Starting Over

chapter twenty-two

Brody

I was exhausted by the time I climbed into bed at nearly 1am this morning.

But I don't care. All I care about is the woman sleeping in my bed right now. My heart broke when I entered Scarlett's apartment last night, seeing her curled up in a ball, sobbing.

I don't know what happened last night but I'm hoping she will be able to fill me in today. I left her sleeping when I snuck out of bed this morning, quickly taking Colby for a walk.

Instead of his usual happy self, Colby was waiting outside my bedroom door when I woke, almost as if he knew Scar was in there upset.

The light patter of rain hits the window in the kitchen, where I'm currently stood, making us some coffee. It's nearly midday now so I need to wake Scarlett up, she needs to eat something.

Stepping into my bedroom quietly, I place our mugs down as I perch on the bed. I see Scar is awake but she just lays there, silent.

"Colby."

He enters the room and jumps up onto the bed, laying his head across Scarlett's hip as she lays on her side.

"Hi." She whispers to him, giving him a pat on his head.

"You sleep okay?" I ask her, careful not to upset her again.

Fuck, I never want to see a tear shed from her eyes again.

"I think so."

"I brought you coffee."

She twists her body carefully to sit up, before taking the mug from my hands. She takes a sip, closing her eyes as she lets the warm coffee run down her throat.

"How about you take a shower and I'll prepare us some food?"

"I'm not really hungry." She stares down to her mug, her voice coming out all raspy.

"I know baby but you need to eat something. I'm going to cook for me and maybe you can eat something small."

She nods.

"Actually, how about you jump in the tub instead?"

"Okay."

~

It's reaching 3pm in the afternoon and Scarlett has taken another nap on the cosy corner chair with Colby by her side. He hasn't let her out of his sight all day, like he knows something is wrong and needs to comfort her. Dogs are smart like that.

She's barely spoke to me all day, she ate some eggs earlier,  well pushed them around her plate before she managed to put a tiny amount in her mouth. My stomach is in knots of what could have happened last night.

I notice Scarlett waking up as I squat down next to the chair.

"Hey baby, you had a little nap." I pat Colby's head as it lays on Scar's thigh.

"Hi-" She turns to sit upright on the chair and faces me. "Do you think Charlotte and Justin can come over? I want to tell you all together so you all know what is going on."

I gulp, this is the first she has mentioned last night. I want to know of course, but at the same time whatever has happened, I don't want Scar to end up in the place she was last night when I found her curled up on her bed.

"Of course. I'll give them a call now."

"Maybe I can take Colby for a walk on the beach?"

"Yeah sure, let me grab a jacket-"

"Alone. Sorry, can I take him alone?"

"Oh, yeah sure."

My chest tightens, I really hope she is okay. I just want to be there for her.