Summary: The summer before college everything changes. But can they handle it?
AN: I know the last chapter wasn't that great. But it had to be done; it was the first fight scene I've ever written. I'll work on it. But to those of you who reviewed, you are much appreciated.
Disclaimer: I don't own them. Sorry.
It had been a few hours since Guy had come into the shop. He had called in and quit, he couldn't even come in and do it. It was just as well; Charlie was on the verge of firing him. Things had changed since Jan had turned the reigns over to Charlie for the summer. Charlie wasn't looking forward to explaining why they were short a person when Jan came back. To pick up the slack Fulton had offered to pull extra shifts to help out so Charlie wouldn't have to always do it.
But Fulton hadn't been himself. He was acting weird, even for Fulton. Charlie brushed it off as him missing his two closest friends. Charlie couldn't blame him. If Jesse and Adam weren't there he didn't know what he'd do. And to make matters worse Connie still wouldn't talk to him. He wasn't giving up though. He'd go and see her after work, and hopefully she wouldn't push him away.
"You okay?" Fulton asked shaking Charlie from his thoughts.
"Yeah." Charlie said sweeping up.
Fulton left him alone knowing he wouldn't talk about it. He knew better than to push Charlie. It never ended well; everyone knew that. He wished Charlie would talk to him though. Guy was the only person that would tell him what was going on. The two had formed a bond without realizing it. They had more in common than they thought. Fulton felt bad for the guy, even though he knew he shouldn't. But Guy was just as much his friend as Charlie was. Charlie had to understand that.
Charlie locked up the shop a few minutes later. Fulton went in the other direction as Charlie headed home. He knew where Fulton was going. He was going to Guy's. Charlie couldn't blame him though. Fulton was just like Jesse. He was a great friend to have. He was smarter than people thought. Charlie was always the first one to stick up for him when people would call him on it. Sometimes he would say something before Portman and Julie could. That's just the way he was. And he knew Fulton would always have his back. So he wasn't worried about it.
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Julie stood in the airport with Portman as they were waiting for his flight to be called. She wished he didn't have to leave. He had just gotten there the day before. No one had ever said this was going to be easy. She reminded herself that it was worth just to see him even if for a couple of days. She felt his hand push a piece of hair out of her eyes and she looked up at him. He pulled her to him and rested his head on top of hers. Neither could break the silence, it would make him leaving harder.
Julie suppressed a sob and felt him tighten his grip on her. She knew he wouldn't want to cry so she kept the tears at bay. She could cry after he left. Right now she was going to make what time they had left together last. She buried her face his neck and took in the smell of his cologne. It filled her senses and she sighed before brushing her fingers across the nape of his neck.
His flight was called but Julie wouldn't let go of him. Portman unwrapped her arms from around his neck and pulled away. He kept his arms around her waist as she leaned up and placed her lips to his. The kiss deepened as they heard people rushing past them. His flight was called again making him groan. Julie was the first to pull away. She gave him a small smile as he picked up his bag.
"No tears." He said pointing at her.
She gave him a sarcastic smile and rolled her eyes.
"That's better." He said pulling her to him one last time.
She laughed as he picked her up off the ground.
"You're gonna miss your flight." She whispered.
"I'm going." He said putting her down.
"Call me when you get home." She said looking into his eyes.
"I will. I love you."
"I love you too." She said with a smile.
She watched him walk away. It would never get any easier. She must be a glutton for punishment. Things would have been easier if she had just told him how she felt in high school. But she hadn't, and now she was paying for it.
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Fulton watched as Guy sat next to him. Guy hadn't said much, other than how sorry he was. Fulton couldn't believe he had done what he had. Granted he didn't know Guy that well but he had acted totally out of character. The Guy everyone else knew was in there somewhere and Fulton knew it. He would just have to wait around 'til things went back to normal. He could see things from Guy's point of view. He knew he was hurting. You couldn't expect to be the same after the girl you've loved for almost half your life decided to date your best friend.
Guy looked over at him with questioning eyes. He didn't know why Fulton was always around. He just always seemed to be there for him lately. Guy wasn't complaining though, Jesse and Fulton were the only ones talking to him. That just went to show who his real friends were. He hadn't heard from the others since the summer started. Goldberg and Averman had always been closer with Connie. And now he was paying for it. None of the out of state Ducks had called him, except Julie. And even then they didn't talk that much.
He had no one to blame but himself. If he hadn't have pushed Connie to edge they might still be together. But he was stubborn and he wanted to know where he stood. Was that too much to ask? He didn't think so. He liked that Fulton was okay with letting him sulk. Jesse didn't do that. Jesse was constantly trying to get him out of the house, trying to get him to talk to him. That was okay sometimes, but not today. Guy didn't want to deal with Jesse right now. He had probably pushed him away anyway. Jesse had tried to warn him that he would do something stupid. And now he had.
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Charlie stood outside Connie's bedroom door. He had been walking home and saw her car in her driveway. No one else was home so he knew she wouldn't be able to avoid him. He had been letting himself into the house for years. Even before Guy was aloud to do it. This was his second home. He knocked on the door hoping he wouldn't have to just walk in. He heard Connie on the other side. She opened the door with a sigh.
"What do you want Charlie?" She asked giving him an icy glare.
"I wanted to see you." He said shoving his hands in his pockets.
"I made it clear that I wanted to be left alone." She said folding her arms over her stomach.
"I didn't do anything wrong." He said reaching out for her.
"I know you didn't. But what he said hurt. Just give me a few days."
"I wanna talk about this!" He yelled losing his temper.
"Well I don't." She said slamming the door.
Charlie put his hands on the door trying to calm down. He shouldn't have yelled. But he couldn't help it. Why was she pushing him away? He was trying to be there for her. Couldn't she see that? He was scared of losing her, and if he did Guy wouldn't live to play in the Minors. He would give her the space she wanted. But he wasn't happy about it. He walked out of the house with his head hung low. Things weren't supposed to be like this. Why couldn't everyone just leave them alone?