Chapter 56
Scarlett
I look over my to-do list on my phone as I walk downstairs for some coffee. I have a busy day ahead of me, so I’m up a tad earlier than usual.
Matt is on his laptop, already dressed in khakis and a black shirt. I wish I’d had a wake-up call from him in bed. It would’ve been a good way to start the day.
“Morning,” I say with a little wave.
“Hey, sweetheart.” He’s staring at me with a look I haven’t seen before. Anxiousness, perhaps.
“Everything okay?” I hit the brew button on the coffee machine.
“I have some news. My project should be done soon. All I have to do is get a tenant in the last unit, then I’m set to leave. Which means you’ll be leaving.”
It’s too early for this. I haven’t even had coffee yet. I think I should go back to bed. I don’t like how this day has started.
“Hmmmm.” I stare down at my coffee as I stir it.
“Yeah. Looks like we could be headed back to Texas in about a week.”
Fuck this day!
“A week?” My eyebrows shoot up to my hairline line as I turn towards him.
“You were supposed to be here for at least two more months!” I needed more time to figure out my plan.
We had been making headway, but there’s still a lot to do.
I don’t have a replacement for myself. I don’t have anything set up for the spa. Plus, we’re still renovating.
“Yes, six months was the plan, but you were working, so I was working. So, unless it takes longer to fill this unit than the other units, we should be heading out this weekend. I suggest you get your bags ready. I can have movers come to your place Saturday. Do you want to keep everything?”
My eyes start watering. I’m not ready to move, and I have a feeling Matt isn’t going to be happy. I told him I would go with him. I thought I could figure things out in time. I still have no idea what I would do in Texas and I’m scared to go without some sort of idea.
What are my other options? Leave Matt? Matt has shown me it’s okay to be taken care of sometimes. He made me let him in when I hadn’t opened myself up for a long time. How am I going to let him go?
I abandon my coffee. I need to go home before he sees me falling apart. I’m going to need to tell him I can’t move like I said I would.
“You know, I left some things I’ll need today at my place. I’m going to head out, okay?”
He notices this is not normal. Of course he does; he notices everything and he’s trailing my every move like he’s a lion about to pounce on his prey.
“Scarlett, stay and talk to me.” He’s approaching me and if he touches me the floodgates will open.
“I can’t.” I shake my head.
“You can talk to me about anything. I’m here. What’s going on?” He squints while trying to meet my eyes.
A tear escapes onto my cheek. I clear my throat. “I can’t move with you this soon. I’m not ready to leave the gym. I can’t just leave things how they are. ”
“What do you mean you can’t?” He scowls.
“I can’t come with you. Right now. It’s not only about the gym. I would be leaving my entire life behind when I have no idea how you feel about me. I think you might love me, but you’ve never said it.”
He stares at me, clenching his jaw. Surprise, surprise, he doesn’t say anything.
I continue. “You’ve never been in a relationship.
Am I just supposed to move in with you?” I furrow my eyebrows.
“I opened a business here. I can’t leave in its current condition.
Not to mention my friends, who are basically my family, will be left behind. ”
“It’s a plane ride away. You could see them as much as you want.” He pauses. “I’ll pay for your share of the gym. I’ll pay for a new gym you can open in Texas. We aren’t moving to a deserted island.” He crosses his arms in front of his chest.
“ You paying for everything? How is that a relationship? It sounds like you’re trying to be in control of everything.”
“This is fucking unbelievable.” He slams his fist on the table. “ You said you would come with me. I want you to be with me.”
“It’s not the right timing.” I shake my head. “Isn’t there another way we could still be together? Maybe we could try long distance. You just said it’s only a plane ride away.”
“For how long? Long distance only works if you’re going to be together eventually .
Are you planning on moving to Texas eventually?
Because in a year, you’re still going to have a gym here in Washington, along with friends still here in Washington.
I don’t know if Grant is going to want to expand out here. That will take time to prove.”
“Why do I have to be the one to move? Couldn’t you move here temporarily?”
“I need to go back to Texas until I have proof the numbers will work long-term, which is why it’ll still take time for me to expand.
Plus, my business is in Texas. I have a house literally perfect for a family.
Why would I move? You said you would be fine with moving.
” He looks away. “What I have there is what I was hoping you would want some day,” he whispers.
My heart breaks into a million pieces. Even with my broken heart, even with me wanting to stay with him, the words to say I will go just can’t come. They’re stuck in my throat, unable to move. I don’t know what else to do but stay quiet.
Matt’s face is red and he’s pacing back and forth with his hands balled into fists. “Why didn’t you tell me what was going on? This has come out of left field. Suddenly, you don’t want to move to Texas with me.”
“I want to when the timing is right and I’m sure about us. I have other things I need to take care of. I thought there would be more time. I needed more time and money to get the gym to a place I could leave the girls with.”
“I have money. I could’ve helped you with anything! I have my own business. I know a thing or two about running one. You could’ve talked to me sooner.”
“I’m not letting you pay for the gym. You’re busy with your own projects. You wouldn’t be able to help. I just need more time. We can see each other long distance until everything gets done.”
“How long will that take?”
“Um, at least a couple months. Probably more.” I bite my lip.
“No. You’re either with me or not. I’m not doing this half-in bullshit.”
More tears stream down my face. “Listen, I know this was sprung on you, but we can still see each other until the gym is done. You never talked to me about a timeline of leaving for Texas. I can’t just pack up and leave.”
“Then I’m waiting on a gym? No, I’m not buying that. You’ll find some other reason to not move. I knew you were too good to be true.” He shakes his head from side to side.
“Matt...” I sob.
“Fine. You want to leave me, then go.” He points to the door. “You made your decision. We’re done, I guess.”
“Matt, please. I love you. There must be another way.”
“Don’t do that!” He points at me. “You knew this entire time. You were just making me think you would want to be with me and come with me. Instead, you made a fool of me. Just leave.” He points to the door again.
I can’t move. I’m frozen. I don’t want to leave because the minute I step outside we’re done. I’ll probably never see him again.
“Fine. Don’t leave. I’m leaving. Goodbye, Scarlett. Have a nice life.” And he storms out the door.
“Matt!” I shout at the back of his head, but he doesn’t turn around. A couple seconds later, the front door slams.
There goes my life.