Previously: "Are you okay?" he asks.
"Yes, I'm fine. I just wanted to tell you…" deep breath…
"Can today be someday?"
Stephanie POV
"Ranger?" I asked.
"Babe, I … I don't know what to say."
"Oh." So much for fairy tale endings.
"Stephanie, I've told you that my life doesn't lend itself to a relationship. I'm just not in a good place right now."
"Yea."
"Steph, look at me. I don't have my life together. I couldn't be who you want or need. I don't even know that I know who I am," he tried to reason with me.
You say you got to go and find yourself
You say that you're becoming someone else
Don't recognize the face in the mirror looking back at you
I look down at the floor again. I can't bear to see his eyes. He looks pained and I think he's having trouble looking at me too. My face is flaming and I can feel the tears welling up.
"I should go," he said.
I didn't stop him. I was still staring at the floor when I heard the door softly close. The tears start falling and I think I've pushed him too far too fast. I curled up on the couch and tried to stop crying. He'd told me all that before. He is still looking out for me and my well being. He doesn't understand that I don't want him to be anything, but who he is now. I want him just this way.
You say you're leaving as you look away
I know there's really nothing left to say
Just know I'm here whenever you need me, I will wait for you
So I'll let you go, I'll set you free
And when you see what you need to see
When you find you,
Come back to me
I'm starting to think I went about this the wrong way. I need him to know I don't need him to be someone else. Do I tell him or let him figure it out on his own? I will tell him and wait patiently for him to realize it's true because I know he won't believe me that I'd be okay with him and his lifestyle.
Take your time, I won't go anywhere
Picture you with the wind in your hair
I'll keep your things right where you left them
I'll be here for you
I drove to the Rangeman building. I parked in the lot and waved at the camera as I walked into the elevator. I knocked on the door of his seventh floor apartment. He opened the door with his phone in hand. Guess he just got the call that I was here.
"Steph?"
Great were at Steph and not Babe.
"Ranger, I don't want you to be anyone, but you. I just want you… all of you. I can and will wait."
He opened his mouth to say something, "No, don't say anything. Think about it. Consider it."
I kissed his cheek and turned and left.
Oh and I'll let you go, I'll set your free
And when you see what you need to see
When you find you,
Come back to me
And I hope you find everything that you need
I'll be right here, waiting to see
You find you,
Come back to me
I walked out of Rangeman feeling better. I'd said my piece and now the ball was entirely in his court. He was going to have to figure this out on his own. I'd done all I could. I had no idea what I was going to do about Joe. Poor guy was probably still completely in the dark. I'd think about that later.
I can't get close if you're not there
I can't get inside if there's no soul to bare
I can't fix you
I can't save you
It's something you'll have to do
Joe's POV
I watched her run out of her apartment. She was going so fast, I didn't have a chance to get out of my car. She looked like she'd been crying. I was worried and followed her. She went to Rangeman, but wasn't in there long. When she came out, she looked happy. I worry sometimes about her when she's with that guy.
I try not to worry too much or listen to gossip. She'd never pick him over me. She and I were meant for each other. I know she's hesitant to get married because of Dickie. I'm trying very hard to respect that and give her the freedom she wants. It's hard because more and more I'm thinking I'm at a point in my life that I want more.
I'm trying to be patient and wait for her. I know that no matter what happens, she'll be with me in the end.
So I'll let you go, I'll set you free
And when you've seen what you need to see
When you find you,
Come back to me
Come back to me
So I'll let you go, I'll set you free
And when you've seen what you need to see
When you find you,
Come back to me
And I hope you find everything that you need
I'll be right here, waiting to see
You find you,
Come back to me
Come Back to Me- David Cook