"That's a lot of wine." He stated bluntly, pointing to her wine glass and the stacks of bottles behind her. She couldn't tell whether he was actually concerned or just looking for something, anything, to start a conversation.
"Not nearly enough." Rachel answered, but the meaning behind it was gone. She moved aside, a silent gesture meaning he could come in. They walked together into the living room, the awkward silence lingering over them like a sheet of ice.
"How have you been?" he asked while sitting down in her armchair. She scoffed at his relaxed position, back in her home. As if he had never left.
"Cut the small talk. Tell me why your here." Her bluntness surprised him, although there was a hint of pain laced through her harsh words. She looked at him with contempt, maybe more had changed while he'd been gone than he'd thought.
"It's Melissa—"
She scoffed, cutting him off. "It always is." She shook her head disbelievingly. The uncomfortable silence increased. "Come on Eddie, ask me. Don't pretend you're shy."
"She disappeared again. I was just wondering if you've heard from her." Rachel fought the urge to laugh. Then her mind raced back to her nephew's disappointed face after every one of Melissa's departures.
"No, I haven't. What happened to Phil?" Compassion flooded her eyes and Eddie caught a glimpse of the old Rachel.
"He's with me." Eddie said quickly, a soft smile graced his lips. He was sure he had cracked her hard exterior. He was sure her concern for Phil would halt her hatred for him, no matter what had happened in his absence.
"Brilliant," She said looking genuinely happy, but Eddie knew her fake smiles from the real ones. "Now go, tell Phil he's welcome round here anytime he wants." Her cold sharp words told him although Phil was welcome, he certainly was not. He got up out of the arm chair and walked towards the exit. "Oh and if you hear from Melissa?" Eddie turned sharply, one hand frozen on the door knob, catching her eyes in a penetrating stare. "Tell her she's dead to me." Eddie flinched as those ugly words flowed out of Rachel's beautiful mouth.
"Rach—" He tried to reason with her, his pleading eyes still locked with hers.
"You know where the door is Eddie." With that she sat down and resumed drinking her wine.
"Do not just pretend like I'm not here. Rachel, I came here to see you. I've missed you. I've missed us and you just sit and ignore me like you don't care?" Eddie scoffed and turned away. Annoyed with Rachel for her petty treatment but even more annoyed with himself for letting himself get so emotional.
"Don't you dare! I don't have to pretend, you aren't here. And I wish every day of my god damn life that I didn't care. But it's too hard. You left me, she won again. Do you know what it's been like? I've felt worse than I have in a very, very long time Eddie. So don't come round here on your high horse, surprised that she's fucked off again. And expect me to give a damn. Leave!" Eddie stood frozen, trying to take in everything Rachel had just said. "I said leave!" she screamed, scaring him, but scaring herself even more. She crumpled to the floor, her body wracking with her sobs as Eddie raced to catch her. He wrapped his arms around her, rubbing his hands up and down her back as she held on tight. "I'm sorry!" she mumbled and it made her cry harder.
"Shh, it's okay, I'm here Rach," he whispered in her ear and kissed her forehead. He had no idea what to do next, but knew no matter what, he would never leave her again.