Chapter 13 Trying to Ease the Pain

College started back for the Bluebell clan. Zoe was back at Johns Hopkins as was Haley. Lemon and George back at Bama with Wade. Annabeth at Auburn. Lavon was in the freaking NFL, Jesse had a career.

Wade was named the starting QB, a week before the first game.

Lavon called him the night before to give him encouragement. He also took the opportunity to let him know that Zoe is waiting on him. "Come on man, you are the king of living day by day and you are asking her to say she wants to be your wife when she is 20 years old. Man, you don't want to marry her right now , do you?"

"I hear what you are saying but for a girl not to have ever thought about it, when she says she loves me? That is not normal. I just can't Lavon. " pausing for a moment not sure if he wanted to say anything else. "Hey , I gotta go. Thanks for calling me. Goodluck to you this weekend too. Are you starting?"

"Naw, Naw, but I think I will get in though. These dudes are massive Wade. I have to bulk up a little without losing my speed.' said Lavon.

During the first 4 weeks of the season, everything was on track. Wade had above average numbers, the team was undefeated. He was named SEC player of the week twice. Everyone was calling and texting him. He was the "IT" guy on campus but Wade didn't like the attention. Finally, one of his teammates talked him into going to a party one Thursday night. It was there, where he saw his friend Vivian. They started talking. Vivian asked about Zoe. Wade's mood changed instantly.

"I don't want to talk about her."

"The way I heard it, you broke up with her."

"Yeah well, it's not up for discussion, what do ya say let's get out of here?" asked Wade.

She smiled as he winked at her. There was something comforting to him that he knew her. It wouldn't be like a one nightstand with some gal he didn't know.

"Viv, just want to be clear, this is just sex, nothing else" as they went back to her apartment.

"I gotcha, just two old friends trying to forget their problems" Vivian said back to him.

Word got back to Lemon, George, Lavon, and the whole town that Wade and Vivian had slept together. Brick was fit to be tied. How dare he? Brick thought. This time everyone was calling him to scream at him. The next few weeks looked a little something like this on his phone:

What a horrible person he is..

How could he do that to Zoe

Zoe is the best thing that ever happened to you

You're a dumbass dude

Getting the big head , huh

But then he got a text from Zoe. It had been 7 weeks.

Z- You have had a great start to the season. I am proud of you

What? Why is she doing this to me? I am trying so hard to get over her.

W- Thanks

Z- Your big birthday is coming up, 21! Plans

W- There are no plans during football season, you know that.

Z- Last year we were just talking so I remember you being busy but you didn't tell me everything.

W- How is life?

Z- nothing special, you?

W- other than football just getting mauled by scantily clad women, laughing emoji

Z- Yeah, I have heard.

Wade noticed there was no laughing face. Oh shit, she knew about Vivian.

Wade took a minute before he replied.

W- have you applied to med school yet, smarty pants?

Z- Yeah a few places.

W- I am happy for you baby

Baby, did he just call me baby

Baby, shit I just called her baby and I can't erase.

This time Zoe took a few extra moments

Z- Maybe we can actually talk and I can bounce some things off of you about med school

If Wade and Zoe were an item, he would have come back with a sexual innuendo but now was not the time.

W- yeah, i gotta go to see the athletic trainer. Good to hear from ya

Zoe didn't know if he meant like 'Sure call me' or like he was stuttering and just didn't know what to say to end the text. More than likely, it was the latter but he did call her baby, which brought a smile to her face.

A few days later, Wade sees a call from Brick. He calls him back.

"Brick, what's up?

"I need to talk to you about Zoe. She loves you Wade. She is miserable and I think you still love her too.

"I see where Lemon gets it. Just stay out of it. Did Lemon put you up to this?

"No, I was talking to my daughter last night and she was crying. She said you called her 'baby'. Wade is there a chance you overreacted?"

"Maybe, I don't know. We just are different people. She wants to go in a different direction than me. I am just a simple homegrown guy. She has dreams and I , well dreams that will take her anywhere she wants to go. and am not sure where I am going."

"Wade, shouldn't she get to decide what and who are in her dreams?" Brick asked.

"Yeah maybe she I also get a say in my own dreams" Wade replied.

A couple of days later, his dad calls. They talk about Zoe, football, Zoe, anything but Zoe then Zoe again. "Son, don't waste the best days of your life, you only have one life to live."

"I hear ya dad"

Then Vivian texts and wants to know if he would like "the birthday special"

W- I don't think so, no time, big game Saturday.

V- After? I will be waiting for my football star

W- I don't think so. Have a good time without me

Wade couldn't get a moments peace. He is the farthest from happy that he has been since his mom died. HIs birthday was tomorrow, a Wednesday. This was the day when football activities end at 6:30.

