Love-Hate

"Where have you been missy?" Lindsay said with Maddison sitting on her hip. I looked up and locked the deadbolt and smiled at her.
"Out?" I tried knowing she's going to want every single detail of the past two days.
"Nuh uh I'm going to put Maddy to sleep and when I come back downstairs you have some dirt to spill." She told me walking up the stairs. I sighed.
"Yeah yeah, just as long there's drinks included." I yelled to her.
"Coolers are in the fridge." She yelled back followed by Maddison's gurgling laugh. I drop my bag onto the drawer by the door and kicked off my shoes, my toes curling into the burgundy rug.
The day's events replayed in my mind, how I was a little tipsy from the shots Christian had made me take at the barbecue.
Luckily Andy had dropped me off but not without trying to lure me back to his house.
I hazily remember saying I had an interview to go to tomorrow and then I ended up making out with Andy on his lap for five minutes before stumbling out of his car leaving a very sexually frustrated hot blue eyed guy to off himself. I bit my lip remember the way his hands had a firm grip on my waist and the way his lips felt against my own.
I shook my head and walked to the kitchen to see what kind of alcohol they had to keep my buzz going. I went into the backyard on the deck and sat on the chair.
Lindsay soon joined me holding her own cooler and a baby monitor.
"Where's Pete?" I asked.
"Jake called him and asked him if he'd be willing to go pick up more alcohol for them. Is that where you were?" She said opening the can.
"Yep. Gave into Christians begging." I said feeling my phone buzz in my sweater pocket. I unlocked my phone and seen Andy's name spread across the screen. I opened his message.
Sucks you couldn't come back tonight, I really wanted to take off those damn jeans.
I smiled and put my phone back in my pocket before looking at Lindsay.
"Andy and I are back together. Or actually I don't know. We are giving each other a clean slate of the past." I told her. She took another drink before nodding.
"Are you happy?" I bit my bottom lip to stop myself from smiling so big.
"Yeah I am." And I knew deep down I wasn't lying. Sure I've been content all my life but this is true happiness.
"So are you moving in with him?" Lindsay asked as if it was obvious.
"What? No! I told him I want to take things slow. Moving in isn't taking things slow."
"Neither is sleeping together."
"I know but that was before we got passed all of this shit." I defended even though my cheeks were heating up.
Lindsay began laughing at my embarrassment before taking another drink, I followed her actions and tilted my head back to take attention away from my flaring cheeks.
My phone buzzed again.
I know you're reading these. Do I have to come over there and-
"Take off those jeans! How naughty!" Lindsay squealed like a little girl into my ear making me squeal and drop my phone onto the ground.
I slapped my hand over my mouth and looked at Lindsay who was giving me a smug look.
"Taking it slow amiright?"
"Sh." I said putting a finger in front of her mouth. "This is the first I'm hearing of this."
Lindsay just burst out laughing furthering my embarrassment. She sat back in her seat and smiled at me.
"So tell me Cat, do you love him?" I went quiet before answering her. The smile on my face grew wide as I said.
"I never stopped."
"Aw you guys are going to get married and then have children of your own and grow old together in a house. Not this house because this is my house." She giggled.
I laughed with her and then we sat in silence for quite awhile. My dirty mind was thinking about the way Andy would take my jeans off and how he would of loved the Lacey underwear I was wearing.
I was pulled by my thoughts when Lindsay started talking.
"I think Pete is cheating on me." My mouth fell open at her accusation.
"What? How? What? Of course not!" I babbled. She nodded.
"I didn't want to believe it either but lately I don't know he's been distant. When he's here he's like not really like, here. He's completely normal whenever Maddy is around but when we're alone he never like kisses me the way he used to." She looked so lost in thought that she didn't even realize what she was saying.
"I miss the way the love was obvious in his eyes, I miss the way he used to randomly kiss me. He just doesn't do that anymore and all we ever do is argue. I don't know it's stupid." I couldn't believe it, my best friends were falling out of love with each other. What do I say to comfort her? Is there a way to comfort her?
"Maybe talk to him about that?" I offered.
"I did! I did so many times and that's what we usually argue about Cat. I don't know what to do anymore I can feel our relationship falling apart." And that's when the water works came.
My buzzed mind stopped spinning and I was on my feet to go comfort my best friend.
"Don't think like that Lindsay. If you're that afraid he's cheating on you then ask him about it. Confront him." She was still crying.
