CHAPTER FIFTEEN
"I guess I should've expected it," Jack stated with a sigh. "I should've known the second you two were back in the same room, something would happen. Atleast I acted like I knew I'd fucked something up. You tried to play innocent, even after your history with guys."
The brunette standing with her back to him continued staring at the floor. "I know it doesn't mean anything but I'm sorry. I got caught up in the moment and I didn't…"
"You didn't think of me, just like I didn't think of you. Though I'm sure something told you, you were doing it in spite of me."
"Yeah, that something was your brother," she replied. "Maybe you and Tori should take a chance on each other. I'm pretty sure she wasn't whoring around at sixteen."
"No, she wasn't. She was cycled through foster care just like I was… I just realized where the strong connection came from; she was in a foster home with me for a little while when we were little."
Carmen turned around to face him. "Then I guess its fate for you both," she stated. "I'm going to go get my shit out of the apartment in Chicago before you get back there. Take it easy, alright?"
"Yeah, you too," he replied sincerely.
She left without another word. As she passed the waiting room, Bobby saw her but she left too quickly for him to say anything to her.
Out in the fresh air, she spotted Victoria sitting against the brick building, playing with her car keys. She looked distracted and the older could only imagine why.
"What're you still doing here?" Carmen asked, confused.
The red-head's head shot up, bug-eyed. "I just… I don't know, I'm sorry… I'll leave."
"Go back inside and keep Jack company. He's all yours, honey."
Victoria gave her a baffled look. "What?"
"We broke up."
"Because of me? I didn't mean to break anyone up; I was only there to apologize…"
The brunette cut off her rant. "Its no one's fault but my own so do his ex a favor and go keep him company. I don't want him in there alone, thinking. He needs a distraction."
The confused look Victoria was giving her only became more interesting and then a smile broke out onto her face. "Thanks," she replied quietly before disappearing into the building.
Watching the young girl retreat into the hospital, she stood there silent for almost ten minutes; listening to the familiar sounds of Detroit; thinking about how great life was with Jack in Chicago before someone killed Evelyn. Victoria deserved that life with Jack Mercer a lot more than she did so her first order of business was to catch the first flight back to The Windy City and leave her hometown and the Mercers in her wake.
--
Bobby watched intently as the red-head he'd met earlier jogged past him, heading in the direction of his baby brother's hospital room. He wasn't sure whether or not to be worried or relieved. Relief because he was sure it meant the fate of Carmen and Jack's relationship was crashing and burning, but worried because it could've also meant that Carmen was leaving. At the thought, he got up rather suddenly and did a quick scan of the hospital floor; the cafeteria; outside. She was no where to be found.
"Fuck," was the only word he could muster, even repetitively. He practically ran down the hall to Jack's room and slid into the room. "Where's Carmen?" He didn't direct it at anyone; someone had to answer, whether there was a specific name tagged at the beginning of it or not.
Victoria hesitated for a moment, but eventually a few words slipped past her lips quietly. "I think she left."
Bobby Mercer's surprisingly hopeful expression fell completely. If she left, there was a good chance she wasn't coming back, and was not informing them of her soon-to-be future residence. There would be no way for him to find the love he discovered he'd craved since she left with his brother five years ago; no way to get her back.
A/N: It took a little longer than expected, but I have the next chapter planned. It'll take longer, definitely, and it will be longer. We'll get a glimpse into life with Carmen and Jackie after they left for Chicago, the engagement. All that fun stuff!
I'd appreciate ideas, no matter how small; anything can spark bigger ideas with me, I don't know why that is, ha-ha. So leave a review with a small idea or just…a typical I Loved It review. Obviously, I Hated It works, too. Just make sure if you leave a flame, leave a name!
XxCrash.And.BurnXx