Toss it away? Misty's words wedged themselves in Carson's mind. Never
had he even once tossed his home life away. It may have looked that
way, but never had that been his desire. All he'd wanted was to protect
Misty's life. He'd told her that. He'd told everybody that. She knew
good and well that not being allowed home had not been his decision -
he'd begged her to take him back. Her words hurt. They angered him. They
made him want to cry all the more. He was lucky she was patching him up
at all. With the way she hated him, it was amazing she didn't just turn
him away and let him bleed.
Biting his tongue, Carson
remained silent, even when Misty continued. He had nothing left with
which to fight. He had used all he had to try and regain what he'd lost.
But all today proved was that he was no nearer his marriage now than
the day he'd been forced to walk out.
When Misty
finished, Carson just sat for several moments, staring at the floor. He
knew he needed to leave though. If not to go back to work, then to leave
Misty be. He knew good and well that if he tried to talk to her any
more, he'd be surrounded by guys protecting her. And no matter what he
said...nothing would do any good. It was like talking to a brick wall.
Carson
finally stood up and dared a last glance at Misty. "Thanks for taking
time to patch me up," he mentioned meekly. "Next time I'll call to see
if Rick's in, or go to the ER instead. I'm sorry you had to deal with
me. I know I'm not really worth the effort anymore; especially when you
got so much good going for ya."
It was a sober smile
offered before he turned to leave. He'd find his own pain killers to
ward off the throbbing in his hand he knew would come later. He wouldn't
make Misty deal with him any more.
Back out on the
main floor, he avoided eye contact with anybody before he slipped
outside again and to his car. Work. He needed to concentrate on work. He
couldn't abandon Aerith and Thirteen.
Jared grinned, hoping that the look in Grace's eye that said she was enjoying this was not lying. "Good..."
Ignoring the television, he leaned in closer, cocking his head just a little. His eyes locked with hers, even as he neared. His lips brushed hers ever so lightly before he pulled back just far enough to kiss her lightly across her check, almost to her neck, then back to her lips. His hand crept behind her head, his fingers interlacing with her soft locks of hair.
Kissing her a little more firmly, he tested her to see what kind of mood she was in.
Gunner nodded lamely, wishing this whole thing was just easier. Easier on him. Easier on Bree. He'd known she wouldn't be upset with him, or blame him, but he still didn't like exposing his weaknesses.
"I know...I just..." He shrugged, while his eyes remained glued to his half-eaten pizza. "It's hard to talk about when I don't even know what I'm feeling or why. It's like I'm not the one in control of my own thoughts."
Abandoning his food entirely, he leaned back in the couch and sighed. His eyes avoided Bree though. "I dunno...You ask what's wrong, and I don't even know myself. It's not like I don't trust you, I just...don't know what to say, and...I have no idea how you can help, let alone Hope."
