Tongue Tied

The flight to Tradeau seemed a lot longer than it was. Nathan fell asleep, his head on Alex's shoulder. That was for the first hour and a half. For the last two hours, Alex had pulled her knees to her chest. She was freezing. She leaned into Nathan. He draped his sweater over her legs and body, wrapping an arm around her. This is what he missed. The closeness of them through their entire relationship. When the seatbelt light came on, he buckled her without waking her.

She woke up to the rough landing. As opened her eyes and only saw the material of his t-shirt. She sat up slowly, catching his sweater before it fell. She looked it over before meeting his eyes. He just smiled and took it from her. She smiled back. She hated how nice he was being. It was more than friendly too. She took a deep breath as the plane came to a halt.

Alex undid her belt and stood. Nathan did as well. He reached into the cubby and handed her her carry on. He grabbed his and stepped back so she could step into the pile up in the aisle. They slowly made it to the front where she heard one of the stewardess talking about Nathan. It made Alex heat up. She slowed her pace so Nathan was closer to her body. The stewardess noticed and the colour fell from her face. Thankfully, Nathan remained unaware.

They walked side by side to the luggage claim. They stood silently, waiting for the machine to come on. Nathan's eyes wandered before he decided on checking his phone. He pulled it out, switched off airplane mode, and waited again. After three seconds top, his phone was going off like crazy. He growled as he waited for it to stop. Alex chuckled.

"Comes with the territory?" She smirked.

He rolled his eyes. "Shut up." He looked at his phone. The only message he cared was the one from Zach. "Zach's already here."

"Tell him we'll be out as soon as possible." She instructed.

The machine eventually came on and Nathan grabbed both suitcases quickly. She tried to take her own but he ignored her and dragged it outside. Zach was sitting out front of the airport in his car, Jo in the passenger's seat. He looked miserable. Alex frowned as she followed Nathan. The trunk popped open and he put the suitcases in it. Alex climbed into the back seat, behind Jo, and leaned forward to kiss Zach's cheek. He smiled. Next, she kissed Jo's.

"In law!" She exclaimed. He tried to fight his smile. "Don't act like you aren't thrilled to be related to me."

Nathan climbed in beside her. He closed the door and with that, they were off. Everyone in the wedding party was expected at the Drouin household for a get together, then, there was hotel rooms rented for everyone. The dress rehearsal was that night, and the wedding was tomorrow. Alex realized that she'd have to stay in a room with Nathan for two days. She exhaled slowly.

"So where's L,"

"We broke up." Jo cut her off.

"What the fuck? Why?" Alex gasped.

"We weren't working out." He said, not breaking his gaze from out the window.

"Jo, what the fuck?" She growled. "What wasn't working? I need to know more."

"She didn't want to do long distance anymore so I came back to see her and she was gone." He explained. Alex pulled out her phone, dialling Leah's number. "You won't get her. She's gone exploring. She's somewhere in Africa or something."

Alex frowned, sitting back. There was an eerie silence. Jo leaned forward, flicking on the radio. Some new Drake song played. It was to fill the silence. They drove slowly but eventually got to Jo's home. He climbed out of the car instantly and walked into the house. Alex frowned at Zach. He sent the same look to her. He walked into the house. She looked to Nathan who was going through his things. She walked over to him.

"Hey." She mumbled.

The door opened and Jo walked back out. He stood near the door on his phone. She assumed his mom had sent him out to show them inside. He looked so sad, something he rarely was. She took a deep breath and looked back to Nathan. He was looking at his friend as well. His eyes turned back to hers. She frowned at him.

"He's really down." Nathan pointed out.

She nodded, placing a hand on his side as she pushed to her tiptoes to whisper. "Talk to him about it and if he doesn't tell you anything, just change the subject. Distract him if he doesn't want to talk."

She went flat footed. He nodded, closing the trunk. They walked side by side up to Jo. He turned, guiding them inside. Everyone stood and said their hellos when the pair walked in behind him. Half the guys Nathan played Mooseheads with were there, most being in the NHL now. Alex smiled at them and gave them hugs. She reached her friends. Only Dana, Denise, and Melissa were there. Melissa had brought her boyfriend-turned-fiancé. She flashed her ring to Alex. Everyone was having a great time.

