Status: re-post :)
Beside You
Chapter 7
Dan’s POV
The next day after practice I all but sped home. I wanted to get home before Gretch. I wanted to surprise her with a special dinner. I figured that since she no longer had Claude’s number, she wouldn’t have anything to do after work. This way, I could make her a romantic meal and finally tell her what I’ve been meaning to tell her for a long time.
Arriving at the apartment, I couldn’t help but hum to myself. I was finding myself almost skipping as I stepped around the kitchen. When I walked into the apartment, I had 1 hour and 45 minutes before Gretchen would be home. I didn’t want to waste a minute, so I got right to work. Gretchen’s favourite meal is chicken parm with a side of steamed mixed vegetables and a salad to start. I decided to make the salad last, since it the easiest to prepare. While I was getting everything set up to start cooking, a lightbulb hit me. I forgot to get Gretch flowers. She loves Bird of Paradise. I was hoping the meal wouldn’t take too long to prepare, so I could quickly jet out of the apartment to pick up a bouquet.
The chicken took less time that I thought to cook. So after I prepared it, I set it in the oven just to stay warm and decided to wait for the veggies and salad. I left the apartment to go pick up the flowers.
Getting to the florist, I was in full-on panic mode. I was praying to myself that they had the flowers I wanted, since it wasn’t really the season for them. I didn’t see in the store, so I walked up the florist and asked if she had any in the back cooler.
“Well, I’m not sure. It’s not the season for them, really. I do, however, understand that some people love them. I suspect they’re for someone special?”
I smiled and nodded. “Yes, they are. I don’t mean to rush you, but I was in the middle of cooking dinner when I left and the person will be home shortly.”
She feverishly shook her head and put her hand up in front of her. “Don’t say any more, I’ll be right back.”
I nodded and waited for the lady to come back. Her words came back to me. Saying they were for someone special was an understatement. Gretchen wasn’t just someone special, she was perfect. She was my best friend, the one person I could always count on. Even though we’ve had a rough patch the last couple of years with little to no contact, we still knew each other like the back of our hands.
The florist came out, and luckily for me, she had two Bird of Paradise in her hands. My face broke out with a huge grin.
“Oh, thank goodness you found some. These are her favourite.”
The florist smiled.
“Well, I’ll add in some carnations and tulips, it’ll look beautiful.”
I smiled and nodded. She indeed, did make a beautiful bouquet. I was very impressed and hoped that Gretch will love it. I paid for it and was on my way out of the store. As I opened the door, the florist yelled out to me.
“I hope your wife enjoys the flowers!”
I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Gretchen one day becoming my wife.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I had everything set up. Dinner was ready and the flowers were on the dinner table. All that had to happen now was Gretchen to come home. I could feel myself get nervous. My hands began to sweat and I could feel my heart beating a mile a minute. Finally, I heard the door open and I leapt off the couch. Gretchen looked like she was in rush for something. I began to panic, hoping that she didn’t have plans that I didn’t know about. I wanted this night to be just the two of us, at home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gretchen’s POV
I rushed to the apartment from work. Claude and I had been texting off and on all day. We had planned for Claude to pick me up at 6:30. I left work at 5:55 and sped the whole drive home. I needed to get ready. A huge part of me was worried about what Dan would think about me going on a date with his former teammate, but I didn’t want to dwell on it. I liked Claude. His texts had me laughing and smiling all day. I was so anxious to get ready for this date.
Walking through the apartment, I couldn’t get to my room fast enough. I thought I saw Dan vaguely in the living room, but I paid little attention to it. I needed to get ready. It didn’t take me long to find an outfit, as I had pictured what I was going to wear in my mind as soon as he asked me out. Looking at the clock as I slipped on my shoes, it was 6:17. Thirteen minutes. I quickly put a little bit of make-up on and ran my hands through my hair. After spraying on a little body spray, I felt that I was good to go. 6:23. I rushed out of my room.
