A confrontation is on its way, will it upend the friendships hat have been forged?

Chapter 9 The Eruption

W- Lemon, Zoe is just going to stay with me for a few days. Thanks anyway. Don't argue with me about it, K?

LB- Are you sure?

W- Yeah

Wade called Jesse to make sure he was going to be home. He needed him to take care of his dad. He had enough to handle. He gave Jesse only the information he needed to know. This was ZOe's secret to tell.

Wade said. " Welcome to our humble abode" as they walked in his house. Let me show you to my room. Is it okay if we sleep together? If not, I will sleep on the couch."

"It's perfect Wade"

"If you change your mind, just tell me, I promise not to take it personally.

"Ok, why don't we surprise your Dad and Jesse and make dinner?"

"Ms Zoe Ha.." as he stopped mid word," god Zoe so sorry"

"Don't be that is my name, legally anyway"

"Zoe, can you cook?"

"No but I can clean and chop, can you?"

"Yeah some, lets figure out what we want and I'll go to store. Jesse said they wouldn't be back for a couple of hours.

While Wade was gone, Zoe cleaned the kitchen really well and opened the windows and doors to get some fresh air in the house When Wade returned, he had gotten ingredients for a fresh salad, bread and spaghetti with meatballs.

"Baby, the kitchen looks great. Thanks. Are you ready for a cooking lesson?"

"Anything to keep my mind off of my dad."

He gave her a quick kiss and hug and whispered, " I got ya babe". Then she started chopping the lettuce, carrots, and red onions.

He showed her how you mix half ground beef and half italian sausage with a little bread crumbs to make the meatballs. He told her to put her hands in the bowl and just kind of knead it. She put her hands in, they were so delicate the he placed his hands on top of hers. He took her hands and showed her the motion and movement. Both of their body temperatures were rising. He was behind her and with his arms over top of hers. She leans back on him and both of them are moving their bodies in an undeniable rhythm. They washed their hands and left the meatballs for later. He led her up to his room and she released all of her tension, her frustration, her hurt. Wade gave her comfort, strength, and something she could absolutely nowhere else.

They rushed back down when they heard a car pull up. Zoe wanted to make a good impression. Jesse and Earl came inside. Wade was surprised to see that his dad was still sober and Jesse had made him get a haircut. Wade shot Jesse a look of thanks. Wade said, "Dad, this is Zoe and Zoe this is my dad Earl and of course you just spent the whole week with Jesse so you know him."

"It;s a pleasure to meet you pretty lady"

"You too Mr. Kinsella"

"Please call me Earl." Zoe nodded

"Dad, can I talk to you outside for a minute?"

"Zoe is going to be staying with us for a week or two. She has just had some devastating news. She needs and wants to be with me. If not she will probably get in her own head and do something crazy. Is that ok?

"Why sure son"

"Dad, I need you to stay on the wagon please. I can't have any distractions. She needs me dad, really needs me."

"I promise to do my best"

"Thanks Dad, I love ya"

Wade and Zoe announce that dinner will be ready in 30 minutes.

The family sits down together for maybe the first time in a year. SHe enjoyed being with the Kinsellas. They were so warm and friendly unlike her own family. "The meatballs are delicious" said Earl. Wade jumped in quickly and said that he and Zoe had made them together.

Then Earl said " Did you use your mommas recipe? They taste like it."

"Yeah dad, I have that one committed to memory."

Zoe got up and cleared the table and started hand washing the dishes. Earl stood up and followed her in there. " You sure have that boy of mine under your spell. Never seen him so comfortable. He has never even had Lemon over for dinner."

" He is a great guy. Must run in the family" and Earl grinned.

They talked as they cleaned up. Then Wade came in and asked if she wanted to take a walk.

The moon was bright and the only light to guide them around their property, Wade took her to a small cabin at the back of the property.

He always went there to think after his mom died. It had not been used in awhile so it was fairly dusty. Their was a small couch on the left wall where they sat after Wade lit a camping lantern.

"How are ya feeling?" asked Wade

"Better, your family is awesome. What a family should be."

"Listen future lil Doc, you caught us on a good day. Jesse made sure to keep Dad sober today and got him a haircut. You know my dad is an alcoholic so he has good days and bad days. But yeah, I love him and Jesse."

"When do you want to confront Brick and Lemon?"

"You know, I am not sure that I do. Maybe I should just leave it alone."

"Brick is a good man, a little stubborn and headstrong but" He stopped again. "Just the other day I was saying how alike you and Lemon are in so many ways and yet different."

"Wade , I am not ready to make any decisions. I just want to be with you. You are the best medicine and therapist and cheap too!"

The two of them snuggled as it was getting cold. They decided they would come back tomorrow and start cleaning it out so they would have a place to be by themselves.

They walked up to Wade's room and went to sleep, it had been a long exhausting day.

