Amber's POV

"I honestly just don't know anymore." I shrugged helplessly as I sat with my legs crossed, on the bed across from Finn. He had been kind enough to exchange his room for one with two beds, to make me feel more comfortable. There was no way I could think of to thank him for his kindness. "I mean honestly, I'm just trying to figure him out. I'm trying to be as nice as possible to him, but no matter what I do, he still hates me." Finn watched me with a mild look of concern, laying on the bed with his shirt off.

"Roman is a very difficult person." He explained slowly.

"It's like trying to disarm a bomb, you know? If I say something wrong, he stops talking to me and takes three steps back, back hating me." I sighed, falling back onto the bed. "Is it me? Is it something I did, or said? Tonight he was more distant that he has ever been to me.."

"Like I said Amber, Roman is very difficult. He has .. big .. big trust issues." I sat up again, looking at Finn.

"I wouldn't ever lie to him or give him any reason not to trust me." Finn hesitated.

"No, he just has a hard time trusting people." I was completly confused, by his words.

"But has he always been like that?" Finn sat up with a sigh.

"Not always to be honest. There was a time Roman was almost like the life of the party. He worked out with all of us, went out every time someone wanted to ho Party. Granted, he was immature and stupid. But he was outgoing. Women flocked him, he was like a magnet and he loved it." I sat there listening to Finn and the person he was describing, sounded like a completly different person than the Roman I knew. Nothing was making sense to me anymore.

"So.. what happend?" I asked softly. Finn's face looked remorseful.

"He met Joanna." I didn't know who Joanna was or why that would be a bad thing. "He loved that woman, he loved her to death. She was all he ever talked about. They got married back in 2006 and they got divorced I think 7 monthzs later." I stared at Finn puzzled.

".. but why?" that was all that came out of my mouth. Finn shrugged.

"Roman never talked about it to anyone. And after all of that.. we just drifted apart. He stopped going out after awhile and kept more to himself. I knew he was hurting but he didn't want anyone to know about it. I suppose he just has a hard time opening up to people." I shook my head slowly from side to side.

"I don't understand it though. I mean, I never force him to tell me anything. I've been nothing but nice to him."

"You are the first Woman, he is associated with for such a long time. It's not your fault." I looked down at the tacky printed comforter on the bed and began to trace the patterns on it.

"It must get lonely." I murmured softly, now beginning to feel pity.

"It's the life he wants to live. He is the most stubborn person I've ever met in my life." Finn said.

"But if she cheated on him, she must not have been good from the start," I pointed out suddenly, looking up at Finn. He shurgged his shoulders a bit. "I mean, she must have been stupid. Why would she ever cheat on Roman, he loved her and he is virtually perfect-"

"Whoa! Whoa! Amber!" Finn stopped me. "I'm gonna have to disagree with that. I know Roman better than you, probably better than anyone in the business. He and I go back over 10 years. He is not a saint. He always had a mean temper and it seems to have gottan worse, he wasn't always kind to women, he is cocky as hell and won't listen to anyone. To say he is perfect is far from the truth Amber."

"Nobody is perfect, yeah I get it." I retorted defensively. "But I'm honestly getting a little tired of everyone trying to make Roman out to be some terrible movie villain. He is human and he is obviously been hurt. Nobody seems to know him very well anyways."

"I know him." Finn spoke up. I stared at him for a moment.

"How well do you know the real him?" He didn't answer as we stared at each other for a moment longer. Now it was growing awkwards, so I began to crawl underneath the covers of my bed. "Thank you for letting me stay with you Finn." He smiled slightly at me.

"Going to sleep?" He asked. I reached up to turn the light of the single lamp that was on.

"Actually yes. We do have to get up early and travel tomorrow morning." He chuckled in the darkness and I heard him covering up with blankets.

"It hasn't stopped us before. We would stay up all night back in the day."

"Until you always fell asleep on me for an hour and end up grumpy for the rest of the car ride," I recalled the memories fondly. "You are not going to be grumpy tomorrow. Goodnight." He stifled a low laugh.

"Assertive. Goodnight Amber." There was nothing but silence in the room, and I was sure that Finn had fallen asleep easily. He must be tired.

My mind unknowingly wandered to Roman. I stared up at the ceiling wide eyed, not really tired at all. Wherever he was, I only hoped he was okay. Knowing what I now knew, it all seemed to make sense to me and I almost felt guilty at leaving him alone even if that was what he really wanted.

—–

Roman's POV

I just couldn't take it anymore. There was no way at all that I could spend a night alone with her now; I had to get away from her. Amber made everything too complicated for me and ever since the damned kiss, I couldn't get her out of my mind.

It was more obvious Finn cared deeply for her. A part of me hoped that she cared about him too; he was a great choice for her. Finn would always protect her and love her, and treat her like she deserves it. But there was also a small part of me that didn't want her with him.

I sighed deeply in frustration, my irritation peeking. I just wanted a clear head thats all. I thought driving at night would help. I glanced at the clock above the radio controls in the car. It was one in the morning, and I wondered to myself if Amber was asleep, or if she was up with Finn. Suddenly, I rememberd how long agao, I had given her my phone number and almost wished I had accepted her offer and taken hers. But then again, maybe it was good that I didn't have hers.

Roman, stop. Stop. Stop. You don't need to talk to her. This storyline will blow over soon and you won't ever have to deal with her again. I repeated over and over in my head as I watched the lonesome dark road, but I was only half listening to myself.

I still had nearly two hours to go. At least once I arrived in San Diego, I could sleep and then my mind would temporarily stop. A slow smile spread on my face. The thought of sleeping without any thoughts brought out a desperate longing in me, so I continued to drive that lonesome road.