my salvation (chris evans)

chapter two - mothers know best

Chris's POV
After roughly six hours of travelling, I'm finally back home in Boston. It's great to be home, but I miss Meg too much to be excited. My mom picks me and Dodger up from the airport and I give her a tight hug.

"You look tired, Chris." She tells me, as I lug my suitcase into the trunk. Dodger hops in the back seat.

"Yeah, it was a long flight. Takes it out of you." I answer with a weak smile, before we hop into the car. She smiles softly and starts the engine. I drop my head against the window.

"So Meg's back home then?" I nod gently.

"Yeah, she got home while I was still in LA."

"Is she okay?"

"Yeah... at least, I think she is. We didn't really get a chance to talk much..."

"And are you okay?"

"Hm, sure. Why wouldn't I be?" I lie, glancing over at her. She gives me that look, raising her eyebrows and I smile a little, glancing down at my lap. I fiddle with my hands and take a deep breath. "I think I've made a big mistake, mom."

"With Meg?" I nod gently.

"I don't think I should have let her get on that plane."

"You miss her?"

"Like crazy."

"Do you wish you asked her to come back here with you?" She asks me and I'm hesitant at first. I look back at her.

"Do you think I should have?" She smiles a little.

"I can't answer that, Chris."

"Why not?"

"Because only you can answer it. And I think you know that. It doesn't matter what I think you should have done. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks you should have done. What matters is what you think you should have done. Do you think you made the right choice?"

"I don't know. I thought I did when we were talking about the next step. But then the closer it got to her actually leaving... then when we were saying goodbye at the airport — I wanted to ask her to come back with me so bad."

"So why didn't you?"

"Because I was scared. I thought it was too reckless. I mean, we've only known each other for less than month. How could I possibly ask her to up and move her entire life half way across the world?" My mom smiles weakly, nodding.

"So what's made you second guess yourself now?" She quizzes and I sigh deeply, leaning my head against the headrest.

"The way I felt when we were saying goodbye. It's never been that hard, mom. As soon as she left I felt so... empty. I'm an independent guy, you know that, but it feels different this time. I don't know what to do with myself. My anxiety is taking over. I'm over-thinking the what ifs. I keep thinking about her first and last relationship — that was long distance and it didn't work out. And they were in the same country." I state, sighing again. "I mean, she didn't actually really fancy him. She only saw him as a friend and that's why they ended, but..."

"Why don't you ask her now?"

"I can't. It's done now. I can't just... ask her to change her entire life for me. To pack up and move here. She's so close to her mom. I don't think she'd want to leave her. And then there's her dogs and her friends and everything. She'd have to give up everything. And then what if I freak out because of it? You know what I've been like in the past... I don't like my partners adopting my entire life... I like my space. It's just... it feels different with Meg. I don't know how to explain it."

"Then you've got a very big decision to make." I nod gently. "Long distance wouldn't be the end of the world. Especially just for a little while. I think Meg is crazy about you, and you're clearly crazy about her, so there's no reason it wouldn't work." I smile weakly and nod.

"Yeah... I guess you're right."

"Just have a think about it. Don't forget, it's still technically only day one. Of course it's going to be hardest now, but I'm sure it'll get a bit easier once you get in a routine." I nod again.

Soon enough, we arrive back at my place and my mom helps me bring my stuff in. After we say our goodbyes, I give Meg a call. Within a few rings, she answers.

"Hey..." She says softly.

"Hey, you." I answer with a small smile. "I've just got back home."

"Ah, good... how was your f-flight?"

"Yeah, it was alright. Long and tiring." She let's out a weak laugh.

"Yeah, tell mmme about it. It's horrid."

"How you doing?"

"Yeah, I'm okay... how about you?"

"Me too... yeah. Just tired, really."

"Early night then tonight." I let out a weak laugh.

"Yeah, definitely. Be right out. I think Dodger is tired too. He's collapsed straight onto his bed." I say with a laugh, watching Dodger. Meg laughs too.

"Awww he's a cutie-pie. B-Bet he's glad to be home."

"I think he is, yeah. Back in the east."

"Bless him."

"What are you doing?" I ask curiously, desperate to stay on the line, crashing on the sofa.

"Nothing really... I was j-just listening to m-music before you called."

"Ah, what angry band have you got on?" I tease and she laughs, making me smile a little.

"Hot M-Mulligan."

"Back at it with the weird names."

"You l-love it." She jokes and now I'm the one laughing.

"Yeah, maybe I do. I actually listened to The Front Bottoms on the plane home." I tell her and she gasps.

"No you di'nt!?" I laugh again.

"No, I did, I swear! It really confused my Apple Music." She laughs again.

"Should get Sp-Spotify. So much better." She jokes and I chuckle.

"Mmmm, whatever you say."

"Yup, I do say so." I smile widely.

"I miss you so much, Meg." I breathe out.

"I m-miss you too, Chris..."

"Can we Skype later? I wanna see you."

"If you must." She jokes with an awkward laugh.

"I definitely must. I'm having Meg-withdrawal." I pout and she laughs again.

"Shuu'uup..." She mumbles and I can sense she's blushing, which makes my smile widen.

"It's true. I miss that face."

"You weirdo."

"You're not wrong. But I'm not weird for missing seeing you." I point out and it's silent for a moment.

"I miss s-seeing you too."

"See, so a Skype call is perfect. Can see each other's beautiful faces." Again, she laughs.

"When do you want to do it then?"

"Well, honestly right now. But I definitely need a shower first. How about in an hour?"

"Yeah, s-sounds good. Can't wait."

"Me either. I might scream." She laughs.

"Stop being an idiot." I smile and laugh.

"I'm not! It's true. It's been a rough few hours."

"Tell me about it." She mumbles and my smile starts fading. Fuck. I should have asked her to come back with me. Begged her. "So... see you in an hour then?"

"Yes. Absolutely. Sharpish."

"Okay... see you then..."

"Bye, Meg..."

"Bye..." I hesitantly end the call, sighing deeply.