Break Up With Him Chapter 2
The Next Day
Thank you everyone who read and reviewed my story. I am not sure where I am going with it yet so bear with me. Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, they belong to JE but I enjoy playing with them.
Stephanie wakes up to a pounding head and someone pounding on her door.
"Cupcake, I know you're in there! Open up!"
He tries to get in but the floor bolt is thrown.
"I have your key and I want to talk to you."
"Okay, okay. Keep your hair on, I'm coming."
She lets him in and goes into the kitchen to make coffee.
Joe sits on the sofa in the living room with his head in his hands. "I'm sorry you had to find out about Terri like that, he said quietly. I know that I needed to break things off with you but I just couldn't hurt you like that."
"So, you cheated on me with Terri and hoped that I wouldn't ever find out? Are you still seeing her?"
"Yes and yes I am. And I don't want to stop seeing her either. It started out innocent six months ago when I called her about a case I was working on and then I kept calling her. You keep me at a distance most of the time and I needed someone to talk to. And she's a really good listener."
"Well, Joe thanks for being honest with me, now GET OUT. I don't want to hear any more."
Tears were dripping down her chin as he let himself out the door quietly.
Stephanie got up and turned off the coffee pot and went back to bed. She got into her thinking position and cried herself to sleep.
When she woke up the second time, she felt him before she opened her eyes.
"What are you doing here Ranger?"
"Babe, I came by to check on you. Are you going to be okay?"
She sits up and tears are still falling. "What's wrong with me? Why does every man I have dated or married for that matter, cheat on me?"
"Because they were losers? Come on Babe, get in the shower and get ready for the day. You need cheering up. We're leaving in 30 minutes."
"Where are we going?"
"It's a surprise. But dress for outdoors."
"Okay, Ranger. I'll go get ready."
Thirty minutes later she gave Rex some hamster crunchies and fresh water and walked out of her apartment with Ranger.
They drove to Newark and through a working class neighborhood. There's a beautiful park ahead and they find a place to park the Turbo and get out.
"What are we doing here Ranger?"
"This is the neighborhood park I played in growing up. I always loved coming here. The city hired a landscape architect to design the flower beds. It always made me feel calm and safe. It was a good place to come to after school. I don't know if you know this about me, but I was very small as a boy and I got bullied in school. This park was my escape."
She took his hand and squeezed it. "Thank you for telling me that, I had no idea."
They walked around the park for several hours enjoying nature. Ranger turned to Stephanie, "Babe, I brought you here because I want you to know how I feel about you. I haven't had but two relationships in my life. One with Rachel and this one with you. I try to keep you at arms length because I don't think I am good enough for you. I'm dark inside and being around you makes me feel like the sun is shining on me. I love you and have ever since I met you at the diner. I want to be with you if you will have me."
"How do I know you won't drop me when someone else comes along and turns your head?"
"It has been three years and I haven't even looked at other women since I met you."
"So you haven't been with anyone else in three years?"
"No, Babe I haven't. I have been working to get my business going and I still had my government contract to fulfill. But that part of my life is over now as of one month ago."
"I'm glad I won't have to worry about you going in the wind anymore.
If you break my heart, I don't think I could ever get over it."
"Babe, I am serious about you. I have been carrying this around in my pocket for the last year. Would you wear it as my promise to you?" He hands her a small box.
Stephanie looks down at the box in her hand and opens it slowly, her eyes tearing up as she sees what's in there. "You have been carrying this around for a year?"
"Yes, Babe and I hope you will wear it. I bought it after the DeHooch deal."
"Just to be clear, is this a promise ring?"