I open my eyes, and I’m met with darkness. What time is it? Reaching for my phone on the bedside table, I see it’s only seven p.m. Sadness fills me when I don’t see a reply from Seth. I thought he wanted to do something. I guess I was wrong. I’m always picking the wrong men. Well, I never really picked Seth; he kind of slipped right in, like one puzzle piece fitting perfectly into another.
Sliding out of bed, I flick on the lights throughout the cottage. From the corner of my eye, I spy two dishes on the table; I didn’t put them there. Crap! Someone’s been in my house. My eyes dart around the living room and kitchen, but see nothing out of the ordinary and all the doors are shut. As I get closer, I see a note under one of the pots on the table.
Dear Chloe,
Sorry I let myself in. I do hope you’re okay. Seth told me about last night’s incident and wanted me to bring you some dinner.
I’m here anytime you need anything. Don’t be a stranger. I look forward to working with you on the café. Tomorrow, we’ll get some plans organised and builders in. Thanks so much for taking a chance and helping me out. You’re a bright young woman with so much potential—don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise.
Talk soon,
Sherri.
This woman has a heart of gold.
Lifting the lid, I smell what’s inside. The scent of butter chicken fills my senses, and my mouth begins to salivate. Grabbing a bowl from the kitchen, I fill it with the rice from the second dish and then the butter chicken.
Settling in front of the television, I decide to watch The Longest Ride. Such a sweet movie, it gives me all the feels. I mean, come on, who doesn’t like Scott Eastwood?
Checking my phone again for what seems like the millionth time since waking up, I have plenty of messages from Dad, Mum, Crystal and Ryan, but Seth still hasn’t contacted me. Once again, my feelings are in a tizzle over a man who’s going to break my heart. Reaching for my phone, I re-read the few messages we exchanged today. I don’t think I said anything wrong—perhaps he read one of my texts in a different context. My fingers get busy as I type a new message to him.
Chloe: Are we okay?
My hands feel clammy, and my stomach twists in knots. I thought things were going well. He’s a great friend with the possibility of being something more. I sit back and get comfortable, clinging to my phone, waiting for a reply.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Startling awake, I fall to the floor. Literally. I’ve never been woken so quickly. Who bangs on a door like that?
There are another three loud knocks.
Pulling myself as quickly as I can manage off the ground, I run to check the door’s locked.
“Who is it?” I yell. Frantically looking around the living room for something to arm myself with, I grab the umbrella leaning against the wall near the entry, ready to clock the person if they think of coming inside.
“Your Captain, my lady.”
I heave a sigh of relief upon hearing his voice, but it sounds different. Unclicking the lock, I slowly pull the door open. Seth stands before me, glassy-eyed and swaying slightly. “Are you drunk?”
His finger goes to his bottom lip, as if he has to think about his answer, even though it’s obvious. “What do you think?” he slurs.
“I think you should go home and sleep it off,” I snap. I can’t believe he has the hide to show up on my doorstep, like this.
He hangs his head in shame. “I’m sorry, Chloe. I’m sorry for not replying to you today. I wanted to take you out, but somehow talked myself into thinking I’m not good enough for you.” He stumbles towards me, crumbling to the ground.
Coming down to his level, I place my hand on his cheek. My heart hurts for him. Why would he think he’s not good enough for me? “Don’t ever think you aren’t good enough. You’re an amazing man. From the moment we met, you’ve done nothing but help me, save me. You’re more than what you give yourself credit for.”
“Chloe, I’m not a reliable person. I let down the ones I love, and they’re also the ones that get hurt.” Tears well in his eyes, and mine follow. How can my strong Captain America be this broken? He puts on a brave face every day; I never saw this coming from him.
“No, they don’t.” I pause, wondering why he’s speaking like this. My heart bleeds for him. Heck, I want to know more and try to help, but he’s not in the right frame of mind. “I don’t think now is the time to talk about this. I’m sure you’d hate to tell me all your secrets while you’re drunk. Let’s get you up and I’ll give you some water,” I say softly. Wrapping his arm over my shoulder, I manage to get him off the porch, into the cottage, and on the lounge. I race to the kitchen filling a glass with cool water.
Walking back towards the chair I ask, “Does Sherri know where you are?” I hand him the drink.
He shakes his head in response.
“I’ll give her a call and let her know you’re staying here.”
“Please don’t tell her the state I’m in . . . I don’t want to worry her.”
Giving him a nod, I turn and give Sherri a call while Seth spreads out on the lounge and closes his eyes.
It rings once, and she answers in a rush. “Hello, Seth?”
“No, Sherri, it’s Chloe.”
“Oh dear, have you seen or heard from Seth? Chance rang me and said he was in a bad way.” Wow, she doesn’t miss anything.
“He’s here, Sherri. He just passed out on my couch. He’s okay.” I try to comfort her with my words.
“Thank you, Chloe. He holds some demons of his own; I’m just glad he can come to you.”
“He can come any time he needs someone. My door is always open. Oh, and thank you for dinner.”
“Dear, you’re most welcome. Please take care of my boy.”
“Don’t worry, I will. Go get some rest. I’ll send him home first thing in the morning.”
“Thank you, dear. I believe you’re an angel who’s been sent here to help him.”
If only she knew the battle waging within me. “Perhaps we’re here to help each other, once we decide to open our hearts to the other.”
“It’ll happen when the timing is right. Trust that all the pieces will fall into the right places when they’re supposed to.” Her words move me. She has complete faith in the universe, a higher power. If only I could have half as much belief as her.
Our call ends, and I’m left in silence, except for the lightly snoring man before me. What has caused you to act out tonight? I sit down on the edge of the lounge, watching Seth rest peacefully. My fingers gently glide down his face, taking in his kind features.
“That feels good.” He moans.
I snap my hand back, quickly standing up. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have—”
“It’s okay. I don’t mind,” he responds, cutting me off. His sleepy blue eyes study me.
“You looked like you were asleep.”
“I could go back to pretending to be asleep, and you could kiss me like the prince in Sleeping Beauty, except our roles would be reversed.”
Laughing at his silliness, I sit back down on the edge of the lounge. He reaches out, taking my hand in his, closing his droopy eyes once again.
“Are you okay, Seth?” My voice is soft, full of concern. I only want the best for him. I want to make him happy.
“Honestly, I don’t know,” he replies, slowly.
“Why do you think you’d let me down?” I know I said it best not to discuss serious things, but I couldn’t help myself.
He releases a heavy sigh, opening his eyes. They burn into mine for what seems like a long time. “It’s what I do. It’s what I’m good at.”
My heart breaks at the way he tears himself down. No one should degrade themselves like that. “You’re better than what you give yourself credit for. You’re an amazing man. You should be happy.”
“You’ve only known me a short while, so how would you know?”
“Because you make me smile. You make me laugh. And you’ve helped me so much already.”
“You’re just a pretty girl. I like helping pretty girls.”
His words slice through me like a knife, cutting up whatever feelings I was holding for him. My chest is heavy with hurt and my heart . . . well, I wonder how much more it can take.
“Why would you say that?” My question catches in my throat. Tears threaten to well, but I swallow hard and will them away. I slowly take my hand back from his grasp, and he releases it.
“Like I said, it’s who I am. Someday I’ll get over it.”
A very uncomfortable silence falls between us. For once I don’t know what to say. All the feelings and emotions I was building for him tumble away, like weeds in the desert.
“I’ll leave you be then. Good night. Let yourself out in the morning.” With my heart in my throat, I turn and walk away. He doesn’t respond, and it feels as if he’s rubbing salt in my open wound.