Chapter 14

[Actually, it's chapter 13 but continued...Sorry for the wait.]

The silence hung over the room like a dark cloud. Finally, Kevin, not wanting to stay there any longer than he had to, spoke up. "Well. This was uhm...very helpful, wasn't it? Yes...I...I'd say it was. So, it was nice seeing you all...I'll see you all around then."

Kevin stood up quickly and made his exit. With the awkwardness of the moment gone, most of the group began to stand up and move towards the door. All except Chloe who remained seated. Nancy turned to Chloe, and rested one hand on your shoulder.

"Chloe, honey, Craig and I will wait outside for you while you say goodbye to your friends."

Nancy and Craig left the room and walked to the waiting area. Belle stopped at Chloe's chair and gave her a tight hug. "Call me later, okay Chloe?"

Chloe smiled weakly at her friend, "You got it, Belle."

The two friends broke off their embrace, and Shawn wrapped one arm around Belle's waist, smiled at Chloe, muttered a soft goodbye, and led Belle to the exit. Brady paused for a moment when he reached Chloe and took her hand in his. Chloe looked up into his eyes and smiled. Brady smiled back and softly squeezed her hand before letting go and leaving the room. Phillip was left there alone with Chloe now. He moved from the end of the table and sat in stood in front of her.

Phillip paused and drew in a deep breath, "Chloe...I have to talk to you."

Chloe just shook her head and looked downward, "Phillip. Please don't. Just go home."

"Chloe...this is important. Please just let me talk to you for five minutes."

Chloe looked up sadly and stared Phillip blankly in the eyes, "Fine...Go ahead. I'm listening..."

***

(Meanwhile, in the waiting area of the Horton law office.)

Brady walked over to Craig & Nancy who were standing together speaking in hushed tones.

"Mr. & Mrs. Wesley...Uhm, sorry to interrupt you. But, if you want to go ahead...I'll make sure that Chloe gets home. She's still in there, and I think she's talking to Phillip. No reason for you to wait around, I'll drive her home."

Nancy looked thoughtful for a moment, "Are you sure Brady?"

Brady nodded enthusiastically, "I'm sure, it's not a problem at all."

Craig shook Brady's hand quickly, "Thanks Brady, we appreciate that."

Brady smiled at them and watched them exit the building. He stepped back over to where Shawn and Belle were standing. Belle looked at brother curiously, "Soooo...you're going to wait here for Chloe?"

"Mmm hmm."

"And why is that Brady?"

"Because...she needs time to talk to Phil, and...because I need to talk to her too...Shawn, can you drive Belle home?"

Shawn nodded, "Sure, Brady. So, what do *you* have to talk to Chloe about?"

"Well...Shawn Brady...that's none of your business."

Shawn wrinkled his face up in confusion, "You two are just...so...weird. But, whatever floats your boat."

"Ahhh, butt out Shawn Douglas. Just make sure my sister gets home in piece."

Shawn grinned and backed away, "Whoa. Break out the middle name, and I know I'm in trouble. See ya later then..."

Belle laughed at the two of them and followed Shawn out the door.

***

(Back to the non-flowing Phloe relationship...or whatever you want to call it.)

Chloe looked up sadly and stared Phillip blankly in the eyes, "Fine...Go ahead. I'm listening..."

Phillip took the seat closest to Chloe and looked at her before beginning, "I just... I wanted to see if you're doing okay. I know how hard this has been..."

Chloe interrupted, "No you don't, Phillip. You have NO idea."

Phillip sighed, "You're right. I don't. But, I want to. I want to be here for you Chloe... I know that you may never forgive me, but I want to you know that if you ever need *anything*, I'm going to be here for you Chloe."

Chloe shook her head and grimaced, "Well, that's real sweet, Phillip. But, I don't want anything from you. ANYTHING."

Phillip looked confused for a moment, "Chloe...I...I thought things were going to be better between us. You said we could be friends. You said that you would accept my apology."

"Phillip. I know I said all that, and I do appreciate the apologizing and all the self-improvement you're trying to do. It's just that...I..." Chloe paused and shut her eyes, the pain evident in her face. She opened her eyes again and a few tears began falling down her face. "I...I want to forgive you, and I want to be friends with you, and I want to be able to know the new and improved Phillip that you are on the inside. But, I just can't. The words you say are meaningful, and important. But when I look at you, I only see...I see your face. The same face that said the most hurtful things to me I had ever heard. The same face that tore my entire world apart. I don't know if I can get over that. The face that I used to love, is now a face I feel like pounding my fist into sometimes."

Phillip felt her words stab through him like a knife, and he knew that she was right. They may never be friends again. No matter how hard he tried to make up for it, his words and his actions would echo through her head for the rest of her life.

Phillip wiped the tears from his own eyes and spoke, "Chloe...I understand. I know that nothing I can say or do will ever erase what I've done to you. I'll leave you alone from now on, I promise, I won't bother you again. Just keep in mind what I said. If you ever need me, I'm here."

Chloe bowed her head, and sniffled, "I will remember, Phillip. Thank you."

Phillip paused for a second before leaving Chloe alone in the room by herself. He whispered quietly as he exited, "Goodbye Chloe... I'll miss you."

Chloe had to take a few minutes to gather her composure. She took a few tissues out of the box on the table and tried to wipe her tears as much as possible. The last thing she wanted was for Nancy to see her looking upset right now. Once she felt she could face the world again, she took a few deep calming breaths and left the room and walked into the waiting area. She looked around but the only thing she saw was Brady Black, sitting in a chair alone and twirling his cane around.

"Brady? Where is everyone? What are you still doing here?"

Brady grinned at her, "Don't sound too excited there, Lane. You have the pleasure of having a very handsome gentleman escort you home in his gleaming carriage." He stood up from his seat and gave her a mock bow.

Chloe raised her eyebrows sarcastically, "More like... I get stuck with you and your crappy van."

Brady shrugged at her, "Well... I could just let you walk home..."

Chloe rolled her eyes at him, "Geez...and who ever said romance was dead?"

Brady laughed and opened the door letting Chloe walk through first as they headed towards his van.

(Woohoo! We got Broe in the next chapter! Wheee! Enjoy!)
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