Promises to Keep

"Alright, so what can I help with?" Justin finally asked. The pair had spent the first two hours together drinking wine, and talking about the past 24 hours for the both of them. Tyler had had plans with the guys tonight, and though he felt bad, the pair hung out separately.

"Well Katie kinda caught me off guard today" Tayla began, setting down her glass of wine. "First off, do you think it's weird that I've haven't unpacked anything yet? I mean most of my clothes are still in boxes, I've just dug out the essentials" she asked first and foremost.

"Uh- how long have you been here?" Justin asked, curiously.

"About a month, maybe a little more- honestly I'm not 100%" Tayla informed him.

"Do you think you maybe didn't unpack because you were afraid of not forgiving Tyler?" Justin asked, repeated exactly what Katie had said earlier in the day.

"I- that's what Katie said" Tayla whispered softly, her anger turning to hurt, and then confusion. Was that the truth? Was that the reason she didn't unpack? Was she just using being tired and busy as an excuse?

"Well, were you afraid?" Justin asked, and Tayla nodded.

"When I first came back here I wasn't sure what I was going to do- I just felt I needed to be here" she told him honestly. "I love my job, and didn't want to give it up- but on the chance I didn't forgive Tyler, I wasn't sure if I could stand watching him move on while I stayed on the sidelines, writing articles praising his talent" she rambled, the three glasses of wine she had in a quick period beginning to get to her. She liked to talk a lot when she was drinking, and had a bad habit of spilling her true feelings.

"So that is why then" Justin confirmed, eyeing Tayla sympathetically.

"And I'm still scared, Justin" Tayla whispered.

"What are you so scared of?" Justin asked, setting his empty glass down on the coffee table.

"I guess the usual- I don't want to get hurt" she stated the obvious.

"We're always afraid of that though, isn't it?" Justin asked, before continuing. "When we love someone, be it in a romantic way, or in another way, we put a big piece of trust in them. We let them into the deepest parts of our souls. We let them see us naked; and I don't mean without clothes. I mean, we let them see our deepest thoughts, our insecurities, our dreams, fears... everything" he paused for a moment.

"When you're in love with someone, you're entrusting your heart to them. You give your entire self to them; they become a part of you. Isn't that scary? The thought that that piece of you could be ripped away at any given moment?" he asked, and Tayla nodded, enthralled in the words Justin spoke.

"It's only natural to be scared. We all are. But we can't let fear override our lives. We have to trust that who loves you has your best interest in mind. Like Katie showed you when she pointed this out to you- and like Tyler, who despite doing something so heinous, did it out of love, and will do absolutely anything for you. That's rare, babe" Justin took a breath, but still, pressed on.

"So why not go all for it? Why not dive into this life with Tyler you so desperately want? You'll be afraid in any relationship, regardless of who it's with, but you've said it before; he's your soulmate" he finally concluded. He allowed her a moment to absorb everything he had just said.

As soon as she began to let the words sink in, she knew he was absolutely correct. It didn't matter what type of relationship you had, whether it be a boyfriend, or a best friend, you give them a piece of you; both of which can be equally devastating when ripped away. In Tayla's case, her best friend and boyfriend were the same person.

"I guess there's only one thing to do" Tayla whispered, pulling out her phone and sending Katie a quick text.

Tayla 7:37p.m.

i'm sorry. plz come over.

She knew Jamie was likely with Tyler doing whatever it was hockey players did when they all got together. Though she didn't treat Katie the best this morning, she hoped she would answer and come help.

Katie 7:37p.m.

it's ok. be over in a bit

Tayla sighed, happy she didn't ruin one of the best friendships she had in Dallas.

"And what's that?" Justin asked, once she finished off her text.

"Wanna help me unpack?"

"Oh, my god" Katie laughed, sipping on her wine. "Please change this god awful song" she teased Justin.

"There's no way!" Justin defended, feeling slightly buzzed, finishing up putting the rest of the dishes away for Tayla.

"It's literally on the radio all damn day" Katie reminded him.

"And I turn it up louder every time I hear it" Justin mused, winking.

"Please!" Katie pleaded, trying to pry Tayla's phone out of her hands.

"Stop fighting for a sec I need to make sure this is straight" she interrupted, not weighing in on the discussion of what song to play.

"I don't think I'm the best one to determine if something is straight..." Justin trailed off, earning an obnoxious laugh from Tayla and Katie both.

"Just get the hell over here" Tayla said between fits of giggles.

"That was the lamest but best joke" Katie giggled, standing beside Justin and Tayla to determine if Tayla was able to properly hang a picture while slightly buzzed.

"Okay, I'm so sorry, but who let you have this job?" Justin asked, beginning to laugh. Katie joined him in his laughter shortly thereafter, but the reason why remained a mystery to Tayla, who saw nothing wrong.

"Why? What's wrong with it?" Tayla asked defensively.

"Well, lets start with the fact that its backwards- you can't even see the picture" Katie laughed, now on the floor in a fit of giggles.

"And I'm fairly certain that it's upside down? And 100% not even close to being straight" Justin was laughing as hard as Katie was. Tayla took another look at the picture and realized they were both right.

"Jesus Christ" Tayla laughed, putting her hand to her mouth and letting her laughter fill the room. "I must be a little drunker than I thought" she admitted, eyeing the empty bottle of wine on the table next to her.

The trio laughed, and laughed, enjoying every moment together.

"You were right Tay, Justin is great" Katie stated after their laughter was finally finished. Before anyone had the chance to comment, Tayla's phone rang, interrupting the music.

"Why couldn't that call have come during that go awful song?" Katie asked with a wink towards Justin.

"Oh shush, the songs over" Justin replied, sticking his tongue out at her. Tayla finally reached her phone, her heart rate increasing when she realized who was on the other line.

"Hello?" she answered, even though she had caller ID, and new exactly who was on the other end.

"Hey babe, how are you?" he asked, just driving home from Jamie's after a night with the guys. He would be lying if he said he didn't miss her between when he had left this morning and now; he felt as if they had so much time to catch up on.

"Justin and Katie are trying to help me unpack- and I'm completely failing at hanging a picture" she laughed into the phone. "And I may have had too much wine" she confessed, giggling.

"That's an understatement!" Tyler could hear a male voice, who he presumed was Justin in the background. Tyler felt relief; her unpacking was a sign she was staying; though he would prefer to have her move back in with him.

"You should come over" Tayla whispered into the phone. "I miss you" she muttered even lower, so Justin and Katie couldn't hear her.

"I miss you too" Tyler confessed, feeling a smile creep on his face. "I'll see you soon?"

"I can't wait" Tayla smiled. "I love you"

"I love you too"

Tayla smiled as she hung up the phone.

"Looks like someone is getting laaaaaaaid tonight" Justin wriggled his eyebrows. "I'd like to see what all the fuss is about with Tyler" he then added, and Tayla couldn't help but laugh.

"Remember, he's taken" she shot back with a wink.

"Window shopping never hurt anyone" Justin reminded her, returning the wink.

"I can get Jamie to come pick us up" Katie told Justin, to which Tayla shook her head.

"You guys don't have to leave because Tyler is coming! You can stay- I have plenty of room in the guest room and on the couch" Tayla informed them.

"We want you two to have your alone time" Katie smirked, her and Justin high fiving.

"Just because he is coming over, doesn't mean I'm getting laid" Tayla decided to remind them.

"Uh- yes it does" Justin affirmed. "And you get it, girl. You went without for three months- treat yo-self" he smirked.

"You slay me" Katie smacked Justin on the arm playfully.

Tayla just shook her head and laughed, smiling to herself; she had made the right decision.