by Becca Siller
Wyatt
After Dr. Iverson left I was still too amped to go to Charlie. I knew she was resting and needed as much rest as she could get right now. Dr. Iverson said she had some things to consider and that we should give her time. When he mentioned “things to consider,” a knot started to form in the pit of my stomach. I decided to take Deputy and go for a run, a run like Scott took me on before. After leaving the house we jogged to the end of the residential area and headed up into the mountain trails. I’m pretty sure it’s unsafe to run on a trail in the dark but I needed to clear my head. I can’t shake this feeling like a bomb is about to drop but I don’t know where it’s coming from so I don’t know what to prepare for.
Deputy starts falling behind so I know it’s time to slow down and head back. I’m drenched in sweat when we get back to the house. Like before, Deputy and I both collapse onto the cold hardwood while we regulate our breathing and cool down a little. Scott comes over to sit next to me on the floor.
“Hey man, did it help?” he asks sincerely.
“I wish but no. I still feel this pressure building in my chest,” I sit up and look around, noticing no one else is out and about. “Where is everyone?”
“Bill and Gina went to their hotel. Skylar is out on a date. Miles and Riley are in their room and Darius is around. I need to put a bell on that man just to keep track of him,” Scott teases making me chuckle.
Since we’re alone and I consider Scott a really good friend I decide to confide in him. “To be honest, Scott, I’m scared shitless. Something is going down, I can feel it. I don’t know what it is or what to expect but I can’t shake the feeling.”
Scott puts his hand on my sweaty shoulder. “I know you love her. I wish the two of you could have the happy blissful life you deserve but I worry about her. When she flipped out like that…I’ve never seen that before. I think she has a long road ahead of her and I don’t want to see your relationship dragged through the mud.” Scott’s eyes are filled with compassion. We sit there silent. I know what he’s trying to say. Charlie isn’t the Charlie that I was with so many days ago. But I refuse to believe her heart has changed. Sure she may be jaded and need ample recovery time but that doesn’t change the love we have for each other.
The sound of screams coming from the bedroom makes us jump to our feet. Rushing through the bedroom door we find Charlie struggling on the bed, thrashing around. I do the only thing I can think of, I walk over to her and put my hands on her shoulders. “Charlie…” is all I get out before her arm flies out, her fist connecting with my nose. I stumble back as blood gushes from my nose down the front of me onto my chest. Miles and Riley rush in as I slump to the floor.
“Shit,” Miles says, hurrying over to help me up. Riley runs from the room and returns with a towel.
“Charlie…wake up!” Scott shouts, making Charlie still.
“Goddamn it…” I snap as Miles slams the towel to my nose.
“I hope that’s not fucking broken. If it is you’re screwed,” Miles says, shifting to look up at Scott, holding a shaking Charlie in his arms.
Miles helps me stand as I watch Charlie curl into Scott. I feel that knot of dread curl tighter in my stomach. “Babe, are you ok?” I ask her as I ease down to sit on the edge of the bed, still holding the towel to my nose.
Charlie peeks out, her eyes going wide as she scrambles over to me. “Oh my God, did I do that?” she asks, panicked.
“I’m fine, are you ok?”
“No, this is what I didn’t want to happen. I can’t do this to you, to any of you,” Charlie responds, looking pained and perhaps a little resigned.
“What are you talking about?” Scott asks.
Then the realization hits me and I stand abruptly. “Oh no, hell no! You are not leaving me, Charlie, I won’t let you!” My voice is raised. She closes her eyes as a tear falls down her cheek.
“He was right…” she starts but I interrupt.
“Who was right? Dr. Iverson?”
“Yes, he said I needed space. I don’t want to hurt anyone but I can’t control my emotions. He thinks we need a break but I didn’t believe him until…” she trailed off.
“Until now…that son of a bitch!” I shout, pulling on my hair in frustration.
“Wyatt, I love you but I can’t do this right now. I need to move out and get myself together. I just need some time,” she says but I’m not really listening. The sound of the blood roaring in my ears is so loud that I can barely hear her.
