It had been three days. Three days since Wade's world fell apart as he watched Zoe Hart walk out of it. He was angry. Angry at her for believing in him more than she should. Angry at George and Tansy for not stopping him before he made the biggest mistake of his life. More than anything, though, he was angry at himself for screwing it all up.
While he hadn't told her, Wade loved Zoe. He'd be a fool not to. She was smart, funny, independent... She challenged him in the best ways possible. She was perfect! Completely perfect for him and he threw it all away for something that meant absolutely nothing to him. He was in a dark place. He was scared shitless and drunk and a little angry at her for making him feel so insecure. But to do that? He didn't even remember what happened when he woke up. He remembered leaving with the girl, but after that, everything was a blur. All he remembered was Zoe crying and the look in her eyes when he told her. Pain mixed with anger and fear. And tears. Lots and lots of tears. He pleaded with her. Told her he was sorry, that it didn't mean anything, that he would give anything to make it up to her. She just sat there with tears in her doe eyes. And then she left.
It's been two days since he saw her. He had been trying to avoid her. He was the reason she was hurting and he didn't want her to see him and be reminded of everything he did. The first couple nights he crashed with Meatball. That was a mistake. All he wanted to talk about was how they didn't win Battle of the Bands. Wade didn't care about that. Nothing mattered too much without Zoe. When Meatball tried to console him by telling him that the other girl was at least super hot, that's when Wade lost it. He stormed out of Meatball's and since George and Lavon were obviously going to be team Zoe (as they should) Wade went to the last place anyone would expect.
"Thanks for letting me crash here, dad. I just need a few days to think things out, find a new place and get outta there."
Earl looked at his youngest son. His heart just as broken. He knew what it was like to lose the only woman you've ever loved.
"It's ok Wade. Stay as long as you need. How's the doctor holding up?"
He hadn't really seen her, but Shelly kept him in the loop. "She's doing ok. Holding it together as best as she can. I didn't expect her to forgive me, but I had hoped that maybe... I'm an idiot. I fucked up, dad. I fucked up big time." Wade didn't do emotions. He didn't wear his heart on his sleeve and he damn sure didn't cry. Yet, here he was: sitting on Earl's couch with tears streaming down his face.
He and Earl talked for hours. They talked about Zoe and how much Wade loved her. They talked about Wade's mom and how she and Earl fell in love. "She was way too good for me. Smart, beautiful... I remember the first time I saw her. I thought she was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. She was with her friends. I was with mine. I tried to get the courage up to go talk to her, but I was terrified."
"Weren't you in, like, the first grade?" Wade asked.
Earl just laughed. "When you find the girl you're supposed to spend the rest of your life with, you just know. Doesn't matter how much money you make, what you do for a living or even if you're 6 years old. When you find the one, you know."
"I know, dad." Wade said sadly. He had been in love with Zoe Hart since the day she stormed into his house.
The two men sat there, sad looks on their faces while Earl talked more about the greatest love of his life. Wade had heard all these stories before. When Jacqueline was alive, she and Earl used to talk often about how they met on the playground. Earl's buddy Frank had kicked a ball at the girls and made fun of Earl when he took a little too long to get it back. "Kinsella's got a girlfriend" the other boys used to tease. Earl didn't mind. All the teasing in the world was worth it if it meant he got to play with little Jackie Caulfield.
When Wade was little, he loved hearing these stories. He might have made faces at them, but his parents truly loved each other.
"Son, if it's meant to be, it'll be." Wade looked at his dad, eyes full of tears, and told him truthfully "I don't deserve her". Earl just smiled. "Do you think I deserved your mom? She was too good for me. Too smart. Too kind. Too beautiful. Whether or not YOU deserve her, doesn't mean SHE doesn't deserve you". "How does that even make sense, dad?" Earl just laughed. "Trust me, Wade. You'll see. You're good for the Doc. You just gotta hold on."
Wade was so confused. "What do you mean I gotta hold on? I hurt her! She's crying because of me! She's hurting because of me! She deserves so much better. Much more than I'll ever be!"
"Just hold on, Wade. Don't let go of her. Just hold on."
All of a sudden Wade started to feel very woozy. His head was spinning. He could still hear his dad telling him to hold on. "Just hold on, Wade!" But then, the calmness in Earl's voice changed to pleading. His voice got lighter and lighter. All of a sudden, he heard Zoe. "Please, Wade... Just hold on, baby. Please don't leave me!" She was crying and her voice was horse. The room suddenly got very bright. Wade closed his eyes to try to cut out the light. When he opened them, he was in a hospital bed. There were machines all around him and wires and tubes connected to almost every part of his body. He looked down, and there was Zoe. His Zoe. Crying and telling him how much she needed him. How much she loved him.
"Zoe?" Wade scratched out. His throat was sore and it was barely a whisper, but she heard it. Zoe's head snapped up in his direction. Tears streaking her beautiful face. All of a sudden, her lips were on his. Kissing him. Thanking him for coming back to her.
"Zoe? What happened? Where am I?" Zoe just looked at him. "Wade, you were in a car accident. You're in the hospital in Mobile." Wade was so confused. "A car accident? W-when? How?" Zoe just started to cry more. "About two weeks ago. You've been in a coma ever since. George, Tansy and I found you on our way back from Battle of the Bands. You were on the side of the road." The tears really started pouring now.
"On the way back from Battle of the Bands? What about Wanda and Tom's Star Wars wedding? Wanda's crazy mom?" Zoe just looked at him like he was crazy. "Baby, what about us breaking up?"
Zoe's eyes got big at that. "Wade, what are you talking about. We never broke up!"