A.N. First off, sorry again for the lack of updates. I've just been loaded with coursework and these next two weeks are going to be hell. I managed to get another chapter done though. Your reviews have really motivated me to update as much as I can. Chances are this will be the last update until the new year simply because I'll be traveling in December but you know me. I always say this will be the last chapter for awhile but eventually I'll cave and end up giving you another chapter. lol Anyway, I know this passed episode was a tough one for zade. Believe me, I cried. Wade's face. So heartbreaking. Luckily, this chapter has a happy ending and I think you'll really enjoy the twist at the end. I try my best to incorporate what's going on in the show with this story and I like the way I ended this chapter. I'm trying not to make Zoe as oblivious as she is in the show because it's just so frustrating. Anyway, please leave reviews! I LOVE reading them. Anyway, enjoy
They don't know how special you are They don't know what we do best But I wanna tell em They don't know about the things we do
They don't know what you've done to my heart
They can say anything they want
Cause they don't know about us
That's between me and you our little secret
I wanna tell the world that you're mine girl
They don't know about the I love you's
But I bet you if they only knew
They will just be jealous of us
They don't know about the up all night's
They don't know I've waited all my life
Just to find a love that feels this right
-One Direction
"I think this is Zoe's way of gettin back at George Tucker for waitin' until the day of his weddin to break up with Lemon," Lavon overheard someone say as he walked through town
"You really think so?"
"I know so."
Lavon just shook his head and kept walking.
Once he arrived at Wade's, he knocked on the door.
"Wade! Zoe! I know your both in there, open up!" he shouted
A few seconds later, Zoe opened up the door in her robe and messy hair.
"Hello, Lavon."
"What are you doing?"
"Do you really need to ask that question, Lavon?" Wade chimed in from his bed
"Nah man. I wasn't talkin about that," Lavon stated, disgusted, "Nah, I'm referring to the simple fact that you two haven't shown your faces since your," he pointed at Zoe, "very public display of affection"
Zoe sighed, embarrassed
"Don't remind me"
Wade chuckled at Zoe's embarrassment
"Shut up," she tried her best not to smile for his amusement but failed miserably.
As embarrassed as Zoe was, she had to admit it was quite hilarious and Wade hadn't stopped teasing her since.
"Well, while you two have been doing what you've been doing, the whole town has come up with a list of reasons as to why you two have been doing what you've been doing," Lavon stated realizing how repetitive he sounded
"What kind of reasons?" Zoe asked
"Have a shower, get dressed, and find out yourself. You two have been hiding out here for two days, it's only gettin worse," Lavon stated, leaving them to ponder his suggestion
"It can't be that bad," Wade suggested
"Are you kidding? In this town, rumors are always blown out of proportion."
Wade could tell how worried Zoe was and he didn't know what to say. The truth for him was that he wasn't bothered at all. He was glad people finally knew him and Zoe were together. He just didn't think Zoe felt the same. What she had done was out of impulse and he wasn't sure if she was now regretting it.
"I'm gonna have a shower" he said
Zoe nodded and decided she should probably do the same
"Mind if I join you?" she asked, surprising him, "What? It's not like you haven't seen me naked before"
"Right," Wade admitted with a smile on his face as Zoe joined him in the bathroom
When Zoe got out of the shower, she put on her robe.
"So, are you goin into town?" Wade asked from the bathroom door as he dried his hair with a towel
Zoe sighed,
"Well, I don't really see any other choice. It's not like we can hide forever. We've both got jobs," she admitted
Wade smirked,
"Ya know, speakin of work. I don't for another half hour?"
Zoe smiled,
"Tempting, but I think I'll pass."
Wade walked toward Zoe and wrapped his arms around her waist and placed soft kisses on her neck, making her laugh
"Wade, stop," she said, playfully until she couldn't resist anymore.
