Hello all! Sorry for the long wait - updates will have to be as and when (sorry Guest!), considering my only writing time is naptimes (with baby sleeping on my chest at the moment!). I had a beautiful baby girl and will have to put her first for a while! I will probably write shorter chapters. Thank you for all the feedback and positive encouragement my readers have shown me. Special thanks to yotoots for the huge number of reviews lol!
Chapter Twenty One
Zoe's heart seemed to stop in her chest when she caught sight of George, clearly unconscious in the river by his houseboat. Looking at him, she didn't know whether he was dead or alive. Her mind processed that he was floating face down, blood was staining the area around him. Swimming over to him, she managed to turn him over and pull him to the side, but her slower efforts were soon helped by Wade, who leant over from the bank and pulled him clean out of the river onto the ground beside him. Climbing out as quickly as she could, Zoe checked for a pulse, and finding a faint one, began CPR. After a short while, George began to cough as he expelled the water from his lungs, and opened his eyes blearily to see a panting Zoe and Wade both looking at him frantically.
"Jeez, you scared us Tucker," Wade said shakily, as Zoe attempted to smile and turned George's head to examine his wound. It looked like a low-level blunt impact, but had bled copiously and would need stitching. George began to gasp in pain as her fingers probed the area.
"We need to call an ambulance," Zoe told Wade. "First he needs towels to put pressure on his head. And we need blankets to keep him warm. Did you bring your phone?"
"No," Wade replied quickly. "I didn't think to. I'll run and get help," he said, already in motion, pausing to grab some thick towels left out on George's decking and throw them to Zoe before running back into town.
"Good. Hurry," Zoe called, arranging the towels and then checking George over, but he didn't seem to have any other injuries. She asked George what had happened.
He looked confused, then grimaced again as trying to think that hard hurt his head. "Someone's boat hit mine," he said. "Out of nowhere. They were heading downriver pretty fast. I got...thrown off, I guess, I just remember hitting my head and nothing after that." He looked at her worriedly. "Is my boat okay?
Turning to look towards the boat, she realised that it was sitting at an angle in the water, but didn't allow her expression to give that away. "Don't worry about that right now, I'm sure your boat will be fine. Let's just concentrate on getting you help first," she reassured him. "You just nearly died."
Starting to shake, nevertheless he managed to arch an eyebrow and reply, "yeah Zoe, I think I got that."
It wasn't long before help arrived in force from the town, and the ambulance itself had been close to the area anyway so barely twenty minutes passed before George was being stretchered inside. Zoe wanted to go with him to the hospital, but George assured her faithfully that he would be fine, that he'd suffered worse, and he'd look forward to seeing her in the morning along with anyone else who cared to visit. After he was taken away, Zoe told Bill about what George had told her regarding someone hitting his boat, and they investigated the damage. Turned out the houseboat had taken a nasty bang to the side and caused a leak, which meant that the inside was now slowly filling with water. Lavon and Wade and a few of the other town guys managed to block up the leak temporarily and bale most of the water overside, but it definitely needed emergency repairs. Whilst they were busy, AB and Lemon turned up to get the story from Zoe.
"What happened? Is he going to be all right?" Lemon asked urgently.
Zoe explained what had happened, including that George had already been taken to the hospital, to Lemon and AB's shock and horror, though their differing priorities meant that AB was more concerned about her boat and Lemon more worried about George. "He's going to be fine," Zoe soothed Lemon. "We were so lucky we got here in time. He just needs to have his head checked over to make sure there were no repercussions from the blow he suffered. But he wasn't slurred or incoherent when he spoke to me, and that's a really good sign."
Lemon looked at her, and a tear ran down her cheek. "Excuse me, but I have to get to the hospital straight away." After a quick hug from AB, she hurriedly left.
"Looks like this is gonna be expensive," AB said with a sigh as she gestured despairingly towards her boat. "And we don't even know who was drivin' the other boat?"
Zoe shook her head. "Hopefully George will be able to give a description of the boat, then we can find out who it was. Besides, if your boat is damaged we can be pretty sure the other one is too. Sure the police will be able to check."
Zoe's explanations mollified AB, and she momentarily brightened. "That's true. They won't be getting away with it this time."
