Author's Note: Hi. So, I apologize for taking so long to update. There was this one thing I didn't know how to write (it's just some body-langauge I've noticed George uses a lot, but I didn't really know how to describe it) but I consulted a friend who is also a writer, so, good to go.
I did debate updating, because while this is a Zade story, it has a lot of Zeorge, and these past few weeks, we've been getting a lot of that. I didn't want to upset anyone. So, fair warning, if you don't like Zoe and George, there will definitely be stuff in the next few chapters that you won't like, but it's necessary for the story, and hopefully there will be other stuff that makes it worth it to read.
Also, while reading, please keep in mind that this is a darker sort of story. It is the darkest Hart of Dixie fanfiction I have written, and it is supposed to be. In fact, it is supposed to be a little darker than the show. For this reason, you may notice some characters doing things you would not normally expect from them. They are not out of character per se, just a little darker, a little morally murkier. Please do not hold this against them, or me.
That being said, I hope you enjoy this chapter. The next one is written, but I want to see how people respond to this one before I post it, so reviewing is advised. Enjoy.
To Those Who Reviewed:
Mollie, as always thank you for your review, I am glad you loved it, and thank you. yeah, I miss season one sometimes, but so long as we get a season three, I'll be okay. I am glad you understand that and that you are willing to wait.
I am sorry it takes me so long to update sometimes. I have been super busy, and my computer has been acting weird on this site. Not other sites, just this one. At first I thought it was the site, but it works fine on other computers, so I don't know what the deal it. Also, I am something of a perfectionist, so I need to make sure the chapters are right before posting. I hope I get a lot of reviews soon because I want to post the next chapter.
That is so sweet. Thank you. I am very flattered. Does that include I Feel Fine? Because I got the impression not a lot of people read that one. It only got two reviews.
Simone, thank you for reviewing.
Guest, Thank you. That is so sweet. Yeah, the idea of Lilah was never to get between Zoe and Wade, it was more to give him somebody who knew him to talk to about this stuff. Lavon is great and all, but when it comes to girls, sometimes it is better to actually talk to one. They tend to be more insightful, and they understand their own kind.
Chapter Four
Lemon stared after Wade, wondering what the hell had gotten into him. Wade knew Lemon, and he knew she was a force to be reckoned with, especially when she was upset and angry, which she currently was. He was too smart to explode at her, yelling and fuming like he had was practically suicide. She would have killed him if she hadn't been so shocked.
The bell dinged as Lemon pushed the doors open and ran into the room. Why was George ending up in the doctor's office so much lately, what with the car accident, the crossbow incident, and now this? Lemon did not like this one bit.
"George, sweetheart, are you all right? What happened? I heard Wade -"
"Lemon, relax, okay, I'm fine. I promise. It's just a few bruises. Your dad fixed me right up." He gave her a reassuring smile.
"Oh thank god." She threw her arms around him. He winced a little, "Oh, I'm sorry."
"It's fine."
"George Tucker, don't you dare put on a brave face for me. If something is wrong, if you are in pain-"
"Lemon, I told you I'm fine."
"I swear, I could just kill that Wade Kinsella."
Lemon noticed George take a deep breath, "Lemon, it wasn't exactly Wade's fault."
"You're sweet sweetheart, but you don't have to defend his actions."
"Except it wasn't his action." Lemon looked at George, confused, "Lemon, I started the fight. I threw the first punch."
"What? Why?"
"I don't know, I just, he was just sayin' these things and I … I just lost it."
"Well, what kind of things was he sayin'?" George was silent, "George?"
"I … I don't remember. I just remember gettin' angry."
"But … but that's so unlike you."
"Well, maybe you don't know me as well as you think."
"What's that supposed to mean?" George was silent again, "George? I asked you a question."
"Just … just forget it."
"Forget what? I feel like I'm only hearin' half the conversation, which is particularly strange because I'm one of the people havin' it."
"Just let it be, okay. Please."
"Let what be?"
He let out something that seemed like it was between a sigh and a groan, "Look, your dad put me on some pain pills, and I'm a little tired. Could we maybe talk about this later." Before she could answer, he closed his eyes.
She made her way out of the practice stunned. First Wade shows some major balls when she knows he is smart enough to be scared of her, then George admits to starting a fight and erupts at her about god knows what. She felt like she had entered some alternate universe.
She was so lost in thought, she didn't see Lavon until she had practically run him over, "Oh, I'm sorry, Lavon, I, don't know-"
"It's fine." He said kindly.
