The Stepbrother's Girl

Chapter 20:: Not So Sunny

::Blake's POV:: At the Condo
*Picture is of Catalina*

"I can't change the fact... that you're leaving. And I don't want to lose you. But I have no choice." I say clenching my teeth together in rage. I can't take this right now I can't deal with losing her. I need to escape this. I put the jeep in reverse and back out of the condos gravel driveway leaving a cloud of dust and the woman I love behind with it.

I cry. I just cry and I hit the steering wheel as hard as as I can over and over again until I can't see her anymore. With tears rolling down my cheeks I pick a cigarette out of the console and light it. I puff on it as my nerves begin to calm as my chest begins to tighten. I can't believe I left her. I'll go back after I get a few drinks. Maybe we can talk and figure things out... why won't she run away with me doesn't she love me like I love her?

That's selfish. For me to ask her to drop her life and leave with a nobody like me. I wipe the thought away with the tears as I slick my hair back with my fingers and pull into the beachside bar. I park in the back as I get out and walk up to the bar. I let my hair fall over my face to cover my swollen cheeks from crying. I sit at one of the bar stools and wait for the bartender to take my order. I wish she was here. I wish I could hold her in my arms as we watch the sunset. I wish I could kiss her under the stars as the waves crash on the sand.

"What can I get ya?" A female voice brings me out of my trail of thought. I come back to reality as I understand it's the bartender. I look at her as I take in her features. She's mixed, she seems to have vitiligo, she has long curly brown hair and chestnut brown eyes. Her smile was warm and reminded me of my moms somehow.
"Rum and coke double shot, and two shots of gin." I say trying not to make eye contact.
"I would ask who hurt you but I can see it's you that's hurting you." She scoffs as she begins to make my order.

I stay silent as I take in what she said. I hurt me? Fuck. I left her there in tears because I couldn't handle facing things. I am the reason I'm hurting. After my drink I'm going to make things right, I just need extra confidence.

She sits my drink in front of me as I down the rum and coke in one go.
She smiles, "Go big or go home."
She pulls a smirk out of me as I down my other two shots sending fire down my throat causing me to groan.
"What's your name you're not from around here are you?" She says as she begins to pour me another shot of gin. "Don't worry, this one's on me."

I look at the shot glass as I can't turn down a good shot, I throw it back.
"I'm not." I say causing her lips to tug into a smirk.
"He speaks." She laughs as she continues, "Touring alone?"
My heart pounds as it twists in pain.
"I'll take another."
She pours me another as I down it.

My vision is becoming blurred as my thoughts are becoming hazy. Aria... I just need her. I never meant to hurt her. God I never want her to hurt.
"So who's driving you home? If you're all alone?" She asks concerned.
"I'm fine. I actually could use another."
She obliges as she does her job and pours my drink. I take it as the fire enters my throat once more but it doesn't burn anymore because I've successfully managed to numb myself for the time being.

"Then I take it you're going to be hanging around for a while?" She says as she begins to wipe clean wet glasses.
"What's it to you?" I say coldly.
"I worry about my patrons safety this is my bar."
I look at the name of the bar as I notice the name, Catalina's Cantina.
"My name is Catalina, it's nice to meet you." Her arm extends to shake my hand as I oblige and shake her hand.
"Blake.... ever ruin things so bad that you can't undo it?" I say trauma dumping instantly regretting it but also not caring.
"I, I've had my fair share of bad situations so yes. But I always follow my heart and try to do the right thing." She says softly reminding me of Aria.

My jaw clenches as I realize my brain is way too dazed for conversation right now. I pull out my wallet, "I'm ready for my bill."
"How about, you help me with trash and with a little task and we can call it fair."
I scoff at her bargain, "Who said I didn't have money?" I hiccup from intoxication as she giggles causing me to make a sour face causing her to giggle more.

"I'll show you where the garbage cans are and once the trash is done I'll tell you what the task is." She says as she throws me a pair of gloves and a roll of trash bags. I frown as I accept the job she's giving me because she's also sort of right I am a little too incoherent to drive right now. Once I'm done I'll go home and make things right with Aria. Maybe she'll understand me more. Maybe I'll understand her more...

I pack trash into bags, as I put all the bags of trash from the bar into the cart and pack it. Once I have it all packed she guides me to the big trash bin and we dispose of it. As we're walking the trash cart back she begins conversation.
"You know I usually have to do it all myself so you really helped me a lot thank you."
"No problem. So what's the other task?"
She folds her hands together in the begging style as she makes puppy dog eyes.
"Can you give me your number?" She smiles innocently.
"I uh- I."
"If that's too much I understand, also if you needed a tour guide or anything I could help you in that area too." She says sweetly.
"If I need a tour guide you'll be my go to gal." I smile at her. She has this sweet innocence that reminds me of Aria... I needs to make things right.

Catalina waves me goodbye as I disappear into the sunset off to make things right with the woman I love. I go to look for my phone as I realize I can't find it, I must've left it at the condo. I'll be there soon no worries. After about 15 minutes of driving in silence listening to nature of the beach, I arrive at the condo. God I hope she's not still crying, I hate seeing her cry. I park the jeep as I walk up the steps. Silence. Not a creek in the wood not a light on. My chest begins to feel tight as I open the door to an empty room vacant of life. My heart begins to fall as I go to find my phone. I find it by the bed as I pick it up.

2 Missed Calls

I click to look at who called me, and one is Aria and the other Levi. Two voicemails. One from both of them. I open and listen to Aria's message first.

"If you're listening that's good. If you're not that's fine too. Blake I just want you to know that... that you're right. We can't change what is chosen for us. I was always told that... that I shouldn't give my heart entirely to a guy. But I did. Ever since the day that you're stupid ass... burned your hand, to the time you got beat up for me, Blake, I loved you. I will never forget you. But I don't want you strung over me. I want you to move on. I love you."

My heart breaks. I did this. This is all my fault. I begin to cry as I open Levi's message.

"I went and got Aria, you know if you would just stop ruining her trust and breaking her heart she would be happier. You burn everything you touch maybe you should just leave her alone and let her move on. I'm tired of wiping her tears away caused by you. Hope you have a good trip Blake."

My veins run hot as I chunk my phone across the room and slam my hands on my head. Levi came and got her? The anger begins to leave as sadness floods my mind and eyes. I cry as I fall back onto the bed and just lay there and cry. He's right, I don't deserve Aria. She deserves to be happy.