-HoD-
George opened his eyes the next afternoon to see Lemon sat next to him, her eyes bloodshot and puffy from repeated crying. Seeing he was awake, she grasped his hand and asked him how he was feeling, but before he could reply, the doctor swept in, and he jerked his hand away whilst he was advised that he would be fine, only had a mild swelling which meant he was free to leave as soon as he wanted. Once the doctor had left, Lemon turned to George in confusion.
"George?" she queried. It wasn't like George to pull away from her – he'd been in pursuit since the day she came back from her cruise. But things had changed for George. Lemon had come in last night but he'd been unconscious, and she'd had to leave to sort things out with Fancies before coming back in the afternoon. In the meantime, Lavon had visited him and told him of the damage to the boat – that it wasn't liveable until it was fixed, and AB had said she didn't have the money for the repairs so they would have to wait for the insurance to take care of it. He was all set to move into Lavon's but the suddenness of the accident had caused George to think deeply about his future. He also planned on suing the hell out of whoever had caused the collision. They'd left him to die.
"What can I do for you, Lemon?" he asked at last. He'd finally made up his mind about the woman he was in love with. He'd done his best to pursue her and despite giving him her body on more than one occasion, she still refused to yield her heart. And there was only so long a man could take being rejected – if Lemon didn't want him as her boyfriend again, then he would have to take a step back. Even consider leaving Bluebell. He knew he'd be able to find work anywhere – for despite his love of his town, he felt it would be too hard to stay close to the blonde. At least for a while as the wound was still fresh.
"George – I, I want to know how you're doing. What's wrong?" she asked, confused, and a little concerned at the distance she felt between them. George only then met her eyes.
"I'm doing okay, I guess, considering. Zoe tell you that she saved me?" he asked her.
Lemon nodded. "It was so lucky that she and Wade happened to be running out there, you could easily have drowned." She reached for his hand again, but he held it away. "Don't, Lemon," he said.
With knotted brows, she cried, "George, what's happened? Explain to me what's wrong!"
George threw up his hands in a gesture of frustration. "I can't do this anymore, Lemon. You told me you didn't want to be with me, so you can't really expect to play the loving girlfriend just because I had a – near miss. If you don't want to be with me, then you need to stay away."
Lemon looked at him in shock. "So just because I couldn't be your girlfriend you won't even let me be your friend? But I was so worried about you."
George grimaced, not enjoying hurting Lemon, but his earlier epiphany that he couldn't deal with the situation anymore still rang strongly through him. Still, he tried to gentle his voice so he didn't seem so harsh. "You don't need to be, I'm going to be okay. I gave a description of the boat to Bill. But no, I'm afraid that's the way it has to be from now on, Lemon. I'm sorry."
Lemon turned to leave, hoping George would stop her, but he only watched her pick up her things and wipe her cheeks in silence. Opening the door, she gave him one last look before she walked away.
-HoD-
Wade was cleaning glasses behind the bar and stewing. He'd been given a good reception from everyone at the Rammer Jammer for his role in saving George, and gotten through all the inevitable questions, but hadn't had the patience for it, with his restlessness regarding his inability to act against Frank weighing on him. Scanning the room and seeing Frank himself chatting animatedly with Dash, he was beginning to feel the weight of keeping things to himself. He felt he was especially keeping too much from Zoe – he hadn't told her about her father's cheque, Frank, or about the file he still had in his office about Duane and his sister Sarah. He'd buried it, but every time he entered his office he knew it was there, like a weight that at first he'd been able to ignore but was steadily increasing in burden. Now, the anger he felt towards Frank was alive and real, and he'd asked Ava, his new bar manager to serve so he didn't have to.
"So despite being the hero of the hour, what's eating you this morning? Looks like bees got into your breakfast," he heard Lavon say, as the mayor pulled up a bar stool and flopped his hat down onto the counter and ordered.
"Nothin'. I'm fine," he said curtly, as he watched Dash grace Frank with a smile, and then a goddamn handshake, before Frank ambled slowly out of the bar. Aware his mouth looked grimmer than ever, he flicked his eyes over to Lavon to find himself being watched. Still.
"You fall out with Zoe again? Cause considering you and she saved George's life last night, I'd have thought you'd be lookin' a bit happier," Lavon fished as Wade served his drink.
Wade sighed, threw his dishcloth over his shoulder and planted his palms down. "Zoe and me are fine. She's comin' in soon to have lunch with AB," he explained, but when Lavon didn't back down, he sighed. "I suppose I'd better tell someone," he realised. "Frank is the one who told the reporters everything, leaked our stories to the press." His matter of fact tone was belied by the undercurrent of anger that he couldn't keep out. Worse was the fact he couldn't exactly stay away from the Dixie Stop, with the lack of shopping options in Bluebell, forcing him into close proximity with the loose-tongued weasel.
