A little something different, and I hope you guys like it as much as I enjoyed writing this. I'm not sure if I'll add more or leave it as is. I felt bad for Meatball, he deserves to be happy as much as the rest of them, so that's how this came about. For the pairings I changed things up just a little. Since I don't know what Meatball's real name happens to be, I gave him one at random, if I ever learn his actually name, I'll change it in my story.
Disclaimer: I only own the plot and my OC, everything else belongs to their respectful owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Getting lost in Fairhope was easy. Getting lost in Bluebell was a challenge in its self. After a failed marriage attempt, all you wanted to do was get lost, far away from anyone who knows. That was hard to do in Bluebell. That's how Meatball had found himself lost in Fairhope. He loved his beer and drinking his sorrows away should have helped him, instead the smell alone made him sick.
All he wanted was to find that special someone, he was starting to think it was never going to happen. He was unlucky when it came to love. All he had to do was accept that and live the rest of his life alone. But that wasn't what he wanted to do, he was just tired of getting his heart-broken.
"Hey buddy," he smiled down at the little black and brown dog that nudged his leg. "You lost?" The little puppy licked his hand, wagging her little curly tail.
"Elle," a brunette woman sighed, coming to a halt, clipping the leash onto the dog's collar. "I'm sorry, if she bothered you. I've only had her a few weeks and she's quite the escape artist."
"It's not a problem," Meatball told her. His world had suddenly gotten brighter. "I'm Meatball."
"I'm Addison, you can call Addy, though. Meatball, that's just weird," she commented, sitting across from him.
"Yeah," he chuckled. "I've had that name since I was a kid. My real name is Allen. I'm not very fond of the name." He cringed saying the name now.
"Allen, it fits you," she commented, a blush coming to her cheeks. "What brings you here?"
"It's a long story," he sighed, not wanting to get into his troubles. He was after all trying to avoid them.
"I've got the time." Her voice was like a soft velvety cloud, that wrapped around him, giving him the comfort he needed. "It can't be as bad as my last month," she told him, sadness clouding over her hazel eyes.
"Why's that?" He asked, purely concerned for the woman before him.
"My boyfriend of the last two years, not only cheated on my with my best friend but they ran off to Vegas to elope. I found out through Facebook that things were over. He did happen to send a text to break up with me. Can you top that?" She asked, letting a tiny smile escape to cover her sadness and depression. It was no contest, she wanted him to open up. Whatever happened to him was messing with him. It helped to open up to someone, if only for a moment. Sometimes, it helped to open up to a complete stranger, they couldn't judge you, the way a friend would.
"I guess it starts with Lemon. I let her use me. I never thought I would find someone who would love me for me." She placed her soft delicate hand on his stopping him.
"Not true." He shrugged at her words.
"I thought so. The more she used me, I thought we had a connection, turns out I was wrong and only made a fool of myself. Fast forward a few months, I thought I found the one. I loved her, she loved me, but turns out, she didn't know a single thing about me. The truth came out just a few hours ago at what should have been my wedding."
"Life is funny at times," she commented, getting a confused look form Meatball.
"How so?" There was nothing funny about the events he had just lived through. Many words came to mind and funny was not one of them.
"It brought two broken souls together, ready to mend them. A door will always close and a few extra doors will open up for you. It's up to you to go through the right door."
"Maybe," he sighed. He wasn't in the mood to get all Philosophical.
"Come on," she instructed. "Let's get you something to eat." He didn't want to argue, he was enjoying his time with Addy. She didn't judge him, like others would.
The hours had seemed to tick by and before they knew it they were watching the sun slowly start to wake up, casting pink's and purple's across the once black sky. The birds started to sing. The had bid a sweet good-by and walked away, counting down the seconds until they saw each other again.
Wade watched as his friend walked into the Rammer Jammer, taking a seat at the bar, all while he wore a goofy grin on his face. Wade looked around his bar, happy with his choice to stay in Bluebell. His eyes caught the brown one's of Zoe. He had stayed for her.
"What's with you?" Zoe asked, taking her normal spot at the bar in front of Wade. "He was practically skipping around town. Shouldn't he be moping or something?"
"Hell no! Lily Anne is nuts he's lucky he got out while he could," Wade told her, walking the short distance to the where his friend sat. "Good night for ya?"
"Once I got out of Bluebell it was," he sighed dreamily. "We spent all night talking. She's amazing."
"Who's amazing?" Dash asked, walking up to them.
"Addison."
"You heard it here first Bluebellians. Meatball has moved on from his wreck of a wedding with Lily Anne Lonergan . Addison is the name of his mystery woman. Is she the charm? The jewel of the Nile? Only time will tell." Meatball wasn't even paying attention to Dash's ramble's. He was busy day dreaming about Addy.
"Why don't you bring her by, sometime," Wade suggested. He wanted to see who had his friend love-sick.
