A Way to Yesterday

Chapter 23- Game On

Liam's POV:

Past.

After all the information Niall gave me I had a lot on my mind. If she really was seeing that doctor guy then she had moved on. But why would she tell me she didn't? She was never big on lying. At least back in college. But then again who knows, she changed so much.

My eyes kept moving to the clock on the wall by the TV. I knew she came in at 6:30 every day and she would check on me around 7. I needed to make things right. I was sick of fighting and I just wanted us to at least be friends. But was that even possible?

She said that she still loved me. I know that it's usually hard to be friends with an ex. But we didn't technically break up on normal terms. It's not like one of us cheated or lied. We just went our separate ways.

But the bigger question was: did I still love her? There was something there still I knew that much. But I had gotten over her. Mostly. When I met Arolyn she clouded those occasional thoughts about Cara. But it only lasted for a little while. Eventually memories would creep back into my mind and I would find myself comparing them.

There should be nothing to compare. Cara was my college girlfriend. Arolyn was my wife. I should love Arolyn more. But I didn't. Our relationship was rocky and tainted. But with Cara it was almost perfect. We hardly fought, we actually enjoyed being around each other and we could talk for hours about nothing and everything. I couldn't do any of that with Arolyn.

It suddenly dawned on me that I did still love her. I always have. But going through the comparisons in my head made it more clear. I had to make things right. My heart was with Cara but my mind was with Arolyn.

The time goes by slower, it seems, as I wait for seven to hit. I work out what to say to pass the time. Finally it's seven. I sit up slightly and watch the door anxiously. Five minutes pass and she still hasn't arrived. Then ten. Finally around fifteen minutes the door opens. My face falls when I notice it's not her.

"Evening Mr. Payne," it's him. The doctor from the elevator.

"Where's Dr. Kingston?" I ask. He looks up from my chart and smiles.

"No need to worry. She'll be back in a few days. But for the time being I'll be handling your case," he says.

"That's not what I asked," I say. He looks at me in surprise at my snappy tone.

"She's taking some time to herself. Like I said she'll be back in a few days," he says and smiles politely at me. I glare at him. He looks away from my burning glare but his smile doesn't falter. He looks back over my chart and then at me. "So. Liam. Can I call you Liam? How's the head feeling?"

"No. You may not. And it's feeling just fine," I say. He chuckles and sets the chart on the end of the bed. He moves next to me and takes out his stethoscope.

"Are you going to cooperate?" he asks. I shrug. He sighs and lets go of the stethoscope. He takes a deep breath and that annoying smile returns. "So you've heard? About me and Cara?"

"Yup," I say.

"Look. I know you still love her and all but she's moved on. And so have you. There's no point in chasing something that won't work. Now while she's gone you can either grow up and cooperate with me or you can continue being stubborn and stay in here longer. And trust me you don't want that. The food gets worse over time."

He stands there for a moment just staring at me. I don't answer him. I don't even look at him. He clears his throat and sits down on the edge of the bed.

"Listen. Cara trusts me to help you while she's gone and if I can't do that then she'll be mad at both of us. I'm sure you know how she is when she's mad. Cut me some slack," he pleads but not in a pleading way.

"Why should I?" I mumble.

"Because, at the moment, I'm the one who has to deal with all the trouble you've caused her. She's coming to me. Confiding in me. So I think that if you still care about her then you'll minimize the damage you'll cause in the future."

I want to argue my side but I can't. I know I've caused her problems since the accident. I've seen how upset she is every time she comes in my room. I see that she tries to play it off but to no avail. He's right. If I still cared about her then I'd get better and leave. There was no point in fighting or trying to do something that won't work.

I sigh and nod. He stands up and proceeds to checking my vitals and my wounds to assure that they're healing properly. I'm silent the whole time. All I could think now was that he was right. He was right. But I couldn't fully believe that.

Call me crazy but I felt that I came back into her life for a reason. There was a reason it was this hospital. There was a reason I moved back here. There was a reason my marriage has gone to shit. All these events led up to this. I knew that this was God's way of telling me to make things right this time.

He finished up checking me and took some notes on my chart. "Alright. Everything seems fine," he says and turns to leave. "Oh and thank you for cooperating Mr. Payne."

"No problem. But just so you know," he pauses in the doorway. " I don't give up that easily. Game on, Dr. Styles." He chuckles and turns back to me.

"Please, call me Harry," and with that, and that annoying smile of his he turns and leaves.

* * *

I had to admit I was pretty anxious. I needed Cara to come back now. I didn't know how long she'd be gone and that made the waiting feel even longer. And being alone didn't help. Luckily my mother came by around 7:30.

"Mom. I need help," I say.

"With what?" she asks.

"Do you remember Cara?" A look of surprise clouds her features.

"Cara? You're girlfriend from college?" I nod. "Of course I remember her. Why are you bringing her up?"

"Because I still love her," I say.

"Son. You haven't seen her in years," she reminds me. I sigh and shake my head.

"Mom. Sit please. I have to explain," I say. She sits down beside me and I start to tell her everything. Everything from how mine and Arolyn's relationship turned rocky to now about Zayn and Cara. I needed someone advice And who better to trust then my mom.

Arolyn's POV:

"He's fine mom. Just a little banged up but he should be out of here in a few weeks," I tell my worried mom over the phone.

"Well I'm glad to hear it," she says.

"Anyway I have to go visiting hours are almost over. Love you mom," I say.

"Love you too Arolyn," she replies and then I hang up. I shove my phone back in my purse and step on the elevator. I press the button for the doors to close before a lanky nurse can step on with me. I faintly hear him groan as the doors shut. Once the elevator hits the floor Liam's on I step off.

I stop just outside his room and hear hushed voices. I lean in and recognize one voice to be his and the others Karen's.

"I don't know what to tell you son. I guess the best advice would be do what you feel is best," Karen says.

"You're right. I think the best thing to do would be for me to leave Arolyn," Liam says. My world slows down and my heart speeds up. My vision turns red. Leave me? He can't leave me. Instead of going inside and demanding him to stay with me I leave.

I needed to come up with a plan and fast.