She gave him a weak, grateful smile. "What're you doin' here?"
"I heard about the fight; I wanted to check on Wade, and find out what got into his head in the first place."
"Good luck. Seems like the whole town has gone crazy today."
"That implies that this town was ever sane." Lemon chuckled a little, but her eyes still glistened with tears that she refused to spill, "Lemon, you okay?" she looked down embarrassed, "That's a stupid question. Of course you're not okay. You're fiancé just got beaten up."
She shook her head, "That's not it." Lavon didn't say anything. She figured he was waiting for her to continue. Trying to calm herself, she looked up into his deep, caring eyes, "I think George is mad at me. And I don't know what I did." A tear fell down her cheek. She tried to blink it back, "I've just tried so hard to be perfect for him, but what if I'm just not good enough." Lavon didn't say anything, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be talkin' to you about this. What with … it's not very considerate of me."
Lavon shook his head, "Lemon, you can always come to me." she smiled at him. He was so kind. And suddenly, she realized how ridiculous it was to hold back the tears. It was not as though Lavon had never seen her cry. In fact, he was one of the only people who ever had. For some reason, she felt like she could be broken around Lavon, and it would be okay. He would see the shattered statue on the floor, and instead of trashing it or walking away, he would pick it up and try to put it back together. She started crying then, and then Lavon was holding her. He held her tight in his arms, stroking her back and soothing her. She had missed being in his arms so much. She missed how safe he made her feel, how loved. She never wanted him to let her go.
Wade had hoped he could just collapse in his bed and try to forget today had happened. No such luck though. When he walked into the gatehouse, he saw a large bulge under the blanket on his bed. Great, just great. It wouldn't be the first time some girl snuck in to seduce him or something, but he was so not in the mood.
He made his way to the bed and the blanket moved. Then, to his surprise, Lilah pulled the covers off herself and sat up, "Bout time you got here. Where've you been anyway? I fell asleep waitin' on your lazy ass." Then she took a closer look at him, "Whoa, who'd you piss off?"
"What're you doin' here Lilah?"
"Well, I was sittin' home, bored out of my mind, thinkin', what would entertain me, and then I remembered a certain guy who swore he would never fall for anyone and a certain girl's name he called out." Wade looked at her, confused, "I'm here to meet Zoe idiot. I want to see this mystical creature that got you under such a spell."
"And you thought she'd be here?"
"Well, all I have to go on is a first name, so I thought I'd pester you 'til you told me where to find her. I figure if I stay long enough, eventually you'll crack." Wade snorted, "Hey, I am a force to be reckoned with. You forget, I know all you're secrets Wade Kinsella, like what music makes your ears bleed and what perfumes make you feel like you're chokin'. I can smoke you out. Just you wait."
"Yeah, well, good luck with that." he said, getting up and heading for the door, "Where you goin'?"
"What, like I'm gonna stick around and indulge this little tantrum you're throwin'. Sides', I got somethin' to take care of." He looked out the window at George Tucker's truck, which was clearly heading for the main house.
Once Brick gave George a clean bill of health and said he was safe to head home, George had tried to call Lemon. He figured he should apologize. Only, she didn't pick up. Well, he could talk to her later. Right now, he had a way bigger apology to make.
It didn't take long to get to the plantation. He was barely out of his car when he spotted Wade heading for him.
"Wade. Good, you were just who I wanted to talk to."
"Come to hit me again?" Wade asked.
"No. I came to apologize."
Wade crossed his arms over his chest defensively, "Right, yeah, Zoe told me you were gonna do that."
"Look, Wade, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have hit you."
"I don't care." Wade said with a shrug.
"What?"
"I said I don't care. In fact, I'm glad you hit me. Finally get some rust on that damn shinin' armor of yours."
"If you're tryin' to provoke me, it's not gonna work. I'm not gonna hit you again."
"Is that what you think I was tryin' to do? You think the fight was my fault?"
"Well, not completely. In fact, initially, not at all, but I've been thinkin' ever since Zoe brought it up and-"
Wade started laughing mirthlessly, "You talked to Zoe? And she put that idea in your head did she? Of course."
"What does Zoe have to do with anything?"
"Come on, Tucker, your memory is not that short. Zoe is what this whole thing was about! Well, Zoe and Lemon."
"You gonna start talkin' in riddles again like you did in town today?"
