Hint: it's not Axl

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Recap

Basically the reader is in love with Axl. They're besties with Axl and Izzy. Izzy knows the reader likes Axl. Axl marries Erin. The reader didn't know Axl was in a relationship until he talks about how he's married to Erin, the reader gets mad, and Izzy somewhat comforts them...?

The reader then decides they're done with Axl because he's an asshole.

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After my walk home, I call my brother, Joe, to tell him about my day and ask about his. Joe's fucking livid when I tell him about the situation with Asshole Rose.

"Damn. If I could have been a fly on the wall in that room...Axl would be so pissed right now," Joe says. I curl the phone cord around my finger, and I sigh into the receiver.

"Don't worry about it, Joe," I say.

"What are you more pissed about; the fact that Axl's married, or he didn't tell you about Erin?" Joe asks.

"The fact that I had no idea about Erin. He didn't fucking tell me he was even in a relationship. I thought we were best friends. Turns out, I was the only one who didn't know about Erin," I tell him, feeling my blood boil again. Joe seems to sense my anger rising.

"Okay, I know that you're angry right now, but you need to think about it this way... Axl's a coward. By keeping you in the dark about Erin, he's a fucking coward. We don't fuck with cowards," he says. I take a few measured breaths to calm down.

"What about Izzy? What's he think about all this?" Joe asks.

I hear my door open.

"Hold on, Joe. I think someone is in my apartment," I say quietly. I place the phone on the table, and I peer out of the kitchen.

Suddenly, the silhouette of a man fills my vision. My heart races as the silhouette comes closer. I inch back slowly, then blindly feel around on the table for something I can use as a weapon.

I feel something cold and sharp. I pick it up. It's a fork.

The man is in the doorway. I launch the fork at the man out of shock, only to realise that it's just Izzy. He catches it with an amused smile on his face.

"Fuck, Iz! Sorry! I thought you were gonna rob me or something!" I exclaim, placing my hand over my heart. Izzy chuckles.

"If my intent were to rob you, I would have made a whole lot of noise," he says. I shrug, reaching for the phone.

"You could be one of those silent but deadly robbers," I say, giving him a small smile.

"Just give me a second to get off the phone with Joe, and you'll have my attention," I say. Izzy nods, and he heads to the fridge.

"Sorry, Joe. It was Izzy, not a robber. And to answer your question, he already knew, but he didn't know that I didn't know...did that make any sense?"

"Yeah. Izzy knew, and he assumed you did too," Joe says. I sigh.

"Yep. Okay, Izzy's here, so I'm going to hang up. Love you, fucker, and bye." I hang the phone up and turn to Izzy, who's sitting at the table with a beer and watching me. I sit across from him.

"Man, today sucks," I say. Izzy hands the beer to me, and I take a sip, then pass it back to him.

"I told him you had to help your brother with something. He seemed down," Izzy says, watching me for a reaction. I sigh, shaking my head.

"Well, he's the one who fucked up. He better seem down," I say.

Man, sometimes, I wish I could've fallen in love with Izzy. He's such a nice guy, he's a great friend, and he's always been there for me as I have for him. I can't say the same for Axl.

Izzy's a silent rock. Even though he's not really affectionate and showy, he's a good shoulder to cry on, sleep on, and lean on. He offers the best advice, and he's loyal to you if you're loyal in return.

"Hey, Iz?"

"Yeah?"

"Wanna watch a movie or something?"

"Sure."

When I'm with Izzy, I feel comfortable, comforted, and completely at home.

Oh shit.

I may be falling in love with Izzy.

But...

Maybe that's not such a bad thing...

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"Come on, Iz! I know she's in there!"

Axl is so fucking loud. And mad. But mostly loud.

"Look, Ax, she's with Joe. I already told you."

"Then why are you here?"

"She asked me to look after the apartment while she's gone."

I'm telling you, Izzy is the best person to have on your team.