Meatball had went about his day in a fog. A welcomed fog at that. Wade, Zoe, George, Annabeth, Lemon and Lavon were all worried about him. He had just got out of one bad relationship, they didn't need him to get back into another one. They were going to have an intervention with him.
"What's this about?" Meatball asked, eying the people up.
"We don't want you to make another stupid mistake," Lemon clarified.
"Addison, isn't a bad mistake or a stupid one," he challenged. "She opens my eyes, along with opening my heart up to love, real love."
"She's messed with your head," Wade sighed.
"Like you're missing with Zoe's head?" He asked. Wade cringed at his friends words.
"What?" Zoe asked, turning to look at Wade. "How so?" Anger evident in her dark brown orbs.
"Lavon Hayes, says you two can figure that out later. We're here for Meatball."
"Allen?"
"Who's Allen?" Was being asked.
"I thought I locked that door?" Wade pondered out loud. "Who are you?" Meatball turned around, a goofy grin set upon his lips.
"What are you doing here?"
"You talked so highly of this place, I had to come check it out for myself."
"Guys this is Addison." She smiled at the people who were before her. That's Lemon, George, my main man Wade, Zoe, Lavon Hayes and Annabeth."
"Hello," Addy smiled. "I'm not interrupting am I?" She was ready to feel bad if she had.
"Nope, not all. Why don't I show you around." Addy smiled, slipping her hand in his.
They had walked around the town a few times. Laughter could be heard from them two miles away. They had no agenda, they talked about nothing but everything. There was a glow that radiated from them. Wade watched them. He hated to admit it, but they were happy together. It had made him jealous. His friend had fallen in love and by the looks of things, she was more than smitten with him. It was unusual and strange, but a certain level of sweetness was mixed in. He had that with Zoe, thought he found that with Vivian, but no matter how real it felt, it was a hoax, an illusion. His feelings for a certain town Doctor never left. He was still in love with Zoe Hart.
"You feeling ok?" Meatball asked, seeing how pale Wade was.
"Yeah, look about earlier," Wade started to say only for Meatball to stop him.
"It's ok, you were watching my back. But Wade, stop living in fear. You don't know what the future holds for you and Dr. Hart. Figure it out now while you still have your chance. Your time is coming to an end and she'll be with someone other guy. Do you want that?" Meatball asked, walking away.
NO, he didn't want that, he wanted Zoe, for himself. She was his. But their time had passed. They wouldn't work out. He had screwed that up years ago.
Getting himself a beer, he took the empty seat. It was strange to watch Lemon leave with Lavon and Tucker and AB together. He never saw it coming.
"You have a wonderful place, Wade," Addy complimented him. He gave her a nod, appreciating her compliment. He wanted to find a reason to hate her so he could no longer be jealous.
"What is it you do?" Zoe asked.
"I work with underprivileged kids, along with being a therapist for kids of all ages, no matter the problem. Though mostly it's depression," she sighed.
"Isn't she just the best?" Meatball asked, pulling her closer. She really seemed like it.
How it was the two of them he didn't know. He sat across from Addison, Zoe on the phone out of sight and Meatball some place.
"You love her, but you fear you'll hurt her." He cocked an eyebrow leaning closer without saying a word. He wanted to see where she was going with this. "Not saying anything is only hurting you in the long run, Wade."
"Is that so?" He asked with a small chuckle. "You know nothing about me."
"I know you love, Zoe." He couldn't argue there. "You hurt her and she hurt you. But time has healed the pain, for both of you. You moved on from that pain because you love her."
"Okay, so you do know, but only the things Meatball told you," he huffed.
"He told me nothing, Wade. Body language speaks volumes. Make a move and worry about the little things when they appear."
"It won't work, we've tried before," he sighed casting a glance at Zoe.
"It won't work if you think like that. You need to be positive, Wade. You don't know what the future holds, until you live it. Don't let her slip through your fingers again. You might not get this chance again." She gave him no chance to reply, walking to Meatball. He was happy that Meatball hit the jackpot with Addy. He hoped things worked out for them. Meatball deserved it. He turned his attention to Zoe. Addy was right about everything. He pushed himself up, walking straight to Zoe.
"She'll have to call you back," he told whoever, ending the call. Zoe looked at him. In a heartbeat, he was cupping her face, his lips hungrily moving against hers. Her hands wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer. Tongue's fighting for supremacy.
Addison slipped her arm around Meatball's waist. She really liked Bluebell, the people were eccentric. Fairhope was so big it held no charm like little ol' Bluebell.
"Your friends, sure are something else, but I like that."
"Yeah," he agreed. "They are something. But so are you," She felt her cheeks warm up at his words.
"Nah, I'm nothing special."
"You are to me, Addy," Meatball whispered, pulling her flush against him. His left hand rested on her hip, his right hand tangled into her soft brown locks. Their lips molded together. Two souls locked together under the moon and stars, while two other souls had locked together in a bar.