"I don't think we should do this" Zoe said as she pulled away from George nervously.
"Do what?"
"Hug in the middle of the street like this."
"Why not?"
"I just don't think Wade and Tansy would appreciate it very much."
"Zoe, I'm your friend, okay? We're just friends. But, it looks like you need a friend right now."
"I guess I could use a friend" Zoe said tearing up.
"Why don't I take you on over to my place, I'll make you some tea or something. We can talk."
"I don't know Georgeā¦"
"Please. Let me help you."
"I don't want to talk about what happened. I just want to clear my head, forget about it for a little while" Zoe sighed.
"Well, let me help you forget" George pressed.
"Why are you pushing so hard?"
"Because I care about you, and I just found you crying in the street covered in bruises. I'm not about to let you run off like this. Come with me."
"George, I can't. I'm sorry" Zoe said realizing that confiding in George Tucker wouldn't do anything but make tensions between her and Wade even higher.
"How do you even know you're safe out here like this? What if the guy that did this to you finds you out here alone?"
"That's not going to happen George!"
"How do you know?"
"Because he's dead okay?" Zoe blurted out frustrated. "Now leave me alone, please" she added as she stormed off.
"Dead?" George asked running after her. "What do you mean dead?"
"Do you speak English?" Zoe spat out bitterly "I think you know what dead means."
"Did you- I mean were you the one who?"
"No!" Zoe snapped. "No George, I didn't kill him. He killed himself" she yelled as she started to cry. "And Wade's devastated, and he probably hates me now because he found the card in my purse and he knows I lied.."
"Zoe, Zoe slow down. What card?"
"It doesn't matter."
"The hell it doesn't matter. What is going on? Who beat you up like this? And why would Wade care if the bastard killed himself?"
"George, I really shouldn't be talking to you about this."
"Why not?"
"Because everything's a mess right now, and I don't want to make it worse. Just leave me alone. Please!"
"Okay, okay. I'm sorry. Just- I'm here if you need me okay?"
"Thank you" Zoe replied quietly as she walked away.
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"Hey" Zoe said softly as she made her way back into Wade's house. He had torn it apart and was sitting on his bed with a blank look on his face.
"Do you want to talk?" Zoe asked as she sat next to him.
"What about?" Wade asked.
"I don't know? Your father."
"There isn't anything to talk about" Wade responded coldly.
"I'm sorry" Zoe said softly.
"For what?" Wade shrugged.
"Lying to you."
"Don't worry about it, it's fine. It's all over now."
"Right" Zoe answered. "Well, I'm going to head back over to my place. Give me a call later, okay?"
"Okay" Wade responded.
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George sat in front of his houseboat thinking about his conversation with Zoe. He still had so many questions and it didn't seem like Zoe was going to be giving him the answers anytime soon. He had a strange uneasy feeling inside after seeing her beaten like that. It was a stronger feeling than a friend simply being worried about a friend. His desire to help her was consuming him.
"Hey" Tansy said excitedly as she ran up and kissed him on the cheek.
"Hey there" George replied. "How was your day?"
"Pretty good. I did some shopping, brought Dolly Parton to the groomer's, and got caught up on all the town gossip."
"Really?" George asked. "And what's new in Bluebell?"
"Well, I'd say the most shocking thing that happened is that Crazy Earl finally actually killed himself."
"What?" George asked as the conversation he had with Zoe came back in bits and pieces.
"Earl Kinsella?"
"Yep."
"Do you know why?" George asked as he struggled to catch his breath.
"I have no idea. But, word on the street is that he's gotten worse lately, that he's pretty much completely lost it."
"Son of a bitch" George said under his breath.
"What's wrong?" Tansy asked confused.
"He's the one who- Oh my God."
"George, what are you talking about?"
"I have to go-" George answered as he left abruptly.
"George-" Tansy called out. "Wait- just tell me what's going on."
"I'll tell you later" he called back as he picked up the pace and began to run.
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"Hey" Zoe said as she opened her door and saw George standing there. Her face was red, mascara was dripping from her eyes and she was clutching a bottle of vodka in her hand.
"I know" George said as he put his hand on Zoe's arm
"Know what?"
"I know Wade's father is the one who did this to you."
"How?" she asked shocked.
"I heard about him killing himself-put it together."
"Wade hates me" Zoe cried.
"Why the hell would Wade hate you? Zoe, this isn't your fault."
"I lied" she sobbed.
"Lied about what?"
"I didn't tell him what really happened."
"Zoe what are you talking about?"
"I didn't tell Wade that his father raped me, and now everything is ruined" she cried as she took another swig of vodka.
"What?" George asked angrily.
"You heard me" she spat. "I know, it's sick, right? It's disgusting. I'm disgusting."
"No" George interrupted. "Zoe- you're the best. I- I'm so sorry" he said looking into her eyes. She looked beautiful to him even in the pitiful state she was in. The moonlight reflected through her window and hit her skin perfectly.
"I just- I just can't do this alone" she sobbed.
"You're not alone" George responded. "You've got me" he added choking back tears.
"I want Wade" Zoe cried drunkenly.
"No you don't" George said as jealousy consumed him.
"Off course I do" she answered confused.
If George Tucker wasn't convinced of it before this moment, he was now. Zoe Hart was the one for him. She had to feel it too he reasoned. He just had to get her to admit it to herself.
"Admit it" George whispered slowly as he pressed his body into Zoe's and leaned towards her ear. "You want me."
"No" Zoe said firmly her voice shaking.
"You don't want him" he continued as he began to nibble on her ear. "You want me."
"George I said no!" Zoe yelled as she violently pushed him away. "Get the hell away from me! What is wrong with you!?" she sobbed.
"Oh God Zoe, I wasn't thinking!" he said as the realization hit him over what he had just done to the woman who was raped less than 24 hours ago. "I'm so sorry. You know I would never-"
"Go" she said sternly. "Go" she repeated with a raised voice.
"What the hell is going on in here?" Wade asked angrily standing from the doorway.
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