Like Loving A Lion (SEQUEL to I'm Not That Perfect)

“Ave?” Ronnie’s voice asked timidly from outside my bus.
“Funny that this is happening again.” I said coldly, opening the door.
“I was high as fuck. Not that that’s an excuse-”
“Ron, you’ve been clean since you were in prison.” I said, getting concerned. I let him in and we sat down. “Spill it.”
“I don’t know, Ave. I was just feeling bad and so I did it. Five years down the drain.” He sighed.
“Everyone fucks up sometimes, Ron. I mean, you were a total dick to me and everything but forget about that. Do you have any left?” I asked.
“No.” He said, not looking at me.
“Hey, it’s okay.” I urged him. That was two people in the past twenty-four hours I’d forgiven for doing unforgivable things. “Ron!”
“You’re such a good person, Ave. You know that? I’m literally so sorry. There aren’t words to describe how sorry I am.” He said slowly.
“You know what? Austin’s girlfriend is flying in today. She’s on the same flight as my sister.” I bit my lip.
“Is she the same girl he was with that-” I nodded before he even finished his sentence. “Fuck. Can I come to the airport with you?”
“Of course.”
**
“Avery!” Chloe screeched as soon as she saw me. “I missed you so much!”
“Hi, Chlo-Chlo.” I smiled, hugging her back as tight as I could.
She pulled away and looked at Ronnie. “Hi, Ronnie.”
“Chloe. Nice to see you.” He smiled.
She looked slyly at me. “So, are you ready to have a new merch girl?”
“Yes I am. Sell those shirts, baby girl.” I laughed, turning around and running straight into Austin and his girlfriend Josie.
“Oh, hey.” Austin said, turning pink.
Ronnie reached down and grabbed my hand, smirking at Austin. “Oh. Hey.”
I laughed awkwardly. “You two going out tonight too?”
“Yeah. With the usual group?” Austin asked.
I nodded. “Fun. See you later then!”
Chloe studied us skeptically. “Ronnie, are you fucking my sister?”
“Not currently.” He laughed, letting go of my hand. “I was just trying to piss him off. He hates that we’re friends, doesn’t he Ave?”
“Yeah, but mostly he hates you.” I laughed. “Come on, you guys.”
***
“Meet us back here at four, okay?” I called to Chloe as she ran off with a friend she’d made once we were outside the Seahorse Lounge at Ceasar’s Palace. A bunch of us had gone out since we had the day off tomorrow and we were in Vegas.
“She doesn’t waste time. There’s so much to do here. Where should we start?” Ronnie asked.
“Cleopatra’s Barge. I need a drink if that bitch is here.” I said, looking pointedly at the other group that had just arrived, including Austin and his girlfriend.
“Let’s get a bottle of champagne.” He grinned as we sat down.
“What are we celebrating?” I asked.
“Our friendship. Duh.” He replied. This conversation was eerily familiar.
“Let’s get married while we’re here.” I said.
“I am completely down for that.” Ron agreed. “I don’t have rings though.”
I smiled wryly. “We can make it work.”
“All your friends are giving you dirty looks right now.” He said, looking over at the group that had just sat down, which included Vic and Austin.
“Good.” I replied, leaning my head on his shoulder.
“Why are they looking at you like that?” Ronnie asked.
I laughed. “Because I’m with you.”
“Oh. Right.” He shrugged. “Poker?”
“Please.”
We stood up to leave and I was following Ron, but he turned and put both his arms around my waist and smirked at me. “Fuck those guys, Ave.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Kinky. All at once?”
He leaned down and kissed me again for the second time that week, and I hoped to god that Austin saw everything.

Notes

I've been updating like every day but I return to school tomorrow so I won't be able to. I'll do my best, okay? I absolutely love reading your comments, they make me so happy. So much love to all of you xxxxx