Over the next several days, they worked on the cabin, cleaning it and making it cozy. Wade tinkered with things that needed to be fixed around the house as well. Jesse would go to the grocery for whatever he and Wade would cook. Earl and Zoe had lots of conversations, most of which she never told Wade about. He only knew that they were growing close and Zoe was leaning on him.

"Are you ready to venture into town?"

"Lets go to the Rammer Jammer and let me show off my lady! I will buy you lunch."

"No, I will buy you lunch, you and your family have been so wonderful to me"

"It's a date"

When Wade walked into the Rammer Jammer, the townspeople juust descended on were giving him congratulations on the big win almost a week ago, they were hurling questions at him like,

Who's the girl?

Did you know about Lavon and Lemon?

When do you have to go back to school?

You think you will start next year?

She is a pretty little thing!

We saw your interview on CBS!

We haven't seen your dad all week, Is he ok?

Wade handled them all with ease. He was so relaxed with each and everyone of them, cracking a joke here and there and flashing that breathtaking smile. Everyone loved Wade. Shula asked if he could come and fix her weedeater because her husband had been called up to the National Guard for a few weeks. He said he would be by tomorrow.

They ordered their lunch. She asked for background on the people she had just met. It was the first time she wasn't in some way thinking about her dad. Bluebell was a charming and most certainly an interesting town. They were holding hands across the table when they heard, "Wade! Zoe! I have thoroughly missed you both! Last week was most fun time in my life!"

"What brings you to the Rammer Jammer Lem? You used to never like it"

"Well , my daddy is meeting me here for lunch"

Zoe choked on a fry. Wade got up and was ready to do the heimlich, when she finally was able to breathe. Wade ran up to the bar to the pay the tab so they could get out of here but he was too late. He heard Lemon saying " Daddy this is Wade's girlfriend and my friend, Zoe Hart."

Wade practically leaps to Zoe and says I am sorry Brick and Lem but we are in a rush to be somewhere.

Brick was staring at her and she was staring at him. Lemon didn't understand what was going on. Fortunately, Wade dragged Zoe out and they left.

Zoe's breathing was heavy. He asked her to slide closer to him so that he could hold her. She did. They just drove around for a bit.

"Wade what am I going to do?"

" Well you have to decide if you want to get to know your biological father because if you don't want to then why blow up everyone's life?"

"I need to know my family Wade maybe this one will like me"

"I know baby, I know. Do you want me to ask if we can come over tomorrow night?"

Zoe mumbles, "looks like we are too late"

XXXXXXXXXXX

Lemon and Brick were standing in the driveway waiting for them.

Lemon insisted on checking on her friend. Something was off, very off.

"Zoe Hart, I insist that you come and stay with me. We can have a girls night and you can tell me whatever is bothering you. I know you were supposed to be seeing your dad last Sunday night, then I get a call from Wade on Monday morning asking if you can crash at my house. Then Wade cancels the plan. What is going on with you?"

"Lemon, I think you should ask your dad."

"Lemon honey, let's go back to the house and talk."

"WHat in the world do you have to do with this Daddy, just stay out of it?"

"Lemon, listen to me, I have something important to tell 's go home."

"No, I will not go home, I will not be made to go home. I want to know what is going on right this minute!"

Zoe yelled" He is my father!"

Lemon said, "Who is your father?"

"Brick Breeland" said Zoe

"Girl, you are out of your ever lovin mind. Just because your daddy rejected you and your momma doesn't give two cents about you doesn't mean you come to Bluebell to steal MY DADDY!"

Wade grabbed Lemons arm and shouted " That's enough"

"Sure take her side, You have been with her all of 8 days in your whole life! Daddy tell me this isn't true, Daddy?"

"Zoe, Lemon, can we all sit down together and talk?"

"No, we can't talk. Is this why you are dating Wade? You thought you would get in tight with someone from Bluebell and stalk my daddy to see if he was worth your while. Are you just using my best friend?"

"Lemon, that's not fair! What am I supposed to do? I need to know my father. I need to know because of genetics, medical history, to know who I am and where I come from, to know my sisters and about a hundred other reasons. Wade means everything to me and you know that."

" Well little miss fancy pants, you are not getting my daddy. Some Other little girl already has my momma so it is just not gonna happen"

There really aren't words to describe the amount of tears outside the Kinsella house.

Finally, Brick says. "Zoe we will talk tomorrow. Lemon, we are going home, now. Get in the car"

Wade isn't sure how much more Zoe can take. She is 100 lbs soaking wet, she hasn't eaten too much in the 5 days she has been here. She has cried enough to fill a water trough.

"Zoe, it is still early, I am taking you to have some fun.

They headed to Mobile to do some ice skating.

Is this guy good at everything? I know he is good at knowing what I need.

This girl looks like an ice princess, she just glides over the ice. She is so fragile she could break at any moment. I will be there to pick up the pieces.