One of the Good Ones ✓

A Step Back

"Thank you, for taking him." I tell Scott the following morning when he comes to pick up Dodger.

"Yeah, it's no problem. What happened?" He cuts straight to the point.

I sigh. "Nothing." He gave me a look. "Fine. We got into a bit of a tiff last night... about Tara."

Scott sighs and rolls his eyes. "What did she do?"

"She had come over yesterday, saying that she was worried about Dodger since Chris hadn't called her to ask if she could watch him and she knew he was out of town. But that wasn't the issue. After I assured her he was fine, she decided to tell me that your dad was right and that I'd never be able to fit into Chris's life. I may have bit back a little hard and apparently she blew it out of proportion with Chris and now he's upset with me. I tried to explain what really happened but he wouldn't believe me, so I think it's time for a break. I can't be with someone who won't believe me. I didn't have a say in it when I was younger but I'm stronger now." I didn't mean to start crying about it, but somewhere in my explanation, I did.

Scott gives me a hug. "Sometimes, my brother is an idiot. Especially when it comes to Tara. I'm not saying it's an excuse, it's just how it's always been. But Lexi, he really likes you. I've already told you this."

"I can't do this Scott. I've grown to be too dependent upon him. I... I can't get hurt again. Maybe it's for the best." I say and walk up my stairs, Moose following close behind. I stand outside my bedroom door until I hear the door click shut behind Scott, the lock moving into place. Only when he's pulled out from the drive, do I allow myself to break down.

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*Scott's POV*

I get home and let Dodger into the backyard before I pull my phone out and call Chris. "Hey man, what's up?" He asks when he answers.

"You need to come home." I say shortly.

"Why? Is the family ok?" He asks worriedly.

"The family is fine Chris. Lexi, your girlfriend, is not."

"What's wrong?! Did her stepfather get to her?"

"No, you idiot. You did!"

"What?"

"You didn't bother to ask her what happened with Tara? Get her side of it?" The silence that met me on the other end told me everything I needed to know. "Listen, she'd hate me for telling you this, but she's talking about taking a step back. She's worried that she became too dependent on you and now she's retreating. You need to figure this shit out if you don't want to lose her." I say before hanging up, hoping that my intervention would do some good.

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*Chris's POV*

I let out a deep sigh as Scott hung up. I had already known I messed up but Scott calling to confirm it hadn't helped matters. I knew I needed something big in order to make this up to her. And I knew just what I wanted to do.

I grab my phone, dialing Megan's number. "Hey, I need your help with something."