A Broken Heart



When Sydney had reached Will's house, she was in the best of spirits. The time she spent at the beach had really helped her understand what was important to her.

She still had the duplicated key and when she got to the door, she let herself in. Hey Will, she called. She closed the door and looked around.

In his bedroom, Will stirred. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and realized he was naked. He sat up and was almost horrified at what he saw—someone was lying naked next to him. he said slowly, again rubbing the sleep out of his eyes trying to remember what happened. Then it dawned on him: he and Sydney had broken up and he had called Jenny—of all people—and asked her to come over.

Before long, they had gotten drunk off of a couple bottles of champagne Will had bought. Will looked over and saw the ring on his bedside table. He had retrieved it from the attic after Sydney left and intended to chase after her and propose. But he had nixed that thought and called Jenny instead. He angrily pounded his forehead with his palm causing Jenny to wake up.

Jenny sat up. she said, as if repeating what Will had said.

Uh huh, Will agreed. I can't believe I did this, he blurted as Sydney walked into the room.

Jesus Christ, Sydney said angrily. I came back to—to— She backed up against a wall then ran from the room sobbing.

Will cried, leaping out of bed and tugging on his boxers.

Sydney was at the front door when Will got to her. She started to open it but Will put a hand on it. Sydney's brown eyes glistened with tears. I came back to work things out, she said softly.

Sydney, I'm so sorry, Will said quickly. I don't know what happened. I went up to the attic to— He stopped himself. I don't know what happened, he repeated. I called Jenny—don't ask me why because I have no idea—and she came over and she took out the champagne and we started to drink.

Sydney stared at him, waiting for him to create a logical argument out of his story.

Will sighed heavily. I—we just got drunk and went to bed. I never intended for any of this to happen. I just wanted someone to talk to about this. He looked deep into her eyes trying to tell if she believed him. He was telling the truth—he had only intended for Jenny to come over and talk but somehow she had convinced him to drink and things went from bad to worse.

What was in the attic? Sydney asked calmly.

Will sighed again. He had definitely intended to propose but this was not the way he wanted to do it. Nothing important, he said, avoiding her gaze.

Sydney nodded slightly and reached for the door handle. Will backed off so she could open the door.

Do you think you could give me another chance? Will asked quietly.

Sydney looked deep into his blue eyes and saw that he probably really did regret what happened. But she wasn't sure yet if she could forgive him. She reached up a hand to his cheek and ran her fingers over his permanent stubble of a beard. She let her hand drop and walked out the door. She turned around to look at him. He seemed like an absolute wreck without her. Part of her wanted to go back and throw her arms around his neck and say that she wanted to forgive him and start over. But another part said that she needed to wait. Think things over. Then maybe try the relationship again. I don't know, she finally replied.

Will squeezed his eyes shut for a moment and reopened them. His eyes were glassy because he had started to tear up involuntarily. He had seriously screwed things up and he would probably never have a chance to correct what he had done. He nodded slightly and watched as Sydney walked back to her car.

Once Sydney had driven away, he slammed the door as hard as he could causing the pictures on the wall to tilt and sway.

He stormed back into his bedroom and angrily threw Jenny's clothes at her. Get out, he growled.

Will, what's going on? Jenny asked, gathering up the clothes and starting to get dressed.

Just leave, Will ordered, ignoring her question.

Jenny shrugged. She got dressed. I don't know why you're so mad, she said as she headed out of the room. This was all your idea. She walked to the front door.

Will fumed and followed her. My idea? he spat.

Jenny told him.

Will clenched his teeth. No, see, my idea was to have you come over, talk for a while, then have you leave. It was you who suggested that we drink and it was you who had one glass and convinced me to finish that bottle and then drink the other one.

You're saying this is all my fault? Jenny asked angrily.

In a way, yes, Will said. And I know for certain that it wasn't my idea to have sex with you.

We didn't have sex.

Will's mouth dropped open. What do you mean?

We were going to and then you passed out, Jenny told him, crossing her arms over her chest.

Are you sure? Will asked curiously.

Of course I'm sure, Jenny insisted. Besides, I wouldn't do that.

Will felt a smile tug at his lips. So nothing happened?

Absolutely nothing. We got naked, made out for a little bit, then you passed out.

So we did make out though, Will clarified, feeling guilty, but at least not as guilty as he had been a few minutes before.

Yeah, but not that much, Jenny explained.

Will tugged on the rest of his clothes and hugged Jenny as he made his way to the nearest phone.

Don't mention it, Jenny said with a fake smile. I'll be going now.

See you, Will called after her as he dialed Michael's number.