Weeks later we were all together once again. Eddie, Dean, Melissa and myself. Only this time, we weren't in the apartment or in a bar. We were in the bookstore.

Yeah, you read that right.

I didn't even know that this place was here but as soon as I had been invited to go, I was all over it. You see, Dean had completed his novel and submitted it to his publisher. Now he was here to promote it before it was released to the public. None of us had been allowed to read any of it yet so we were just as curious as his soon-to-be-adoring public.

"Is it weird that I'm nervous for him?" Melissa asked, gripping onto my forearm till her knuckles were snow white.

"No. That's like, the least weird thing ever," I assured her.

"He's gonna nail it," Eddie scoffed. "He's had to deal with a lot worse lately than a bunch of book nerds."

It seemed that his words didn't quite go down well as we noticed that he'd attracted a few disgruntled looks.

"What?" He asked the watchers, not seeing the reasoning behind it.

Thankfully his life was spared when a loud voice echoed around the room, calling for the attention of all in attendance and announcing that this was the last chance to collect any of the complimentary snacks that they'd laid out.

"You need any more food?" I asked him, praying he'd say no as those he'd offended had headed straight for the spread.

"Nah I'm good. I already had the fish!" He told me with a wink.

I didn't really understand what he meant until I discovered that he was actually winking at a woman standing behind me at the other side of the room. She winked back at him and gave a flirtatious wave.

"Well that's a bit much. Even for me," I said to myself.

In a bookstore for crying out loud.

All I could think of at that moment was how glad I was that I hadn't been standing with Eddie when I'd first met Melissa. That would have been tragic.

"Oh I didn't know they had fish! Is it good?" Melissa asked, oblivious to the filthy connotations of his words.

"Oh . . . it's fantastic!" Eddie grinned widely.

"Don't encourage him," I warned, subtly dragging her away, though Eddie still followed.

Moments later, the same voice from before rang out again, this time introducing Dean to everyone. He made his way into the middle of the room so that everyone could see him. Here, he stood by a table, with countless copies of Notes from last night on it.

After the applause from the small crowd died down, Dean looked around, presumably taking it all in. Finally satisfied, he began talking.

"Wow . . . where do I start," He began, surprisingly confident. I couldn't believe how shy he'd been just a few short months ago. "I can't thank you all enough for coming out here to see me tonight. I know it's been a little while since I last had anything out and honestly . . . I'm just glad you haven't forgotten about me!" A small murmur of laughter filled the room.

"I know that I might seem like a pretty together kinda guy but I've been freaking out a lot lately. As my agent, Angie, will attest to," Once again, the room filled with laughter, including an especially loud one from Angie herself, who was standing in the front row of the crowd.

"The truth is . . . I couldn't have written this book without the help of my two best friends, Eddie and David. Those guys have had to put up with my utter ridiculousness for months now while I've been writing this hopeful masterpiece. I know I've been driving them crazy with this but I think they'll both forgive me when . . . or in Eddie's case, if they read the book. So for them, and all of you, I'd like to give you guys a little idea of what this book has come to be about."

"First and foremost it's about friendship. And people who don't give up on each other," He nodded to Melissa and I then before continuing. "It's about a young guy who . . . who is lost in his life. He knows that things are changing but he's scared of the change. Like everybody is. It's about holding onto yesterday but not for too long. Because if we live in yesterday then we can't see the sunshine of tomorrow. It's cheesy as hell, I know, but it's true. It's the hardest thing to really get your head around and understand but it's also the most important thing. Obviously this is just what I meant the book to be but to you it might mean something else entirely. That's the beauty of books inst it? There aren't any rules, no matter what people say! So when people tell you that you can't do something, look to those around you, like I did. They'll be more supportive then you'd imagine. That's what friendship really means. Thank you, I'll be signing some of the advanced copies here in just a few short minutes so please form an orderly line and I'll talk to you all soon."

With a wave and a smile, Dean walked away from the rapid applause he was receiving and asked us how he did.

"You were amazing! Congratulations!" Melissa jumped in ahead of me and Eddie, giving him a tight hug, giving me an idea.

"She's right, you killed it. Come here big guy!" I laughed as I pulled him in for a bro-hug too.

"Thanks guys," He blushed. He and Eddie just shook hands before they both burst out laughing and hugged too. Like he'd said, this was what friendship really meant.

"Well I better get back to them," He said, pointing over to the queue that had formed just like he'd asked. "Will you guys be alright?"

"Go get 'em my man," I assured.

Dean nodded and left, only to return almost straight away. "But first, I wanted to give you these," He handed us each a copy of his book. On closer inspection, we found that he'd signed one for each of us and personally dedicated them. What a guy.

We thanked him once again before beginning the journey home.

*

We walked the few blocks between the bookstore and our apartment. I asked Melissa if she wanted to stay the night but she declined, saying she was working early in the morning.

"Well, I guess I'd better just say goodnight to you here then," I smirked.

"I think I'll leave you to it. See you at home?" Eddie asked, clearly uncomfortable with the upcoming PDA.

Which was rich coming from him really.

"Sure thing."

Seconds later, Melissa and I were alone.

"Dean's done really well for himself, huh?" She said.

"He has," I agreed. "But I don't really want to be talking about him right now."

"Me either," She giggled, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"I love you so much," I smiled at her, now wrapping my arms around her too.

"I know. And I love you too."

Words don't describe how it made me feel, hearing her say that. I was convinced for the longest time that I'd screwed up my one chance at happiness with her but now I had a second chance and it was honestly the best thing I'd ever received.

"You sure I can't convince you stay? I'll make it worth your while."

"I really want to, but . . . if you can wait another day, I'll make it worth your while," She teased, which was enough to get me started.

"Ok deal! But can I at least get a kiss to tide me over?"

"How much do you want it?" She grinned wickedly.

"You know the answer to that," I scolded.

"Yeah, I do," She admitted, "But I still need you tell me."

"Fine . . ." I mockingly groaned, leaning into her. "I want it . . . this much."

I was about to kiss her when I felt the worst pain in my nuts that I could ever remember.

"Oh my god! What the fuck!" I yelled, letting go of her as my hands went straight for my balls, cupping them as if it was going to make the pain go away. Everyone knows that that doesn't work.

I looked up to see what had caused my anguish and there standing a few feet away from me was Eddie, laughing away to himself.

"Son of a bitch," I glowered.

"What is going on?" Melissa both yelled and laughed at the same time.

"Remember that free nut shot you promised me, Dave? Cashed in!" Eddie cackled manically before running off into the night.

Ah yes.

That's what friendship is all about.

Bastards.