"Every time I come, you're always here. Doesn't matter the time of day or night... wait. Are you two fuck buddies or something?"

Leave it to Axl to assume the perverse.

"Ax, you need to go to the studio. I'm sure you have shit you need to do," Izzy says, knowing that Axl will do whatever he asks after a while.

"Fine. Just...tell her I stopped by, will ya?"

"Sure, Ax."

The door closes.

"Okay, come in."

I walk into the living room, and I plop onto the couch beside Izzy, laying my head on his chest.

"Thanks, Iz. I owe you one," I say, feeling as he rests a hand on my back.

"Don't worry about it. He's a prick."

Izzy and I start watching a show about animals, when I think of a question.

I pull away from him, and I face him.

"What's up with you and Liz?" I ask. He rolls his eyes.

"Bitch cheated," he says simply. I raise an eyebrow.

"She wants you to take her back?"

He nods, watching the TV screen.

"I'm not gonna. She bitched about everything. Made me miserable," he says.

"I thought you were born miserable," I tease, giving him an amused smile. He rolls his eyes, his gaze moving to me.

"I quit the band," he says suddenly. My smile drops.

"When?"

"This morning."

"What made you do it?"

Izzy seems to consider this for a bit.

"It's not the same band. Steven's gone, Axl's an ass, and I'm sick of Axl pulling his little stunts," Izzy says. I wrap my arms around his neck, breathing in his scent. Izzy slowly hugs back. I smile.

I think I like Izzy's reluctant hugs more than Axl's reciprocity.

————

"Hey, Iz?"

"Yeah?"

"Want a chocolate chip muffin?"

Izzy enters the kitchen.

"Yeah. What's the occasion?" He asks, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against the counter. I hold a muffin up to his face. He takes a bite of the muffin.

"Just felt like baking. So, whatcha think?" I smile eagerly.

Izzy studies my face for a bit.

"It's good."

He takes the muffin from my hand and takes another bite.

Grinning, I take a bite of my muffin.

"Do you want to go somewhere...with me...tonight?" Izzy asks. I stop mid-chew, and I swallow.

"Like...a date?" I ask. Izzy shrugs.

"Yeah."

"Then fuck yeah. Where're we going?" I ask. Izzy cracks a small grin.

"A diner."

————

Going to Lafayette with Izzy was...insane.

It was, however, nothing compared to what I'm about to do.

I'm about to meet his parents.

I'm nervous as fuck.

I'm sweaty as fuck.

Izzy looks hot as fuck.

And I'm a fucking mess.

What the fuck?

Holy fuck.

"You look like you're about to be murdered."

I keep staring at the door, but I grip Izzy's hand more tightly.

"I'm fucking terrified," I admit. Izzy gives me an amused smile.

"You'll be fine," he says. I scoff.

The door opens.

"Jeffrey Dean Isbell, give your mother a hug!"

Izzy gives me a look and squeezes my hand.

"See? You'll be fine."

————

Fuck.

I don't remember inviting this many people.

Joe gives me a watery smile as he places a hand over mine.

"That fucker at the other end is a lucky bastard. I almost didn't let him propose," Joe says. I laugh.

"Izzy's a good man, though. I know he'll treat you the way you deserve to be," Joe says softly. I glance to my brother. He's crying.

"Joe! You'll make me cry!" I exclaim. He laughs.

"Fuck off and let me have my moment," he says, grinning. I roll my eyes with a smile.

All my worries melt away as the music begins to play. Joe's smile turns into a stern frown as he eyes Izzy at the altar.

I turn my attention to Izzy. My best friend, my lover, my fiancé, and soon, my husband. Fuck, I love him.

Joe sits in the front row.

When I look into Izzy's warm, brown eyes, the service fades into a blur. Before I know it, Izzy's hands cup my face as he leans in. I wrap my arms around his neck. He presses his lips to mine softly, passionately, and affectionately.

Then, cheers erupt from our audience.

Fuck, I love Izzy.