She turned to face him and they shared a long, passionate kiss. Zoe had to admit, he made her weak in the knees. Before she knew it, he was lifting her up and placing her on his bed. They both smiled in between kisses.
About twenty minutes later, they were both under the covers and Wade had his arms around Zoe. Zoe checked her phone for the time.
"You're going to be late for work" she told him
"Wanda and Shelley can cover for me for twenty minutes," Wade admitted as he didn't want this moment with Zoe to end
"That's how Wanda and Shelley hurt themselves the last time," Zoe felt partially responsible for that
"I told em not to lift boxes anymore. They learned their lesson," Wade stated
"OK, but if they come into my office again, I know you're to blame," Zoe teased
"Whatever you say, doc," he laughed as he placed soft kisses on Zoe's shoulder, making her giggle
"No, not again, Wade. You can't possibly," Zoe giggled in disbelief
"I've got another ten minutes," he said but realized he would rather be spending those ten minutes holding Zoe, so he stopped, "but we don't gotta do anything"
"Really?" Zoe asked, surprised
"We've been doin this for two days. I'd say we've broken some kinda record," they both laughed
Suddenly they heard a knock at the door
"Wade? Are you up?"
"Oh crap, it's George!" Zoe said in a high whisper, getting up from the covers and putting her robe on
"Uh…yeah. Just a minute!" shouted Wade as he watched Zoe hide behind his bed, confused he put on his boxers and shorts and then opened his door for Wade
"Hey, where've you been? I haven't seen you in two days?" George stated with a smile
"Yeah, I've been kinda busy," he stated
"Is Zoe here?" George asked
"Zoe? Uh…no, I haven't seen her. I think she left to Mobile or somethin. Doctor stuff," Wade lied
"Really, cause her car's still here and Brick has been askin for her?"
With that Wade couldn't think of anything else to say
"Really? Well, I don't know. Haven't seen her"
"Look, I came to apologize to you. I'm sorry for the way I acted. I heard about the kiss. I already know what's goin on between the two of you. and I'm OK with it. Well, sort of. The point is that you don't have to hide it from me," George stated
Wade nodded
"All right, Zoe," George shouted passed Wade and toward the direction of Wade's bed.
"Oh, there it is. I found it!" Zoe said standing up, awkwardly as she tried to explain herself, "Oh, hey George. I lost an earring back here and I found it! What, what were you saying?" she tried her best to smile without feeling extremely embarrassed. She saw Wade turning red from laughter as he tried to hold in his laugh
"It's alright, Zoe. You don't have to hide it. I know about the two of you. I'm fine with it," George stated
"Oh, OK," was all Zoe could think to say
"Well, I'll see you," George said, leaving
Wade closed the door and then busted out laughing.
"That was not funny," Zoe stated
"You find anything back there? My socks? Your dignity?" he chuckled
"Hey!" Zoe smacked him with a smile
"What was with the hidin anyway? You knew Tucker heard about the kiss"
"I know. I just didn't know what kind of reaction he'd have if he found me here," Zoe explained
"Right," Wade said, seeing how disappointed Zoe looked made him believe that he was right: She had been expecting a different reaction from George.
"Well, I've gotta go to work," he said, getting up and putting his shirt on.
Zoe could tell he was upset and didn't exactly know why.
"OK. I'll see you later then?" she asked
"I don't know. Wanda might want me to cover for her tonight," he lied.
"Oh OK. Have a good day then," she said as she watched him leave.
Once she got ready at her place, she held her head up high and left for town. Feeling eyes on her, she kept walking until she made it to her office.
