The Best Man novel Chapter 80

Tristan's POV

The secret compartment

Walking into my apartment after a long day at work, I found Missy waiting for me at the door, jumping energetically at my feet and I picked her up to pat her soft fur. I offered to look after her for Nate and Liv while they were away, and she's been nothing but a sweet darling these last couple of days since she hasn't scratched, hissed or attacked me this far, so I guess we're good.

"Did you miss me?", I gently stroked her chin and she let out a tiny squeak. "I'll take that as a yes"

Pouring food into the feeder and milk on the little bowl she had aside, she scurried onto the floor, playing with one of her toys she successfully managed to scatter across the room

My phone chimed with a notification message from Olivia, checking up on how we're doing, but I knew it was mostly for me and how I was doing. I know she meant well, but she really didn't have to worry about me, especially now that she was on a luxurious gateway with Nathan for the week. He took her to the Mauritius island and by the looks of it, it's like she didn't even want to come back because they were having so much fun.

My insta feed was flooded with their pictures together as they even had a professional photo shoot on the beach and everything. I don't know about y'all but Nathan was really setting the bar up for the guys out here, all that was left for us was to stand down and take notes. He cherished her the way she deserved to, never making her feel like she was second best. Their love was real, genuine and they both looked very madly in love with each other in their pictures and in real life.

One picture that stood out from their collection was of her picking shells on the sand, reminding me that I actually haven't looked at the items in our memory box because I was sure there was one picure similar to that one from our combined family vacation when we were about eleven or twelve

Grabbing a beer from the fridge, I took the box to the lounge and started on the trip down memory lane. After laying out the picture across the coffee table and the gifts we made and bought each other growing up... I thought the box was empty until I felt that there was some kind of hidden compartment inside, on the floor of the box. I opened it up and found Liv's journal she kept with her at all times when we were in high school, and she would never let me touch it.

Would it be an invasion of privacy if I took one quick glance at it? Because I've always wondered what was it about that journal she wouldn't even let me read. I've always wanted to know what went through her mind each second she scribbled entries almost every day.

I won't lie, it took me a while to get used to the idea that you have someone else in your life. Someone you were willing to give your all to for the sake of her happiness, but now truth be told; seeing you with her every time doesn't hurt like it used to in the beginning, I'm slowly getting used to Mellisa being a part of your life, and I'm okay with that.

For as long as I'm still a part of your life Tristan, as long as I can cheer for you from the sidelines and be one of your biggest supporters. As long as I can be one of the people you turn to whenever you need a shoulder to cry and lean on. As long as I can share in your all victories and comfort with your losses. As long as I can still be there for you as much as you've been there for me. As long as I'm a part of your life as much as you're part of mine, I'm okay with anything.....

I'll always be there for you, no matter what, because you know; "That's what friends are for"

All my love

Liv