Author's Note: First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who has read this story so far. Second of all, I'd like to tell everyone that the chapters are going to start getting longer. I'm starting out this one in Craig's point of view, even though I ended the last chapter in his point of view, I want to switch it up a bit.
After Ellie left, I ended up spending the rest of my day writing lyrics about Ash. I went inside for a short break around 7 'o clock when Manny called. She wanted me to meet her at The Dot at seven thirty. Apparently, she had big news to tell me. I felt like a horrible boyfriend. I don't call her anymore, I don't see her anymore. And honestly, I haven't had the urge to do either of those things since Ms. Kerwin came back to Toronto.
I'm going back to Vancouver soon; I have to finish my album. I keep wondering if I should let Ashley know. But, then another part of me wonders if she'd really care.
It's a bit chilly out, so I grab my leather jacket and head out to meet Manny. When I get to The Dot she's already seated at a table.
"Hey," I say, approaching her and sitting down in the chair across from her.
She smiles. "Hey, no kiss?" She pouts playfully and I lean across the table and give her a quick kiss on the lips.
"Better?"
"Much," she lets out a slight laugh and takes one of my hands in hers. "So, I wanted you to come here because I have huge news."
I raise an eyebrow, "good or bad news?"
"Well, it's good. But, it could be bad. Depends on how you take it. But, I'm really excited, Craig."
I could tell she was excited. So could my hand. By now it had lost all circulation.
"Just tell me already," I was, too, getting anxious.
"I'm going to California!" She shouted, finally releasing my hand.
I honestly didn't know how to react. I was happy for her, I really was. But, she'd be leaving me. Then again, would that be such a bad thing? Shut up, Manning, shut up.
"Craig? Did you hear me?" She waved a hand in front of my face.
"Yeah…I'm…wow, that's great, Manny. I'm really happy for you." I smiled and nodded happily.
"I'm finally going where I've always wanted to go. Doing what I've always wanted to do." Her smile was bigger than ever.
I looked out the window for a bit. I saw a beautiful brunette sitting on a bench across the street. She was flipping through a magazine, and when she lifted her head up to look around I realized who it was. Ashley.
Sooner than I hoped, I had to redirect my gaze back to Manny.
"I'm happy for you, but…where does that leave us?" As soon as I spoke those words, her smile turned into a frown.
"Why would you even ask that? We're in love…" She spotted me staring out the window and shook her head. "Or maybe I am."
What was she talking about? She certainly couldn't have seen me staring at Ashley, could she? I mean, did she even know Ash and I were talking again? I didn't tell her. And I don't know anyone else who would.
I diverted my gaze back to Manny and sighed.
"What're you talking about?" I tried to grab one of her hands in mine, but she tore it away.
"Craig, I'm not stupid," she shook her head again, looking more hurt than ever before.
"Wh-What're you talking about?"
"Ashley's back. I know," tears filled her eyes.
I felt like the worst boyfriend on the planet. What kind of guy was I? I had an amazing girlfriend, yet I was completely in love with someone else.
I couldn't even speak. What could I say? Just admit to loving Ashley? I couldn't do that. Fortunately, Manny spoke for me.
"Be with her. You need her," she spoke through tears and ever word she said broke my heart just a little bit more. "It's not like we're breaking up…you were always with Ashley in your heart. And you know what, Craig? I love you…but I'll let you go."
She got up slowly, holding back tears. I opened my mouth to speak, but she shook her head. As she walked out of The Dot, I felt like the worst person in the world. On the other hand, I felt as if I could finally be truly happy.
I sat at the table we had both occupied for a while. Spinner came over to make sure I was doing okay. I guess he saw the whole dramatic scene unravel.
I just shook my head at him, "some employee you are, eavesdropping." I got up and walked out, leaving Spinner confused.
I looked over to where Ashley was sitting, but frowned when I saw she had been replaced by an older blonde woman talking on a cell phone. I bit my lip, scanning the other side of the street for any sign of her.
That's when I heard a voice behind me. Although I did jump a little, the voice definitely cheered me up.
"Looking for someone?" She stood so close to me I could feel her breath even through my leather jacket.
I smiled and turned around, "just this girl."
I could see her real smile change to a fake one at the mention of the female. If only she knew it was her.