"No. No riddles. I thought I made my point, but if you want I will spell it out until it is perfectly clear." Wade paused, and when he started to speak again, he drew out each word, making sure George did not miss a thing, "I am accusin' you of leadin' Zoe Hart on when you have absolutely no intention of callin' off your impendin' nuptials."
"Well, well that's just ridiculous." George sputtered, "Zoe and I are just friends."
Wade shrugged, "Really?" George nodded, "Well then answer me this. That night you shot yourself in the leg, what were you doin' with Zoe?"
"What?"
"Come on, it's not that hard a question. Think back a few weeks. It's the middle of the night and you and Zoe are alone together at her house. What were you doin' there?"
"I … I gave her a lift home."
"From?"
"From Mobile. She took the bus so she didn't have a car with her, so I figured since I was there-"
"Where?"
"What?"
"Since you were where?"
"In Mobile."
"With Zoe?"
George shook his head, gesturing dismissively, "No, it wasn't like that. We just happened to bump into each other."
"You just happened to bump into each other?" George nodded, "Where?"
"In Mobile."
"Yeah, I know, but where? Mobile's a big place George."
"At a Woody Allen film festival."
"So, a theatre?"
"Yeah."
"Where at the theatre, coming out of the movie, in the actual theater-"
"At the ticket booth."
"You two go in together? Sit together?"
George chuckled awkwardly, "Well, you know, people 'round here aren't all that fond of Woody Allen. It was a pretty barren theatre."
"And then when the movie was over you just, what, offered to give her a lift back to Bluebell?"
"Well, actually we …"
"You what? Sorry, I didn't catch that."
"Well, we were talkin', and she was a little put out about that whole mess with Judson so I offered to buy her a cup of coffee, but, you know, she wanted wine."
"So you went and got drinks at a bar?"
"Well, it was around dinner time, so it made more sense to just go eat. Have wine with dinner."
Wade nodded, "So, let me get this straight." He put up his hand and started counting off on his fingers like he was marking some checklist, "You went into a theatre, together, sat together, watched the movie together, walked out together, went and had dinner together, which if I know you, you paid for, and then you gave her a ride back to her place?" George nodded uncomfortably, "Well, I'm no expert, bein' a fan of the one-night-stand myself, but that sounds a hell of a lot like a date George."
"It wasn't a date. It was just a string of coincidences that happened to add up to something that to the untrained eye could look like, but in fact was not, a date."
Wade nodded, "Uh-huh. Okay. And did you ever tell Lemon about this 'string of coincidences?' "
"I didn't think it was necessary."
"Sure. Just like it wasn't necessary to tell her about what happened just before that gumbo contest."
"Hey, I told Lemon about that!" George said defensively, "How, how do you even know about that?"
"Does it matter? Not like you're hidin' anythin', right?"
"I'm not."
"Because that wasn't a date. And you didn't ask Zoe to keep quiet about whatever happened between you two the day she saved that guy's arm. And it's not like when you met Zoe you put off tellin' her you were engaged. Or like you're always flirtin' up a storm with her."
"Will you stop?"
"Yeah, sure, I'll stop, if you'll just admit it. 'Cause the whole town might be blind to it, but I'm not. See, one of two things is goin' on here. Either you have a thing for Zoe Hart, or you can tell Zoe Hart has a thing for you and you just like the attention, and quite frankly, I'm not sure which one makes you a bigger asshole."
"I don't, I haven't-"
"George, you don't think I know what stringin' a girl along looks like, okay, I've done it a million times. I was just never engaged when I did it."
"You were married."
"That's not the same thing and you know it; what Tansy and I had wasn't a real marriage, okay, it was barely a relationship. You, on the other hand, have been with Lemon for fifteen years, and you asked her to marry you and she said yes, so unless you plan on askin' for the ring back, you need to make some changes, the first of which is bein' honest with yourself."
"Hello? Wade?" Zoe looked around, but she didn't see him anywhere. She was going to leave when she heard a toilet flush, "Wade?"
Wade didn't come out of the bathroom though. A girl did. Probably one of his fun sex toys. The girl was tall, with long wavy auburn hair and a well-developed figure. Yep, definitely one of Wade's sex toys.
"He's not here," the girl said, crossing her arms over her chest, "You're welcome to wait though."
"Thanks, I'd rather not."
"Oh, please don't tell me your one of the ones who actually thinks he wants to commit, 'cause those girls are idiots." The girl said rolling her eyes.