Walking swiftly down the hallway, I bumped right into Dan. He looked at my outfit and I couldn’t understand his facial expression. Thank god he spoke to clear the air.
“You going somewhere?”
I smiled and nodded. “I’m just about to go downstairs to wait for Claude. We’re going out to dinner.”
Dan’s face fell slightly. “Oh, okay. Well, have fun. I’ll be here when you get home.”
I raised an eyebrow at him. He was trying to hide it, but this was bothering him.
“Something the matter, Danny?”
He just shook his head and walked into the kitchen. I followed him and was met with the smell of chicken parm. My heart sunk a little bit. He made me dinner. I’m going on a date with his former teammate, while he sits at home alone after making me dinner. I couldn’t help but feel a little guilty. Danny looked over at me with shrug and a small thin-lipped smile.
“No, it’s nothing. I was just hoping that since we could have a nice dinner just the two of us. You know, like old times. I didn’t think of asking you earlier today if you had plans, it’s all good.” He came up to me and wrapped me in a hug. He placed a soft kiss on my forehead. I lightly closed my eyes as he did so. “Just remember, if you feel like you’re in any trouble at all, you call me, okay?”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, dad. You’ll be the first one I call if I’m on the verge of getting raped, don’t worry.”
He smirked at me as I put my jacket on, grabbed my purse and walked out the door.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dan’s POV
I watched her walk out of the apartment and felt like a part of me went with her. I went into the kitchen and threw all of the food I prepared in the trash. It wasn’t worth it for me to eat, if I didn’t have Gretch to share it with. This was her favourite meal and me eating it would just cause the sadness inside me to deepen. I wanted to be happy for her. She was getting out and mingling, but at the same time, I wanted her to myself. Of course, without telling her how I felt, she’d never know it. She still sees me as “Danny, her best friend” and I was trying to get out of the “friend zone.”
I couldn’t bring myself to throw out her flowers. I wanted her to have those. Even though they were supposed to mean something special, I still figured it would be a nice gesture to have her come home to flowers. I wasn’t sure where to put them, so I just left them on the counter. They still had the water tubes on the end of each flower, so they would last until she came home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gretchen’s POV
I didn’t wait long for Claude after I reached the lobby. I was happy that I wasn’t making him late after spending a few moments to talk to Danny, which meant I didn’t leave the apartment until about 6:32.
When Claude pulled up, he walked into the lobby and led me out to his car. He opened my car door like a gentleman, which I thanked him for. Getting in the car, I turned to Claude.
“So where to, kind sir?”
He chuckled, shot a smile at me which caused butterflies to erupt in my stomach. “You’ll see, but I’m sure you’ll love it.”
I smirked. “Hmm, you think you know what I like already?”
He scoffed. “What little faith you have in the text messages we shared throughout the last 36 hours.”
I giggled and could feel a little tint come into my cheeks. “Okay, okay. I’ll just sit here and have a tinge of hint in those messages, and you.”
Claude smiled and nodded as he continued driving throughout the streets of Chicago.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After a 20 minute car ride, we arrived at a fancy Italian restaurant that was on the outskirts of Chicago. I had never been to this place before, but it looked beautiful. I was anxious to get inside and eat some delicious dinner. Claude came around to the passenger’s side of the car, playfully scolding me for not waiting for him to open my door. I giggled and felt the same butterflies that I felt in the car.
Walking into the restaurant, Claude gave the greeter his name and we were led to a private booth at the back of the restaurant. I was in awe of the place and was shocked that I hadn’t noticed it. I had been looking for a new Italian restaurant to take Dan to on his birthday. This seemed like the perfect place.
Claude pulled out my chair before I sat down. I had to admit, Claude was quite the gentleman.
Dan’s POV
Sitting on the couch mindlessly watching tv was getting me nowhere. I picked up my cell phone every 5 minutes, just in case Gretch texted me. I knew that the ringer wasn’t off, I was just being paranoid. A part of me wanted her to text me, just so the torture would be over with. I couldn’t believe how much it hurt to see her walk out of the apartment, knowing she was going on a date.
