Love after loss

Chapter 15 - The break up

Spring was coming. I could feel it in the warmer mornings. I jogged through the park keeping a pace with Tom that was quicker than normal.

We got to the fountain where we usually split ways and he went on to the hospital for work.

Checking his watch he let out a deep sigh. 

“Everything okay? You seem tense this morning” I asked before taking a sip of water.

“I have a meeting with the administration that I could do without but it’s nothing for you to worry about” he wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me towards him and giving me a gentle kiss.

“I’ll see you tonight”

“It’s Friday date night” I smiled happily 

“Good, I have some things to talk to you about”

“Like what!?” I asked curiously

“You’ll have to wait until tonight, now get out of here so I can go to work” he gave me a cheeky pt on the butt as he smiled and jogged away.

Instead of going home for a shower I carried on jogging onto Main Street and straight to the Roadhouse to sign for some early morning deliveries. 

When I got there however I saw Elise already standing in the door way.

“Hey, what are you doing here, you aren’t due in today” I said, more a statement than a question.

As I got closer I could see her eyes were red rimmed like she had been crying.

“Oh, are you okay?” I quickly unlocked the doors and ushered her inside.

“I’m just here to see Garret” she sniffed 

“Garrets here?” 

She nodded “I think so” but now sounded almost angry.

I was even more confused but she didn’t look like she wanted to say anymore so I made my way to the back doors to wait for the deliveries. 

It wasn’t long before I heard the faint sounds of raised voices. I didn’t want to eavesdrop so I pulled the door closed behind me hoping it was nothing too serious.

*In the office*

“You didn’t come home last night”

“You told me to get out. What was I supposed to do” Garret answered angrily as he folded the bed sheets up from the office couch he had spent the night on.

“You were supposed to tell me I was wrong, you were supposed to come back” Elise cried sadly but her tone was livid.

“I already told you that you were wrong”

“But I’m not am I. Everywhere she is, your eyes find her. I could be standing right beside you but all you see is her, all you want is her...“ a sob escaped her

“Why do we always have to fight about this. I am tired of defending myself all the time. Its been the same for months” Garret sounded almost defeated as he shoved the sheets into the cupboard.

“Because everything was fine before that, before she came back.” Elise shouted before taking a few breaths to calm her rising anger.

“Do you remember when I first started working here? I accidentally walked in on you crying in this office. I thought it was because you had lost your best friend. I thought you were heartbroken over Derek but I was wrong. You were heartbroken but it was because she left. You were crying over her weren’t you...” Elise grabbed hold of Garrets arms and forced him to look at her.

“... please Garret, I just want the truth. Did you ever love me? Or has it always been Elle?”

He ran his face over his hand and tried to avoid looking at Elise.

“I don’t know what you want me to say. Of course I did or I wouldn’t have asked you to marry me” Garret finally answered finally looking at her.

“That’s all I need to hear, I’ll pack up you things and let you know when you can collect them. I think it’s pretty obvious but I’ll say it anyway. I won’t be coming back to work” Elise sharply yanked the office door open 

“What are you talking about I told you love you, why are you leaving?” Garret asked confusion written all over his face.

“No Garret you said ‘did’, you said you ‘did’ love me not do” and with that Elise walked out, slamming the door behind her.