Zoe's face flushed, "I am not one of Wade's girls! I am his doctor. I'm just here to drop off a prescription, that's it. Like I would ever-"
"Wait, you're a doctor?" Zoe nodded, "I heard about you. You're Harley Wilkes daughter right?" Oh Geez, Zoe thought. She had thought the novelty had worn off by now.
"Could you just give these to Wade, please?"
The girl shrugged, "Give them to him yourself. He's just over at the main house talking to George."
Oh no, "I'm sorry, did you say Wade's with George? As in, alone with him?"
"Yeah, so?"
Zoe's face paled a little, but she tried not to freak out, "I've gotta get over there before it becomes bigger than just pain pills." Zoe headed for the door quickly.
"What's the big deal about them bein' alone together?"
"Well, considering that the last time they were in the same room punches were thrown and blood was spilt-"
"You're sayin' George gave Wade those bruises?"
"And he may give him worse if I don't get over there. Lovely chatting with you."
The girl shrugged indifferently, but when Zoe reached for the door, she called out, "Wait?"
"What now?" she almost yelled. Did this girl not understand what a medical emergency was?
"Your name wouldn't by any chance be Zoe, would it?"
"Yeah, so?"
The girl's face turned from indifferent to triumphant. She had a mischievous gleam in her eye, "So you're the famous Zoe?"
"Yes, I'm Harley's daughter, we've been over this."
"I could care less about whose daughter you are, except that it might have saved me a little time if I knew Zoe and Harley Wilkes daughter were the same person."
"I'm sorry, what?"
"You're a little shorter than I expected, and Wade usually goes for blondes, but, I don't know, I guess I can see it."
Something clicked in Zoe's head. This girl was talking about her like ...
"What exactly did Wade tell you about me?" she said nervously.
The girl shrugged again, but that mischievous glint was still in her eye, "Oh, not much. But more than enough. It has been a pleasure. And here I thought I would have to resort to Barbie Girl to meet you." Zoe looked at her, more confused than ever, "I should get goin', but tell Wade he's off the hook, and Zoe, I look forward to seein' you again." she started walkin' past a frozen Zoe, "Uh, don't you have a potential physical confrontation to breakup?"
"Oh crap." Zoe said, seemingly coming back to her senses.
"Come on Tucker, just, admit it. You'll feel so much better if ya do." Wade's tone was icy, but he was sick of all this shit. George saying nothing was going on, Zoe saying they were just friends, George being with Lemon and Zoe almost with him and now with Judson … It was just too much. At the very least, George would stop giving Zoe false hope. Wade knew George; ethics mattered to him. If he admitted to himself that he was doing something wrong, he would do everything in his power to stop.
Of course, there was the other option. The possibility that he would pick Zoe. But as sick as the thought made Wade, it was better than what was going on with them now. At least George would be single. He didn't even know why he cared anymore. Zoe was into George and not him, and George being upfront about things was not going to change that. He just couldn't watch any more of this stringing along business. And if George was doing the same as Zoe, then Lemon was in a similar position to him. Wade might not be Lemon's biggest fan, but she didn't deserve that.
Before George could say anything, the reason for their conversation came running over. How the hell did she not trip in those crazy heels of hers?
"Oh thank god," she said, slowing down and trying to catch her breath.
"Zoe, you okay?" George asked. He made to approach her, but Wade's snort seemed to be enough to stop him.
"I'm fine. It's you guys I was worried about. Why do you think I ran over here?"
"Uh, 'cause you're mentally disturbed?"
Zoe shot him a look, "I go to my patient's place to drop off a prescription, and I find out said patient is alone with the guy who got him landed in my office in the first place. And vice-versa."
"What, you thought we were just gonna throw down?"
"Well, you did it at a festival with pointy objects and impressionable children around, so I see no reason you wouldn't when you're alone in an open space."
"I, uh, actually have to get goin'." George interrupted.
Zoe turned to him, "Okay, well, drive safe." He nodded. As soon as George was out of sight, Zoe turned to Wade. She no longer looked concerned or out of breath. She looked pissed, and slightly panicked, "What did you tell that girl about me?" Okay, well, that was out of nowhere.
"What? What are you-?"
"Slutty Amazonian chick at your place who for some reason is so eager to meet me. What did you tell her?"
"You mean Lilah?"
"Whatever. Why does she know who I am, and why was she commenting on how you usually go for blondes while she was sizing me up?"