"No!" Lavon replied in shock, before craning round to scan the bar, but was disappointed to see the shop-owner had already left. "Surely Frank wouldn't do that on purpose," he said, not wanting to believe it.
"Well, it's true," Wade said grimly. "Overheard him when I went into the Dixie Stop last night talking to a reporter on the phone. Frank was paid well for talking about me and Zoe."
Lavon's eyes darkened with anger. "And was he talking again about you both? What did you overhear?"
Wade shook his head, clocking that Zoe had just entered the bar with AB, and paused to wave at her with a forced smile before she turned to sit down at a table, before turning back to Lavon. "No, he was telling the reporter to leave him alone, that he'd 'caused enough damage'. I suppose it should be something that he must regret what he's done, but the fact that he spoke to one in the first place..." He trailed off, leaving the rest of his words unspoken.
Lavon took a swig, considering. "It is something that he regrets it Wade, it means a lot. But you have every right to be angry, Wade, I am too. Frank's caused Zoe and you a lot of hurt and I'll have to say something to him."
Wade turned to Lavon quickly. "I wasn't sure whether I should," he told his friend.
"You shouldn't," Lavon said, stressing the 'you'. "That's why I will. You know you've been struggling with your temper lately, and after yesterday with Peter Jones, that's enough to test your patience this week. If you tell off Frank, you could end up lashing out. But he needs to be warned against doing this ever again, otherwise life in Bluebell could start to get ugly. Everyone would be mad about this if they found out. Speaking of, does Zoe know?"
"Did I hear you say Peter Jones?" said Sheriff Bill, walking over to them. "Sorry, gentleman, didn't mean to eavesdrop."
Lavon and Wade shared a look of surprise. "Didn't you hear?" Wade replied. "He came in and scared Zoe at the doctor's office yesterday."
"No, I didn't," Bill said in concern. "Is Zoe okay? What did he do?"
"He didn't hurt her, just tried to intimidate her into sharing confidential patient information," Wade explained. "Brick arrived before things could escalate."
Bill whistled, looking over at Zoe and AB chatting animatedly. "Well, she seems to be okay from over here," he said, his tone striving for convincing but falling slightly short. "That explains a lot."
"Explains what?" asked Lavon, also looking over at the two women. His eyes rested on AB's sparkling smile, as she told Zoe a story. Happiness seemed to radiate from her and he knew it was because of her new guy, Aidan. He turned back to his drink and his attention to the conversation at hand.
"I've spent the morning investigating what happened to George Tucker," said the Sheriff. "Turns out, his boat was hit at speed by another, and a few miles upriver, there was a wrecked boat. It had crashed into a tree, bearing damage from another collision. Was discovered this morning, and when I went out to see it, I found none other than Peter Jones, passed out inside. Gone to hospital with suspected alcohol poisoning and a few bumps and bruises." He looked at them significantly, pleased to once again to have handled the 'situation'.
"So Peter crashed into George's boat? Why?" asked Wade.
Bill's confident expression dimmed slightly. "Well, I don't know yet. I tried to get hold of his fiancee Meredith, but she wasn't at home and hasn't answered her phone. And Peter's been passed out. The hospital will call me when he does and then he'll be interviewed and arrested. I'll tell AnnaBeth in a minute about him, she needs to know who damaged her property."
"I wonder what happened in between Brick kicking him out of the office and him getting blind drunk and speeding off and hitting George's boat," said Wade consideringly.
"Well, I intend to find out, gentleman. Now, what was that I heard you saying about Frank? What would everybody in town be mad about?"
Wade and Lavon groaned. Now Bill knew, it was looking less and less likely that the news wouldn't get out among the town. They communicated silently, each asking the other whether they should spill, but when Bill cleared his throat and made it clear he wasn't leaving until he was told the truth, Wade told him quickly what he knew about Frank's activities.
Whilst they were talking, Lemon arrived at the bar and straight-arrowed for AB and Zoe's table, sinking herself into a seat beside them without waiting to be invited. AB cut off mid-flow about last night's date in concern as she registered Lemon's tear stained cheeks.
"Lemon? What's wrong? Is George okay?" she asked.
