CHAPTER 14:
Bianca was doing some work at the Miranda Center to keep herself busy. Since her conversation with Reese basically telling her that Ava is a less stressful relationship compared to her made her analyze, re-analyze, and overanalyze their entire relationship.
They were fine until they came to Pine Valley. Then everything after Kendall woke up went to hell. Even a bit before Kendall woke up things began to fray.
Just then she spotted her cousin Greenlee come in, "Greenlee. What are you doing here?"
"I was visiting one of the women. I recommended her to come here with her daughter a while ago," Greenlee noticed how wound up Bianca seemed. "Let's go to the coffee room to talk."
Greenlee grabbed Bianca's hand instantly leading her to the coffee room. Luckily nobody was there, so Greenlee closed and locked the door sensing that this was going to be a conversation.
She pointed to the table, "You. Sit," Bianca obeyed while Greenlee grabbed two mugs and began to pour the just brewed coffee from the machine in them.
"Talk to me. What's going on?" Greenlee continued adding in the cream and sugar as she went on.
"I can't talk to my mother or Kendall about this. And I know that I will get nothing but the brutal truth from you."
"Well, I'm not known for sugarcoating, so you've come to the right person," she placed Bianca's coffee in front of her and sat down with her own. "This is about Reese, right?"
"Yes. She's with Ava."
"Ah ha…go on."
"I had it out with her about it. I always felt justified in my resentment and anger with her as to how we ended. I blamed her. In my stance, I was right to blame her. I didn't realize until we argued over her dating Ava how much she blames me as well. She was so mad and said basically that I tested her and made her pay for all of my previous ex's mistakes along with hers. I never was wrong…not until then."
Greenlee listened intently with her chin propped up on by her hand, "Do you want to know from someone on the outside looking in what I think happened?"
Hesitant at first, Bianca nodded wanting – having to know from a third party prospective what went wrong.
"You allowed your mother to get into your head. Your mother got into Kendall's head over Zach's closeness to Reese and from there it all snow balled. Now imagine falling desperately in love with someone. And every time you try to love them the best way you know how, everyone keeps blocking you and telling you that the way that you love them is not good enough – that you're not good enough. They lie on you and accuse you of being someone that you are not. You fight as hard as you can – knowing full well that their goal is to make you disappear from the person you love. That was what Reese was up against every day that you two were here in Pine Valley."
Bianca swallowed hard as Greenlee's words hit her like a ton of bricks. Immediately she felt sick to her stomach finding out how it must have felt like for Reese to be with her. Reese didn't follow her to Pine Valley the second time around and it became clear as to why.
To fight so hard the first time around and barely survive all to go back. Bianca now understood why Reese didn't follow her. She couldn't say if the roles were reversed that she even would be brave enough to fight so hard the first time being against everything that Reese was.
"I always told myself that Reese didn't follow me because she didn't love enough. Truth is, she's right. I made her jump through hoops to prove to me over and over again that she loved me. I justified it because of past relationships. On top of that I was demanding that she come back here where she was up against what must have felt like a losing battle. No wonder she asked for the divorce."
"Lots of things change in seven years."
"Yeah…" she trailed into her own thoughts, "yeah," she whispered. "I felt so faultless. I was…"
"Foolish," Greenlee volunteered.
She frowned, "I would have accepted misguided."
"Nah…foolish fits best," she chuckled. "You said that Reese was with Ava. Is it serious?"
Bianca shook her head, hating that she had to think about Ava and Reese together in any capacity, "I don't know. They've been dating for month from what I can tell… by the time that Reese and I had hit a month we were already falling in love."
"And it freaks you out to think that it might have taken that long for Reese to fall for Ava?"
"I don't know," Bianca sat back in her chair. "Reese told me that she was done with me before she started dating Ava."
"Done?" Greenlee frowned, "What happened?"
"I pulled away…again."
"Again? Were you two involved when she got back into town?"
"No," she quickly blurted. "But attraction did get the best of us both and we shared a few moments. The last time she kissed me and begged me to try again with her. I wanted to, Greenlee…"
"You told her 'no' anyway," Greenlee finished. Bianca simply nodded in response.