Without looking at her I leave the room. I can hear her calling me but can’t face her right now. My heart hurts so bad I worry I’m dying. I just got her back and now she wants me to leave. I don’t realize I’m standing by the front door until I hear Scott.
“Wyatt, don’t leave, man. She’s upset, I don’t thinks she knows what she’s saying,” Scott says.
I turn slightly to look over my shoulder to see his sorrowful face. “I told you something was coming,” I swallow hard. “I can’t stay here right now. I’ll be back, don’t lock the door.” Turning the knob, I walk out into the night praying I’m having one hell of a nightmare.
Riley
I’m standing in the middle of Charlie’s bedroom, shock and horror evident on my face. The fact she mentioned moving out was stirring far back in my mind. Her breaking up with Wyatt is what is consuming me right now. Charlie is sitting on her bed curled into a ball. Miles is cleaning the blood off the floor, no one knows where Darius is, and Scott went after Wyatt. Taking a step to the side of the bed, I clench my fist. Talk about rioting emotions, I’m struggling not to knock Charlie into next week. What the fuck is she thinking? Wyatt is the best thing that’s ever happened to her. Yeah he was an idiot in the beginning, screwing those two girls, but he’s atoned. I haven’t seen Charlie this happy with anyone. And I’m having a really hard time believing that Dr. Iverson would suggest any of this.
I can’t keep my tongue any longer. “Charlie, please tell me you aren’t serious about this!”
Scott walks in and Miles straightens, “Where is he?”
“He left,” Scott replies, looking mournfully at Charlie.
“Answer me, Charlie!” I say louder. The stillness that falls over the room makes the hair on the nape of my neck stand up.
“What? I can’t handle holding our relationship together long distance and try to keep my own shit together, too,” she says flatly. “I just need a little time.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I ask, clearly impatient.
“Riley…” Miles admonishes.
“No, Miles, she has to understand what she’s doing. That man loves you. He would do anything for you. I know you’re going through a lot but he’s been here through all of it. Why would you think he wouldn’t support you now?”
“I don’t need to explain myself to you Riley. I love Wyatt.” She chokes on the words as tears spring to her eyes. “But I can’t be anything to anyone right now. Dr. Iverson think it’s best for me to move somewhere that isn’t so volatile.”
“Volatile?” Scott questions.
Charlie just looks at me and I know she is talking about our fight earlier. “Don’t worry. I’ll be moving as soon as I can,” I tell her bluntly, making her flinch.
The front door opens with a loud bang, making everyone turn to see if Wyatt comes back in, but it’s Skylar. “Hey, what’s going on in here?”
“Charlie is breaking up with Wyatt,” Scott explains.
“What? Why?” Skylar asks, shocked.
“Charlie, I love you. Don’t do this. You’re making a huge mistake. Please, I’m begging you. Don’t do this. You will regret this decision forever, trust me, I know,” Scott says.
Then the door opens again, and a very angry and hurt Wyatt pushes into the room. The agony on his face makes my whole body tighten and sway. This is what complete devastation looks like.
Charlie
Everyone in the room falls silent when Wyatt enters. He starts going through the closet, pulli
ng out all of his clothes and stuffing them into his duffle. The desolation on his face breaks my heart. “Everyone out,” I say, but my voice is weak and cracks. “Everyone get out!” I manage louder. Riley glares at me but I don’t show any reaction. I know I’ve become the bad guy.
Wyatt doesn’t say anything to me, just stalks around the room gathering his belongings. I sit on the bed watching, mesmerized by his features, the wide expanse of his shoulders, the way the muscles in his arms flex and release, his thick brown hair that’s grown a little longer since we met and his perfect face even though his nose is slightly red and swollen. Panic starts to set in at the thought that I won’t be able to touch him, hold him, kiss him or love him anymore. Who am I kidding – I’ll never be able to not love him. I will always love this man, of that I am sure.
Standing, I hesitantly make my way to the bathroom door. He’s inside sorting through the drawers, collecting his toiletries. He turns on his heel and almost runs me over. He stops abruptly to glare at me. “Move, Charlie.” His voice is cold and distant.