Lemon pulled a tissue out of her purse and dabbed at herself, quickly nodding at Zoe in greeting. "George is fine. Fine enough to end things with me," she said sorrowfully.
"I didn't think the two of you were properly together," Zoe said hesitantly, hoping not to provoke an antagonistic reaction from Lemon.
"We aren't, or weren't," Lemon explained, ordering quickly as Wanda came over. "But whatever we were, it's over. He's told me he doesn't want to see me anymore, even as a friend."
AB whistled in surprise. "That seems kind of harsh, what did he say?"
Lemon explained, and Zoe left it for AB to say what they were both thinking. "Maybe this is for the best. The...situation between you and George has been going on for a while, and it wasn't really healthy for either of you. At least now he can move on."
"I know I've been selfish with George, but I wasn't expecting this. I thought we could still be there for each other. I don't know how I feel about being cut out of his life completely."
Zoe rested her head on her chin and detailed Lemon's trembling chin and hands, the wobble in her voice. "I think you do know," she said gently.
Lemon's eyes cut to her and scowled before she could help herself. Then she softened again as they all knew what was running through her head. "Okay, it feels horrible. I've been telling myself over and over again that it wouldn't be right for George and I to be together again, but the thought of never being close with him again is making my chest feel tight, like I can't breathe."
"Those are just feelings of panic," Zoe said mildly, quite enjoying Lemon's tribulation. "Maybe you should go to George and tell him that you do want to be with him? It's obvious that's what you want."
Lemon shook her head in despair. "No, I can't."
"Why?"
"Because, he'll think I won't mean it cause it's a reaction to him saying what he said. He won't believe that's really how I feel. And I'm still not sure myself whether I would be ready to jump into a relationship with him, and that isn't fair on him. I just need some time," she finished. "Please, AB, let's change the subject. Tell me how did your date go?"
As AB began to repeat some of what she'd told Zoe, the doctor found her eyes wandering over to Wade, who'd finished talking with Bill and Lavon and was instead making conversation with his new bar manager, who seemed to be very fond of tossing her hair about and smiling large toothy grins at her boyfriend. Wade started out with a grim look, but as she watched Ava's banter seemed to smooth out the lines in his face, until he actually gave a real smile. Zoe found herself slightly unsettled with the attention he was giving her – he'd been focussed on nothing but his co-worker for a good few minutes before Lavon returned to the bar and attracted his attention once again. Zoe's staring was also interrupted as Bill walked over and asked to speak to AB. AB motioned for him to speak in front of all of them, and the news about Peter served to distract Zoe for the time being.
Lavon had noticed Zoe's stare as he finished discussing what they were going to do about Frank and Peter with Bill, and her worried expression. "You're going to have to be careful," he warned Wade. "Don't go flirting in front of Zoe."
Wade looked baffled. "I wasn't," he denied. Then he turned to let his gaze run over Ava, as truthfully her lithe figure hadn't gone unnoticed. "I really wasn't, we were just talking. Why, did Zoe say something?" he frowned.
"No, she didn't have to. She was watching you like a hawk for the last few minutes. I know that look, and it spells trouble. Just be careful you don't cross any lines, 'cause I get the feeling that Zoe won't be so forgiving a third time."
Wade wanted to argue it some more, but decided against it. Lavon was right – he didn't mean to, but flirting came naturally to him and he wasn't always aware he was doing it. But if Zoe had been staring, then she might be upset. He looked over at her, but she was listening to Bill. He hoped Bill wouldn't mention anything about Frank to Zoe, but didn't hold out much hope. Unfortunately, before he could go over and join them and attempt damage control, another customer demanded his attention.
Slightly relieved when Wade was distracted, causing distance between him and Ava, Zoe started when Bill addressed her. "Zoe, Wade just told me about Frank. I was sorry to hear it."
Zoe looked at him dumbly. "What are you talking about?" she asked quizzically, thinking that Frank must have something wrong with him.
Bill continued blithely, "you know, that he was the one who kiss and told the info on you and Wade to the press. Wade just filled me in. Didn't you Wade," he called to the man himself as he approached their table.
Wade nodded, a tight smile on his face. Trust Bill to drop him in it at the first opportunity, and he knew he was going to be in trouble later. The ladies were all completely agog and Zoe's eyes were starting to flash with the exposure of Wade's keeping her in the dark. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could Wade was saved by the approach of the final lunch partner of the table: Aidan, AB's new boyfriend. AB jumped up and leaped to make introductions, keen to move the conversation on as now wasn't the best time or place for Wade and Zoe to have an argument, although she wanted to discuss the bombshell as much as anyone. She also needed some support and a nice lunch after the horrible shock about her houseboat, and she was keen to show off her new man to her friends.
