Hey all! This is my first time writing anything fanfiction so reviews, feedback, constructive criticism is definitely appreciated. This story is going to be a bit angsty but I just think there's some conversations that Zoe and Wade need to have and I'm not sure that the show will take it there. This story is going to be kind of short (maybe 4-5 chapters) as I dip my toe into the writing pool.
Zoe sat at the Rammer Jammer with Joel. Their first major holiday as a couple was coming up and of course it had to be Bluebell's famous Planksgiving. Joel was really getting a kick out of the preparation and festivities. She had to give him credit – he was really trying to fit into the Bluebell community, even if he found pirates ridiculous. He was hinting at a New York getaway for Christmas time but Zoe couldn't leave Bluebell at Christmas – it was magical. Thoughts of her last Christmas in Bluebell floated in her mind….breakfast with Wade, her mom and Lavon; kissing Wade under the mistletoe; her mom snapping pics of her and Wade in front of the Christmas tree…pictures she hadn't been able to tear or throw away because they held a special place in her heart.
"Zoe?" She realized that Joel was trying to get her attention. She quickly pushed thoughts of Wade out of her head. Recently, she found herself doing that more and more often.
"Sorry – I spaced out for a second. How was your day?" Zoe tried to focus her attention back on Joel. He was so great. He was safe and stable and he had taken this whole move to Bluebell in stride. He was crazy about her too. He was exactly who she pictured herself with all along….right? Did it matter if he didn't stir up butterflies in her stomach the way a flannel-clad neighbor used to (or if she was being completely honest with herself, still did)? So what if she didn't crave his touch the way she used to crave Wade's? He didn't drive her crazy, and he wasn't stubborn as a mule…but he also couldn't put a big smile on her face with a smirk and a smart ass comment. Joel was more mature than that and that was exactly what she needed. Besides, he would never hurt her.
As her thoughts wandered again, her eyes wandered over to Wade. She and Joel were sitting at the bar. She hadn't purposely sat at a stool that gave her a perfect view of Wade….at least she didn't think she had done it purposely. Wade looked good, but he always looked good. He saw her looking and gave her a small smile and a wave from the other end of the bar. She smiled back. She couldn't deny that some tension had eased from her when she found out that Wade and Lemon weren't really dating. It was petty and beneath her but it had definitely stung when she thought that Wade had easily replaced her in his heart…and with Lemon of all people! Glancing over at Joel, she realized how hypocritical she was being. She smiled and nodded at whatever Joel was saying, praying he didn't realize how distracted she was tonight.
Zoe noticed the cute brunette girl that walked up to the bar. She stood on the other side of Joel's stool, giggling and tittering, trying to get Wade's attention. Zoe rolled her eyes. She smiled at Joel again feigning interest in his story.
"Hi Wade! How are you? Long time no see" the brunette chirped.
"Uh….hey Claudette. How you doin'? What can I get ya?" Zoe thought it odd that Wade looked very nervous suddenly.
"I'll start out with a lite beer for now…in a glass." Wade set a glass on the bar and grabbed a beer bottle. He started pouring her drink. "Congrats on this place Wade! I just heard the good news." Wade just nodded his head to acknowledge her comment. "What time do you close this place down? Maybe we can hang out….ya know finish what we never even got to start that night of Battle of the Bands?" Claudette shrieked suddenly as Wade knocked over the drink he had been pouring and some beer splashed up onto her shirt. "Wade!"
"Sorry about that Claudette. The ladies room is right over there," he said, pointing over to the restrooms, "Why don't you go get cleaned up and when you come out, your drink will be waiting for you – on the house" the brunette scurried off to the ladies room.
Zoe felt her face get hot. What did Claudette just say and what did it mean?! Finish what they never started? Battle of the bands? That was the night…the night that had ruined them. Wade didn't look in her direction but his face was flushed – he was purposely avoiding eye contact with her.
"Joel, babe, sorry to interrupt but I gotta….I gotta go to the bathroom. I'll be back." Zoe didn't even wait for him to react before she grabbed her purse and hopped off her stool, following the path Claudette had just taken.
When she walked into the bathroom, Claudette was standing by the sinks blotting at the stains on her shirt. Zoe walked over to the sinks and pulled out a compact from her purse pretending that she was checking her makeup. She had to get information but she had no idea how. She couldn't exactly just come out and say "What happened between you and Wade the night of battle of the bands." Could she?!
"Cute shoes" Zoe opened with that.
"Huh? Oh, um, thanks." Claudette responded, obviously preoccupied trying to dry her shirt.
"You'd think a bartender wouldn't be so clumsy" Zoe exclaimed, trying to make small talk. Claudette looked up at her questioningly. "I was sitting at the bar with my boyfriend and noticed when the bartender spilled your drink" Zoe continued hurriedly.
Claudette let out a small giggle and replied "Well, I hope that means I've got him all worked up and flustered!"
"Oh, do you know him?" Zoe asked trying to keep her demeanor casual.
Claudette smiled at that comment. "Wade? Yeah, actually…he and I kinda have a history." Zoe's face fell. She looked at herself in the mirror. What was she doing?! This was crazy. Why was she opening old wounds?
"Oh, really?" She responded distractedly.
"Well, I wish we had more of a history really," Claudette was talking absent-mindedly while checking herself out in the mirror. "We almost got together one night but he sneaked out of my place while I was in the bathroom…." Claudette kept talking but Zoe wasn't listening anymore.
Zoe's blood ran cold. Was she talking about that night? Wade had snuck out of her place? Claudette's words to Wade from earlier still hung in Zoe's head, "Maybe we can hang out….ya know finish what we never even got to start that night of Battle of the Bands?" If that was the night she was talking about, then he had never….
"Well, I guess I'll see you out there!" Claudette called out to Zoe as she left the bathroom. Zoe waved without looking at her.
Her world was spinning. Could this possibly be true? Why would he lie?! Nothing made sense but Zoe had to know – she needed answers. Even if it brought up all the old hurt from before. She would deal with that later.
She stepped out of the ladies room and looked over to where she and Joel had been sitting. Lavon had arrived at some point and was talking to Joel. Lavon caught her eye and was about to wave and smile but the look on Zoe's face stopped him. She put one finger up to her lips in a silence motion and even though there was a questioning look in his eyes, Lavon didn't acknowledge her. He continued his conversation with Joel.
Next, she looked over behind the bar, and just as she expected, Wade was clearly looking at her now. There was no avoiding her gaze. She always knew he was observant so she was sure it hadn't escaped his notice that she and Claudette had been in the bathroom at the same time. She motioned with her eyes towards the back exit and started walking in that direction. She heard him call out, "Wanda can you cover me for a few minutes?" just as she walked out the door. The back exit led to the secluded alleyway behind the bar. She heard the door open and close behind her. She felt his presence. He walked a few steps past her, his back to her.
She waited until he turned to face her because she wanted to see his face and look in his eyes when she asked him what she needed to know. After everything, he wouldn't dare lie to her again, would he?
"I need to ask you something" she said in a voice that she didn't recognize. "That night…" she faltered – she knew she had to get this out before she lost her courage. "The night of battle of the bands, you never cheated on me" her question had turned into a statement. Suddenly, she was that sure of herself.
There was no look of surprise on Wade's face – just what seemed like a look of resignation. His hand went to rub the back of his neck.
"No, I didn't."