Loving the Man

Chapter 17: Call Me Maybe

Um hi guys... I decided to give you guys another update. I will be ending this book in 2 or 3 chapters, as you can tell I'm trying to wrap it up in this chapter. Please be patient and I'm sorry if this book isn't what you wanted...

DANIELLE'S POV

I sat alone in Trevor's trailer, nothing but my own scary thoughts and doubts sneaking up on me. I had too much time to think.

It was official — I was moving back to Greendale. Without Trevor or Michael knowing. I can't take the stress anymore, along with the pain and suffering this separation was putting me through. The plane was leaving Friday at 6:30 AM, which was in two days.

When Trevor announced he was going to the funeral for Amanda, it killed me to know that Michael was there and that I could reunite with him.

But Trevor was eventually right — it was never meant to be. It was my own brother or an old crush that just lost his wife. The decision should be biased, but I couldn't make myself shake the fact that Michael was just part of my life now. Leaving him would almost be equivalent to leaving my heart behind.

My fingers tapped methodically against the sofa as I sat in deep thought, the soft pattering of rain on the tin roof like something repeatedly drumming their fingers against a door. My mind grew restless and desperate.

I needed to leave this place. For good.

From the ground to the counter, my eyes rested on a shiny, reflecting metal. A knife? What in the world is my brain thinking? I'm not going to kill myself. I'm going to wait two days, return to Greendale, and everything will be alright.

You can't keep telling yourself that, Danielle. My grimacing thoughts overtook the pleasing peaceful ones. Reassurance only gets you so far.

A chilling shiver ran up my back as the temptation for grabbing the knife increased, almost to the point where my hands were shaking nearly uncontrollably. I sort of hoped for Trevor to get home, it feels like I needed someone here.

I wish the plane was leaving now, and I was aboard. I love Michael but a question I've been wondering too much was how? I barely knew the guy but my heart decided to fall for him. What about him was so alluring, aside from his handsome looks? Is that all I really cared for?

Calling him was always an option, now that Trevor wasn't here. I want to hear his voice just one last time before I go. 

Shaking my head to get my attention away from the knife, I began to dig around for my phone. Trevor had hidden it but I relocated it after he left. You pick up a lot when you just lie on the couch all day.

My hands were even more unsteadier than I anticipated, and I nearly dropped my phone just trying to find Michael's contact. His contact image made my heart squeeze and made me even more eager to call him. I hit the green phone next to his number and ringing began to fill into my ears.

Ring.... ring.... ring....

"Hello..?" It was his voice. A voice of an angel. "Is that you, Danielle..?" He sounded just as shocked and broken as I was, but he had a real reason. Michael just attended his wife's funeral.

"M... Michael.." I gasped, so relieved and depressurized from hearing his voice. The ringing that was building up in my head began to dissipate and I relaxed into the sofa.

"It's so wonderful to hear from you."

"I know... I miss you so much."

"I would come pick you up but my dad and Trevor are here, plus I need to keep my eye on Franklin and Tracey... they're giving each other the hungry eyes."

I giggled a little -- the first time in what felt like forever. My laughter died as I began to realize that something was just missing. Something just was instantly cut. Something in his voice, something in my heart.

"Are you there..?" Michael worriedly asked, but I just stared forward, my heart filling with a dark void.

"I... need to go." I knew what I was going to do. There were earlier flights out of Los Santos, I just chose one on Friday so I had enough time to say goodbye to Michael.

"Dani, wait." Michael seemed to plead, as if he sort of already knew what I was planning. "Don't go... I can pick you up, we can drive around the island, we can escape Trevor and our lives for just a few hours..."

"Michael, look. I... just need to think."

"You just said you missed me."

"Something's..." I paused. Should I really tell him over the phone? 

"Something's what?"

"Something's missing... and it's awful." I tried to apologize, but my mouth couldn't form the words. What was happening? Did my doubts overrule my heart?

"Danielle, please don't hang up. I just really need someone to talk to."

I closed my eyes, biting my lip to release the stress. Tears fought in my throat but I refused to shed just one tear. "Fine... fine... pick me up the earliest you can. Today."

"Today." Michael repeated. "I'm leaving now."

Of course you are, a harsh part of my brain growled, making me want to slap myself. I'm going insane. I knew it.

"Sounds... good..." I awkwardly said, holding my breath a little.

What just happened? I'm sure Michael was wondering the same thing. It was like my heart had a switch and someone or something just turned it off. I couldn't feel the loving connection with Michael, or the pleading, desperate need to see him.

Michael didn't seem reassured but said a quick goodbye and hung up. I clenched my hands as I slowly set the phone down onto the side of the couch. Now what would I do for the next two hours...

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MICHAEL'S POV

Something was very wrong.

No one just instantly turns cold like that unless they were in a very dire situation. I needed to get to Trevor's trailer as quick as I could and help her. I knew she was planning something, I just didn't know what.

"Dad, where are you going?!" Tracey exclaimed angrily from behind me. 

Without turning around or stopping my strides, I gave her a simple reply, "I'll be back in a few."

"The funeral is still going--"

"No, it's just people standing around. I'll be back at the house before you know it." Half hoping everyone would just leave me alone, I began to jog the rest of the way to my car. I was clenching my jaw often from stress. My heart ached and my brain was fried. Along with the numbing pain in my cheek.

No one called after me, not even Franklin or Trevor. Which was good, I didn't and wouldn't talk to them anyway. I didn't really trust Franklin with Tracey alone, but the fact that my new love's life was possibly in jeopardy really motivated me more than my adult daughter hanging around with my friend.

There was still something awfully upsetting about her call. It was like something inside her suddenly was disconnected, and her voice turned monotonous. I was worried more than confused.

As I approached my car, I pulled my keys out of my pocket to unlock it. I saw Trevor walking down the sidewalk after me, which made me move faster.... way faster.

I slammed my door shut and lit the car's engine to life. I quickly backed out of my parking lot and sped off into a familiar direction I have drove several times before. I never really thought once that this would possibly be my last time I ever drove out here, especially if Trevor found out I was going to see his sister.

I shook off any chills that were creeping up my back by turning up the radio, which was playing West End Girls by Pet Shop Boys. I was off to see my love, which this story really kind of reminded me of Romeo and Juliet...