"You think I'm cheating on you?" Speak of the devil. I looked up and seen Pete standing there with roses and chocolate. They were at his side and then the floor. "I gave you eight years of my life and you think I'm cheating on you!?" His voice raises. I stand up straight.
Again I'm wrapped up into their problems. Lindsay stays quiet holding in her silent sobs.
"What's she suppose to think after you've gone distant Pete? She's worried that your relationship is going down the drain." I say calmly.
"This doesn't involve you Catherine, why don't you go fix what you broke with Andy?" He said with a challenging voice. I'm taken aback, he's never spoken this way to me. "I'm sick of Lindsay telling you our problems like you're her therapist." He spat.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" My voice begins raising. "You both have equally told me problems asking me for advice." I was throwing daggers at him.
If I wasn't under the influence of alcohol then I wouldn't speak this way to him. "And I did fix things with Andy!" Pete rolls his eyes at me and then looks at Lindsay.
"How are we suppose to work out our problems if you keep telling the worlds biggest blabber mouth." I feel like I've been slapped in the face. I've known Pete longer than I knew Lindsay.
Suddenly I couldn't find a damn thing to fire back and Lindsay remains quiet still crying. I wanted to tell Lindsay to stick up for herself but she's shrunk up into a little shell not saying anything.
"How are we suppose to trust each other when everyone knows our problems? You could've asked me if you're so worried." This isn't the Pete I know, this isn't him. He's changed before my eyes, I suddenly want the smiley happy Pete back.
"I did try." Lindsay whispered.
"What? Speak up Lin, I can never hear a damn thing you're saying." He was practically seething venom.
"Don't talk to her like that!" I warned. He's turned her into a fragile little girl, Lindsay has always been so proud.
"I can talk to her however I like." His eyes were back on me. "You don't know her anymore, you left for five years remember? Trying to figure yourself only to fall back into the arms of the asshole who dated you only for a bet." I didn't realize what I was doing until I started walking towards him.
"Cat don't!" Lindsay said but it was too late I rose my fist and punched him in the face.
He stumbled back a few feet.
"Don't you ever speak to me like that. I'm not someone you should mess with, I have a voice of my own and will continue to use it until my best friend finds one of her own." His hand is over his face and he's looking at me as if I killed his puppy. He looks totally betrayed.
"Get out of my house." Was all he says, but his voice is as small as Lindsay that I barely even hear him.
"You think I want to stay here?" I have a throaty laugh. I bend down to pick up my phone. "This is the last fucking place I'll ever be again." I know I don't mean those words but right now this is the last place I want to be.
I walk past him and go to my room to pack somethings. In the middle of packing I call Andy and he picks up right away.
"Hey babe." He says making me blush.
"You know what I will come sleep over. Want to come pick me up?" I tell him.
"I'll be there in twenty." Then he hangs up, there was much excitement in his voice. I finish packing my bag and go to the bathroom to grab my toiletries.
I hear Pete talking to Lindsay in the kitchen. I can't hear what they're talking about.
When Andy texts me he's outside I walk down the stairs in attempt to be quiet but Pete comes into to the hallway.
"Cat wait, you don't have to leave." He sighs. "I'm sorry for being such a huge dick."
"You made it pretty clear I should go." I said putting on my shoes not looking at him.
"I didn't meant that. I didn't mean anything I said. I've been stressed with work and everything."
"Don't apologize to me, apologize to your girlfriend." I snapped holding onto my anger. I wasn't about to let him off as easily as I used to.
"I'm still doing that but I didn't want you to go without knowing I'm sorry." I shook my head.
"Be sorry for awhile Pete. Goodbye." I opened the door and basically made a run for Andy's car, feeling the tears fall from my eyes.
I didn't know what to feel, maybe I would if I wasn't buzzed but maybe it would be the same.
The whole ride to Andy's he didn't say a thing, he just held my hand in his and even that entire night all he did was hold me as I silently cried myself to sleep.
Only whispering sweet things into my ear and he occasionally ran his hand through my hair.
I don't know what I would of said if I wasn't so at lost for words. I just let Andy's body warmth lull me to sleep. He began singing quietly but I was already almost asleep to hear any words.
Just before I fell asleep I heard him say. "I love you so much my Catherine."

Notes

Okay this has some drama, but sadly there will be more as the plot starts to finally reveal itself!!
Update cupcakes!
Love ya all and hope you enjoy xx