Wade moved swiftly away, taking advantage of the face that Zoe was bound out of politeness to stay and make conversation with the new guy for at least a short while before she was going to come find him. He groaned inwardly, and it showed on his face as he rejoined Ava behind the bar. She approached him and asked him what was wrong.
"Zoe's about to rip me to shreds," he told her, which caused his new assistant to raise her brows.
"Why, what've you done?" she asked in surprise, looking across the bar to see Zoe glaring at the pair of them. "Hold that. What've we done? I'm definitely included in that stare."
"Nothing to do with you, that's all directed at me. I didn't fill her in on somethin' I should've."
"Ya sure?"
Wade nodded. "She's just not very discriminatory when she gets angry." Less than three minutes later, Zoe appeared at his side and hissed at him "we need to talk". Ava made a tutting sound at Zoe's tone, and the doctor turned her wrathful gaze on the young woman, dislike coursing through her as she processed her beauty. Her anger increased at Wade for having hired her, and she turned and flounced off, hissing "Wade" once more over her shoulder, an order for him to follow.
Zoe stomped furiously into Wade's office, then stopped short, realising she hadn't been in there since before Wade had slept with the blonde the night Duane had targeted her. Flashing images of how Wade must have taken her across the desk flashed through her brain, and she backtracked from the room back into the corridor.
Wade was too focussed on averting the situation and gaining her attention to notice her reaction to his office. "Zoe, I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I only found out yesterday and after what had happened with Peter I thought it'd be better to wait a few days, until you were in a better frame of mind. I was trying to think of you."
"How noble," she sniffed, furious and upset. "There's always a good reason to lie to me, isn't there? But it was okay to tell Bill before me and have me find out from him?" she hissed incredulously.
"He overheard," Wade bit out. "He wasn't meant to hear anything, I was speaking to Lavon."
"So you told Lavon before me," she said accusingly with her voice getting higher, unwilling to be reasonable.
Wade nearly bit his tongue in frustration, but he kept his voice steady with an effort. "I had to speak to someone, Zoe, and Lavon is my best friend-"
She cut him off. "You're supposed to talk to me! I am supposed to be your girlfriend. But I suppose it was too hard to wait half an hour, or move more than ten feet away from your new groupie!"
Wade double-taked. "What? She's not my-"
"I don't wanna hear it, Wade," Zoe said, storming off. Wade called out after her but she ignored him, waved goodbye to AB and Lemon, and walked off. Wade debated going after her, but there were customers that needed seeing to and perhaps it was better to let her cool off anyway. However despite this he relaxed when he saw AB excuse herself from the table and run after her. He thought Zoe was overreacting and was riled because she hadn't acknowledged his point of view about not telling her. But he could spot feminine insecurity a mile off regarding Ava. Lavon had been right. Perhaps he shouldn't have hired her, but she'd been the best fit for the job. He needed someone competent he could rely on so he could spend more time with Zoe.
Lemon was disappointed. The man that AB had described to her so attractively was a bit of a let-down in the flesh. She couldn't put her finger on it at first, as he seemed genial enough and sweet to her friend. He didn't say anything stupid or make an issue out of the tense atmosphere that he'd walked into. But when they saw Zoe come out of the back obviously upset and angry, and AB rushed to check on their friend, it became clear to Lemon.
"So how are you not seein' someone, sweetheart," Aidan drawled. "A smart, successful, beautiful woman like yourself should surely have no end of admirers." The way he'd angled his body, subtly moving closer to her whilst presenting himself more attractively, made her feel that his question was asked out of interest, not politeness. His eyes sparkled as he looked at her, no doubt encouraged by her wide-eyed look of shock. Her eyes narrowed – if he was coming on to her, then AB deserved to be rid of this scumbag (and they would be single together again). So she decided to test him, in no mood to give him the benefit of the doubt after her experience with the male sex today. Her eyes flickering over to the door, checking that AB wasn't anywhere near, she mirrored his body language and sent him one of her sickeningly-sweet smiles. Her voice was light, sexy. "Of course I do," she giggled. "But I'm always looking for more." She decided batting her eyelashes would be overkill, but in this case it looked like finesse wasn't necessary.
