Chasing the Bartender

Late Night Plan

DAVINA POV

I was livid driving home. Of course, I acted calm despite the storm raging inside so that Xavier would be calm. No matter what's going on, I try my best to protect him and make sure he never feels like he's at fault for something he didn't cause. After we arrived home, we did our bedtime routine. With Xavier tucked in and sleeping peacefully, I was left with my thoughts, replaying tonight and how it turned out.

I should have just told him about our son. Maybe if I had, he would've lived the stable life a child needs. Who knows. Maybe if he had known, we'd be together. Or maybe we'd be splitting weekends and holidays, who knows. Now everything's a mess, and I can only blame myself. I was so hurt by what had happened between us, and so scared about what would happen or wouldn't happen that I chose to hide. I kept it to myself to not get hurt again, and that's on me.

As I lay in the quiet darkness, with my thoughts spiraling, I began to think about how simple things were before we came here. I pick up my phone and browse airline ticket prices. A knee-jerk reaction to the current situation pushes me to buy two tickets, one for me and one for Xavier. I get up and turn on my light, grab my suitcase, and begin to pack everything we would both need for at least a week. Just one week, so get away and think, to come up with a solution.

As I move about my room, I hear the front door open and close, followed by the soft steps of Hadley. She knocks on my door and then pushes it open, and I turn slightly to look at her. She leans against the door frame, taking in the sight before her.

"What are you doing Vi?" The tone of her voice tells me she's tired and that she already knows what I'm doing.

"Xave and I are going to go back for a little bit. Probably about a week, just to think and come up with a solution." She moves and comes to sit on my bed, looking down at all the clothes folded into piles.

"Maybe you should talk to him before you leave. He seemed to regret what he said and how the conversation went down after you left." I stop moving and take a deep breath. Tears forming in my eyes.

"I didn't think it was possible for the same guy to break my heart twice." I cry out. "All I've wanted all these years was to tell him, for us to somehow figure out how to make this work and maybe be a family. I thought that ten years ago was my chance, and then we heard him with Lillian. I thought maybe when he asked me out, we could try again, and I could tell him. I knew he'd be angry with me, but I hoped that maybe we could talk it out." I look up at my best friend, who is in an impossible position, the spot between her brother and her best friend. "Hads, if I go, do you think it would be possible for Xave to stay here with you?"

"Vi, I don't know how well that will work. That little boy will be devastated if you leave him behind and without saying anything to him."

"I know." I sigh, running a hand over my face. "He and Levi deserve the chance to bond without me here to be in the way. I don't have to be at the airport until early afternoon, so I won't just be gone when he wakes up. I can tell him it's a work thing and that I have to go by myself this time." I ramble as I try to figure out what to do.

"Davina, cancel the plane tickets. If you need some time and space, that's fine. Maybe you could get that and still be close by. Find a hotel in the area or something, go there, think, breathe. You've been in survival mode for ten years, and it's not healthy." I nod. She's right. She always is.

"OK. I'll do that instead. Can you make sure that the of them have some time together?" She smiles at me and pulls me into a hug.

"I will. I'll call Levi after you've gone to wherever you're staying. But you have to let me know where you'll be, and stay in contact." I laugh a little. She thought I wouldn't tell her, she must've forgotten who she is talking to.

"You got it." I move about, finishing packing, canceling the plane tickets, and finding a hotel instead.

Morning came all too soon. After eating breakfast with Hadley and Xavier, I explained to Xavier that I had to go on a little trip. He was sad he couldn't come with me, but I promised to bring him back a souvenir. Giving them both a hug, I head out to a hotel across town, closer to the main part of the city.