"Probably 'cause I usually go for blondes." Wade said coldly. He had been confused at first, but now he was catching up. It was not that hard to connect the dots.
"You're not funny. Did you tell her about," Zoe's voice dropped to a whisper, "Did you tell her what happened between us?"
"Don't really know what you're referin' to Doc." He said bitterly.
"Don't be an asshole. Bruises or not, I will hit you."
"I'm just askin' you to be a little more specific is all."
"That night when we almost … you know."
Wade nodded, "Well, it's not like there's much to tell there, since nothin' actually ended up happenin'."
"That's not an answer." Wade stayed quiet. Let her think what she wants, "Who else have you told?"
She always assumed the worst of him, didn't she, "What'sa matter Doc, 'fraid it'll get back to Golden Boy?"
"People in this town think little enough of me as it is, if they found out I almost … with you, how do you think that'd make me look?"
Wade felt his anger building, that same anger that he was becoming so familiar with lately. His face-hardened, "Yeah. Goin' to bed with me totally trash your reputation. Can't have it gettin' around that you hooked up with the guy who serves drinks at the local watering hole."
"I'm more concerned about people finding out I almost hooked up with the local playboy. I don't want people thinking I'm that easy or gullible, or, well, just plain stupid enough to fall for your tricks."
"You think I have to trick girls into bed? 'Cause, if memory serves, the night you're referrin' to is somethin' you initiated."
"Hey, I'm not looking for a fight here-"
"Coulda fooled me."
"But you have to admit, the girls you hook up with aren't exactly rocket scientists."
"Yeah, they're not lawyers either. Guess that gives us somethin' in common." He spat.
"Don't you have some slut to go screw? You hurry, you might catch the Amazonian before she leaves."
"Her name's Lilah, okay, and she wasn't here for that." Zoe scoffed, "Of course that's what you'd assume though. I'm just the good time guy. People come over, use me, and leave. You know, there's more to me than that, and for the record, I known Lilah since I was a kid. We used to play together."
"So, what, you've never slept with her?" Zoe asked skeptically.
Wade shrugged, "Course I have. It's not like we can play together like we did as kids. We gotta do somethin'."
"You're disgusting"
"Like this is news! Face it, your opinion of me was set the second you met me! You saw some moronic cowboy with a guitar and two dancin' girl's and that's all you're ever gonna see! It's like I'm just some old backscratcher or somethin'; people think they can just come over, use me on their itch, and leave! Apparently, that's all anyone wants from me! All anyone thinks I'm good for! Obviously all you think I'm good for!"
"Since when do you even care?"
He didn't know why he did it just then. He was just so mad, so sick of all her assumptions of the kind of guy he was. He grabbed her, pulled her to him, and kissed her. It wasn't a nice kiss. It wasn't sweet or simple. It was rough, full of frustration and bottled rage.
It only lasted a couple seconds before she started to struggle out of his grasp. He just held her tighter to him, trying to get her to reciprocate like she had so many times before. She kept trying to pull away though, so finally, he let her. The second she was free, she slapped him. Hard, "What the hell is wrong with you?"
"Don't you all ready have a list a mile long answerin' your own question?"
"You can't just … after everything that's happened over the past month or, hell, over the last twenty-four hours, you can't just kiss me like that."
"Why not? It's all I'm good for, ain't it? You might as well make use of me."
"Even if that were true, you forcing me to kiss you is not making use of you. I tried to push you away; don't pretend you didn't notice, because that is exactly when your grip tightened."
"Yeah, for like, fifteen seconds. Not like I held you hostage or anythin'."
"That's not the point. You don't treat a woman like that."
"Bet you wouldn't of minded if it was Tucker." Wade barked.
"Why do you always bring everything back to George?"
"You're the one who brought him into this in the first place! Or have you forgotten?"
"I said I was sorry!"
"Yeah, and that makes it all better doesn't it?"
"God, you are infuriating! I don't even know what you're so mad about! It's not like I … you know what, forget it. I take back my apology. I am not sorry! I am glad! I am glad that that happened because it prevented me from making a huge mistake with the biggest asshole I've ever met!"
"Yeah, well, somehow, I think it's better to go for the single asshole than the engaged one!"
"George isn't an asshole, and nothing's ever even happened with us and … Gaahhh. God, why am I even still talking to you?"
She started to storm off. "Fine, why don't you just go cryin' to Tucker 'bout what an asshole I am!" he called after her.
"Maybe I will." She spit back.