"Long time no see Dr. Hart," Brick said as she walked in
"I had some personal issues," she admitted
"I'm not sure kissing a bartender qualifies as personal issues, but you're here now and you've got a patient waiting to see you," he said
"Right," Zoe said walking in and finding Rose
"You and Wade? I so did not see that coming, Dr. Hart" smiled Rose
"Not you too," Zoe complained
"Don't worry, I'm not mocking. I'm pro team Zade," she smiled
"Team Zade?" Zoe asked
"Zoe and Wade. Zade," Rose explained
"Well, team zade may be over before it even began-"
"What, you two are already over?" Rose said, devastated
"I don't know. He was acting weird when I left and I think I upset him or something," Zoe reasoned
"You have to fix this, Zoe," Rose explained
"Why are you so invested in my relationship Rose?" Zoe laughed
"Because I'm Team Zade and Rhonda McDouglass is Team Zeorge and I'm your friend and I think you and Wade are perfect together," Rose explained
Zoe couldn't help but laugh
"Now, what you need to do is show Wade that you care about him. You do care about him?" Rose asked
Zoe stopped laughing and realized she hadn't really considered the question. She had feelings for him, she knew that, but to care about him enough in that way to really want the relationship to work she hadn't really thought about it. After spending the last two days and nights with him she realized she did care
"I do. I mean, he's a great guy," she said with a smile as she remembered how much he made her laugh and Zoe's smile made Rose grin
"Good. Now we've just got to come up with a plan," Rose determined
"Plan?" Zoe asked
"I'll go to the Rammer Jammer and talk to him. See if he's mad at you and if he is, well, let's just say you should start thinking of a way to show you appreciate him," Rose explained
"Fine," Zoe admitted as Rose got up from the patients chair, "Hey, where are you going? I haven't treated you yet?"
"There's nothin bothering me," Rose admitted, "I just came by to talk to you"
Zoe sighed as she watched Rose leave
Wade was preoccupied with putting more drinks on the counter when he turned around to find Carrie.
"Is it true you've got a girlfriend?" she asked, straight out
"Uh…is that a problem?" he asked
"I thought Wade Kinsella doesn't do girlfriends?" she pouted
"Yeah, well, things change" he admitted
"Well, when it ends, give me a call," she smirked
Wade knew no believed he could take a relationship seriously. He was hearing what people were saying. How he would break Zoe's heart. How he made a deal with Zoe to make George jealous. How they were only in a casual relationship. How Zoe would never end up with a bartender. How he was only a placeholder for Zoe. The last one was the closest rumor to what he believed could be the truth.
Before he could think about it much longer, Rose entered the bar and sat in one of the empty chairs.
"What can I get ya Rose?" he asked
"Three minutes of your time," Rose replied
"OK," Wade answered as he gave her his undivided attention
"I'm havin boy problems and since you're a guy I thought you could help," she explained
"What's the problem?"
"Well, you see, I told this boy that I like him and we started hangin out but then there's this other boy who he saw me talkin to who it turns out likes me too. But I like this other boy who says he's not mad at me but I think he is. What do ya think I should say to him? Or how do I know if he's mad at me? Because he hasn't told me but I'm pretty sure he is."
"Listen, Rose, I'm not the best person to be askin about relationship advice," he reasoned
"You and Zoe are together though, right? So, see you are the best person for this. You seem pretty happy with Zoe. Or are you mad at her?" Rose tried to ask without growing suspicious and it seemed to have worked
"Yeah I guess you could say Zoe and I are together, but it's still all very new. Things might not even work out," he admitted
Rose saw the hint of sadness in his face and knew she had her evidence that Zoe needed to act fast.
"Why not? I think you and Zoe are good together," she admitted
Wade looked up at her and smiled,
"Really? I think you might be the only one in this town to think so," he admitted
"Everyone's just jealous," Rose reasoned, "Well, that's three minutes. Thanks for listenin, bartender"
"Anytime," Wade watched as Rose left the Rammer Jammer
Later that afternoon, Rose went to see Zoe.
"So, have you thought of somethin because he's definitely havin doubts," Rose confirmed
Zoe sighed,
"I spoke with Lavon earlier today and I have an idea but I don't know if it'll work."
