Stuck in the Middle of it

Part 3

Ben held you as you sobbed into his chest. You'd stopped crying long enough for him to guide you to his couch before you had broken down again. He hated seeing you like this and a twinge of guilt shot through him at the knowledge that he was somewhat to blame for this. The last time he'd witnessed you cry was the day he'd ended things all those years ago, and it hadn't been this bad.

Six years earlier...

You'd not been all that surprised when Ben had called and said that you needed to talk.

Things have been strained for a few months. Your sex life had all but fizzled out. You could pinpoint the moment things had started to fall apart almost down to the second. You'd been at dinner and had brought up the future. You'd asked him what he wanted and he told you he didn't know before asking you. You'd told him that you wanted to get married, have kids and buy a house... He'd been off after that.

Your stomach was still twisting in painful knots though as you waited for that inevitable knock on the door. It came around half an hour later and when you'd opened the door, you knew what you feared was true.

Sitting down at your table, he took your hands in his and sighed, trying desperately to find the right words.

"I think we both know this ain't workin' anymore." He started, eyes drifting up to yours that were filling with tears rapidly "I've been thinking about what we talked about the other day and the truth is... I don't want any of that stuff right now." He confessed and you let out a choked sob.

"I don't want to waste your time baby." He continued, giving your hands a gentle squeeze "I don't want those things now... but I'm also not sure I'm ever going to want them."

You nodded numbly, knocking a few tears loose.

"Then I think it's best we end this." You managed to say before you choked on a sob.

You paused a moment so you could compose yourself before letting out a shaky breath and continuing.

"I love you, Benjamin Miller." You stated firmly "But I don't love you enough to give up my dreams."

Ben's own tears were falling now and as he brought your knuckles to his lips, he placed a soft kiss there before he spoke.

"I love you too Moonshine." He stated "But I think you're right... I just- I Hope we can remain friends."

"Sure Ben." You replied, knowing in your heart of hearts that you'd lose touch eventually "We can stay friends."

Present day...

"I don't understand it." You managed to say as you pulled yourself back so you could wipe your tears with your sleeve "We were perfect! I even met his daughter. We were talking about the future and then suddenly... He's breaking things off."

"Fish had to have a good reason," Ben said, hoping to gauge whether you knew any semblance of the truth.

"He just said he couldn't tell me why." You replied sadly and Ben felt his guilt grow.

Frankie hadn't told you.

"This hurts so much Ben." You sobbed and he sighed, pulling you into his arms again.

"I know." He soothed "But it will get easier."

"No." You replied, shaking your head "I'm in love with him." You confessed and Ben's stomach sank "I don't if I'll ever get over this."

"You got me Moonshine." He said softly, placing a kiss in your hair "I'll help you get through this."

You nodded numbly, whispering your thanks as you held onto him tighter. You were relieved, somewhat, that through this heartbreak, you'd not lost Ben. You liked having him back in your life again and knowing that despite his best friend breaking up with you, he was willing to stick around brought you comfort.