I felt like I was going to snap. I wanted Gretchen home, but I knew if I spoiled her date she’d hate me. I didn’t know what I was going to do, but I had to do something.
Gretchen’s POV
I was half-way through my meal when Claude started sparking up an uneasy topic of conversation.
“So, how did Dan handle it when he found out you were going out with me?”
I didn’t know how to answer that. That was due to the fact that I didn’t get a straight answer out of Dan before I left.
“I think he took it okay. I mean, I didn’t get much of a reaction out of him. I was kinda rushing when I got home from work.”
Claude put his hand on mine from across the table.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you rush. I said 6:30 because you said you were done work at 5.”
I shook my head. “No, it’s fine. I got held up a bit at work. I didn’t think it would take me as long as it did. If I thought it would’ve made me insanely late, I would’ve texted you.”
He smiled and nodded his head. We continued to eat our meals and carried on a conversation that, fortunately for me, didn’t involve Dan. I was trying to ignore the fact that I was worried about his feelings toward this date.
Dan’s POV
After sitting around my apartment for another 35 minutes, I decided getting out would be better for me. I didn’t know where I was going to go, I just knew that I had to get out. Everywhere I looked around the apartment, I saw Gretch. I would find myself getting angry, sad, upset, every negative emotion possible just thinking about her. I wasn’t mad at her, though. I couldn’t be, she didn’t do anything. I was mad at myself. I had so many chances to make the first move, and finally when I think I get my chance to do so, she’s on her way out to a date. I don’t blame Claude for wanting to take her out. Gretch was a beautiful woman. I saw the beauty in every part of her. More than what Claude saw, of course, but that came from knowing her for so many years. I’ve seen Gretch through the ups and downs of her teenage years. The only thing I wanted in life for her was happiness. As of late, however, was that happiness to be with me. The sheer thought of her with any other man made my blood boil and my heart ache all at the same time.
When I stopped my car, I found myself at a bar on the outskirts of Chicago. I wasn’t planning on driving out this far, especially knowing in the back of my mind that I’d be drinking. However, I got out of my car anyway and walked into the bar.
There weren’t many people in there, which I was thankful for. I walked right up to the bar and ordered a bottle of beer. Once the bottle was in front of me, I immediately mentally kicked myself for driving here. Nevertheless, I brought the bottle up to my lips.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
after the date..Gretch’s POV
The remainder of the date with Claude was amazing. After dinner, he took me to a small ice cream shop. Even though it was a little chilly outside, I was a sucker for ice cream.
Once we finished our ice cream, Claude drove me home. Just like he had been doing all night, he came around and opened my door. He walked me into the lobby.
“I had a great time tonight.”
I smiled at him. “I did too. We’ll have to talk about doing this again the next time you’re in Chicago.”
Claude nodded. I pulled him in for a hug and kissed him on the cheek.
“Goodnight, Claude.”
“Goodnight, Gretchen.”
I stepped onto the elevator with a content smile on my face. I closed my eyes and replayed the date in my head. I couldn’t have pictured it to go any better. All I wanted to do now was curl up in my bed and dream about the next time the Flyers came into town.
Walking into my apartment, a part of me was worried about seeing Dan. I still wasn’t sure about his feeling about my date with Claude. Looking into the living room, I didn’t see him anywhere. I ventured into the kitchen. I noticed that he had tossed all of the dinner that he made. I felt a piece of my heart ache. Lifting my gaze to the counter, I saw a bouquet of flowers. I saw the Birds of Paradise and knew they were for me. I picked up the flowers and put them to my nose. After smiling into the scent for a few seconds, I remembered what I was doing. I was looking for Dan. I walked out of the hallway and was onto my next destination : Dan’s bedroom. I knew he wouldn’t care if I walked in. I didn’t make it quite to his door when my phone rang. I walked over to my purse that I left by the main door. Smiling, I picked it up without looking at the ID, hoping it was Claude.
“Hello?”
