Chapter 2

Morning came faster then I would have liked it to. My head was still against Baze's chest, he was still snoring and yet this was the best nights sleep I've had in a long time. I couldn't put my finger on it, something just felt right here. Gently I moved myself away from him, set my feet on the ground and left the bed room. Lux was on the sofa watching tv. "morning Cate, where is Baze?" she seemed puzzled that he wasn't on the couch where he was suppose to be sleeping. "he's in his room, we don't have to talk about this now though because I'm late for breakfast with Ryan, want to come?" there was a desperation in my voice. I wanted her to come, thinking maybe she would make him want to stay. There was no denying that Ryan loved Lux. "I think that is something you have to do alone, but how about we get some lunch later, I have a Chemistry quiz I am dying to get out of, so you could just pick me up from school at say like 12" she smiled knowing it wouldn't happen. "nice try Lux, I'll see you after school then, wake Baze up to drive you please" I grabbed my purse and fought to get my jacket on as I descended the stairs and exited the bar.

The ride from Baze's to my house felt extra long this morning. Maybe it was just because I was dreading what Ryan had to talk to me about. I unlocked the door and called out "Ryan I'm home" stepping inside and closing the door behind me I realized the water was running, he must have been in the shower. I tossed my purse aside, kicked my heels off and made myself comfortable on the chair, I was still wearing Baze's shirt, I sure hoped Ryan wouldn't get mad or notice for that matter.

He emerged from the bed room seconds after I heard the water turn off. Rubbing a towel over his wet hair he stopped in front of me. "your home, and wearing Baze's shirt, I see you didn't waste anytime jumping into bed with him did you?" he was seriously going to pick a fight with me now, I didn't need this right now. I had just lost my baby.. Our baby and all he could do is fight with me. "Ryan it's not what you think.. And what about you? Not even saying good bye to me, rushing off to talk to Julia the second you heard she was giving you all you wanted?" I fought back against him. I wasn't going to let him make me the bad guy here. I wasn't the bad guy. "let's not fight right now, look I have no idea why Julia lied to me but I really wish she wouldn't have. She is going to have our son in a month and I really think it would be best if I'm with her you know. That little guy deserves it." I was speechless, I had expected this but I still couldn't form words to describe how I felt about it. "I know you probably think I'm a jerk, Cate I do love you, I'll always love you, I mean I'll be here for Lux still whatever she needs I'm here, but I can't live with myself knowing that I didn't give my son the chance to have a real family" he continued to ramble on about his reasons, maybe he was trying to convince himself he wasn't wrong. I sure thought he was wrong.

What about me? What about those vows we exchanged didn't they mean anything? And what would he have done if I was still carrying our baby? Those questions clouded my mind, his words sounded distant almost like he wasn't speaking to me. "Cate.. Say something please" Ryan begged me to answer him. I swallowed hard before getting out "just leave" I covered my face with my hands to hide the fact that I was crying. "let's not end things like this please, we still have the show to do, and I really think we can be friends if we work on it" Ryan removed my hands, lifting my face so we were eye level. "friends.. You.. Please just give me some space right now" I pulled away standing up, I grabbed my keys off the table and left him alone in my living room.

I was in my car on my way back to Baze's when it hit me, I had to be in work. There was a show to do and as much as I didn't want to look at Ryan's face right now I had to be professional. I stopped back at the house and changed quickly. My head hurt, my hair was a mess, I was still wearing yesterdays make up but I didn't care. He seemed shocked when I showed up at the station. "w..what are you doing here?" he asked as I took my seat across from him. "working, what does it look like" I held myself together. There was no way I was going to cry right now.

"So Ryan what exciting news do we have for listeners today?" I sounded professional, almost happy like I should sound.

