Chapter 25
Teddy
Time with Ariel has become an addiction. I want to spend every second of every day with her. I know that sounds cheesy as fuck, but it’s true. She stirs awake, and I smile when her eyes open.
“Waking up next to you is starting to become my new favorite hobby.” I smile.
“I love you.” She says, and time seems to freeze.
“What the fuck Ariel?” I jump up and start pacing. She pales, but I’m too busy panicking to worry about her. “You can’t be serious.” I shake my head and stare at her. “You can not be stupid enough to confuse kindness and sex with love. In case you don’t remember, I have a wife. She will always be my one and only love. I will never love you. You’re nothing to me but my sister’s best friend who I was helping. You’re having another man’s baby for crying out loud. How could you ever think I could love you? No, don’t answer that. I don’t have time for this.” I turn around and run out of her room.
Ariel
Tears are still running down my face as I hurry to pack my things. God how could I be so stupid? I should’ve known no one could ever love me. I’m unlovable. Greg knew it. That’s why he treated me the way he did, and now Teddy just confirmed it. He just shattered what was left of my heart.
I can’t stay here anymore. You’re nothing to me. He actually looked me in the eye as he said that to me. I have no one. Just me and Daisy, and I will not stay here to be part of Teddy’s verbal lashings. Packing what I came with, I leave as soon as I can.
I see Mr. Andrews as I rush past the living room. He calls my name, but I ignore him. I need to get out of here.
When I get to my car, I drive like a bat out of hell.
Teddy
A couple hours later, I’m calm, and realize my mistake. I don’t know what that was, but when she said she loved me, I panicked. I’ve not loved anyone since Gwen, and I lost her. I didn’t know how to process her confession, and reacted like a cornered animal. Fuck! The things I said to her. She didn’t deserve that. She deserves me at my best, and she needs to know the truth. I’ve fallen in love with her too and when I realized I got scared and I took the coward’s way out. I lashed out, trying to protect my heart.
Going into the house, I’m greeted by my dad who looks pissed.
“Congratulations son. You hurt her and sent her running.”
“What?”
“She left. You successfully pushed her away.”
‘No.” I rush upstairs and into her room, and I find her stuff gone. Everything I bought her is still here except her phone.
What have I done?