Justin

I glanced at my phone for what felt like the hundredth time tonight.

Amari was late. Two hours late.

I mean, she didn't have a curfew or anything, but she said an hour was all she needed.

Knock Knock

I paused the show I had been watching on Hulu and got off of the couch to go answer the door.

"You know, I could've been asleep by now..." I said pulling the door open.

I stopped mid sentence as I stared at someone who wasn't Amari.

Someone who wasn't welcomed here.

Danielle.

"Hi." She said softly.

"Now isn't exactly a good time." I said fighting the urge to slam the door in her face.

"I know it's late, but do you know where Amari is?" Danielle asked quickly.

"Why does it matter if I do or don't?" I asked.

"Well, I just wanted to know if Tyler was with her. He hasn't come home yet and I'm a bit worried." Danielle said. "He isn't answering his phone or anything."

"Well, he isn't with Amari." I said.

"How do you know?" She asked. "Is Amari here?"

"Why does it matter?" I asked again.

"I'm sorry if you feel as though I'm intruding, but I'm just worried." She sighed looking around. "I know that they used to see a lot of each other and I'm not so sure all of those feelings went away. Maybe it's just the jealousy speaking, but I don't think it is..."

She studied my face looking for a reaction.

"Is that all?" I asked glancing at my wristwatch.

"Yeah." She nodded. "I guess Amari must be inside asleep or something. Could you tell her I stopped by?"

I shrugged and she nodded walking back to her car. I closed and locked the front door before going over to my phone to text Amari.

Mrs.Alders🤪:
You aren't answering your phone. Are you alright?
Call me when you can.
I'm serious.
Don't do anything crazy without me! I love you.

Amari

My phone buzzed in my bag as I listened to Mr.Ares go on and on about the trip he had taken with his family last week

Tyler sat beside me sneakily staring at his phone.

There were three other people at the table as well, but the only one who seemed actually interested was Jenny who would occasionally ask questions.

"You're gonna keep sending Danielle to voicemail?" I whispered.

"Huh?" He looked over at me then back to his phone. "Yeah. I'm just not in the mood for her."

"Wanna talk about it?" I asked.

We made eye contact for a second and he quickly shook his head and looked back at his phone.

"No. I'm fine." He said.

"Come on." I nudged his arm. "Give me something. I can't listen to him anymore..."

We both looked over at Mr.Ares who was looking for pictures in his phone.

"I got you." Tyler said before clearing his throat. "Mr.Ares, it was nice talking with you, but Ms.Rose and I must really be going. We have an early morning Tomorrow."

"Of course!" Mr.Ares stood up with us and shook our hands before we left.

"You owe me." Tyler laughed as we walked away.

"Uh, no I don't." I laughed. "I let you walk with me all night. That was your way of thanking me."

"Oh, come on Rose. Let me have this." He said playfully as he threw his arm over my shoulder.

"When I'm dead, Brooks." I said pulling my phone out. "I have to go. I told Justin 1 hour and it's been 3."

"Hurry and get home, then." Tyler said dropping his arm. "He'll understand, though. Just recap everything Ares told you Tonight."

"I would if I had actually been listening." I laughed. "Bye."

"Bye."

He watched me leave.

Danielle

Tyler walked into the house and I stood up from the couch.

"Where have you been?" I asked watching him hang his keys. "I've been calling you all night."

"I know." He nodded sitting his wallet down.

"Really? So why haven't you been answering?" I asked.

"Because I don't have to." He said. "Are we done playing 21 questions?"

"What do you mean?" I scoffed. "You're married. You have to communicate."

"You're married, too." He said. "You're supposed to be honest."

"Huh?" My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach.

"Nothing. Nevermind." He shook his head. "Thanks for ruining my night. I really appreciate it."

Tyler

I needed to calm down.

Being around Amari made it hard for me to come back home to Danielle.

But I didn't want to get rid of Danielle. I loved her.

But she didn't make me feel all giddy inside like Amari did.

Even just talking to Amari made me fall apart.

Wasn't I too old to have a crush?

Besides, shouldn't my wife be my only crush?

Was this even a crush? Maybe I just missed her friendship. Maybe I just had too much to drink or was just caught up in the moment.

Besides, Amari was expecting a child with Justin of all people! She was off the market and I just had to accept that.

Amari

I walked into the dark house with light only coming from the living room Tv.

Justin laid on the couch fighting off sleep as he stared at the Tv with tired eyes.

"Honey, I'm home." I whispered squatting down so that I could see his face.

He sat up and I sat beside him.

"I waited for you." He yawned running a hand through his hair.

"I know." I said rubbing his back. "You always do."

"Come on. I'm tired." He wrapped me in his arms and laid back on the couch.

"I have to go shower." I laughed wrapping my arms around him.

"No. Shower tomorrow." He said inhaling my scent.

"Well, can I at least go change?" I asked as I became tired.

"Not right now." He shook his head. "Just lay here with me, please."

"Fine." I sighed contently. "Whatever you want."