George texted and asked if they could go get a beer for his birthday. They had grown apart a little since starting college but George was making an effort so Wade thought, what the hell.

Wednesday comes, his teammates are wanting to take him out for drinks. He calls George and says just to meet them at the bar Rounders. By the time George arrived,Wade was, at the minimum tipsy. George thought that this may actually work in his favor. George bought him a beer. They drank and then he said."Hey Lemon wants us to come over to her apartment." Wade agreed. "Later boys!"

Wade walked into the apartment, too drunk to realize that George didn't come in with him. "Lem me ad George are here! You ready to celebrate?"

He walks back towards her bedroom when she didn't answer. He opens the door and Zoe is standing there.

"Zoe! What the hell are you doing here?"

"For your birthday, I wanted to be here for your birthday. I don't want to get old and you be mad at me for missing your 21st birthday."

"What, where is Lem?"

"They are giving us some time alone. Now you come here!"

Zoe starts to unbutton his shirt as fast as she possibly can. She has to show him.

"Just be with me Wade, let me be with you. I love you. It has been months, the most miserable months of my life."

"Zoe , this, sleeping together, isn't why I love you baby. You still don't get it. Which Is why I even though I am drunk, am going to have to decline."

"You still love me, I knew it!"

"I love the idea of us because you don't see the future the way I do."

He was standing looking down on her, twirling her long brown locks in his fingers. "I wish you did"

"Maybe I do Wade, you haven't given me a chance. It is October and we have barely spoken."

"Zoe you are ruining my buzz."

"Ok then lets play a drinking game!"

The started playing quarters and soon Zoe was drunk. One she didn't drink often, she wasn't 21, and well she was Zoe Hart, all about school and 4.0s and med school.

About 10-15 people showed up at Lemon's they turned up the stereo, sat around listening to music and played drinking games. One of Lemons friends was hitting on Zoe. How could he not. She was so tiny and cute.

She hadn't tried to seduce Wade with lingerie or sexy dress, just jeans an vneck tshirt, and hair straightened thought Wade. Now this guy was laying his hands on her. She kept looking at Wade but he would turn away. The guy leaned into kiss Zoe and Wade yelled "HEY!, Get your hands off of her!"

"She isn't yours is she? Are y'all datin'?

They are up in each other's face, thank God George got between them or Wade may be in jail instead of playing on Saturday.

"Yeah Wade, you don't want me so I can't be with anyone else? Zoe screamed.

"Zoe you are drunk and he is taking advantage of you. You are using him to get to me"

They both stomp outside.

"You don't know anything Wade Kinsella. How come you can sleep with Vivian Wilkes but I can't kiss someone?"

"It's not someone , it's the fact that you are drunk and your state of mind"

"Well maybe I don't want to remember, maybe I just want to try the Wade Kinsella way, live in the moment, ya know. You, you are such a hypocrite!"

"Well, you are so snobby, pretentious, and like you haven't been with other guys!"

With every shout they got closer to each other. Until they could feel each others breath. "Wade I came here for you, only you"

"Zoe please don't do this to me" he said as she was rubbing his chest with both palms, pleading. "I can't resist you, you know"

"Like I said before, I am not giving up. You can give in now or later but I will wear you down Wade Kinsella." She stood on the tips of her toes and kissed his neck, he lowered his head just enough to let her kiss him on his lips. It felt so good, her supple lips, her breath, her hands. Everything he wanted was right here standing in front of him, even kissing him. Wade wanted her, but he was just sober enough to stop.

Just then Wade pulled back. "Zoe we are both drunk. Let's talk tomorrow."

She touched her lips, feeling hopeful. "Happy Birthday Wade"

She walked back inside, and told Lemon and George what Wade had said. They all stressed to Zoe that this was a good step but don't go thinking he wants you back. You gotta let Wade figure it out for himself. "Lemon said, we are happy to give him a push but HE has to think it was his idea." An hour later, Lemon asked everyone to leave.

The next morning Zoe texted Wade

Z- when can we talk?

W- I have football all day

Z- But you said

W- Whatever happened Zoe not going to happen again.

Z- I know you felt the same way I did last night. Once we started fighting, we both sobered up a little. I could feel your breathing, I could feel your heartbeat in your lips.

W- Zoe, yeah I wanted you. You are hard to….

Z- Wade?

Z- Wade? I wanted to talk to you about med school. Please I need you.

Radio silence

Zoe left that evening to get back to Baltimore.

As she laid in bed, crying thinking, listening to sad love songs, her phone beeped.

W- What about what I need Zoe? That is the main reason we broke up. Not sure how many ways I can say it.

Z- The point is we need each other

W- Choose a med school based on your dream. I can't be the reason you have regrets. Night Zoe

Z- I love you Wade

W- I know but you still don't get it.

Z- Never giving up

W- Okay