After Forever & Ever

Hardin Bonus Chapter2

7 years later

"Life may deal you a bad hand or take away a good hand you were already dealt. The way you play the hand is how your life is defined. Just like in poker you can end up winning no matter how bad the cards are you have...."

Stupidly I started believing I was winning.

Because well let's be honest I was dealt a lot of bad hands. I may not have been in my ideal job but I had my family....

And then Tessa did what she did...but I didn't let it destroy us. Did it kill me...yes. Did I want to give in right then and there and throw in the towel....yes.

But I stayed. I worked at us. I gave her another chance for all the chances she gave me....but it wasn't enough....

Inevitably I was bound to start losing again and I did.

I lost big....and now she knows. Or at least knows I've been lying to her.

Which were we past all the lies, secrets and hiding shit....? I mean I thought so but then she cheated on me....

And so I guess in a way it brought back a side of me I wasn't ready to have back the one that does keep shit from her, the one where I leave her in the dark.

But again stupidly I told myself it was the only way and that not only was I protecting her...I was protecting Emery and Auden too.

I know I have to face her and tell her what's really going on...but then it makes it real. It makes it true. And I guess for my own selfish sake I have been avoiding that.

I did know that inevitability I was going to have to face it... I knew I couldn't avoid it forever....

Even though I wanted to.

I wanted to so fucking bad.

The last person I want to talk to right now is Vance but I know he along with Tessa is thinking the worst of the worst right now.

I decide I am going to go talk to him first because maybe he can help me break it to Tessa....but he's probably pissed at me more than usual since I've ignored both of them who have been blowing up my phone for the past 24 hours....which I don't blame them.

So I finally decide to text him back and ask if I can come by when he is home from work.

He agrees and as reluctant as I am to go...I head over.

Not really knowing what to expect from him.

Pulling up in the driveway everything in me wants to turn back around and just say fuck it.

I get out and head to the door...meanwhile Vance is opening the door before I even get there.

He looks angry....which is probably an understatement.

He doesn't say anything...so I decide to ask "does Tessa know I was coming here?"

"No she doesn't know you're here but she's worried sick...you know that right?" He asks me.

"Yea....I know." I reply.

We walk through the house and head out onto the back patio.

He has a seat so I take the seat across the table from him.

"What's going on Hardin?" He asks me.

"I....Umm....I messed up....I should have been honest with you guys..." I tell him.

"You're using.....I knew you would eventually go back and you just couldn't stay clean....could you?!" He says raising his voice.

"You have just been waiting for the fucking day Vance, haven't you?..." I question slightly raising my voice.