“Please, Wyatt, I want to talk about this,” I try to sound confident but my voice is shaky and raw.
“Now you want to talk? Please, call Dr. Iverson, I’m sure he’d be happy to talk now that I’m out of the way,” he spits his words like venom.
My face contorts. “Why would you say that? He’s trying to help me. I can’t be the woman you fell in love with unless I get better, Wyatt.”
He holds his hand up then pushes past me. “Listen and hear me, Charlie. You are and always have been the woman I fell in love with. I’ve told you in every way I can that there is nothing that will make me not love you. Well, except maybe this…”
“Wyatt, you don’t understand. I lo…”
“Don’t say it. Don’t you fucking say it, Charlie…You don’t treat someone you love like this. You don’t push them away and expect them to understand that you don’t want their help. I know I don’t carry the physical scars but damn it, Charlie, I went through it too, I was hurt too. My life was hell without you…” His voice breaks at the end.
“You can’t possibly hurt as much as I do. Do you think this is easy for me? I love you, Wyatt. But I can’t stand hurting you over and over again. I just need time to get better – why can’t you see that?” Our voices are getting louder and louder. I’m sure everyone in this house is privy to our conversation.
“Time to get better…then what?” he asks, holding his hands out and glaring at me.
“Maybe in time I’ll be the woman I was before…Wyatt, I can’t even stomach the idea of being intimate with you. Not because it’s you but because of what he did to me. I want to be with you, I love…” He cuts me off again.
“Damn it, Charlie, stop! You’ve already ripped my heart out. Just stop. Let me get my shit and go.” He shoves the rest of his clothes in a bag and opens the bedroom door to a roomful. He clenches his teeth and strides forward.
“Wyatt, where are you going, man?” Miles asks, grasping his arm as he leaves the bedroom. “Please, Wyatt, wait. You two can talk about this.”
“I’m going to a hotel. I’ll meet you at the airport in the morning,” Wyatt says, not acknowledging Miles’ last comment and not making eye contact with anyone.
Bill steps forward, wearing sweatpants and an old college t-shirt. He must’ve rushed over from the hotel. “Think about this, son, think about what we talked about. Don’t overreact.”
“Overreact…” Wyatt replies incredulously. “She doesn’t want me, Bill, I’ve given her more of me than I’ve ever given to anyone else but she doesn’t want to have to deal with me, too. I don’t think I’m overreacting to anything. I’m not doing this,” he turns his caramel eyes, locking with mine. The anger and hurt swimming in them makes my lungs seize, “She is.” A tear breaks free from his lashes but he quickly dashes it away.
I start for him, to do what I don’t know. Beg him to stay the night so he can leave tomorrow? That would be cruel to both of us. “Wyatt,” is all I can say breathlessly as he slams the front door behind him. My eyes burn with tears and my heart aches with the pain of regret and shame. How could I be so stupid? I just let the man of my dreams walk out of my life. Silently I walk back into my bedroom with a shaken Deputy on my heels and shut the door with a soft click. I collapse on my bed, keening in agony into my pillow. The last of my will leaves me in a rush. I have nothing left to give. I am completely broken.
Wyatt
Standing outside, I feel the cool breeze flow against my overly heated body. I inhale deeply while waiting for the cab to come take me to a hotel, hopefully far from Charlotte McElroy’s house. I’ve never regretted falling in love until this moment. The pain I’m feeling is so intense breathing is difficult, the last hope for my life breaking with every moment I’m not with that woman. I can hear footsteps behind me but don’t move to turn around. Miles walks up beside me, silent for a few moments.
“This will all blow over, Wyatt. Trust me, man, she’ll come around.” Miles is trying to make me feel better but at this point nothing is going to help except maybe a big bottle of gin or some other mind-numbing alcohol.
“It’s too late, man. I won’t be that guy for her. She can’t have me when she wants and throw me away when she doesn’t. If she wanted me broken along with her, she succeeded.”
