Chapter 4

09.00

I walk into the break room and almost walk back out when I see Oliver getting coffee but I decide the need for coffee is greater than my need to avoid people.

"Peck, how's it going?"

"Fine just getting coffee" I eye him carefully

"Ah, when does holly's flight leave?"

"In an hour and don't give me any sort of speech about fighting for her don't think I can take anymore speeches today"

"I wasn't"

"Oh well good" I say surprised

"Why not?" I ask "everyone else seems to think I need one why not you?"

"Because I know you have already decided not to try and there's not many speeches that could get you to change your mind."

"Well thanks"

"I gotta say I'm disappointed though"

"What? Why?"

"I didn't have you down as a quitter" he says with a shrug

"I'm not"

"looks an awful lot like quitting to me peck, I've never seen you quit anything no matter how though things get run yes but you always come back, but with this, your quitting."

"Ollie I'm not, I run from her and now I have to quit because if I don't if I ask her to stay and she turns me down it'll destroy me and there's no getting up from that. I mean when I ran it nearly killed me look at the state I was in, If she says no I don't know if I'll ever get over that but as it stands I can fool myself into thinking it was my choice and my decision which makes it just the tiniest bit easier to bear."

"You are an idiot Gail Peck" I turn as Traci walks in "it won't hurt any less but you will regret it and replay this decision over and over in your head the what if will drive you crazy. You have to take that chance with your heart and hope that holly will be willing to take the same chance with hers and stay."

"That's not how I work Traci"

"Yes it is your just scared, but I also know that you can do this and that you need to do this or you will never come back from it and you will never be the kind of person you are capable of being. Jerry died to save you Gail and I think that if he could see what you are doing to yourself he would slap you up the side of your head and tell you to get over yourself."

"it's not fair playing the Jerry card Traci" I said whining knowing that she had me and I was about to give.

"I know but you need a kick up the ass now don't you have somewhere to be?"

"Ollie I need to go and I need a car." I catch the keys to a squad car he throws at me

"Let's go get your girl peck" he shouts as he follows me out.