Zoe was fuming as she made the trek back to her carriage house. Where did he get off? He thinks he can kick her out of bed, treat her like Typhoid Mary, start a fight with George, tell some girl how they almost hooked up, yell at her venomously, and then grab her and kiss her? And on top of that, not let her go when she clearly wanted nothing more than for him to back off? Okay, maybe she didn't know for a fact that he told that girl what almost happened with them, but everything else was one hundred percent true. In what universe was it okay to do those things?
When she reached her front porch, she was surprised to see George sitting there.
"I thought you left."
He looked up at her, like he was surprised she would show up at her own house, "I did. Well, I started to. I got in my truck and I was drivin' around, but, Wade said some things and I couldn't quite get them out of my head so … I figured we should talk."
Holy crap. What had Wade said to him? She had never wanted to strangle Wade Kinsella more than she did right now. Acting as composed as she could manage, she unlocked the door and motioned for George to come in.
"Do you want something to eat? I mean, I usually eat in the main house, so I don't have much, but I have some old candy?" Old candy? What is wrong with you Hart? Could possibly have said a stupider thing?
"No, I'm, uh, I'm good. Thanks though."
Zoe settled on the couch, and motioned for George to sit on the chair, "So, what did you want to talk about?" she asked nervously. He seemed nervous too. He was sweating a lot. How was it possible that he was cute when he was sweating? How can sweat be cute? God, she was so screwed. Well, what else is new?
"Um, Zoe, we're, you and me, we're friends, right?" Zoe nodded. George took a deep breath. She waited for him to continue, but he didn't.
"Was that it?"
He shook his head and scrunched his eyes closed. It looked almost like he was in pain, "George, are you okay? Is something wrong? Does something hurt?"
"No, no don't worry. Physically I'm fine."
"What do you mean physically you're fine?"
He shook his head, then stood, "I shouldn't have come here tonight. I don't know what I was thinkin'. I'll … I'll let myself out. Sorry to bother you."
Something in her told her not to let him leave, "Wait!" she said, jumping up from the couch. He turned to her expectantly. Crap. She hadn't actually thought of something to follow wait with.
So, she did the only thing she could think of. She walked up to him until she could see his eyes. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. George's eyes looked sad, confused, regretful, almost hopeless. "George, if something's wrong, if there's something you need to talk about, you know you can confide in me, right?"
He nodded, "Yeah, I know."
"I'm serious. If you need someone to talk to, I'll be here for you."
He nodded again, "You're a really great friend Zoe."
"Am I though?" he looked at her, caught off guard. Crap, did I just say that out loud?
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing. Forget it. I shouldn't have said anything." He was looking at her so intently, and all of Wade's accusations kept swimming in her brain. She didn't even realize what she was doing until it was too late. By the time her brain caught up to her body, she had already pressed her lips to George's. She expected him to push her away, tell her he was engaged, and how dare she. But he didn't. Instead, his right hand went up to her cheek. She felt how gently he cupped it, so kind, so George. His left arm went around her waist and pulled her towards him. What had started as a peck was turning into so much more. The kisses were becoming hungrier. There was this feeling Zoe had that she couldn't quite explain. If she had to describe it, she probably would have said it felt like the world was ending tonight, like this was the last shot she would ever get before everything collapsed around them, and she wanted to get everything she could out of it.
Then, just as quickly as it started, it was over. She wasn't sure which one of them had stopped it, which one had come to their senses first. But they had. Reality set in, and both their eyes widened, realizing what they had just done.
"Oh my god." George said, his voice horrified. He shook his head, "That did not just happen."
"George, I am so sorry, I don't know what I …"
"How the hell did that just happen? That cannot have happened? How-"
"George, you're freaking out!"
"Aren't you?"
"Of course, but of the two of us, you tend to be the more sane one!"
"You're right. You're right, I just. I need to calm down, look at the situation logically." George said, putting his hands on either side of his face to indicate focus. He tried to calm his breathing.
"I am so sorry George."
George shook his head and gestured dismissively, "Don't be, don't be, it was … I mean, it was both of us."
"Yes, but I'm the one who-"
"Zoe stop, this isn't you're fault okay. All right, I am the one who is engaged, not you; I am the one who should have known better. I never should have come here tonight. I never should have come to see you." he leaned against the walls by the door, and sunk down to a sitting position, "God, Wade was right. I am an asshole."
Zoe came and sat next to him, "No you're not."
