Chapter Twenty-Eight
Pogue watched the hotel room door close and let go of the enormous breath he had been holding in. He let himself fall back onto her bed and stared up at the ceiling. Victoria said she loved him. He had said he loved her! He really couldn't believe it. But he knew after the disastrous ride up he was over pretending. He didn't want to dance around it any more. Especially if she was planning on leaving. Pogue just felt that if she had left with Reid, then it never could have been... Things would have been different. And it was worth the risk, that had paid off.
Victoria loved him.
She had said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world, but he was still shocked to hear it. Like it was too good to be true. Like she wasn't experiencing the memories the same way he was, and just wanted to be pals. But that wasn't the case.
Now she was going to break up with Reid. Instantly guilt washed over Pogue. He sat up, hating that this meant one of his best friend would be getting hurt. But at the same time, it was what it was. And Victoria was right, the sooner the better. Pogue wished he had broken things off with Kate the instant Victoria arrived back at Spencer but he didn't know. And breaking a person you love's heart... It isn't an easy thing.
Pogue didn't like to think about the consequences awaiting him tomorrow morning when they were all checking out. What would Reid be like? What would Caleb say? He covered his face with his hands and Victoria's voice played in his head, 'I don't care about anyone else...'
Suddenly, the phone on the bed side table started to ring. Pogue looked at it. He glanced at the clock, it was nearly quarter to one. He hadn't realised it was that late when he came over to Victoria's room. After a moments hesitation, he rolled over on to his stomach and picked up the phone. "Hello?" He said casually.
Nothing.
On his stomach, Pogue saw Victoria's cell phone on the ground and reached down picking it up and putting it on the side table, "Hello?" He asked again, he looked at the spare card key on the side table, "Room 437?" Again nothing. Suddenly the line went dead. He looked at the receiver. Misdial from the front desk possibly? After all, who called a room phone when everyone had cell phones?
Reid hung up his phone. Kate sat watching him quietly. He stared at the empty glasses in front of them for a moment. Letting each emotion roll over him.
"Well?" Kate said, sounding like the drinks she had were making her a little overly gleeful.
Reid looked at her, eyes half closed considering his options. "No answer." She shrugged, emptying her glass. "Want another?"
Kate nodded eagerly as Reid waved at the now glassy eyed bartender, while turning off his phone.
Pogue turned as the door opened and Victoria came in. She looked worried.
"What's up?" Pogue asked looking at her, standing up.
She shrugged, crossing her arms, "He still isn't in his room," She blinked, looking lost in thought. Pogue looked at the clock. It was just after one. "I am just gonna try calling him," Victoria said, looking decidedly uncomfortable.
"Your phone is on the side table." He said pointing to it.
She nodded, walking across the room with purpose. She picked up her phone and typed in her code, then seemed to hesitate. Victoria looked up at Pogue, "I have an email here from your dad."
"What?" Pogue rose to stand beside Victoria and look over her shoulder. "What about?" Pogue couldn't help but ask.
Victoria shrugged, "He says he hopes we are having a good time in Boston. Now that exams are done he would like to see me when I get back into town, at my soonest convenience. He says its important but not urgent." Victoria looked up at Pogue her blue eyes looking into his stormy ones. "Do you know what he is talking about?"
Pogue shook his head reading the email over her shoulder, although it only said what she had read. "No clue,"
Victoria took a deep breath, "Guess I will find out tomorrow." She shook her head looking a little overwhelmed.
Pogue put a hand on her shoulder, "Everything will be fine. You know that right?"
Victoria looked at him with an amused look on her face, "You know, the funniest thing about this whole situation?" Pogue shook his head, no idea what she was alluding to, "I mean, it's you ...and me. We couldn't be more different."
She shook her head sitting on the edge of the bed, Pogue crossed his arms looking down at her, "What do you mean?"
"I mean, you have lived a life that leads you to believe just that; that everything will be just fine." Pogue furrowed his brow as Victoria spoke, not making eye contact with him, instead choosing to focus somewhere around his knees.
He knelt down in front of her and realised she was getting anxious, like everything was just building too much, "Victoria, it will-"
He went to reach for her knees but she jumped, tensing, and cut him off, "No Pogue! See, this is what I mean! You and I have different definitions of 'fine'. I am a gong show ninety percent of the time and you are... Well, you. So, ya know, I feel like you can't possibly understand what I am rambling about so I am just gonna shut up now." Victoria crossed her arms, chewing on her bottom lip.
He raised an eyebrow, " 'I'm 'me'?" He asked simply.
"You know, valedictorian, going to Harvard, perfect couple all through school," Victoria went a little red at the mention of that, Pogue raised both his eyebrows at her but Victoria simply rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "You never get in trouble, you do what is expected of you. Have your life pulled together." Victoria took a deep breath as if pointing these things out would make Pogue leap up and run from the room. "Not me, basically."
"Victoria," He said calmly, his voice having an even timber that to anyone else would be extremely relaxing but Victoria seemed to be fighting it. "We have known each other our whole lives. And you working yourself up-"
Victoria glared at him, "And you don't think this situation deserves that? Everything feels like it is going to shatter apart tomorrow and we are gonna be left in this hurricane of my making and I just don't know if you really wanna be caught in all that."
Pogue leaned forward, resting his hands on either side of her, against the edge of the mattress and looked up at her, "I was going to say, it will be fine, and if not," She looked up meeting his eye, "I will make it fine for you. Whatever that takes. Always." Her eyes held on to his like a life vest in the middle of an ocean. "Victoria, I know who you are, even if you think I don't. Neurosis and all. And I am here, beside you, no matter what. This isn't your fault, these were just the cards we were dealt. You did the best you could to do what you thought was best, and you are still doing that. Have faith in yourself."
Victoria watched him, "You are a really good man, Pogue."
Pogue rolled his eyes, giving her a half smile, "You make me wanna be better."
Victoria blinked, "Ok," She said blushing awkwardly and Pogue felt he might be coming on a bit strong for Victoria's current comfort level.
He rested back on his heels not wanting to spook her, "Do you want me to leave while you call Reid?"
Victoria opened her mouth, shut it, seemed to think about it and shrug. "Yes?" She instantly shook her head, "No." She looked at him guiltily, "I dunno, is that weird?"
Pogue shrugged nonchalantly, "I will do what you want Victoria. Whatever you want."
She looked deep into his eyes as if wishing to read his mind and suddenly it happened again, just like that morning in the hallway, 'Thank you'. Her voice filled his mind.
Their breath caught in their throats as they maintained eye contact. For the first time being able to acknowledge what had happened. "Trippy," Victoria said chuckling nervously.
Pogue shook his head, "Mind blowing."
Victoria nodded.
They sat staring at each other for a minute. As if mesmerized.
Suddenly, Victorka took a deep breath, breaking the spell. She blinked, "I should phone Reid," Pogue nodded and seamlessly slide into the bed to sit beside her.
Victoria swallowed and looked back at her phone and dialled. She held the phone to her ear and couldn't help but hold her breath.
"It's Reid. You know what to do." She hung up. No rings.
Victoria looked at Pogue, "His phone is off."
Pogue looked at her, "What now?"
Victoria at back at him, "We wait?"
Pogue reached over and took her hand, "Then we wait."