Request- 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 couldn’t tell him no, because before we were even dated… we were best friends.
Over the years we lost touch. Obviously, I wasn’t 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, I’ve 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.
“Y/N come on, I’m in town, you have to come out.” Renee pleaded through the phone.
“Ren, as much as I would like to, I have an article to write and interviews to transcribe.” I told her. “Plus it’s really not a good idea for me to go out to any bars.” I said, rolling my eyes.
“We’re at the one on Lawford. The one with the outdoor patio, so you won’t be around everyone drinking.” She reassured.
“Ren, no, go have fun. You don’t have to accommodate me.” I scolded her.
“Please, Y/N? It’s no bother really.” She said.
“Fine. I’ll meet you in thirty.” 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 didn’t 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 didn’t 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. “Oh my god you’re actually here!” she cheered, standing up, and giving me a hug. “You look good, you really do. I’m proud of you.” She said.
“Thank you, so do you.” I said, smiling, and taking a seat. “Ren, are you sure you want to do this?” I asked her.
“Of course, Y/N. You guys were best friends. You helped him through a lot, and I know he helped you.” She said.
“This is all really thoughtful, Renee.” I said, giving her a genuine smile.
“Well, what else can I do? You were one of the very few people who didn’t 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 couldn’t do it. I owe you that.” She said.
“Oh, don’t get so sappy on me, Ren. Pretty sure I was high most of college.” I said, shrugging. She stared blankly at me, and I just shrugged.
“I still appreciate it.” She said.
“So where is everyone?” I asked.
“Dean is inside with the guys getting drinks. I told him to get you a water.” She said.
“Thanks, even though technically I don’t have an issue with alcohol.” I said. She laughed, and nodded her head.
“I am more than aware of that, Y/N.” 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. “So, Y/N, um, Renee told me about that you majored in journalism?” Dean asked.
“Hm, yeah. I work for various magazines as a contract writer. I do interviews stuff like that. Particularly about places where I’ve traveled.” I said, shrugging.
“You travel a lot?” he asked.
“Yeah, my main job, I’m a motivational speaker.” I said, biting my lip.
“Oh, that’s neat, what do you talk about?” he asked.
I cleared my throat, and shifted uncomfortably in my seat. “Um, about drug addiction. My personal experience, where to find help, how to get help, and help others.” I said, awkwardly. I felt someone’s eyes on me, and I looked up to see someone with longish hair, and neck tattoos giving me a curious look.
“How long have you been sober?” Dean asked, drawing my attention back to him.
“Officially without relapses 2 years. It’s something that I struggled with since college.” I told him.
“If I’d had known-“ he tried, but I held up my hand.
“No, D, no. There’s 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.” I told him.
“But you’re okay though, right?” he asked.
“Okay is a subjective term, but yes. I’m okay. It’s been hard to adjust, but I’m fine now. I’m a well adjusted individual.” I joked, shaking my head.
“Well. You would be pleased to know that I haven’t done any matches with broken glass lately.” Dean joked, obviously sensing my discomfort with the current topic.
“Thank you for that.” Renee grumbled. I laughed at that. “I don’t know how you did it, Y/N.” she said, laughing.
“With difficulty. But hey, I learned how to give someone stitches, so if you ever need some let me know.” I teased, winking.
“That’s not… That’s not a skill that you should be proud of.” Renee joked, shaking her head.
“In her defense, her’s are even. Mine aren’t.” Dean teased.
“Idiots. The both of you, I swear.” Renee teased us.
“Eh, we’ve been called worse.” 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 couldn’t be happier.