"I'm pretty sure I am. I mean, I just cheated on Lemon, and with, and please don't be offended by this, but I cheated on Lemon with the one person she hates most in the world. Oh, this is bad, this is very, very bad."
"No, no it's not." George looked up, "I mean, I doesn't have to be. Because, it was my fault, and it was just one time. And as long as it never happens again …" Zoe trailed off.
After a minute, George spoke, "Right. Of course, you're right. I'll just explain to Lemon-"
Zoe's eyes widened, "Explain to, are you crazy!" she sputtered.
"Well, I can't keep somethin' like this from her."
"George, she already wants to run me out of time. You tell her this, the Reverend will be performing a wedding slash funeral."
"Okay. Okay then, then I'll take responsibility."
"But it wasn't your fault."
"Yes it was. I … I let Wade get in my head, all that talk about me leadin' you on, and Woody Allen-"
"Wade said … I'll kill him."
"-and I just … I just did somethin' stupid. I'll explain to Lemon that it was a fluke, and that it will never happen again.
"Right." Zoe said, trying to hide the disappointment she could not help but feel when he said the words 'never happen again,' "Hey, you could tell her you were drunk."
George shook his head, "If I was going to lie, I might as well just not tell her."
"Ooh! I like that idea."
"Zoe-"
"Well, come on George, do you really think there is any scenario where you tell her and one of us doesn't feel Lemon's wrath? She'll kill me if we say it was my fault, and if you take the blame she'll probably call off the wedding."
George closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "No, no Lemon and I have been through too much for her to just … as long as I'm honest about it, and it never happens again. She'll understand. Right?"
"Do you want the honest answer, or the one that makes you feel better?"
"Crap!" he got up and started pacing, "But, I mean, I can't not tell her."
"George, I'm a woman, trust me. If you tell her, she's not gonna want to go down that aisle."
"You don't know her like I do."
"Well, if you want to risk it-"
"I have to! We can't start our lives together like this."
"Better than not starting them together at all. Unless …" she stopped herself.
"Unless what?" Zoe was quiet, "Zoe?"
"Well, unless … unless that's what you want."
"What?"
"Well, do you want her to call off the wedding?"
"Why would I want-"
"I don't know why I said that. Forget it. You're right. You have to tell her. Because if you don't you wouldn't be doing the honorable thing. And if you didn't do the honorable thing, you wouldn't be you."
"I think tonight proves I am capable of doing the very dishonorable thing."
Zoe shook her head, "Don't listen to me. What do I know? I mean, you've been with Lemon fifteen years; I've never even been in a relationship half that long. You know her better than I do. She probably will forgive you."
"You think?"
"I would." He was quiet. "It's like you said. It was a … a fluke." She tried to sound like she believed it, despite the aching feeling in her chest, "and, we're never going to do it again. Right?"
She looked up at him, meeting his eyes. His mouth started to form the word know, but once his eyes met hers, it didn't seem like he could get it out.
"Right George? We can never … Do that again." he nodded, "it's not like it we'll be hard. I mean, we've never done that before. Hell, three months ago, we didn't even know each other." She tried to chuckle at the absurdity of it all, but it got caught in her throat.
George shook his head, "Zoe, I don't know if I can pretend this didn't happen."
"You don't have to. You were right, I'm sure Lemon will-"
"That's not what I mean."
"Oh."
"I know we shouldn't have done that, that we can't do that, but now that I know what it feels like to do that with you … " he left the sentence hanging there, not quite sure how to finish it. "Before, I could pretend that I didn't feel somethin' for you, but now, I don't know if I can go back to lyin' to myself. And god forgive me, but I don't want for that to never happen again."
"You have feelings for me?" Zoe asked, finally letting the tears she had been holding in roll down her cheek.
"I don't want to. I know I shouldn't. I know I should just walk out that door right now and the two of us should just steer clear of each other, but" he looked at her, "I can't seem to make myself walk away from you."
She smiled. She couldn't help it. He was saying everything she always wanted to hear. It was wrong, she knew. And she didn't want to be that girl. She didn't want to be responsible for ruining George Tucker's fairytale wedding and perfect life. She didn't want to be the other woman or the home wrecker. But, he was George Tucker, and just like him, even though she knew all the reasons not to, she couldn't seem to make herself walk away.
"What are we gonna do?"
George shook his head, "I don't know. I love Lemon. I really do. But when I'm around you, I feel … maybe we need to just, stop seein' each other all together. Cold Turkey. Stay completely out of each other's lives."