Greenlee continued on, "She got so fed up with trying that she gave up." Once more Bianca nodded in response.
"And now she's with Ava."
"So what? That's it? You're giving up on her? Bianca, I've spoken to Reese. I see the way her whole reaction changes by just saying your name. She may be with Ava, but she's in love with you. And you may have Erica Kane's mule-like stubbornness-"
"Watch it," Bianca warned.
Greenlee continued, "But behind that you still love Reese. Just saying."
Bianca shamelessly changed the subject, "I have to head home. Reese is dropping Gabi off in a few hours."
Greenlee stood up, "Will Miranda be home tonight?"
"I believe so. Why?"
Greenlee simply smiled, "I think you need an old fashioned girls night out is all – just a few hours to let loose and not think about anything. You in?"
Bianca frowned, "I don't know."
"You're coming," Greenlee insisted. "I'm picking you up so that you have no choice at all in backing out."
Bianca glared at Greenlee with annoyance written all over her face. "Fine," she said through gritted teeth.
"Awesome. Now shoo," Greenlee waved, "You said you had to be home, remember?"
Bianca walked off calling out, "I strongly dislike you right about now."
"Love you too!" Greenlee called back
oooOOOooo
Before Reese dropped Gabi off at Bianca's, they made a pit stop at Zach's place. When they drove into the driveway, they could see the garage was open and standing there was Spike on guitar, Ian on bass, and one of their friends on drums behind them.
The boys were playing music with Ian singing lead vocals as they played. The stopped as they saw Reese and Gabi walk up towards them.
Spike had his hair fixed in a faux hawk he truly did look like Kendall with a small hit of Ryan, "Hey Gabi, Hey Reese."
"Hey boys," Reese greeted. "You guys sound pretty good."
"We're practicing for Battle of the Bands," Ian explained.
Reese looked behind them to their drummer, "Oh yeah," Spike pointed to the boy, "Gavin, Reese. Reese, Gavin."
Gavin waved his drumstick, "Hello."
Reese waved back, "Hello. So," Reese quickly looked around the garage, "What's the name of your band?"
"We're still working on it," Ian whipped away his hair from his face. Just like his father, he wore his hair at mid neck length but just like Kendall, his hair was wavy.
"Our band name sucks," Gavin offered.
"What's the band name?" Reese asked.
"Four Alarm Chili," all of the boys said in near perfect unison.
Reese arched a brow, "Four Alarm Chili?" She echoed.
"It sucks," Gabi blurted.
Ian narrowed his eyes to Gabi, "I don't see you coming up with a great band name," he shot at Gabi.
"Okay," Gabi accepted his challenge. "How about…Any Day Hurricane?"
Spike nodded, "Not bad."
"Yeah, I like it too. Way better than Four Alarm Chili," added Gavin, "Our band name now sounds as though you'll have to crap after listening to us!"
Ian softly groaned hating to admit it, "I like the name too. Okay. We're now Any Day Hurricane. Thanks Gab."
"Where's your dad?" Reese asked Ian.
"In the house," Ian pointed.
"Thanks. Gabi, why don't you hang with the boys for a bit?"
"Sure."
Reese went into the house through the garage. When she walked inside, she saw Zach making himself a cup of coffee.
"Hey," Reese called out to him. Zach continued making his coffee, oblivious to Reese.
"ZACH!" She yelled.
Zach finally turned around, "Oh!" He pulled out earplugs from his ears, "Sorry about that. When the boys start rattling away in the garage I tend to need a moment of quite."
"Nice investment. You could build them their own section and sound proof it," Reese sat down on the stool next to the kitchen island.
Zach shrugged, "I figured that I might do something along those line if the boys really show that they are serious about their band. Are you offering to build it?"
"Maybe I will next time that I'm in town."
Zach leaned against the counter, "The next time you're in town? So you're thinking of coming back to Pine Valley after you're done with the Centric lab rebuild? What's with the change of heart?"
Reese glanced over towards the garage, "The girls. Both of them have stated on separate occasions to me that they hate the fact that they don't see me enough. Gabi is growing up fast and Miranda started High School – she's gone in less than four years…I just don't want to look back when they're older and regret not seeing them as often as I should have."