After the voice on the other end spoke, the smile on my face disappeared almost instantly……
The next day after practice I all but sped home. I wanted to get home before Gretch. I wanted to surprise her with a special dinner. I figured that since she no longer had Claude’s number, she wouldn’t have anything to do after work. This way, I could make her a romantic meal and finally tell her what I’ve been meaning to tell her for a long time.
Arriving at the apartment, I couldn’t help but hum to myself. I was finding myself almost skipping as I stepped around the kitchen. When I walked into the apartment, I had 1 hour and 45 minutes before Gretchen would be home. I didn’t want to waste a minute, so I got right to work. Gretchen’s favourite meal is chicken parm with a side of steamed mixed vegetables and a salad to start. I decided to make the salad last, since it the easiest to prepare. While I was getting everything set up to start cooking, a lightbulb hit me. I forgot to get Gretch flowers. She loves Bird of Paradise. I was hoping the meal wouldn’t take too long to prepare, so I could quickly jet out of the apartment to pick up a bouquet.
The chicken took less time that I thought to cook. So after I prepared it, I set it in the oven just to stay warm and decided to wait for the veggies and salad. I left the apartment to go pick up the flowers.
Getting to the florist, I was in full-on panic mode. I was praying to myself that they had the flowers I wanted, since it wasn’t really the season for them. I didn’t see in the store, so I walked up the florist and asked if she had any in the back cooler.
“Well, I’m not sure. It’s not the season for them, really. I do, however, understand that some people love them. I suspect they’re for someone special?”
I smiled and nodded. “Yes, they are. I don’t mean to rush you, but I was in the middle of cooking dinner when I left and the person will be home shortly.”
She feverishly shook her head and put her hand up in front of her. “Don’t say any more, I’ll be right back.”
I nodded and waited for the lady to come back. Her words came back to me. Saying they were for someone special was an understatement. Gretchen wasn’t just someone special, she was perfect. She was my best friend, the one person I could always count on. Even though we’ve had a rough patch the last couple of years with little to no contact, we still knew each other like the back of our hands.
The florist came out, and luckily for me, she had two Bird of Paradise in her hands. My face broke out with a huge grin.
“Oh, thank goodness you found some. These are her favourite.”
The florist smiled.
“Well, I’ll add in some carnations and tulips, it’ll look beautiful.”
I smiled and nodded. She indeed, did make a beautiful bouquet. I was very impressed and hoped that Gretch will love it. I paid for it and was on my way out of the store. As I opened the door, the florist yelled out to me.
“I hope your wife enjoys the flowers!”
I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Gretchen one day becoming my wife.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I had everything set up. Dinner was ready and the flowers were on the dinner table. All that had to happen now was Gretchen to come home. I could feel myself get nervous. My hands began to sweat and I could feel my heart beating a mile a minute. Finally, I heard the door open and I leapt off the couch. Gretchen looked like she was in rush for something. I began to panic, hoping that she didn’t have plans that I didn’t know about. I wanted this night to be just the two of us, at home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gretchen’s POV
I rushed to the apartment from work. Claude and I had been texting off and on all day. We had planned for Claude to pick me up at 6:30. I left work at 5:55 and sped the whole drive home. I needed to get ready. A huge part of me was worried about what Dan would think about me going on a date with his former teammate, but I didn’t want to dwell on it. I liked Claude. His texts had me laughing and smiling all day. I was so anxious to get ready for this date.
Walking through the apartment, I couldn’t get to my room fast enough. I thought I saw Dan vaguely in the living room, but I paid little attention to it. I needed to get ready. It didn’t take me long to find an outfit, as I had pictured what I was going to wear in my mind as soon as he asked me out. Looking at the clock as I slipped on my shoes, it was 6:17. Thirteen minutes. I quickly put a little bit of make-up on and ran my hands through my hair. After spraying on a little body spray, I felt that I was good to go. 6:23. I rushed out of my room.
Walking swiftly down the hallway, I bumped right into Dan. He looked at my outfit and I couldn’t understand his facial expression. Thank god he spoke to clear the air.