"Let me hear it?" Rose said, excited
Later that night, Wade decided to head home. Before he did, he decided to go into the kitchen for something to eat. When he opened the door, he heard Zoe curse as she cut her finger while chopping up some onions.
Taking in the scene for the first time, he noticed the pot on the stove and a bunch of ingredients on the counter that resembled his Uncle Mo's gumbo ingredients.
"Hi," Zoe said as she held a napkin against her bleeding finger.
He noticed the apron she was wearing and couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"Hi," he smiled, "What…what are you doin?"
She sighed,
"I'm cooking," she stated, "Although it's not going very well as you can see" she chuckled
"Is that my Uncle Mo's gumbo recipe?" he asked as he noticed the paper near the stove
"Yeah. Lavon told me that you were the one who cooked the gumbo for me," she replied
"I just thought I'd save you from the embarrassment," he teased
"Well, thank you," she smiled, "Although, I think I may have failed miserably. I don't think your Uncle Mo would be very proud," she admitted
"It doesn't smell too bad from here," he said as he walked over to the stove where the pot was, he took a sip and then noted that it needed a few adjustments
"It's horrible, isn't it?" she said
"It's the thought the counts, doc," he admitted, "It's really ain't that bad. Just hand me some parsley, salt and pepper," he stated
Zoe handed him the three ingredients and watched him pour and then taste. She admired a man who could cook.
"Not bad if I say so myself," he said one he finished, he handed Zoe the spoon and she tried it
"That is some good gumbo," she agreed
She then looked up at Wade and she knew he wanted to say something so she waited with a smile on her face
"Why did you cook this?" he finally asked
"I know most of the town doesn't think we are a good match," she began
"Most of the town," Wade chimed in
"OK, maybe everyone, apart from Rose and Lavon, doesn't think what we have will work out"
"What do we have exactly?"
Wade wasn't one to open up, but he needed to know how Zoe felt about him because he didn't want to get hurt. He was falling for her and he never fell for anyone. What he was feeling for her, he had never felt for anyone else and he wasn't sure he could cope with the fact that she may not be feeling the same. He had waited all his life for a woman like Zoe Hart.
"I don't know. I just know that we have a connection," Zoe knew she needed to say more and so she did, "I…care about you. We spent the last two days together and I was happy"
Wade couldn't help but smile as he kept silent,
"What? I just told you how I felt and now you're not going to say anything are you?" she stated, a bit frustrated she turned back around to chop the onions but before she could pick up the knife, Wade grabbed her waist and turned her around to face him
He kissed her and once the kiss ended he said,
"I'll admit, I wouldn't mind spendin another two days just with you"
Zoe knew that was the most she would get out of him and she didn't mind. She knew he felt the same. The way he looked her made her know that.
She smiled and he returned it before taking a bite out of a chopped carrot and saying
"What's up, doc?"
Zoe couldn't help but laugh,
"Very funny," she responded as she grabbed the carrot from him and ate it herself, making Wade laugh.
Later that night, Zoe and Wade ended up on Zoe's bed. Wade had his arms wrapped around Zoe as they talked.
"You think the residents of Blue Bell will ever accept our relationship?" she asked
"Does it matter that much to you?" Wade asked
"I'll be honest with you, Wade. It does a little. I mean, I'm happy here with you. I just don't like people assuming things about me or about us," Zoe explained
"Well, they don't know about us. They don't know about what we do or how we feel. Let em assume. What matters is me and you" Wade reasoned
Zoe turned to face him, surprised by his honesty. Wade knew he surprised her and quickly blamed it on the gumbo
"You must have put some type of truth medication in that gumbo, doc," he teased
"Yeah, of course I did," she smiled as she placed a soft kiss on his lips and then turned back around to fall asleep in his arms.
She felt his arms tighten around her and she smiled. Knowing that he was right. The town could assume what they wanted. They didn't know about these moments they shared. They didn't know what really happened between Zoe and Wade. Between Zade.