Zach nodded, "I would be nice for you to be around more. The girls would love that without a doubt. How have you been Reese? Really?"
Reese simply smiled, "I've been good."
"I've heard that you've been seeing Ava Riley."
She rolled her eyes, "This town is too small."
Zach let out a deep chuckle, "Are you?"
"Should it matter to anyone who isn't me or Ava?"
"It shouldn't. I just care about you is all. If not for my and Kendall's actions then you and Bianca would me together."
"If not for a lot of people's actions – mine and Bianca's included – then we would still be together. No one can change the past, Zach."
"You're right. As long as you and Bianca feel anything for one another, you're far from done with each other whether you like it or not. Something always happens with that dynamic."
"Something always happens?" She asked incredulously.
"Yep. Somewhat of a dramatic crescendo in action something happens. And when that happens everything changes."
"Mind telling what it is then since you're all seeing?"
"I'm going off of instinct. I have my limitations. I'm a casino owner, not a fortuneteller. I think that it's great that you're thinking of visiting more to be with the girls. Maybe you should consider…moving back to the states?"
Reese grimaced, "I've toyed with idea for the longest time."
"What stops you from executing it? Don't want to lose your position at your job in Europe?"
"It's not my job that's holding me back. It's… my own stupid fears. France is safe. France is not America and it's well over three thousand miles from…"
"From Bianca?" Zach finished her thought for her.
"Yes," she answered quietly. She buried her head into her arms as she let out a muffled groan. "Maybe you're right," she lifted her head up. "Maybe we aren't completely done with one another. However, Bianca has made it more than clear that she is done with me no matter what her remaining feelings may be."
"And so what? You date Ava to distract yourself from the rejection? What happened to the woman who fought like hell to get Bianca back?"
"Life kicked her ass."
"Pick yourself up and kick life back," he encouraged.
"It's over. Thank you for your support, but it is over. It took me a really long time to be sort of ok with that fact. After coming back and seeing Bianca all I could think of was how much I wanted her and I forgot to put up my wall of forcing myself to be ok that we weren't together. I had to re-train myself all over again after she rejected me again."
"And so that's what Ava is? An aide to forcing yourself to accept that you no longer can be with Bianca?"
"No. I'm not using Ava to get over Bianca. Ava is great. It's nice dating her."
"Nice?" Zach stated unconvinced. "I'm not going pretend that I'm a perfect man, so the last roles that I should play are judge or jury. As a friend though, I'll leave you some advice."
Reese pursed her lips together, "Ok. What's the advice?"
"Heart instinct," he simply said.
Reese frowned. "That's it? Heart instinct?"
"Yep. Heart instinct. Know it, trust it, and when all else fails follow it." He sipped on his coffee
Reese narrowed her eyes, "So you aren't going to with the 'follow your heart' or 'go with your gut' speech, huh? Lumping them both together?
"Somewhat. The heart can lead you well, but it can also lead you blindly and foolishly. Instinct on the other hand also can strongly lead you well, but not all gut instincts allow us to make a decision openly. When you put together instinct and heart in a situation where they both are in agreeance, then you're much better off."
"Wise words coming from you Mr. Slater."
"I try. So you and Gabi got to spend the weekend together?"
"Yes, and now I'm dropping her back off at home. I just wanted to stop by and talk for a bit."
"Glad you came."
"Where's Kendall?"
"Kendall went to work for a little bit. Hardest working woman I know, but she should be coming home really soon. If I didn't know any better, I would say that she's used work as an excuse to avoid the noise of Gavin's drums."
"Sound proofing," she said sort of sing song-like.
"Eventually."
Reese drummed her fingers on the counter top, "We should take off. Enjoy the musical styling's of Any Day Hurricane."
"Any Day Hurricane?" Zach asked confused.
"That's the name of the boys band. Gabi helped them change the name," she explained.
