Chapter Thirty-Seven: Alex's P.O.V.
On the way back to the airport, all I did was cry. How could I have just left her like that? That little girl had so much taken away from her; her home, her aunt, her mother and then I just up and leave her for my stupid selfish reasons.
The whole flight to Boston, I beat myself up over what I had done to that little girl. And when I saw John and Payton waiting for me, I couldn't help but immediately burst into tears again.
"Everything's going to be okay, hon," Payton said, throwing her arms around me.
"No, it's not!" I cried. "I abandoned her. She's never going to forgive me for this."
"Of course she will, Alex," John told me. "And you didn't abandon her. You obviously had to get out of there."
"I should've just stayed and ignored Randy and kept Jayda."
"Honey, you know that wouldn't have worked. She has to be around her dad. He's going to have to take care of her eventually," Payton said, finally letting go of me. "Now let's go back to our place. We'll talk more there."
The ride back to John and Payton's place was silent. Nothing was said until we pulled in the driveway.
"Wow, you have a beautiful home," I told them as I sniffled.
"Thanks. Everything that's done, Payton did. She's the one that knows what goes with what and all of that jazz," John answered.
I walked inside and the outside was nothing compared to what it was inside.
"I'll take your bags upstairs," John told me. "Make yourself at home."
"Thanks, John," I said as Payton walked me to the kitchen.
"Are you hungry?" she asked, walking over to the fridge.
"No thank you. I'll take a beer if you got one, though."
"John, not have beer? Yeah, right," she laughed and handed me one.
"Thanks," I said as we sat down at the small table in the kitchen.
"So what happened?"
I sighed and took a large swig of my beer before going into the story of what had happened between Randy and me the last couple of days.
"You didn't give him a chance to explain?"
"Payton, I don't really think there's much explaining for him to do."
"But if you don't love him, what's the big deal? I mean you guys weren't in and actual relationship."
"I did have feelings for him, though. Doesn't that count for anything?"
"I don't know, Alex. That's something you'll have to ask Randy," she said as I took a drink. "What are you going to do?"
I was silent for a few minutes, contemplating my answer. "I'm going home."
The next morning, I decided I was going to leave Boston and go back home as soon as I could.
"Are you sure, Alex?" John asked. "You know you can stay here as long you want."
"I know, John, but I turned your life upside down last night and I shouldn't have," I told him as I walked to my cab.
"You did not. You were a friend in need. And you are welcome here anytime."
"Thanks, John. You're a really great guy. Payton is lucky to have you."
"Believe it or not, Randy is a really great guy. Don't you think you should give him a second chance?"
"I'll call you when I get home," I told him, ignoring his question and giving him a hug.
"Okay. Talk to you then," he said and shut the door behind me.
On the flight to St. Louis, I fell asleep for the first time in several days and didn't wake up until we had landed. I got off of the plane and texted John to let him now that I had arrived in St. Louis okay. I got my luggage from baggage claim and then went out to the parking lot to search for my car that I left there. Once I found it, I immediately drove to the clinic.
"Oh my God! Alex, honey! What are you doing home?" Sheri asked when I walked in.
"Things didn't work out so well," I told her.
"With Jayda or with Randy?"
"Randy."
"I don't see why it didn't work out, Alex. He seemed so nice when he called me the other day."
"I know but things aren't always what they seem to be," I told her, sadly.
"Well, I am so sorry, honey."
"Yeah, me too. Anyway, I just stopped by to see how things were going."
"Things are just as they have always been, sweetie. Now you go home and try to enjoy the rest of your vacation."
"Thanks a lot, Sheri. I will," I said and gave her a hug before walking back out to my car and driving to my house.
I walked inside and took a deep breath. "Home sweet home."
I know that not a lot happened in this chapter but I felt this stuff needed to happen and we needed to see Alex vent and all that jazz so pretty pretty please review!!!