#901dean

Bridgette sat at her desk, drawing out simple things, sketches that she could expand on later when her dad knocked on the door.

"Bridgette?" He said, "We need to talk." Bridgette rolled her eyes and continued to ignore him. "Bridgette Rebecca Shanely. I know you are not deaf, I know you are just trying to make a point."

"Am I Dad?" She said, turning in her chair, looking at him. "And what point would that be? That people can function even if they can’t hear? Cause they can."

"I never said he couldn’t it just, its difficult to be around someone when they cant-"

"What? Understand what happens? How Things work? Cause he does dad. He runs his fathers old shop. He drives a motorcycle and-"

"He drives a motorcycle?" Alden said with raised eyebrows. "Well then that changes everything."

"Hahaha. I can hear the sarcasm, and for the record Preston can pick up on that too. Besides Dad, you’re the one who told me about sign language. You’re the one who told me about it, that that’s what he and his mom were doing. You’re the one who brought me to the library to get the books. You used to encourage our friendship. Now that his my boyfriend, you’re getting all unreasonable." Alden stood there and thought for a moment.

"You are right with that B." He said, ending the silence. "Its just you’ve been a little off since Jessica died. Do you think its fair to him?" Bridgette bit her lip.

"I tell him, that I’m sorry, that I’m a burden. But he just keeps saying he wants to be. That I should ‘burden’ him, even though its not a burden to him." Bridgette pauses. "He’s one of the few people who’s been there for me, who’s helped me with everything with Jessie. Preston and Dean are all I really have. They’re the ones who’ve been there for me, helped me. You don’t know him, you never even gave him the chance."

"Dean. He’s the guy you stayed with for about a week? The lawyer you consider a brother? That’s what you said right?" Bridgette nods, half surprised he paid any attention at all. He thought to himself as the room got awkwardly silent. "You’re right B. I was too quick to judge Preston. Other than he’s a teenage boy after my daughter and only wants to throw you down in the bed and take advance of you any way he can." Bridgette’s eyes went slightly wide. Sex had never even been mentioned between her and Preston before. They never talked about it or anything near that. They had never done anything more than kiss. "Nevertheless, he deserves the benefit of the doubt. Invite them over." He said with finality as he turned to leave.

"Woah woah woah woah." Bridgette said getting up and going to the door, her father pauses. "Them?" she gives a small, nervous laugh. "Th-them who?" Her father looks at her like its obvious.

"You said its, Dean and Preston that you have correct?" Bridgette idly nods. "Well I haven’t seen Preston since you two were little and I have yet to meet Dean, but being 22 and a lawyer is impressive."

"Wait Dean and Preston…?" Alden nodded his head. "At the same time? Like the same dinner?" Alden simply shrugged.