Page 56 of This Time Around

“I told you before I moved in here, I can take care of myself,” she states unwaveringly as she moves to the bedroom.

“Baby, please,” I plead

She silently gets dressed, throws clothes on in a fury.

“Blake, let’s talk,” I beg.

She packs a bag, blindly throwing everything inside without the precision or care she usually possesses.

I try to pull the bag from her grip, begging her to look at me for just a second. If she would just look at me, she would see how much I truly love her. Instead, she opens the front door and storms out.

I fall apart on the floor. What did I just do?

After a few hours, I decided space is the only thing that is going to make this better. We both need time to digest this fight, and she needs time to cool off.

“Hey, mom,” I whisper when my mom calls me back. I called an hour ago, but she didn’t answer.

“Still rough over there? Last night was a doozy.” She’s trying to ease the tension.

“How can you be so nonchalant about this?” I ask.

“Luke, you and B love each other. You have for a while now. It’s been plain as day, staring everyone in the face. I told your dad just as much not long after you married that girl.”

“Noel?” I ask, rolling my eyes,

She bluntly ignores me. “I told him there was no way your marriage would last. You were in love with Blake.” She pauses before she continues, “Relationships hit bumps. This is your first big fight. It will pass.”

“Mom, I told her the only thing she needs from me is a free place to live.” I shake my head in disapproval.

“Okay, so this is your first fuck up,” she verifies. “Luke, honestly, that was the dumbest thing you could have said,” she scolds.

“I know, I don’t mean it,” I murmur in regret.

“I know.” She takes another long breath. “So does she.”

“I think we need a little space. Emotions are too high right now. Can I come stay there for a few days?” I ask.

“Yes, but not too long. You are not running from this. You need to fix it,” she encourages.

I head out to get Blake some coffee and a bagel. I know she doesn’t eat when she’s upset, and she is moody when she doesn’t eat. She and the girls have a lot to do in the next few days before L&L opens to the public.

When I walk into the bar, I hear them having a meeting in the back. I grab a napkin and a pen from behind the bar and leave a brief note next to the coffee and bagel.

I look one more time towards the back room, hoping to get a glimpse of my girl before I leave, but when I don’t, I turn towards the door and head to my parents’ house.

Shit, Shit, Shit…

“Have you ever needed somethin’ so bad

You can’t sleep at night?”

-Brandy

Blake

Ishould be sleeping.

I’m supposed to be thrilled, L&L is officially open.