Nathan was pulled away from a conversation, literally. Alex dragged him through the bodies of their friends, her family members, and Jo's. They got to the back hall which was clear. Nathan furrowed his brows. Alex held onto his wrist as she looked around. She looked up at him when she saw it was clear. She let go of his arms.

"Have you talked to Jo?" She asked.

"I haven't seen Jo." He frowned.

She sighed. "Maybe you could go talk to him? Like, find him first."

He nodded. "I will right now."

"Thank you. I'm just worried and I know he won't t,"

"Hey, it's fine." He smiled before he walked off.

Nathan went on a hunt to find Jo. He wasn't up in his room. He wasn't in the basement. He wasn't in any of the rooms that had bodies filling them. Nathan checked on the front veranda. Nothing. That's when it clicked. The backyard. He swerved through the bodies. He opened the sliding door, stepping out. Jo was standing on the deck at the stairs. His hands were in his pockets and he was staring into the sun. Nathan walked up beside him.

"Wanna tell me what's wrong?" Nathan asked.

Jo swallowed. "She didn't even tell me she didn't want long distance, she just left." He confessed. "You're a huge dick for doing that to Alex. I can't believe she forgave you."

Nathan nodded. "I don't believe it either sometimes." He admitted. "Would you forgive Leah if she came back?"

"Yeah, I would." Jo realized. "Maybe that's why Alex forgave you."

"Because I came back?" Nathan cocked a brow.

"Because she loves you, idiot." Jo shook his head.Nathan stayed quiet. He didn't know what to say. He looked off into the distance like his friend. Jo wasn't staring off though, he was staring at Nathan. In his silence, Jo realized that Nathan still had just as strong of feelings for Alex. Jo watched him, waiting for Nathan to speak. He didn't.

"If you knew how much this hurt, you'd hate yourself for what you did." Jo stated.

"I do hate myself for it, Jo. I've never been happy with my choices." Nathan growled.

"But you're trying to make it up to her." Jo nodded his head.

"I'm trying." Nathan breathed.

"Hey." Alex called out, stepping onto the deck. Zach followed her. "Everything alright?" She wrapped an arm around Jo.

"Fine." He smiled at her.

Zach stepped between Nathan and Jo. He let out a long breath. All four stared at the sun as it rose higher. Alex looked over at the three guys. She smiled. It was nice seeing them all together. She felt like it was two years prior. Back when they were always together. The difference was she and Nathan weren't together. She looked at him. He looked at peace as the sun shined over his face. She pulled away from Jo and laughed.

"It feels like 2013 again." She smirked. "The four of us together."

"Only we don't have to watch you and Nathan eating face." Zach chuckled.Alex and Nathan both rolled their eyes.

Someone on Jo's side came outside and told them it was time to head to the hotel. The four walked in, one behind the other. Zach was part of the wedding party, simply because he was Zach. Jo's brother loved him, but it was near impossible to not love Zach. He and Jo were rooming together. Jo was the best man, obviously, and Alex was maid of honour. She didn't have to plan anything due to where she was.

Zach drove to the hotel. They went to the front desk, got their keys, and went up to their rooms. Alex was less than surprised that Sabrina booked a room for Alex and Nathan to share. She was filled with anger when she saw one bed in the room. She spun around to look at him, he was just as shocked. She growled, stomping into the room. Nathan sat their bags near the dresser. Alex sat on the bed, her arms crossed as she moped.

"Al, it's not that bad." He tried to calm her. "We've shared a bed plenty of times."

"I'm just annoyed that she,"

A knock on the door cut her off. She walked over to the door and pulled it open. Sabrina stood there. She was talking to someone down the hall. Alex noted her fake voice making an appearance. She hated that voice Sabrina had always done. Sabrina laughed before she looked at her little sister. Her eyes traveled behind Alex to Nathan. He nodded at her and stepped forward.

"God, I cannot believe you two kids worked everything out! You look happier than ever now that you're back together!" Sabrina exclaimed.

"We,"

"Are so much happier." Nathan piped up. "We even finish each other's sentences." He pulled Alex into his arms.

"So fucking cute." Sab sighed. "I just came to see everyone."

"That's nice of you, but we're gonna start getting ready." He smiled, closing the door slowly.

"What the f,""

It's her wedding. Don't cause a fight. Just let her think what she needs." He said, holding Alex's shoulders.

"Fine." She huffed, walking off.

Notes