Chapter 16

When would this horrible day end wondered Zoe in frustration? Yesterday had been bad enough but with another bad night's sleep under her belt, today she was hanging on by a string. She had somehow kept it together at work without snapping at everybody but now she could not believe where she was being foced to go.

She was actually heading towards the Roll Tide of her own free will. She had tried desperately to get out of Rose's birthday celebrations and when that didn't work, she had tried to get the location changed but Rose had insisted – Pete couldn't get the night off work and really wanted to be there with her on the night. Zoe's only hope was that with Pete on, and it being a mid-day week, maybe Wade would be off. Maybe. Life would not be this cruel to her would it?

X X X

Wade came back from the storage room and glanced over to make sure Leah was still OK. Concern hit him immediately when he saw that she was no longer sitting on the stool he had left her on. "Hey Danny" he called to the nearest barman "did you see where the girl that was sitting there went to?" gesturing with his head at the empty space in the corner. Danny was about to crack a joke involving a woman finally managing to escape Wade's charms when he saw the genuine concern on his friend's face. "Nope – but Pete was talking to her" "Where's Pete?" Wade responded quickly "Here" came a voice behind him. "Pete – were you talkin' to the girl who was sitting there?.." Wade again gestured to the end of the bar getting more aggitated "Do you know where she's gone to?"

"Yep" replied Pete easily – "She heard that Zoe was here and asked me to point her out. I think she went over to introduce herself." he concluded swinging a beer crate onto the bar and beginning to unload it.

Two things crossed Wade's mind simultaneously – firstly, Zoe was here? – he hadn't seen her arrive – was she alone? He winced slightly – he didn't think he was quite ready to see her yet & tried to surpress the wave of anger that went through him. Secondly, Leah and Zoe. Together? For some reason he had a premonition that this may not be a good thing.

"Can you cover for me, Danny? I just need 10?" he called as he wiped his hands on a dishcloth and threw it back under the counter. Finding them didn't take long – Zoe's friends were in their usual nook and Zoe was at the edge with her back to the bar. Leah was standing beside her awkwardly looking like she was not getting the friendliest of receptions. No Zoe, he thought to himself as he approached them. Don't do this – not to Lee.

"Leah, baby" Wade immediately put his arm around her "You can't disappear on a man like that" he tried to laugh off his concern. "And I see you've met Zoe – which is great, just great " he rambled, glancing over in time to take in the hostile look on Zoe's face and feeling an icy chill emmanate from her. OK, think on your feet man – damage limitation. Except he wasn't sure what damage had been done yet. "Zoe, Leah is Lavon's sister who's been livin' in Newark but is currently visiting for a few days" he continued cheerfully in a vain attempt at pretending that all was good.

"You're unbelievable" Zoe hissed under her breath. "Excuse me" she asked Leah politely "but I'm suddenly feeling a bit sick".

"Zoe, what's the ma "...Wade tried to stop her departure by reaching out for her arm - but was hit away as she headed determinedly towards the restrooms.

"Crap!" he cursed under his breath. First things first. "Sorry Leah, there's been some kind of mis-understandin' " he explained carefully as he nodded goodbye to Zoe's by-now curious friends, and guided her back to the bar. Can I take five minutes to try to sort this out" he beseached as he held out the stool for her to climb onto.

"Think it may take more than five Wade" she suggested helpfully. "What have you been up to now?"

"Nothin', I promise" he stated firmly. "The girl does crazy better than anyone I've ever seen" he continued by way of explanation.

"From my memory, you used to have a soft spot for the crazy ones" Leah laughed.

"Yeah well, this one has me cured" Wade reassured grimly. "Now, are you going to be OK? Please, just don't move for five minutes". he begged "I'll be right back – and sorry – sorry this evening isn't going as planned" he added ruefully.

"Oh Wade , so far this is much more entertainin' than I expected" Leah sighed. "it's bringing me back to my youth" she added with a teasing smile.

Wade took a moment to appreciate a sight he hadn't seen in a long time. "Wow, you are beautiful when you smile" he declared giving her a quick kiss on the forehead before determinedly heading in the direction of the restrooms.

X X X

Zoe took her time emerging and when she did, she was grabbed by the arm and dragged unceremoniously out the fire exit.

"Ow" she exclaimed loudly " Wade – you're hurting me – let go" she cried, lashing out at him with her free arm. She stood several feet away from him and glared at him. Was this really the first time she had seen him since that night? She looked at the hand that had just hurt her and remembered all the places it had been only a few nights previously...

"Zoe, I donno what has you freaking out but could you please be civil to Leah" he shouted "if not for my sake then for Lavon's – please?".

What? This was his main concern? That she be nice to his girlfriend or married lover or whatever she was – no mention of the other night? She stared at him in shock as he continued.

"Look, if this is about the other night, then sorry or whatever for whatever has got you upset. But what's your problem – you're back with Justin, it all worked out fine – no big deal right?" he reasoned.

"No, no big deal at all " Zoe repeated slowly "but it might be a big deal to your girlfriend were she to find out that you were with another girl just two nights ago" she spat.

"Girlfriend, what girlfr .." Zoe saw comprehension finally crossing his face.

"Zoe, we've already been though this, Leah is not my girlfriend" Wade had stopped shouting and was looking perplexed. "She's one of my oldest friends – and she's Lavon's sister for God's sake – I could never do that to her" he finished by way of explanation.

Zoe stared at him in shock and took a step backwards nearly loosing her balance "Oh, so what type of girl do you 'do that' to?"she asked quietly.

"No, no, Zoe" Wade raised his voice – realising what he had just implied "you're readin' the wrong thing into that" he continued desperately reaching his hands out to her to try to make contact. "I didn't mean it that way" he continued helplessly.

"Please stop" Zoe backed away from him holding up her two hands in front of herself. "Please Wade, just stop" she said more quietly as she walked around him and headed back to the door.

"Zoe, don't be like this" he beseached - but she was gone. "Damn" Wade said out loud, kicking his foot frustratedly against the nearest trash container.

Zoe went straight back to her table and, grabbing her bag, she gestured to Rose that she would call her tomorrow. She could not get out of this place quick enough she decided. She turned and made quickly for the door before hesitating and turning back, searched the bar for Leah's black curls.

Spotting her nursing a drink she quicky went over and touched her on the arm hesitantly. Leah turned around. "Hi Leah, listen, sorry for being so rude earlier. I shouldn't have taken it out on you. I'm afraid you've caught me on a bad night – please call over in the morning so I can make it up to you". She finished quickly and, giving Lavon's sister another half smile, left the bar as quickly as she could.