Relationship With My Boyfriends Best Friend

Chapter 8.

It was after I had went up to my room, free to escape the chaos that I call my family, that I realized I haven't heard from Eric all day. Granted, it is only around noon, but if I'm going off daily usual, I'd have talked to him already.

I'm probably over thinking things. I've been doing so this entire week since the arrival of Jace West. Yes, I'm blaming my overactive mind on him.

And it's not like I didn't have one to begin with, because let's face it, I'm walking clockwork, but this - this is real. Of all the years I've known Eric - have been dating him - not once has he gone without calling me first thing. It's something that I've come to know and love and the absence of it is putting me on edge.

I pick up my phone from the nightstand, once again checking my notifications to see if I'm wrong. Something weighs deep in my stomach when the grey screen clearly says No Notifications.

"Hey, Buddy." I raise my head, putting my phone back on the painted wood surface and greet my dad with a smile. "You almost ready to go?"

I take a deep breath and stand. "Yeah. Just let me grab my shoes."

He nods, reluctant to leave as if he wants to ask me something, but doesn't.

Before I take his lead out of my door, I remind myself that tomorrow is church and I'll be able to ask Eric all of the questions that are plaguing my mind. At least I hope.

When I make it downstairs, my family is crowded by the door. My mom is trying to fix my dad's hair while Caleb mocks him from behind my mothers back.

"Oh look," my mom looks relieved when she see me coming down the stairs. "Nina is here. Let's go."

I shake my head at my brother when he laughs and points at my dad for reasons unknown to me, and make my way into the winter air for the car.

Family get togethers are always the best. Note the sarcasm. It takes forever just to get my brother and father ready, and that's without my moms help. I'd say they're both children in themselves.

"I still don't get it," Caleb begins to complain as soon as the car is in motion.

"Get what, sweetie?" My mom sighs as she checks her lipstick in the visor mirror.

"Why are we having a Christmas party when Christmas isn't for another two weeks?" The pure confusion in his voice makes me wonder what actually goes on in his head. Not that I'm saying he's dumb, but I'd really like to know how other people think.

"Because, Caleb," my dad intervenes. "Women are over achievers and-"

"Colten," my mom scolds him. "That is not why we're doing this."

My dad rolls his eyes. "Trust me, Nikki, this is why we have the damned parties. It's either that or my mom likes spending money for stupid shit like this."

"Stupid shit?" She turns to him with blazing cheeks.

"Oh shit," my brother whispers. "Dad's about to have some serious blue balls this week."

"I heard that-"

"Colten!" My mom snaps in front of his face to get the attention that Caleb momentarily stole. "How is your mother wanting to bring everyone in the family together, stupid? It's about damn time someone got you off your lazy ass."

"Lazy ass?" My dad looks appalled and Caleb laughs quietly in the back seat. I glance over at the little twerp and he has his phone out with an obnoxious grin on his face. "Who was the one to go out at your beck and call when you were pregnant to get damned pickles and watermelon?"