“You know it isn’t like that, Wyatt. She is over-emotional and over-reactive. You’re angry and hurt, and those emotions don’t mix well. Trust me, Wyatt, you don’t want to give up this easily.” Miles lays his hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently in a soothing gesture.
“I appreciate what you’re trying to do but I really don’t want to hear it right now. I can’t imagine getting over this…at all…much less any time soon. Maybe it’s for the best…” My cab pulls up before Miles can say anything else. Tossing my bags in the trunk, I get in without saying anything. When the driver pulls away I don’t look back either.
At the hotel I raid the mini bar and decide to tie one on in a big way. Maybe if I’m shit-faced drunk I’ll be able to get some sleep. God knows I can’t get the image of Charlie out of my head. Her whispered “Wyatt” as I was leaving almost killed me. The pain in her voice was palpable. By my third bottle of liquor I swear the alcohol is making it worse. I think I can actually smell her. Then I look down at my shirt and glower – it’s still bloody from earlier.
I drag myself into the shower to wash the dried sweat and blood from my body. Images of Charlie showering with me flash through my head with rapid intensity. I pound my fist into the tile wall, causing it and my knuckles to crack. I don’t know how I got here. This time last week I was balls deep in the perfect woman – now I’m alone and drunk. Pathetic. I have to come up with a plan quickly or I will self-destruct.
Stepping out of the shower I dry off, then sit on the edge of the bed. Tousling my damp hair I rack my brain for a plan. I will definitely be submerging myself in work once I get to Scotland. I’m sure there are a few co-stars or production assistants I can hook up with. Yeah, that’ll make me feel better. I’ll just go back to my old ways. The best way to get over a girl is to move on to another one. When I toss myself back on the bed, my right hand plops onto my chest and I feel the familiar thunk of the heavy ring against my chest. Lifting my hand I stare at the band around my finger. Everything it was supposed to mean, to me and to her. I wonder if Charlie is still wearing hers. My eyes start to water as the pain comes back to my chest. Maybe I’ll hold it together in public but fall apart in private, I think to myself. Some way, I’ll have to learn how to live without my Charlie.
Riley
The night was long and restless for all of us. Once Charlie retreated to her room, we didn’t hear a word from her other than the horrible cries of heartbreak. Scott and Skylar both took turns checking in on her but she never came out. Now it’s morning and we’re preparing to take Miles to the airport. I’m doing everything in my power to keep from throwing up all over the place but the stress of last nigh
t and preparing to say goodbye to Miles is almost too much for me. I’m sitting in the chair by my window with my little Sebella in my lap, watching the hummingbirds flutter around the flowers in the yard, the serenity of the view bringing a peace to my distressing morning.
“Riley, it’s almost time to go,” Miles says, then comes to kneel in front of me. “I know that you’re angry with her but try to talk to her, try to change her mind about this. They’re meant for each other. I’ll work on Wyatt.” He leans in, pushing me to lean back in the chair. He puts his lips to my tummy, peppering it with little kisses, and whispers sweet words to our little baby growing in there.
“I’ll try,” I sigh heavily. “I’m going to miss you so damn much, baby.” My voice is hoarse. I can’t keep the tears from my eyes even though I’m trying desperately not to cry in front of him.
“We’ll talk every day and I’ll hopefully see you soon. I know we were going to try to speed up production if we can. You concentrate on planning the wedding, finding us a house, and getting ready for the baby.” Miles gets up, pulling me into his arms. He is huge compared to me, and his body swallows me whole but feels so amazing. I close my eyes, reveling in the feel of him. “Come on, we better get going.”
When Miles opens the door Darius is there waiting to take his bags out to the car. He came in late last night from the gym apparently. I didn’t even know he went to the gym. He was pissed he wasn’t here to help with Charlie. That reminds me, I look around to see if she’s emerged from her dark bedroom. I find Skylar slumped in the armchair. “Have you seen Charlie yet?”
“Nope, I checked on her about an hour ago. She finally fell asleep in the early hours of the morning. I heard her crying for hours last night. Even her sleeping medication didn’t help.” Skylar’s shoulders slump. “I can’t believe they actually broke up,” he says, shaking his head.