His answering chuckle confirmed it. "Heard a lot about you, Lemon."
She giggled again to enhance his confidence in her flirtation, then let her eyes roam to imply she was considering his body. "All good, I hope."
After a little more banter, he quickly checked over his shoulder to ensure that his girlfriend wasn't close, then slowly, he leaned in. "Damn, you're beautiful" he whispered, his voice dropping. "Would you consider letting me buy you a drink? Perhaps someplace else?" When she smiled and nodded with a blush, he inched his hand across the table and ran it suggestively down her arm, and despite Lemon's proficiency as an actress she had to fight her instinctive reaction to jerk her arm away. But AB re-entered the bar, and Lemon decided that it would be better to hurt AB now rather than worse later, so decided to leave Aidan's fingers where they were. As the redhead approached them, her eyes locked onto the sight. Her eyes flew to Lemon's – Lemon sent her a reassuring smile whilst she distracted Aidan by turning her hand over and capturing his fingers with hers. AB hesitated, confused and angry, but decided to heed Lemon's signals to wait. "But what about AnnaBeth?" Lemon asked mock-innocently, within earshot of her friend.
"Darlin', if you'd come out with your friends that night and I'd seen you first, I never would've looked twice," he said charmingly.
Lemon smiled at him victoriously and yanked her hand away, standing up and grabbing her purse. Ignoring him now as completely beneath her, she turned her face to AB and walked to her side. "I'm so sorry AB, he started flirting with me, and I wanted to see how far it would go. Best be rid of him before things got serious," she explained as AB nodded mechanically, holding in tears. It was one thing knowing that her friend had been right, intellectually, but humiliation and anger eclipsed her gratitude of finding out now, instead of months down the road. Not willing to show all this, as she watched Aidan's look of horror as he realised he'd been manipulated, she patted Lemon's hand and told her she'd see her later, her tone leaving no room for argument. Looking around, Lemon realised they'd attracted quite an audience, so she simply nodded and left. AB noticed the staring directed their way too, but didn't let that stop her from grabbing her drink and throwing it in her now ex-boyfriend's face.
"You bitch!" Aidan exclaimed. "This sweater is cashmere."
"Get out! I never wanna see you again you disgusting jerk," she retorted, voice threatening to break.
"You heard the lady," came a deep, comforting voice at her side, and a warm hand at her back helped to stabilise her roiling emotions.
Aidan glared at Lavon, opened his mouth to say something more but, "don't even think about it," Lavon finished in a deadly tone.
"Can I ask that you leave my establishment," Wade deadpanned as he approached, his tone indicating it was not a request. Last thing he wanted was a fistfight in his bar and it wouldn't exactly be good for Lavon's reputation either, and things were looking as if that was on the cards. Finally, Aidan took one last resentful glance at AB, then sauntered out the door, wisely choosing to remain silent.
Wade left AB and Lavon to it as the mayor asked AB if she was okay, all soft and gentle now.
AB brushed tears away with a tissue handed to her by Shula. "I'm fine," she replied in a tone that indicated she was anything but. "It was good Lemon showed me what he was. Best I know now." After a few more words between them, she left too. Lavon returned to the bar, and after a time Wade came over too.
"Can you believe that? Poor AB?" Lavon said instantly. Wade agreed but internally rolled his eyes at how angry Lavon sounded. "Do you think I should go over there tonight to see if she wants to talk?"
Wade arched an eyebrow. "And what happened the last time you two were alone together? You so sure that's a good idea?"
Lavon shifted, uncomfortable at addressing the situation verbally. "I just thought she might need a shoulder to cry on. I want to be that shoulder," he said mutinously.
"Of course you do, Lavon, but maybe yours isn't the best shoulder for her right now." Wade sounded tired. "Things between you two have been really awkward lately, despite that dick-for-brains. Besides, not only do you have George coming over to stay with you tonight, I'm sure Lemon and Zoe will take care of her. Zoe probably wants a girls night too," he finished bitterly.
Lavon digested that in silence and knew it was for the best, though the urge to go to AB lingered. "She told you off about flirting, didn't she," he said grumpily. "I warned you."
Wade returned the look and slouched forward onto the bar, resting his arms. "She called Ava a groupie," he told his friend. "Besides she was pissed 'cause Bill told her about Frank. Now I know I did the right thing there, she's just not thinking straight. I'm sure she'll see that after she's calmed down."
