Chapter Fourteen

Joey arrived at the hospital the next morning and knocked briefly before entering Roxy's side room. Her ex-girlfriend was sitting up in bed looking brighter than she had the day before. She smiled when she saw Joey standing there holding a small bunch of flowers, which she placed on the bedside table.

"Hey, Joey. Thank you for coming."

"No problem," Joey said. "Are you feeling better today?"

"A little."

Joey smiled tightly. She couldn't help but feel suspicious since Charlie had raised her doubts last night.

"You know, it's weird," Roxy ventured. "Events like last night really make you evaluate your life and what it means – what's important to you."

She reached out to touch Joey's hand. Joey pulled away uncertainly.

"Joey, I love you so much."

"Roxy, don't…" Joey said.

She didn't want to hear this. She didn't want Charlie to be right.

"Don't tell me you don't feel it too, Joey," Roxy said more urgently. "You nearly lost me last night. You came so close and what did you do? You left your dinner and you came rushing round here to see me. Why? Because you love me as much as I love you. This thing with Charlie… it's nothing compared to what we have."

"Roxy, I don't love you anymore."

"You do! Why else would come here?"

"Because you were once a big part of my life and I was worried. Nothing more than that."

"We've been given a second chance together," Roxy insisted."

"Wait…" Joey said, clarity forming in her mind. "How did you know I was at dinner?"

Roxy looked panicked for a moment.

"Because it was dinner time?" she faltered.

Joey shook her head suspiciously.

"I saw you on the beach that morning making plans," Roxy admitted.

"Did you… did you plan this?" Joey asked.

"No! No, I wouldn't do that!" Roxy protested.

Joey's mind was reeling. Charlie had been right all along. Yet again, Roxy had manipulated her, used her in her own little mind game. And yet again, Joey hadn't seen it. She felt like a fool. Why was she so blind when it came to Roxy? Why couldn't she look after herself, protect herself and see what was right in front her?"

"You did this on purpose, didn't you?" Joey accused. "It wasn't about depression and losing the will to live; it was about manipulating me into getting what you want!"

"Fine, but it wasn't like that," Roxy relented. "It was because I love you so much."

"I can't believe you," Joey said softly.

"If you really think about it, it's a compliment."

"A compliment?"

"I've told you I only did it because I love you so much."

"You don't love me," Joey said. "You need me to make your life worthwhile but Roxy, I've got my own life to live and it doesn't revolve around you."

"But…"

"I can't believe you'd sink so low as to try and guilt trip me into being with you," Joey continued, not giving her a chance to speak.

"I didn't mean…"

"Charlie saw right through you and I insisted that she was wrong but she was completely right. But I'm telling you right now that if you don't leave us alone from now on I'm going to the police and I'm going to tell them everything."

"You wouldn't!"

"Try me."

"Joey…"

"I'm serious, Roxy. I want to live my life without you over my shoulder. I don't want to take this any further but if pressing charges against you is the only way to get rid of you, then I will. It's your choice."

"You really mean it, don't you?"

Joey stared right into Roxy's eyes. She meant it. Once upon a time she had never even considered being Roxy's equal. She had always been her subordinate. It felt good to be standing there feeling strong and able, capable and in a position of power.

"You really love her," Roxy realised.

"I really do," Joey said. "And if you love me like you insist you do, you'll let me live in peace."

Roxy closed her eyes in defeat and nodded slowly.