Request-Â Dean and the reader were best friends and high school sweethearts, but they lost contact when he left for his career. Renee helps the two of you gain closure and become friends again, even though Dean is married to her.
When my friend from college, Renee, told me she was getting married to a man named Dean, I said good for her, and just thought back to a man that I once knew back in high school, seemingly a lifetime ago. We were high school sweethearts, with us only parting for him to leave for his career. I couldnât tell him no, because before we were even dated⌠we were best friends.
Over the years we lost touch. Obviously, I wasnât still heartbroken over him. We broke up a decade ago, but I still miss my best friend. Sometimes I think back to the nights when my mom drank a little too much, or my dad stayed out a little too late, and he was always there. He was there when I fought with my body image issues, and I could only think to imagine that he would have been there when I fought with addiction as well. (I am finally clean, Iâve been sober for two years now).
Of course, I was completely shocked to find out that my Dean was her Dean. It really was a small world after all. I had brought up that Dean and I were friends in high school and even dated at one time. We joked about his bad habits, that he still must have had, and I could tell the gears were turning.
âY/N come on, Iâm in town, you have to come out.â Renee pleaded through the phone.
âRen, as much as I would like to, I have an article to write and interviews to transcribe.â I told her. âPlus itâs really not a good idea for me to go out to any bars.â I said, rolling my eyes.
âWeâre at the one on Lawford. The one with the outdoor patio, so you wonât be around everyone drinking.â She reassured.
âRen, no, go have fun. You donât have to accommodate me.â I scolded her.
âPlease, Y/N? Itâs no bother really.â She said.
âFine. Iâll meet you in thirty.â I said, rolling my eyes. I knew what she was doing. She was trying to get me to meet Dean all over again. I was nervous, and tried to use the bar as an excuse⌠even though I actually had no problem with alcohol. I had a problem with pills. I closed my laptop, dropping my phone on the table before heading back into my bedroom so I could change.
I didnât dress to casual, but nothing too fancy either. I pulled on a pair of black shorts, and a white shirt that cut off at my elbows, that I paired with a black vest. The outfit showed off my tattoos that I didnât always get to show off because of work. I pulled on a pair of red vans, then combed through my hair. I wiped my face clean of makeup, deciding not to wear any, before I grabbed my bag, and shoved my wallet and phone inside, before heading out, locking up my townhouse as I went.
Lawford was only a few blocks away from my house, so I decided to walk, and I easily spotted Renee out on the patio. I showed the bouncer my ID, before I walked over to her. âOh my god youâre actually here!â she cheered, standing up, and giving me a hug. âYou look good, you really do. Iâm proud of you.â She said.
âThank you, so do you.â I said, smiling, and taking a seat. âRen, are you sure you want to do this?â I asked her.
âOf course, Y/N. You guys were best friends. You helped him through a lot, and I know he helped you.â She said.
âThis is all really thoughtful, Renee.â I said, giving her a genuine smile.
âWell, what else can I do? You were one of the very few people who didnât look at me like I was crazy. You pushed me to do what I wanted with the WWE, never once did you tell me that I couldnât do it. I owe you that.â She said.
âOh, donât get so sappy on me, Ren. Pretty sure I was high most of college.â I said, shrugging. She stared blankly at me, and I just shrugged.
âI still appreciate it.â She said.
âSo where is everyone?â I asked.
âDean is inside with the guys getting drinks. I told him to get you a water.â She said.
âThanks, even though technically I donât have an issue with alcohol.â I said. She laughed, and nodded her head.
âI am more than aware of that, Y/N.â she said, laughing. I rolled my eyes at her, and I stiffened when the door opened, and outpoured quite a few guys, along with Dean. I nervously bit my lip, and fought back the urge to flee, even though we have talked on the phone a couple of times the past few weeks.
Everyone sat down around us, and Renee introduced me to everyone. I waved slightly, and gave everyone a kind smile. Once the interest of me wore off, everyone split off into their own conversations, and Dean and Renee caught my attention. âSo, Y/N, um, Renee told me about that you majored in journalism?â Dean asked.
âHm, yeah. I work for various magazines as a contract writer. I do interviews stuff like that. Particularly about places where Iâve traveled.â I said, shrugging.
âYou travel a lot?â he asked.
âYeah, my main job, Iâm a motivational speaker.â I said, biting my lip.
âOh, thatâs neat, what do you talk about?â he asked.
I cleared my throat, and shifted uncomfortably in my seat. âUm, about drug addiction. My personal experience, where to find help, how to get help, and help others.â I said, awkwardly. I felt someoneâs eyes on me, and I looked up to see someone with longish hair, and neck tattoos giving me a curious look.
âHow long have you been sober?â Dean asked, drawing my attention back to him.
âOfficially without relapses 2 years. Itâs something that I struggled with since college.â I told him.
âIf Iâd had known-â he tried, but I held up my hand.
âNo, D, no. Thereâs nothing you could have done to help. For the longest time, I thought that you would be a magic fix, but that was a foolish assumption. I had to want it. I had to want to be in control of my life again.â I told him.
âBut youâre okay though, right?â he asked.
âOkay is a subjective term, but yes. Iâm okay. Itâs been hard to adjust, but Iâm fine now. Iâm a well adjusted individual.â I joked, shaking my head.
âWell. You would be pleased to know that I havenât done any matches with broken glass lately.â Dean joked, obviously sensing my discomfort with the current topic.
âThank you for that.â Renee grumbled. I laughed at that. âI donât know how you did it, Y/N.â she said, laughing.
âWith difficulty. But hey, I learned how to give someone stitches, so if you ever need some let me know.â I teased, winking.
âThatâs not⌠Thatâs not a skill that you should be proud of.â Renee joked, shaking her head.
âIn her defense, herâs are even. Mine arenât.â Dean teased.
âIdiots. The both of you, I swear.â Renee teased us.
âEh, weâve been called worse.â I said, laughing. Dean cracked up at this, and shook his head.
We spent the night telling Renee our insane stories about traveling around together and all of our adventures together, while Renee and I told Dean about our adventures in college. They told me some of their own travel stories, and I told them mine.
I have my best friend back, and I couldnât be happier.