"What, like walk the other way when we see each other?"
"I walk into The Rammer Jammer and you're there, I walk out."
"If I see you at The Dixie Stop, I'll switch to another aisle."
"No pleasantries, no small talk, not even a wave, just … "
Zoe nodded, "I don't want to do that."
"Neither do I. But what other choice do we have?"
"Well, I mean, there is one choice we haven't really considered." Zoe said, trying not to sound as awkward and horrible as she felt.
"What?"
"I don't think you want to hear it."
"I do." Ironic choice of words.
"Are you sure?" George nodded, "Well, you could always make the choice to … not get married."
She waited, praying he wouldn't scream at her. Then again, that might make things easier.
George shook his head; "I couldn't do that to Lemon. She's been dreamin' about this day her whole life."
"Yeah, but, have you? I mean, do you actually want to marry her, or do you just feel obligated to because you two have been together so long and you know how much it means to her?"
"I … honestly don't know. I mean, I know I love her. But, there are different kinds of love, and I'm not sure if I love her the same way I used to."
Zoe shook her head, "I feel like we just keep talking in circles here."
"Yeah, well, once we start talkin' in a straight line, I have to go."
Zoe nodded, "I know … I know you love Lemon, and you feel obligated to her, but, that kiss, was the single most amazing kiss I have had in my entire life." she was starting to cry again, but she didn't care, "George, ever since I met you, I've felt this connection. At first, I thought it was just a crush, or because I missed New York, but, that night in Mobile, I've never felt like that. Not with anyone. I know Lemon can offer you so much, and that I'm just some bossy New Yorker you barely know but, I feel like this is one of those once in a life time kind of feelings, the moments that you walk away from and regret the rest of your life not saying how you really feel. So, here's how I feel. I like you George. I like you a lot. I like you're smile that makes my legs turn to jelly. I like the sound of you're laugh. I like how I can be awkward around you and know that you don't judge me. I like your sense of humor, and how well you listen. It like how kind and giving you are, with me, with the Hilsons. I like when you're silly and when you dance around like an idiot. I like how you talk about Bluebell like it's some sort of paradise, and how you're scared of turtles. I like how you stood by me as a friend after the parade even when Lemon told you not to. I like how embarrassed you got about shooting yourself in the leg. I like how gentle you are. I like how when I talk to you, for the first time, I feel like somebody is actually hearing what I'm saying, actually understanding me, I like-" she was surprised at first when she felt his lips on hers again, but it did not take long for her to reciprocate. It was even more this time. Even hungrier. Zoe closed her eyes and tried to shut up her conscience.
When she first woke up, she couldn't remember where she was. She went over yesterday's events. George had gotten into a fight with Wade and ended up in the practice to be fixed up. She looked around her, trying to place the décor in her head, but it was all foreign to her. Then, she realized somebody's hand was on her arm. The person was still asleep it seemed, but they were still tracing gentle circles. Then, everything came back. She looked over at the person she both dreaded, and wanted most, to see. He was still asleep. What should she do? Should she sneak out? She didn't even know where she was.
On closer inspection, she realized the place was to clean an organized to be in somebody's home. This was a hotel room. Great. Now she was that girl.
After giving it some thought, she realized that she would have to talk to him about what happened. She had no clue how that talk would go, but it had to happen. They couldn't just ignore last night, as much as she wanted to.
"Lavon." She whispered, nudging him. He grumbled and turned over, "Lavon." She said a little louder. She didn't know why she was whispering exactly. She just felt like somebody she knew might hear and then … oh god. "Lavon!" she said. He wasn't budging. Well, she supposed she could take a shower while she waited for him to wake up. Or not. As she tried to get out of bed, his hand grabbed tighter to her. Looks like she was stuck with him for a while. The thought did not bother her anywhere near as much as it should have.
Author's Note: DON'T HATE ME. DON'T HATE ME. DON'T HATE ME. I feel like I should be running from flying tomatoes right now.
For the record, I wrote this before "If Tomorrow Never Comes," aired. Now you can see why I was reluctant to put it up. I actually have a lot of updating to do, plus some stories I haven't posted yet. I figure I shouldn't post them until some of the others are done, because I don't want people to think I'm abandoning stories.
Next Chapter includes somebody getting punched, somebody getting drunk, somebody getting kissed, somebody getting a mysterious text, and somebody getting a panicked phone call.