“You going somewhere?”
I smiled and nodded. “I’m just about to go downstairs to wait for Claude. We’re going out to dinner.”
Dan’s face fell slightly. “Oh, okay. Well, have fun. I’ll be here when you get home.”
I raised an eyebrow at him. He was trying to hide it, but this was bothering him.
“Something the matter, Danny?”
He just shook his head and walked into the kitchen. I followed him and was met with the smell of chicken parm. My heart sunk a little bit. He made me dinner. I’m going on a date with his former teammate, while he sits at home alone after making me dinner. I couldn’t help but feel a little guilty. Danny looked over at me with shrug and a small thin-lipped smile.
“No, it’s nothing. I was just hoping that since we could have a nice dinner just the two of us. You know, like old times. I didn’t think of asking you earlier today if you had plans, it’s all good.” He came up to me and wrapped me in a hug. He placed a soft kiss on my forehead. I lightly closed my eyes as he did so. “Just remember, if you feel like you’re in any trouble at all, you call me, okay?”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, dad. You’ll be the first one I call if I’m on the verge of getting raped, don’t worry.”
He smirked at me as I put my jacket on, grabbed my purse and walked out the door.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dan’s POV
I watched her walk out of the apartment and felt like a part of me went with her. I went into the kitchen and threw all of the food I prepared in the trash. It wasn’t worth it for me to eat, if I didn’t have Gretch to share it with. This was her favourite meal and me eating it would just cause the sadness inside me to deepen. I wanted to be happy for her. She was getting out and mingling, but at the same time, I wanted her to myself. Of course, without telling her how I felt, she’d never know it. She still sees me as “Danny, her best friend” and I was trying to get out of the “friend zone.”
I couldn’t bring myself to throw out her flowers. I wanted her to have those. Even though they were supposed to mean something special, I still figured it would be a nice gesture to have her come home to flowers. I wasn’t sure where to put them, so I just left them on the counter. They still had the water tubes on the end of each flower, so they would last until she came home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gretchen’s POV
I didn’t wait long for Claude after I reached the lobby. I was happy that I wasn’t making him late after spending a few moments to talk to Danny, which meant I didn’t leave the apartment until about 6:32.
When Claude pulled up, he walked into the lobby and led me out to his car. He opened my car door like a gentleman, which I thanked him for. Getting in the car, I turned to Claude.
“So where to, kind sir?”
He chuckled, shot a smile at me which caused butterflies to erupt in my stomach. “You’ll see, but I’m sure you’ll love it.”
I smirked. “Hmm, you think you know what I like already?”
He scoffed. “What little faith you have in the text messages we shared throughout the last 36 hours.”
I giggled and could feel a little tint come into my cheeks. “Okay, okay. I’ll just sit here and have a tinge of hint in those messages, and you.”
Claude smiled and nodded as he continued driving throughout the streets of Chicago.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After a 20 minute car ride, we arrived at a fancy Italian restaurant that was on the outskirts of Chicago. I had never been to this place before, but it looked beautiful. I was anxious to get inside and eat some delicious dinner. Claude came around to the passenger’s side of the car, playfully scolding me for not waiting for him to open my door. I giggled and felt the same butterflies that I felt in the car.
Walking into the restaurant, Claude gave the greeter his name and we were led to a private booth at the back of the restaurant. I was in awe of the place and was shocked that I hadn’t noticed it. I had been looking for a new Italian restaurant to take Dan to on his birthday. This seemed like the perfect place.
Claude pulled out my chair before I sat down. I had to admit, Claude was quite the gentleman.
Dan’s POV
Sitting on the couch mindlessly watching tv was getting me nowhere. I picked up my cell phone every 5 minutes, just in case Gretch texted me. I knew that the ringer wasn’t off, I was just being paranoid. A part of me wanted her to text me, just so the torture would be over with. I couldn’t believe how much it hurt to see her walk out of the apartment, knowing she was going on a date.
