Heartbreak Warfare :: Chapter Four
Hope was brushing her hair slowly. It was getting late. The sun had long since disappeared behind the horizon, leaving a half moon hanging in its place. The Horton house was dimly lit and a sad silence clung to the air around it. Hope had the house to herself, but tonight she was actually thankful for the lonely solitude. She pulled back the covers to her bed, preparing to curl up with a book when the doorbell rang. Her eyebrows furrowed and disappointment washed over her. It was late. She was tired. She pulled on her silk robe, and padded down the hallway to the stairs.
"Coming," Hope called out when the doorbell rang for the second time. She tried to wipe the annoyance off of her face as she opened the door, "Aiden."
"Hi," Aiden smiled sheepishly, "I'm sorry I didn't call first. I've tried that, and it hasn't been working lately. I, uh…. haven't heard from you in a couple of days."
Hope felt a swell of guilt, embarrassment, and irritation, "Aiden, I'm so sorry. I've just been really busy and preoccupied."
"I wondered if you'd still be staying here." Aiden questioned, "I miss you."
Hope sighed, "Come in…"
"Look, I know it's late." Aiden said defensively as he took her up on her offer. He walked into the foyer and shoved his hands in his pockets, "I just feel like we haven't really talked. And before that we were fighting…. I just…. I really needed to see you."
"Aiden," Hope stopped him, "I'm really sorry about not returning your calls. I should have shown you more respect."
"You have that pity tone in your voice…." Aiden observed out loud, "Are you ending this?"
Hope averted her eyes and swallowed slowly, "Aiden we can't do this. You know that."
"We've been doing this for a year. I thought it was going well." Aiden argued calmly.
"Bo is home." Hope shook her head, "He's dealing with a lot. I can't add more to his plate. He's my husband. I love him. I never kept that a secret. You and I never would have happened if he would have been here."
"But we did happen. He did leave. You're not even going to give us a chance?" Aiden asked, the hurt evident in his eyes, "You filed for divorce."
"A divorce that never went through…. a divorce I really don't want." Hope replied reaching for his hand, "Aiden I'm sorry. I really am…. and I'm so grateful for our time together. Ciara really needed you and I'm so happy we gave her the stability she needed while her father was missing… but our time is up."
"Is this about Clyde?" Aiden questioned.
Hope closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose, "We'll never agree on Clyde. Our professional lives will never agree. That is really hurting our personal lives, but that is not all that this is about. I'm not upset with you. I just… can't be with you. I'm not available anymore."
Aiden turned away in frustration. Hope watched him. She felt guilty, but not nearly as guilty as she felt when she looked at Bo. Her head was starting to ache. A knock on the front door startled her.
"Hope!"
Hope's face turned puzzled when she heard Steve's voice on the other side of the door.
"Hope, I've got a problem out here," Steve yelled as he banged loudly on the door.
Hope heard a commotion and she quickly opened the door to find Steve manhandling Bo on the front stoop.
"What in the world?" Hope asked as she surveyed the two of them.
"We had some beers." Steve laughed, "I may have let this one have too many."
"Oh my God," Hope went to Bo, reaching for his face, "Bo? Are you okay?"
Bo fell into a fit of laughter, causing Steve to struggle even more to hold him up.
"Steve did you drive here?" Hope asked in disbelief, "What were you thinking?! You could have killed yourselves."
"BoBo needs his FancyFace." Steve shrugged, "What are best friends for?"
"Give me your keys," Hope demanded, "Now."
"Oh, come on…" Steve whined.
"Steve Johnson…." Hope raised her voice, "This is nonnegotiable."
"Listen to err mannn," Bo slurred, "She sa cop…."
Steve jabbed his free hand into his coat pocket and pulled his keys out, reluctantly handing them to Hope. She took the keys and helped Steve walk Bo through the front door.
"Who's this wise guy?" Steve laughed when he caught sight of Aiden standing in the foyer watching the entire escapade.
Hope closed her eyes and took a calming breath in preparation for the possible impending explosion.
"Aiden," Aiden waved awkwardly at Steve and Bo.
"You musst bee MR. JENNINGS." Bo announced as he attempted to stand up straight, "I heard your dick knows my wife."
Steve started to laugh, Bo glared, and Aiden smiled. Hope cheeks blushed with embarrassment.
"I see you are married to a real winner," Aiden said to Hope, "You can't be serious about this. After everything we've been through?"
"Aiden," Hope was almost begging, "Now could not be a worse time. You have to go."
"You heard the lady," Steve yelled, "Get the hell out frat boy."
Aiden made a reluctant, but silent exit, leaving Hope relieved.
"You're into that guy?" Bo snorted, "What's so great about him? Its gotta be sex."
"Yeah, he looks like a real turd Hope…" Steve added, "The sex can't be THAT good."
"Ok… too many beers…" Hope rolled her eyes, "Let's go. Upstairs. Now."
Once the three of them made it upstairs, Bo was placed on Hope's bed and Steve retreated to a guest room.
Hope stared at Bo with worried eyes. He was lying on his back and vigorously rubbing his eyes. She approached him slowly with a glass of water and a couple of Ibuprofen.
"Bo…" Hope asked softly, "Are you okay?"
He shook his head, refusing to look at her. She could see the tears flooding his tired eyes.
"Here." Hope prodded, "Sit up."
He listened obediently, only making it up to his elbows.
"Take these," Hope handed over the pills and glass of water, "Drink the whole thing."
Bo swallowed it all down and fell back onto the bed.
"I'm going to take your shoes off," Hope warned as she began to untie the laces of his boots. She took her time, slowly pulling off each one, "Let's take off your jacket."
"Are you tryna take vantage of me Hope?" Bo smirked, but the smirk didn't reach his eyes. She could see him losing the battle with his emotions. Her heart ached with empathy for his pain.
"I would never do such a thing Mr. Brady," Hope smiled and gently place a lingering kiss on his forehead. Bo's arms instinctively wrapped around her, clinging to her torso. One strangled sob escaped his lips. He buried his face in her chest, willing the weakness to fade. When he couldn't muster the strength to overpower the pain or the alcohol, he let loose a string of sobs that tore Hope to her very core. She held him tight, occasionally running soothing fingers through his hair.
"Shhh….." Hope soothed, feeling her own tears threatening to fall on top of his.
She managed to get his jacket off, and then he suddenly volunteered his jeans and his t-shirt. She helped him under the covers and then kissed his forehead once more.
"Hope?" Bo called as he watched her switch the lights off near the bedroom door.
"Yes, Bo?" Hope questioned.
"Please don't leave me."
Her heart broke. He sounded almost childlike. He was broken and sad; so very distant from the man she used to know.
"Please stay with me." Bo begged, "Hold me."
"Are you sure that's what you want?" Hope asked hesitantly. She knew she definitely wanted it. She longed to be close to him. It had been so long. She wanted to lay her broken pieces next to his, and be broken together.
"I miss you." Bo confessed. He'd missed her more than this week. He'd missed her for two years.
Hope half smiled as tears stung the corners of her eyes. She joined him on the bed and slipped under the covers, "I've missed you too."
For most of their lives, Bo was always the one spooning Hope, but tonight Hope clung to him. She didn't feel strong at all, but she was currently the strong one in their relationship now. Bo sighed, content. He relaxed in her arms. He fell asleep quickly, exhausted from the emotional weight. The alcohol helped. Hope stayed awake listening to his slow breathing. She was grateful to have him in her arms. Her hand rested on his heart and her head on his shoulder. She fell asleep counting each beat of his heart.