A.N. Hello everyone! So it has come to my attention that back in Chapter 21, AnnaBeth made a comment that may have offended some of you. First off, I just want to apologize. That was in no way my intention. Second, I should mention that the views and opinions of the versions of the characters I write are in no way affiliated to what my views or opinions are. I may make pop culture references once in awhile but as far as views on issues such as pregnancy are not solely based on my own opinions. I simply write how I feel the character would react and view certain things and say certain things. So again, I just want to apologize if I offended you in previous chapters and in future chapters. It is not my intention. Anyway, how great was the episode last night? Finally! Minus the whole Wade possibly leaving, but it seems like Zoe will say those three words! Anyway, here's the next UD. Hope you like it. And please leave reviews! (You know those are the best part!)
My hands, Drifting My heart, Pages I'm sorry if I say, "I need you."
Your hands
Tied up
Like two ships.
Weightless.
Waves try to break it.
I'd do anything to save it.
Why is it so hard to say it?
Your heart
Sit tight like book ends.
Between us
Written with no end.
So many words we're not saying.
Don't wanna wait 'til it's gone.
You make me strong.
But I don't care,
I'm not scared of love.
'Cause when I'm not with you I'm weaker.
Is that so wrong?
Is it so wrong
That you make me strong?
-One Direction
Later that night, when Zoe was finished treating Tom, she was surprised to see that Wade was not home. She dialed his cell phone number but all she got was his voice mail. Although she was a bit worried, she was too tired to figure out where he was. She figured he must have taken another shift at the Rammer Jammer at the last minute and forgot to tell her.
Meanwhile, Wade was at the Rammer Jammer, but he was not working. Instead, he was gulping down his fifth beer.
"Wade, we're gonna have to cut you off," Shelley told him
"I'm fine, alright," Wade argued as he nearly stumbled off his chair
"I think I should call Zoe," Shelley said, a bit worried
"No need. I'm headin home," Wade said as he grabbed his beer bottle and stumbled back outside the Rammer Jammer.
The following morning, Zoe awoke to find Wade not by her side. She dialed his number and again there was no answer. She went into Lavon's kitchen to find Lavon and Annabeth.
"Have you two seen Wade?" she asked
"No," they said in unison
"I haven't seen him since last night and he doesn't answer his phone," Zoe said, concerned
"I'm sure he's alright. He probably just lost his phone or something," Annabeth comforted
"Yeah, or something," Lavon said, still upset with Wade
"Well if you see him can you tell him to find me?" she asked
"Of course," Annabeth smiled as Lavon nodded
Once Zoe was out of sight, Annabeth looked to Lavon
"Maybe you should go out lookin for him?"
"Knowing Wade I'm sure he's just avoidin Zoe so he doesn't have to tell her what really happened with Patricia. He'll turn up," Lavon stated as he continued to eat his pancakes.
While Lavon finished his breakfast, Wade was beginning to come out of his slumber as he found himself in the middle of the woods about a mile away from the plantation. Realizing that he had slept in the dirt, he got up and made sure he still had his wallet and phone. Relieved, he noticed that he had ten missed calls from Zoe as well as a few text messages.
He dialed her number
"Wade? Where are you?" she answered
"Hey, sorry about last night, I uh took a shift at the Rammer Jammer and ran into my dad. I ended up staying at his place," Wade lied.
"Oh, well, I'm glad you're OK. I was worried," Zoe stated
"I know, I'm sorry," he said
"Have you heard back from Patricia?" she asked, hopeful
Wade hesitated
"Uh yeah I did…it's not gonna work out," he admitted
"Really? I'm so sorry, Wade," Zoe comforted
"It's fine. I'll uh try something else," he said
An hour later, Wade entered Lavon's kitchen where he found Lavon reading a newspaper. Knowing he should apologize, Wade tried his best approach.
"Anything interesting in there?" he asked
When Lavon didn't answer, he tried again
"Still mad at me…alright," Wade said as he began , "Look, I'm sorry about what happened. I already called Patricia and apologized on my behalf…" he waited for Lavon to answer and when he said nothing, "I really appreciated what you did for me…are you gonna say anything?"
"You want to know why I took a chance on you, Wade?" Lavon asked as he put down the newspaper, "Not only because you're my friend, but because Zoe believes in you."