I felt like I was going to snap. I wanted Gretchen home, but I knew if I spoiled her date she’d hate me. I didn’t know what I was going to do, but I had to do something.
Gretchen’s POV
I was half-way through my meal when Claude started sparking up an uneasy topic of conversation.
“So, how did Dan handle it when he found out you were going out with me?”
I didn’t know how to answer that. That was due to the fact that I didn’t get a straight answer out of Dan before I left.
“I think he took it okay. I mean, I didn’t get much of a reaction out of him. I was kinda rushing when I got home from work.”
Claude put his hand on mine from across the table.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you rush. I said 6:30 because you said you were done work at 5.”
I shook my head. “No, it’s fine. I got held up a bit at work. I didn’t think it would take me as long as it did. If I thought it would’ve made me insanely late, I would’ve texted you.”
He smiled and nodded his head. We continued to eat our meals and carried on a conversation that, fortunately for me, didn’t involve Dan. I was trying to ignore the fact that I was worried about his feelings toward this date.
Dan’s POV
After sitting around my apartment for another 35 minutes, I decided getting out would be better for me. I didn’t know where I was going to go, I just knew that I had to get out. Everywhere I looked around the apartment, I saw Gretch. I would find myself getting angry, sad, upset, every negative emotion possible just thinking about her. I wasn’t mad at her, though. I couldn’t be, she didn’t do anything. I was mad at myself. I had so many chances to make the first move, and finally when I think I get my chance to do so, she’s on her way out to a date. I don’t blame Claude for wanting to take her out. Gretch was a beautiful woman. I saw the beauty in every part of her. More than what Claude saw, of course, but that came from knowing her for so many years. I’ve seen Gretch through the ups and downs of her teenage years. The only thing I wanted in life for her was happiness. As of late, however, was that happiness to be with me. The sheer thought of her with any other man made my blood boil and my heart ache all at the same time.
When I stopped my car, I found myself at a bar on the outskirts of Chicago. I wasn’t planning on driving out this far, especially knowing in the back of my mind that I’d be drinking. However, I got out of my car anyway and walked into the bar.
There weren’t many people in there, which I was thankful for. I walked right up to the bar and ordered a bottle of beer. Once the bottle was in front of me, I immediately mentally kicked myself for driving here. Nevertheless, I brought the bottle up to my lips.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
after the date..Gretch’s POV
The remainder of the date with Claude was amazing. After dinner, he took me to a small ice cream shop. Even though it was a little chilly outside, I was a sucker for ice cream.
Once we finished our ice cream, Claude drove me home. Just like he had been doing all night, he came around and opened my door. He walked me into the lobby.
“I had a great time tonight.”
I smiled at him. “I did too. We’ll have to talk about doing this again the next time you’re in Chicago.”
Claude nodded. I pulled him in for a hug and kissed him on the cheek.
“Goodnight, Claude.”
“Goodnight, Gretchen.”
I stepped onto the elevator with a content smile on my face. I closed my eyes and replayed the date in my head. I couldn’t have pictured it to go any better. All I wanted to do now was curl up in my bed and dream about the next time the Flyers came into town.
Walking into my apartment, a part of me was worried about seeing Dan. I still wasn’t sure about his feeling about my date with Claude. Looking into the living room, I didn’t see him anywhere. I ventured into the kitchen. I noticed that he had tossed all of the dinner that he made. I felt a piece of my heart ache. Lifting my gaze to the counter, I saw a bouquet of flowers. I saw the Birds of Paradise and knew they were for me. I picked up the flowers and put them to my nose. After smiling into the scent for a few seconds, I remembered what I was doing. I was looking for Dan. I walked out of the hallway and was onto my next destination : Dan’s bedroom. I knew he wouldn’t care if I walked in. I didn’t make it quite to his door when my phone rang. I walked over to my purse that I left by the main door. Smiling, I picked it up without looking at the ID, hoping it was Claude.
“Hello?”
After the voice on the other end spoke, the smile on my face disappeared almost instantly……
♠ ♠ ♠
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