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Rated: T

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Chapter 6 Trust Issues

"Where are you?" Josh asked Maya.

"I'm-I'm not coming," Maya answered, coughing into the phone. "I'm kind of feeling sick right now."

Josh sighed. "Come on Maya. You've got to come over tonight! It's important."

"I really am sick!"

"Okay, okay! But I'm going to need photographic proof that you're really sick," Josh told her.

Maya sighed. "Hold on a minute."

Their call ended and a few seconds later, he got a text message. Maya looked like death warmed over in the selfie she had sent him. He smirked and hit the redial button.

"Okay, so now that we've established you're definitely sick is there anything I can do for you? Chicken noodle soup? Tea?"

"I'll be fine," Maya answered. "I just need a couple days to rest up and I'll be as good as new."

"When you say a couple days, do you mean until I go back to Philadelphia?"

"Wow. What's that supposed to mean?" Maya asked, instantly losing the hoarseness in her voice.

"Come on Maya, it isn't a huge secret that we've been getting closer this year."

"Right, we've been getting closer and yet you can't seem to make the hour and forty-five minute drive to come and take me on a proper date."

"So, I haven't come and taken you to see Hamilton. Big freaking deal. I can't just pick up and come to the city! You do realize I have a life in Philly! I have a job."

"Yeah, the same job you've held since high school. How many years has it been since your dad had his heart attack? Four? Five? And you're still working for him instead of going back to college or, I don't know, writing that damn novel you've talked about for so long."

"Maya," Josh said wearily. "We've talked about this."

"Right. You're busy running the store," Maya answered. "Living out your father's dreams instead of your own."

"That's just slightly unfair," Josh interjected. "And you know I'm not really in the mood to have this discussion over the phone. So, I'm coming over."

"You are not! You're not invited!"

"Too bad. I'm already on my way," Josh said, pulling on his coat. "Mom, I'll be right back! I'm going to go and get Maya."

"Josh!" Maya protested.

He hung up on her before she could argue with him anymore. He got her address from Katy under the guise of checking on Maya and hurried out the door.

It had started to snow as he made his way down the streets of New York City. He zipped up and shoved his hands in his pockets, trying to keep them warm. He didn't know what he was going to say to her once he saw her except he could feel the weight of the velvet box resting against his thigh.

Maybe it would be easy, maybe the words would all come at once and they'd avoid quarreling more than they already had that evening.

He got to her apartment and snuck inside when somebody was leaving. He rode the elevator to her floor and knocked.

She opened it, clad in an oversized sweater and leggings. Her hair in a messy top knot. She frowned at him and crossed her arms over her chest. "What are you doing here? I told you not to come over."

"Yeah, well, you're not the boss of me."

It was meant to be a joke but Josh knew just from looking at Maya that she didn't find it particularly funny.

"I really don't have the time for this right now," she said as she started to close the door on him.

Josh put his hand out to stop her. "Oh? You don't have time for what? I didn't come here to argue, if that's what you think."

Maya studied him warily. "Then why are you here?"

Josh stopped, clearly her dukes were up and she was ready to fight. He was at a loss of what do next, except he knew he couldn't propose to her. He faltered slightly.

"Come on Josh, we both knew this was coming."

"Knew what was coming?" Josh asked.

"The end of whatever this is," Maya answered.

He frowned. "Hold on. Are you breaking up with me?"

Maya snorted. "If that's what you want to call it. But we weren't really dating in the first place, were we?"

"I don't know. We just spent a year of our lives talking to each other, doesn't that count for something?"

"It's been a good year," Maya said. "But now it's time for us both to realize that we had a year and that's all."

"Maya. . ."

Maya held up her hand. "Why would you think we would be something more than whatever we already are? You're nothing Josh. You still live in Philly with your parents. I bet you still sleep in the same bed you did too. Your mother probably makes your breakfast every morning and then you go and work in the store with your father. You're wasting your life away. You're not going to amount to much of anything. What would your professors think of you now? The boy who had so much promise, a manager in a camping store."

Josh looked taken aback. "I-I've done some writing this year."

"Yeah and you published them on a blog that maybe five people read," Maya retorted. "Come on Josh, face the music. You're nothing and I don't want to attach myself to a nobody."

"Well, it's a little too late for that. I heard Asher got married this week!" Josh retorted, the words falling out of his mouth before he could have stopped them. "He could have given you the world but you turned down his proposal."

"You have no idea what happened between the two of us!"

Josh shook his head. "You know what I think? I think you're scared that this is really going to become real. No, that isn't it. You're terrified that I'm going to leave. You've lumped me and even Asher into the same group as your father. You think men are only going to leave you. Well, I've got news for you babe. You're the one who's like your father. You leave when you can't deal with stuff."

Maya's face registered shock. "I am not like my father! You take that back now, Joshua Gabriel Matthews!"

"Don't you see? You already have one foot out the door. I know what you're thinking."

"No you don't!"

"Leave them before they leave me. You're not even giving us a chance," Josh said. "You are so convinced. . . but Maya, I'm not going to go anywhere. Not everybody is like your father. Just. . . let me prove it to you, please."

"I really think you should leave now," Maya told him.

"Maya, can't we just talk?"

"You've said quite enough already. Goodbye Josh."

"Wait! This wasn't how it was supposed to go!" he protested as the door shut in his face. "Maya please! I-I love you."

But it was too late.

TBC. . .

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Author's Note:

Yes this was necessary. No, I did not enjoy writing it. That's why it took me so long to get to it, that and I'm sick again. I think it's the flu. I hope you enjoyed this chapter despite the angst. The next chapter is the last one. I hope you'll stay tuned.

Updates of my regular stories resume soon. Be on the lookout for a Parent Trap update. I hope you guys have a very Happy New Year!

Lots of love,

Holly, 1/4/2017