Lavon tried hard to stop thinking about AB and gave his full attention to Wade, snorting after the last comment. Scanning him, his concern was piqued as he processed the lines under Wade's eyes, the slump to his shoulders. "How you holdin' it together, Wade?"
Wade sighed. "It's hard, you know? She's so up and down, things are still comin' between us despite every good intention that I have. Its not easy always putting her needs first when she doesn't even recognise what I'm doing, let alone appreciate it."
Lavon nodded and swigged his drink back, feeling more than a little buzzed. "The road to hell is paved…"
"With good intentions, I know," Wade agreed.
"Zoe will recover more as time goes by, you'll see. She loves you Wade, and you know Zoe, she's reasonable eventually." Wade still didn't look convinced. "Anything else buggin' you with Zoe? May as well share."
The bar owner hesitated. "She still won't let me touch her," he confessed, conveying his unhappiness more through tone than words. "We barely even kiss anymore."
"Well, it's still only been, what, 5 weeks? You guys agreed to cool things for three months," Lavon questioned.
Wade snorted irritably. "Yeah I know, believe me, I know. And I'm not pushing her, or even said anything. It's just difficult, having to always stop myself from what I want to do," he explained. "From what comes naturally."
Lavon noticed the stress lines in Wade's muscles, the tension in his jaw as his eyes returned to Ava, roaming her lean form. "See, you're doin' it again," the mayor accused.
Wade jumped guiltily, then popped his knuckles in frustration. "Lavon, I'm startin' to feel like an alcoholic surrounded by binge-drinkers, having to remain tee-total for what feels like... forever! I can't help lookin' at her – but, hey at least I'm not touchin!"
"Do you think you're gonna make the three months, 'cause if you can't you need to cool things with Zoe, now." Lavon said warningly, concerned at even the possibility that Wade could stray again. He sympathised with his friend but he was firmly in Zoe's corner for the time being.
Wade grimaced, but straightened up. He knew he needed to hear it. It was time to stop feeling sorry for himself. He wasn't the one who had suffered an agonising sexual attack and the least he could do was make it through these early weeks without complaint. It wasn't that he had stopped caring about his girlfriend, but he wasn't used to putting aside his own needs for this length of time and it was proving harder than he thought it would be. "Of course, I can make the three months, or however long," he scoffed. "Didn't say it was gonna be easy though."
"What happened to you getting some professional help for your dependence on sex?" Lavon asked, louder than he should have.
Wade hissed at him to keep his voice down for god's sake, reassuring the mayor that he'd get around to it soon, but he'd been pretty busy with the bar and keeping Zoe happy to find the time just yet. Lavon seemed to accept this, then realising he had an appointment, finished his drink and left. Wade was calculating how much more time he needed to stay when a man sat down in front of him.
"Been pretty busy in here today," the man said conversationally. "Lot goin' on for such a small town."
Wade's eyes flickered over the man dismissively, and said politely, "same stuff that goes on in every small town."
The man smiled and shook his head. "That's not really true is it, Mr Kinsella? Hear you've had an especially rough time of it lately. My name is Bruce Conley and I work for the Mobile Weekly. I was wonderin' whether you'd be interested in speaking to me about it." He smiled winningly.
Wade processed that this guy was a journalist, and had been sitting only two seats away from Lavon for most of the morning. He'd probably heard and seen a great deal.
"No, I wouldn't," he warned. "I'm not interested in any interviews."
The man's expression didn't change, reminding Wade of a hungry shark that smelled blood in the water. "Sure you don't want to put forward your side of things? Because there's a good story in you and your girlfriend, and all your complicated relationship troubles, especially considering your dependence on sex. Because that's where all these troubles stem from, isn't that right? Now, I've got enough material already, but if you want to balance things in your direction a little more, you might want to reconsider giving me that interview." He let his threat hang in the air whilst Wade debated. What was the lesser evil here? Anything he said or did could be used against him, but if he said nothing he had no control over what went into the story. As he hesitated, Conley fished out his pen and notepad once again and flipped through, showing the copious notes he had inside. That decided it for Wade. "All right," he agreed reluctantly. "What do you wanna know?"
A/N: Hope you enjoyed. Please R and R! I hope you all don't think my pace is too slow. I will get round to addressing everything, I promise. I never intended this story to be so long, it's kinda taken a life of it's own. Smoochies between Wade and Zoe in the next chapter!