"Oh? Are you…uh, meeting someone?" She nibbled on her lip and looked up into my eyes.
"Actually, I was just in The Dot and I saw this beautiful girl across the street."
I wondered how much longer I'd have to go on with this. Sooner or later she'd have to realize the girl was her.
"Maybe she's shopping or something. I was just over there." She tried to act interested in what I saw in 'this girl'. She then looked down at her feet and avoided eye contact.
I smiled, sure of myself. "I know."
As soon as she realized what I meant, she looked into my eyes and smiled.
"Hungry?" I asked and she nodded. "Dinner's on me."
It wasn't any place fancy, but neither of us minded. After all, The Dot did have some of the best food in all of Toronto. It also held a lot of memories. We talked over hamburgers and fries. He told me about him and Manny, but I didn't get any details. By the time we finished talking, it was around ten thirty. Spinner kept lingering around our table, waiting for us to leave.
"Spinner, the job is to satisfy the customers. Not yourself," Craig said, smirking at me.
"Couldn't you two satisfy each other…and somewhere else?" My eyes widened at Spinner's comment and Craig gave him a punch in the arm. "I'll get the check."
While Spinner went off to fetch the check, Craig and I sat in silence. I really didn't know what to say after Spinner's remark. Too bad Darcy wasn't around to keep him in line.
Luckily, I didn't have to speak. Craig was always good at filling in the awkward silences.
"Do you…what are you doing tonight?" He twiddled his thumbs, nervously.
I grinned. "I'd hate to inform you, Manning, but tonight is almost over."
He glanced at his watch and shrugged. I wondered why he suddenly wanted to hang out with me so badly. And what was with him gazing at me from across the street earlier? Sure, it arose some questions in my mind, but did he really need a reason?
Spinner came over with the check and Craig handed him some cash, telling him to keep the change. Spinner shrugged and told both of us to have a good night, ending his goodbye with a wink to Craig. Craig rolled his eyes and shook his head, then smiled at me.
As we exited The Dot, a wave of sadness engulfed me. We stood outside the door for a little while longer before he spoke.
"I'll walk you home," he smiled as we started walking.
The walk began with silence between us. I knew the walk to my house wouldn't take long, so I pretended to be interested in my surroundings. I'd stop to look into a shop window, or I'd purposely slow myself down.
"Weird coincidence how we both ended up in town," Craig nudged me and I just looked up and smiled at him.
I was still embarrassed about the comment Spinner had made when we were at The Dot. I kept stopping at a few more shop windows along the way. I just liked being with him, even if we weren't saying anything.
"They never change the things in the shop windows," He smiled widely and sat down on a bench, patting the space next to him.
I secretly looked at my watch and saw that it was almost eleven thirty. When first seeing Craig, I had put my cell phone on silent so we could hang out without interruptions. It wasn't until then that I realized it was still on silent.
"I have to get going," I started walking and he jumped up and followed me.
"Ash, WAIT!" He caught up with me rather quickly and spun me around. "What's wrong? Did I – um."
"No. It's not you…just, my mom."
"Ah. Kate Kerwin. Oh, she uh…doesn't know you're with me, does she?" He shoved his hands in his pockets and shook his head. "Then again, why would she? It's not like you planned on seeing me."
"Listen Craig, I had a really nice time with you tonight. I just have to get home. My mom is going to freak." I looked at my watch and it was officially eleven thirty.
"I'm not going to let you walk home alone. Come on," he linked his arm with mine and we headed to my house.
The walk was pretty short, which I regretted. When we spotted my house the porch light was on. That was never a good sign.
"I'll walk you to the door. I want to make sure you're safe." Craig smiled at me as we walked up my driveway.
"Well, no sign of the cops," I joked and we both laughed.
As we reached my doorstep, we stood facing each other.
He started to speak, "give me a call…" but, Craig wasn't able to finish because my mother opened the door.
She looked angry and she sounded it too. "Ashley Kerwin! Get inside, NOW!" I could see her shooting heated glares at Craig.
Craig started to turn around and head down the steps, but I grabbed him by his leather jacket and quickly turned him to face me. In that moment, I felt nothing else. I pressed my lips against his and when I finally pulled away; my mom gave me a hell of a stare, as did Craig.
I looked at my mom, then back at Craig. "We've got nothing left to lose."