"well everyone I'm going to be a dad" I couldn't believe he had decided to air this on the radio. "and guess what I'm not the one pregnant so you can guess what that means, me and Ryan are getting a divorce" I sounded bitter, my entire mood was ruined in those two seconds it took him to flaunt to the world that I couldn't give him the child he so desperately wanted. "Cate you make it sound like it's a bad thing, I mean where did you stay last night?" I shook my head pushing the mic away from my face. "don't even go there Ryan" I hissed. "oh that's right do you not remember, you were at Baze's, so for all of those listeners wondering how this happened, how I am having a child with another woman other then my soon to be ex wife you can ask her it's all because of Baze. "No Ryan it's not all because of Baze he has nothing to do with this, you know what I'm done" I slammed my mic into his and left the studio as fast as I could. Baze was finishing up the painting in the bar when I arrived. "I hope you weren't listening to my show this morning" he attempted to lie but I could see on his face that he had. "I'm sorry about Ryan, he doesn't know what he's talking about" I was frustrated. "it's cool, don't worry about it, since you're here why don't you help me paint" he handed me a paint brush covered with red paint. I watched as drips of paint fell onto the plastic that was covering the floor. "I just can't believe he has the nerve to try and blame this on you, it's not your fault" I shouted anger spilling from deep inside me as I splattered the dripping brush at the wall. "has anyone taught you how to paint?" Baze changed the subject. "no why?" he started to laugh "because you suck, here let me teach you" before I could react he was behind me, I could feel his body hovering over me, his hand on mine where the brush was. Slowly he guided my hand up against the wall in an almost neat line. "now is that so hard?" he released his hold on me and backed up giving me some space. "no I guess not" I smiled. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have him right now.

Lux's P.O.V

The school day drug on for me, it has ever since Eric resigned. I felt bad for Cate but I couldn't let it go that she was the half of the reason he was gone, the other half Baze. I must have walked past his old classroom a dozen times today, hoping that maybe he would be there, and we would talk, and laugh like we use to. "looking for someone?" Sam taunted me. He was always watching me, it was sorta creepy. "no I'm not looking for anyone, and I never did thank you for ruining my life so thanks" I answered sarcastically walking away from him "your welcome" he followed me to my locker. "what do you want Sam?" my shouting caused several students to turn their attention on us as they passed us in the hall. "just wanted to say bye, today will be my last day here, wanted to know if maybe you'd like to hang out with me tonight, its my last day of freedom my mom is sending me back to boarding school" he explained to me, something about him seemed different. He sounded sad. "I am suppose to help Baze finish painting the bar, and then go to the movies with Jones sorry" I finished putting my books in my locker and shut it gently.

Cate

We finished painting the last wall around lunch time. "want to go grab some food?" I asked putting my paint brush down next to his. "I think we should get cleaned up first, why don't we just order something?" I followed him up the stairs into his loft. "sounds good to me, I need to take a shower, so I'll be back in like an hour" I turned to walk back towards the steps when I felt his hand on my arm. "why don't you just take a shower here, you can wear one of my shirts again, it will save time" he added. I paused pretending I had to think about it but really I was happy he suggested it. "okay sounds good to me" a smile formed on my face. While I showered Baze ordered our lunch, pizza and French fries. I made my shower quick I didn't want to use all the hot water up like I normally did at home and I just wanted to relax with him, maybe even cuddle up with him like I did last night. Being with Baze almost made me forget Ryan, or at least helped make it hurt less. I was doing just fine until he texted me.

Where are you? I want to talk to you!

I wasn't sure what he could possibly have to talk to me about now.

What is it? I'm at Baze's. helping him paint and waiting for Lux to get home from school.

I added the part about Lux in, it wasn't really his business where I was, or why I was here. Baze emerged from the bathroom shirtless seconds later. "feel better?" I asked putting my phone back into my purse. I had decided whatever Ryan needed it could wait. "much better" he pulled a shirt over his wet hair before joining me on the couch. " everything okay? You look upset again?" he was very observant when it came to my emotions. Sighing I just shrugged my shoulders. "it's going to be tough but you know, you two just weren't meant to be, you'll find that guy who won't care if you can't have anymore kids of your own. Don't let him get to you, you're a great girl" I didn't understand why Baze was being so sweet to me, it's like he knew exactly what to say to make me smile lately. "maybe your right, but then maybe I don't need a guy, I mean I'm pretty good at being by myself" I was lying, I was terrified of being by myself now. I liked having a guy around, and honestly I'd like for that guy to be Baze.