"Hmph…sounds way better than Four Alarm Chili. Why don't I walk you girls to your car so that I can give Gabi kudos on the name choice?" Zach gestured for Reese to lead the way to where the kids were.
oooOOOooo
As per Reese's promise to Ava, tonight she took her out. First Reese took Ava to dinner then to end the night took her over to Jane's Addiction. During the later hours of operation there was always live music.
Reese and Ava sat in one of the booths in the corner of the coffee shop beside one another as the act performing for the night took to the stage.
"So did I make up for turning you away the other day?" Reese asked.
"Let me think for moment," Ava humored as she laced her fingers into Reese's, "You did feed me, so you get brownie points on that."
"Brownie points on feeding you…got it," Reese laughed.
Ava giggled too, "Well feeding me is way up there. Next to pleasing me," Ava dripped seduction with that last statement.
Reese let out a slight nervous chuckle, "Well if I wasn't feeling the pressure already-"
"Reese shut up and kiss me," Ava pulled on Reese's jacket as she pulled her into a their kiss.
Bianca, Greenlee, and Kendall all came into Jane's Addiction after spending the night having fun at the karaoke bar. With the right amount of liquid courage, Bianca mustered bravery to get on stage and sing alongside her cousin and sister. After the bar Greenlee kept going on about craving a smoothie so the girls made a pit stop to the coffee shop.
"I'm loving the live music tonight," Greenlee complimented.
"Yeah, the live entertainment is always known to be decent here," said Bianca in passing as they waited in line to make their orders.
"What did you order Greenlee?" Kendall asked.
"I ordered a Have-o Navarro and a their cheesecake brownies. If I'm going to cheat on my diet tonight, I'm going full tilt!"
"You're going to run it off in the morning, aren't you?"
"At the very least I'll try," Greenlee wiggled her brows.
Kendall squinted her eyes while taking a glance at the menu once she was at the counter, "Bianca, what do you want?" She asked her sister.
"I'm fine," Bianca waved.
"You are not going to make Greenlee and I look as though we're hangover food hogs by ourselves."
"Yeah! And we can't even use a hangover as the excuse since we're sober…ish." Greenlee added.
Bianca rolled her eyes, "Fine. I'll take a small sea salt caramel latte and a lemon poppy seed muffin to go."
"Nice choice. I'll have the same," Kendall told the barista. The Greenlee and Bianca waited on the side, checking out the act on stage while Kendall stayed behind waiting for their orders to be ready.
"Thanks for insisting that I come out, Greenlee." Bianca nudged her cousin.
Greenlee was frozen still upon seeing Reese and Ava across the room in a passionate kiss. Greenlee quickly turned to her cousin, "No problem," she said quickly.
Bianca picked up on Greenlee abrupt nervousness, "What's going on Greenlee?"
"Nothing," again she said it too quickly.
Bianca figured that it had to be something that Greenlee saw in the shop, so she began to look around the room to try and see what made Greenlee suddenly act strangely. It was then that she saw Reese and Ava kissing.
Bianca quickly turned her back away from the two. Her heart in that moment felt as though it were ripped out of her chest. Kendall came up to Greenlee and Bianca carrying a cup holder with their drinks and the bag holding their brownies and muffins.
"Here are our orders ladi—"
Before Kendall could finish, Bianca stormed out passed her sister with a simple, "Let's go."
Kendall was dumbfounded, "What the hell happened?" She turned to Greenlee.
Greenlee pointed discreetly to Reese and Ava who were now holding hands and chatting in their booth, "That. Bianca saw them kissing earlier."
"Oh," Kendall winced. "Oh my God," she looked over to Bianca who was now outside, steaming of stress and jealously.
"Let's get out of here. Bianca's going to really need us about now."
"No kidding."
"If I didn't insist on coming here for something," Greenlee shook her.
Kendall turned to her best friend, "Don't blame yourself. It was bound to happen sooner or later if not here then somewhere else," she handed the drinks over to Greenlee. "Let's go put her back to together as best as we can."
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry that it took so long for this chapter. I completely did away with what I wrote before and started from scratch because I wanted it to be perfect. Anyhow, thanks for reading and please do not hesitate to leave me your feedback. Thanks again for your patience and the time you took to read my story!