The fact is, Chase has never pretended to be someone he’s not. He’s mentioned on more than one occasion he doesn’t want to get married again. Alec told him he’d think differently once he met someone worth putting his heart on the line for, but Chase disagreed.
The ride home was quiet, Chase obviously in his own head. I tried to talk to him, but he cut me off, telling me he didn’t want to talk. And once we were through the door, without so much as a good night, he retreated to his room.
I was a little upset when he refused to introduce me to his… whatever she was… friend of his ex-wife? But what hurt even worse was the way he raised up a wall between us afterward. I thought we were friends, but the way he treated me on the way home was like I was nothing to him. I opened up to him, and he couldn’t do the same for me.
Needing to take my mind off Chase, I lose myself in my work, and before I know it, it’s already six in the morning and my phone is going off.
Lexi: Abigail was up all night. I’m exhausted. Raincheck?
My heart hurts, and the loneliness I feel has me wanting to throw my blanket over my head and disappear. So, after I text Lexi back that it’s okay and we’ll get together another time, that’s exactly what I do.
Chase
Fuck, I’m such an asshole. I was stuck in my own head last night and I completely shut Georgia out. I went straight to bed and passed out, just needing to shake off everything Fiona said. I’m so used to keeping women at a distance, I didn’t even consider Georgia’s feelings, just pushed her away and slammed the door on her face—literally and figuratively.
Now I’m pacing the floor, waiting for her to get home. She had breakfast plans with Lexi, and when I woke up, she was already gone. I texted her, asking if we could talk so I could apologize, but she hasn’t responded.
Figuring she’s busy with her sister and might be a while, I get dressed to go for a run. I can use the fresh air and time to think. But when I get downstairs, I notice Georgia’s monster of a truck is in her parking spot. I pull out my phone and text Lexi.
Me: Is Georgia with you?
Maybe Lexi picked her up.
Lexi: No, I had to cancel breakfast. Abigail was up all night…
Fuck, does that mean she’s still in her room? It’s almost noon.
Lexi: Everything okay?
I should probably mind my own business, but my guilt over the way I treated Georgia, mixed with the way I know Georgia is hurting because of her sister, steers my next text.
Me: Maybe you should ask your sister that… if you ever make the effort to spend time with her.
I shove my phone into my pocket and run back upstairs to see if Georgia’s in her room. When I knock on her door, she doesn’t answer. I twist the knob and since it’s not locked, I open the door. What if she hit her head or something? I need to make sure she’s okay.
When I enter the room, she’s sleeping in her bed. Her face is splotchy from crying, and even in her sleep she looks sad. My phone buzzes in my pocket, but I ignore it, going over and sitting on the bed next to her.
When the mattress dips, she stirs awake. Her bloodshot eyes meet mine, and if I felt bad before, it’s nothing compared to the way I feel now.
“Lexi said she bailed…”
Georgia blinks several times, then flinches. “I left my contacts in,” she says, sitting up and swinging her legs around. She disappears into the bathroom and a few minutes later comes out with her glasses on.
“I thought you were out with your sister.”
“Nope,” is all she says, grabbing her laptop and sitting back on her bed.
“I got worried when I found out you weren’t with her and you weren’t answering your phone. I didn’t know you were asleep.”
“Well, now you know I’m okay, so you can go.”
I sigh, momentarily closing my eyes. I fucked up and now she’s pushing me away. I deserve it…
“I’m sorry about last night.”
She looks up from her laptop. “What are you sorry for?”
“For pushing you away. I was upset and shouldn’t have taken it out on you. We’re friends and…” When I say the word friends, she flinches. I don’t blame her. Before Fiona showed up, we were flirting and I was about to kiss her. But I can’t go there. All we can be is friends. “I like hanging out with you,” I finish.
“I don’t need your pity, and I don’t need you to hang out with me or babysit me or whatever it is you’re doing.”