers. I hadn’t realized Brandon was dating that woman. He never dated anyone before, so this was kind of a shock to me.
“They’re dating.”
Evan’s lips curled up into a small smile, “For about three weeks or so.”
“So while I was worried about our friendship and his job… He was having the time of his life.” I gulped down the last remains of my hot beverage, “Okay, good to know.” I narrowed my eyes at Evan, “Oh and thanks for telling me this after I spilled everything to you.”
“I didn’t want to piss you off, Em.” Evan sighed, “I shouldn’t have told you-”
“No, I’m glad you told me.” I placed my hand on top of his, “We’re friends, Evan, we should be honest with each other right?”
He slightly nodded, but I could tell that he was pretty confused. We decided that the subject ‘Brandon’ was closed for now. We were, after all, celebrating the fact that I was graduating soon. Both Evan and Nick made a huge deal about it. It now had me very excited as well.
“Did Nick offer you a job-”
I frowned, “I already have a job, why would he want to-”
“You’re graduating!” Evan rolled his eyes at me, “You can’t be a bartender forever. At some point, you need a change in career.” His eyes glittered mischievously, “If he hasn’t then hereby I want to let you know that I have a position available in the marketing department. You’d start as a marketing-assistant, but trust me you’ll be working up the ladder in no time.”
I couldn’t help but smile, “You have it all figured out, haven’t you?” I asked amused, “I’ll consider it.”
“So Nick hasn’t offered you a position at his company yet?”
“He wanted to give me Brandon’s job, remember?” I swirled my finger over the top of my cup, “I think he is afraid I might freak out if he offers me a job right away.”
Evan grinned at me like the Cheshire cat, “Then he’ll get pissed when he hears I offered you a job first.”
“I don’t know… Nick has been cheerful, kind and just pretty damn amazing these past few weeks. He is not the same guy anymore.”
“Yes, he definitely changed.” Evan agreed with me, “But trust me, he’ll get pissed. He can still be quite territorial when it comes to you. You’re his Emily.”