Fools

Part 35

later that same night, cate's p.o.v;

We just finished wrapping up the day at Zoe's, Lilah's sitting in the car as I finish talking to Zoe, then we'll be heading back to the house. We have to return to University tomorrow, like I said I've never been more ready to finish this weekend and just return home. Lilah and I really didn't talk much from the hotel I guess. We settled that like we do have feelings for each other and it's not like it was awkward after what we did. I like the way we're moving but at this point I want to ask her for us to make it official, so my like main thing is if she wants the speed we're going or if we could change it up a bit. There's just no reason why we shouldn't be together but at the same time, I just really want to wrap up these hardships with Joe before anything.

"Thank you guys so much for coming. I know it wasn't the exact weekend you had planned but I hope today brightened it up a bit for you." Zoe said and gave me a hug.
"It did, trust me, it was such a needed girl time." She smiled. "Do you think I should talk to him again before I leave? He messaged me before we came here that he wanted to before I went back and I said I would, but I'm conflicted." I asked, she shrugged.
"I don't know, I mean since you did tell him that you would, I guess yeah talk to him. If you end up changing your mind, don't just leave him hanging and then just wait till it settles down more and you're comfortable. I'm going to talk to him after you guys leave so either let me know when you're on the road or back on campus." I nodded. "Maybe after he has a talk with me, and he gets a better mindset, it'll be a well worth conversation, but it's up to you."
"Yeah I mean,"
"And I know he's my brother but you don't really owe him anything right now. The least he can do is try to talk with you, so get to the house but wait for him to bring it up, don't go out of your way to make a conversation that he initiated happen." I nodded. I smiled then gave Zoe one last hug.
"I'll see you soon okay? I love youu." We pulled away and she smiled.
"Love you lots and tell Lilah it was good to meet her again." I walked to the car door and grabbed the handle.
"I will!" I got into the car and we started backing out of her driveway, we all waved and then I left.

an hour later, joe's p.o.v;

I kept checking the time on my phone. I didn't know when Cate got back today but I know this was her last day, I want to talk to her but as more time passes, I'm getting anxious by the second. I still love her, I truly fucked up the relationship we had and I know only time can heal it but I just hope the things I say during this talk reach her and let her know how truly sorry I really am.

A couple more minutes passed by, I finally heard them walk through the door. I got up from my bed and walked out into the living room to greet them, I know I need to be a bigger person and put somethings aside, I can't keep going on being cold to her or even Lilah. Cate held out her arms and I went in to give her a hug. She held me kind of tight, I didn't even mind cause I needed this hug more than she knew. After we let go, I saw Lilah standing there smiling at us, I went in to give her a hug too.

"I just want to apologize," I started once we pulled away, everyone was looking at me, I could tell Caspar was happy that I was saying something finally. "It's been hard for me to deal with everything these last couple of weeks, months, I don't even know but that's besides the point. Um, I truly just want to say that I'm glad you guys are together, if you are or aren't, I'm glad you guys have each other and you've been looking out for Cate. I'm happy for you guys and I just want to put these differences behind us, live in the moment and be a family again. The way I acted is inexcusable and I know I could never make up for the emotion I caused everyone, but I am sorry. I shouldn't have called you out of your name, said any of those hurtful things cause you or Cate didn't deserve them, and I don't even know you like that to speak out. So I hope with that being said, we can start fresh." I saw everyone smile which made me smile, my heart is beating out of my chest but I'm glad I got that part off my chest.
"I really appreciate that Joe. I'll do my best to make sure Cate's alright when we aren't here, you have my word. I do definitely want to start fresh and get to know you more, you're important to Cate and this family you guys have is important to her so it's important to me." Lilah said with a smile, I smiled back and hugged her one more time.
"Would you like to talk now?" I turned and asked Cate, she smiled and nodded. We walked out of the living room, walked out to the front porch and sat down on the steps.

"Thank you for that." She began, she put her hand on my knee, we both smiled. "I know that took a lot to say."
"Yeah, it did but I know it was the right thing to do. I couldn't let you guys leave without clearing the air, especially with Lilah. I know you guys are obviously seeing each other,  and to start to be okay with it, making amends was the first step." I told her, she nodded.
"You know I'll always care about you Joe, right?" I nodded back. "What we had might not have been true true love, but I definitely felt something for you and I probably always will. And if we are meant to be together, we will find our way back someday. But for now, I'm going to try with Lilah and try being more interactive with you, being supportive, as your friend." This didn't hurt as bad as I thought, I definitely prepared myself so much for this conversation that I expected what she would say to me. "I will always, always cherish the times we spent together through this time, I'll look back at them here and there if I ever need a laugh." I smiled. "But most importantly, I just want you to take care of yourself Joe. You really scared a lot of people with the way you've been handling things, not saying it's not valid, I totally understand why and where you were coming from. But I just don't want your drinking habits to get even worse to where you can't even come back from it. I'm worried, Zoe's worried, Caspar, Ollie, we're all worried because we care so much about you Joe." I sighed.
"I know Cate, today is a new day for me, I'm going to work on getting better. I didn't know Zoe knew, but I am going to talk to her because I know how she gets. I can't thank you guys enough for just caring about me, it means more than you'll ever know to know that I have people around me that love and support me." She smiled and grabbed my hand, I squeezed her hand. "I do still love you Cate." She looked at the ground for a second, then back up at me. "And I know I always will. I want you more than ever now, but I'm happy for you and I'm not going to impose on what you have, all I want is for you to be happy even if it's not with me. I do hope one day you come back, but if things are working out for you and her, don't be afraid to share that with me. I'm going to try to move on myself, not with another person but just with myself, I need some time alone from relationships and focus on my own mental health." She smiled again. "I love you, and I'll love you from afar, just please don't shut me out, I'm here for you, I promise." She started tearing up.
"I love you Joe. I'll be here for you too." I wiped a tear from her face, I kissed her forehead then pulled her in for a hug. We hugged for a second before she looked up at me, I looked at her and smiled, she was just looking at me.
"You okay?" I asked, she nodded.
"Could we have one last kiss? A kiss goodbye rather." She asked, my heart started beating fast again.
"Are you sure?" She nodded again, I smiled. I tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear like I used to, just to remember how it felt to initiate the kiss. I smiled again, then cupped her face and planted my lips on hers. It wasn't a quick kiss, it was for a couple seconds. I could feel the passion coming from both of us as we took the feeling of the kiss all in cause we knew it'd be our last for a while. A tear from her face fell down on my cheek, I felt tears coming in my eyes now ugh. We pulled away and then I wrapped her into another hug.

"It's not a goodbye kiss, it's more of a see you later." I said. I could see her smile from the corner of my eye.
"Yes. Till we meet again Joe."

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