Wade stood there in silence as Lavon finished,
"Now, I've known you a long time and I can tell you that you're a changed man since Zoe Hart. See the Wade from a few years ago would've been too busy bein a bachelor than to have time to work on owning a business. That's why when Patricia called me and told me you left, I thought to myself, 'naw that can't be the Wade I know"…it was disappointing."
Wade didn't know what to say but once he started he couldn't stop
"I am a different person- a better person- since Zoe, alright. But there are certain things about me that I can't change and maybe it's time that you and Zoe accept that. I've accepted it, alright. If you don't want to be disappointed, then stop believing in people like me"
"You've gotta stop running from your problems, Wade. You can't just give up because you think you ain't good enough. You've gotta try," Lavon stated
"So I can fail and disappoint you all over again? No, I think I'll pass," Wade stated, turning around to head back out the door.
"What about Zoe? You think she deserves to be with someone who doesn't believe in himself?" Lavon asked, before he could leave
"No, I guess you're right, Lavon. She's a doctor and I'm just some bartender who works odd hour shifts every night-"
"What you do for a livin has got nothing to do with what I'm talking about, Wade. But I think I'm startin to see what the real problem is," Lavon said as Wade didn't say a word, "Now, I say this as a friend, you need to talk to Zoe. The sooner the better."
Wade didn't say anything as he left the kitchen and headed back to his place. On his walk over, he knew Lavon was right. He would have to face Zoe and tell her what was really bothering him. He knew it was wrong to feel the way he did, but he just couldn't get over it. He had always wanted to be more than a bartender and yet something or someone always got in the way of his dream. He knew Zoe believed in him and there was a part of him that believed in himself despite what he told Lavon. He just needed the motivation and the opportunity which he already knew he had and that he blew it.
Once he made it to his place, he was surprised to find Zoe waiting for him.
"What are you doin here?" he asked
"I wanted to go over a few things for the wedding," Zoe said and then noticed the dirt on his clothes, "Did you take a nap in the woods?"
Wade had already fed her a few lies already and hated the idea of having to tell her another one. But before he had the chance of telling her, she spoke
"And please don't lie to me again"
Wade looked up at her in surprise, as she continued
"I know something's bothering you. I wish you would tell me what it is"
Wade could see how heartbroken Zoe was and he hated hurting her. He knew he could avoid it no longer and decided to finally come clean.
"The truth is I got drunk last night and ended up sleepin in the woods," he admitted
Zoe looked at him concerned as he continued,
"My meetin with Patricia didn't go so well"
"What happened?" she asked
"Little Zach happened. He interrupted our meeting," he admitted, not wanting to get into details because he knew that would worry Zoe.
Little Zach already got his revenge and unless Wade did something else to tick him off, he knew Little Zach would no longer be bothering him.
Zoe gave him a look that wasn't angry or upset, not even disappointed but a rather sympathetic look which surprised Wade as he anxiously awaited her response
"I'm sorry, Wade. I know how nervous you were for that meeting and I know that's probably the reason why you didn't get the money," she said
Wade looked at her with surprise
"You ain't mad at me?" he asked
Zoe laughed in spite of herself,
"I'm mad that you lied to me, but I'm not going to hold it against you," she admitted, knowing that she probably put a little too much pressure on him by giving him that gift the night before which scared him to wanting to admit the truth.
Wade smiled, content with the fact that she could be so understanding
"That's good because believe it or not, lying to you was torture enough," he admitted as he kissed her
She smiled at him and then got back to the wedding planning
"So, about the flowers, I was thinking.." as Zoe continued to give her suggestions about the flower arrangements, Wade tried his best to give her his undivided attention
However, he was also preoccupied with what Lavon had mentioned earlier. Although he had come clean of his lies, there was still something he wasn't telling her. He still felt like she deserved more than just a bartender for a husband. He knew that issue would come up for as long as he stayed the local bartender which at this point in his life seemed like he would be for many more years, possibly for the rest of his life.
But as he watched Zoe's enthusiasm about the wedding, he couldn't bear bring up the issue.
At that same moment, in another part of the small little Alabama town known as the Rammer Jammer, a sign was being put up that read "For Sale"