Fitz takes a breath as he replies, "This isn't about the blow up with Abby; that's just something extra that happened, as a result of her parents taking a stand." Drew agreeably responds, "Correct, this is about her getting her financial support back from her parents, nothing more."
Everyone agrees, as Fitz says, "Bottom line, if it looks like her and I are on the mend. Her parents back off, and lift any restrictions on her. So her life goes back to normal." Stacy asks, "So how exactly is that supposed to work? Are you supposed to call her parents or something?"
Harrison catches what he's throwing as he chimes in, "Nope. She's probably thinking he'll call is dad and tell him everything is good between them, so he can pass the word on to her parents. That way, it will feel more genuine."
Stacey replies, "But given what's happened between Fitz and his dad; that's not even a remote possibility." Drew adds, "Yeah, but she doesn't know about that part yet. Remember, she just walked in here spilling her guts from the word go. Had she given him a word in edgewise; she would've known that she's barking up the wrong tree for help on this one."
Fitz nods as he responds, "Bingo." Stacy shakes her head as she says, "Damn, that's devious as hell." Drew agrees, as he says, "Yeah. But that's how the game of manipulation is played. You do devious shit so that you get your way, regardless of what happens to others around you."
Fitz nods as he stands up as he says, "Very true. But it's not working today." Drew asks, "Where are you going?" He replies, "To let her know the jig is up. I'm done. She's going to have to clean up her own mess this time." They hear his response and notice his tone is calm, not stressed or angry. Harry asks, "Are you sure you're okay bro?" Fitz assuredly responds, "Yeah. I'm good. Don't worry. I've got this."
Stacy asks, "Are you sure you want to go in there and bust her bubble? It could go left." He sighs as he says, "True. But this is a long overdue conversation that needs to happen." Drew adds, "I agree." As well as Harry says, "Do your thing bro. We'll be here for you."
Appreciating his support, but feeling like it may be better to truly do this on his own. He says, "Why don't you guys go ahead to the store and pick up the stuff for tonight's gathering? When you get back. I'll be ready."
They all look at each other, and then back at him. He then says, "Seriously, it's cool guys. This conversation needs to happen, and since it's really between us. We should be the only ones in ear shot. It's going to be awkward enough with just her and I after this. No need to bring you guys into it too.
Stacy agrees with him as she says, "He's right guys. Come on. Let's give them some space. He's got it handled." He agreeably says, "That I do. Thanks Stacy." She replies, "You're welcome." Drew and Harry both agree begrudgingly, and Harry says, "Hey man. Let us know if you need anything. We'll just be at Von's."
He nods as he responds, "its cool bro. Thanks." He stands as he replies, "You're welcome man. See you in a minute." He nods in response, "See you all in a minute." They wave and head out the door.
Realizing what's about to take place, he feels his anxiety rising; but he knows he has to get this done. It's truly time for them to talk, once and for all.
He arrives at the door, takes a breath. Then opens the door to see nobody in the room, but the bathroom door is closed. He walks in, leaving the door open to the hall, and sits down on the couch.
Just as he sits back, the bathroom door opens and she walks into the room. Still somewhat red faced, but not as emotional as she was previously. Their eyes meet, and she pauses because something in his eyes feels different. The moment itself feels off, he's just sitting there looking at her in a way that she's never noticed before.
Unsure of what's going on with him, but aiming to find out. She first walks toward the door to close it. But, he says, "Leave it open. Nobody else is here." His tone feels odd to her, almost distant. She replies, "Okay. Where'd everybody go?" He responds, "They went to the store to pick up some stuff for tonight's gathering while you and I talk alone."
His voice now feels calmer, and rather caring unlike a moment ago. Which makes her feel at ease to a degree. So, she agreeably walks toward him and sits down on the cushion closest to him, but notices he moves at an angle, which puts distance between them. This move quickly upsets her as she blurts out, "First you let them pounce on me, without coming to my aid. Now I can't sit near you. I guess coming here was a mistake huh?"
Grateful for a segue into the conversation; he replies, "Stop it Mel. You didn't need defending; nobody pounced on you. They just didn't agree with your perspective and you took it as an attack, as you always do when you don't get your way."
She scoffs as she responds, "This isn't about not getting my way. It's about them being wrong, and I'm right." He shakes his head as he says, "You're unbelievable." She replies, "No. You are! I don't understand what's happening right now. You and I have been friends since we were babies. But you're acting different since our courtship ended. Excuse me, but I didn't get the memo that I can no longer count on you for support when I need it."
Wanting this to be over sooner than later, and fed up with her victim spiel, he plainly asks, "You mean the support that comes with me helping to trick your parents into believing you and I are dating again, so you can get your financial freedom back, right?"
His responds catches her off guard, she's clearly flustered and trying to think of what to say. He can't resist as he says, "Yeah. The jig is up Mel. Look, I will always care for you. Like you said we've known each other since before we could talk. But this game of you roping me in, playing on my feelings for you so that I can fix things for you with your parents is dead. That's not an option you can rely on anymore. It's time to come clean and put an end to this charade"
She doesn't know what to do, her anxiety is rising and she's feeling overwhelmed. So, she does the only thing that generally works at times like this one. She begins to cry as she says, "Is that really how you see me? How can you think I'd play with your heart that way? That's not who I am. It's just not."She's in a full on cry within seconds, which means he can't really have a conversation with her in this state, and she knows it.