Star Crossed

Anna-Leigh

There are moments when you know not to say or do something, but you do it anyway. That was one of those moments. 

I wanted to hurt him but all I did was anger him. I wish I knew what to say to hurt him because I would say it over and over. 

Instead, I'm sitting in the church trying to act nice with my father. I was already on edge today agreeing to let Gavin and his son come. Then my father shows up. 

"Why are you really here?" I sigh looking at him.

"I told you. We were together for fifteen years; it was the right thing." He grumbles. 

"I know about the affair." I state. Watching his eyes widen. 

"How?" He asks.

"I've always known." I scoff.

"I left so they could be together. I don't know what happened." He mutters rubbing his chin.

Tears fill my traitorous eyes. 

"She chose you." I state. 

"It was too late Anna." He sighs.

"I know." I nod. Turning away from him.

"Was she in pain?" He asks. 

"She was on morphine." I shrug.

"I called you because I knew she'd want to see you over me." He admits. I laugh hoarsely.

"Why didn't you take me with you?" I ask what I wondered the last ten years.

"A lady needs her mother. I thought she would get her shit together." He sighs.

"I needed a parent. It didn't matter if it was her or you." I snort.

"Your mother broke my fucking heart. I turned into the worst type of man there is." He shakes his head in shame.

"Whatever." I mutter stabbing my fork into my salad. 

"What's happening with the house?" He asks.

"It's getting torn down."

"Thank god." He mutters making me laugh. 

"I went to see Matt." I admit making his brows furrow. 

"Why?" He asks.

"I had to tell him she didn't love him." I shrug. 

"But at one point she loved him enough to risk everything Anna-Leigh. That still counts." He sighs. I see the pain in his eyes. 

"Love's a facade." I sigh. 

"You love your music."

"That's different." I argue.

"How so?" He muses.

"It just is." I shrug.

"I don't think so. I knew you'd be great one day. Music is a part of who you are. It doesn't make you the person that you are though. Love is complicated."

"Are you in love?" I question, searching his face. 

"Love isn't in the cards for me anymore. I'm old." He muses making me roll my eyes. 

"You have some years on you." It's true. The ten years away from us did well for him. He looks healthy, the complete opposite of my mother in her last days. 

"Don't close yourself off from love. That would be a tragedy." He says standing up. I watch him walk over to Liam and sit. 

Syd sits beside me and sighs.

"What?" I ask glancing at her. 

"Can't we take Luke with us?" She sighs dreamily making me laugh. 

"He would hate it." I laugh. Nodding she sits up straight.

"How are you doing?" She questions. 

"Okay." I nod. "Actually, I have something to do. Are you okay?" I ask standing.

"Sure." She nods watching me with curiosity. I grab my bag and head to the car. Laying ym head on the steering wheel while indecision wars inside me. 

The car door opens and closes, and I look up confused. 

"What are you doing?" I demand.

"Where are you going?" Gavin asks not looking at me.

"To get some air." 

He looks at me ridiculously and I sigh staring out the windshield.

"I have something that I need to do." 

"Now?" He asks picking his fingernails. 

"If not now than when?" I ask. 

"You don't have to do this." He says softly. 

"You don't know what you're talking about." I grit out.

"Will it change anything? Seeing him?" He asks closing his eyes. 

"I don't know but it can't hurt me anymore." I sigh. 

"Then let's go." This surprises me but I start the car and reverse out of the parking lot. 

The ride is silent and tense. I wonder how he knew what I was doing to begin with. 

When we pull up outside the suns about to set. Getting out of the car I enter the building with him hot on my heels. I know I will lose my nerve if I wait any longer. 

I go through the same process as before but don't have to wait half as long. 

I'm taken to the same room as the other day. I sit in the chair and wait. When the door opens, I lose my breath. Chris looks completely unfazed to see me. 

I feel Gavin tense beside me but ignore him. 

When the guard leaves Chris sneers at me. 

"Hello again Anna-Leigh." 

"Christopher." I state calmly even if I feel anything but.

"What a pleasant surprise. Actually, I was just talking to my lawyer about being paroled next year." He grins and it sends a shiver down my spine.

"They'll never let you out." Gavin growls.

"Buddy, they will." He chuckles leaning back like it's a game.

"You'll die first." Gavin threatens.

"You don't scare me. After all, you believed me once before." He points at me making my stomach roll. "How was it?" He cocks a brow at me.

I meet his gaze and glare.

"You can't tell me you don't remember. All. Night. Long." Bile rises in my throat. "You didn't think it was just the one time, right?" He cackles. 

"You're disgusting." I spit. 

"My bad. You cried for Gavin each time I thrusted into you." He laughs so hard he coughs. 

"You fucking piece of shit." Gavin growls. I grab his arm to stop him from jumping over the table. 

That's what he wants. Sighing I stand up. Calling for the guard. 

His laughter booms through the entire time we walk out of the building. 

"He won't see the light of day again." I tell Gavin. He's so pissed he's shaking. 

We climb into the car and his breaths come out angry. Furrowing my brow, I turn to him. 

"Why did you come?" I ask.

"I thought it would help me." He grits out closing his eyes tightly. 

"What happened to you was a year ago, still fresh. You weren't ready." I state firmly.

"And you were?" He chokes.

"Did I get what I came for? No. But I don't regret my decision." I admit. Starting the car and heading home. The rides tense before he speaks again. 

"Tell me what you remember from that night."