Letters from the Heart

Chapter 4

Danny’s POV

            The way Tom acted when I first told them about Kyle made me worry about how they would treat her when I wasn’t around. I know none of them would be outright mean to her, but I was really hoping they would make her feel welcome. Right away after our conversation I had to leave to check in on my guitars, so I wasn’t able to tell how it would go.

            When I came back, Dougie was sitting on the couch and talking with her. Awesome. At least I knew he was being good to her. Harry was across the room, and he motioned me over.

            “What’s up, Harry?”

            He looked around before saying, “Tom’s really not happy Kyle’s here.”

            I sighed. “What happened?”

            “I tried convincing him to at least go introduce himself. He really didn’t want to, but he did. I saw that Kyle initiated, and then Dougie had to act as mediator. Tom wasn’t there three minutes before he left again. We tried, man. I just don’t think he likes her.”

            “Thanks, Harry. I’ll go have a talk with him.”

            “Really means a lot to you, huh?”

            I glanced over at her and smiled. “After everything, I’m finally having a good time with a girl again. A really, really good time. I dunno if I’ll see her after tomorrow, but I’ve realized I’m finally over it all.”

            “Good, Danny. I’m really glad.” He clapped a hand on my shoulder and smiled before walking off. Tom was over by the door looking at his phone.

            “Tom, what is your problem with Kyle?” I asked him, trying to keep my voice level. He looked up at me and slipped his phone into his pocket. “It’s like you’ve disliked her from the moment you walked in the room.”

            “My problem is that she’s here. You don’t need this right now.”

            “I don’t need this or you don’t need this?” I looked over at Kyle and Dougie. She was watching us. I didn’t want her to see Tom and I fight cause I knew she would know it was about her. I nodded my head towards the door and Tom followed me out. “Look, Tom, I know we’ve both had problems with girls recently, but I’ve finally gotten over Ruby. I’m not asking or expecting you to heal at the same pace as me, just please don’t take it out on Kyle. She hasn’t done anything.”

            “Danny, she looks like Leah! Why did you have to choose someone that looks like Leah?!”

            I leaned over to look through the doorway. Kyle was talking to Harry. She saw me looking so she waved. I smiled, waved, and leaned back. “I don’t really see it, Tom. I’m sorry, but I don’t.” He stepped around me and looked through the doorway. He stood there for a good long moment before turning back to me.

            He sighed. “I don’t either, now.” He looked away and bit at his lip a couple times.

            “It’s okay, dude. No worries.”

            “Before we came here, I was thinking about her. How can I still love her, but hate her at the same time? She’s such a bitch, but a part of me still loves her. And it kills me.” He sighed again. “I guess when I came here, and saw you on the couch with Kyle, I was still thinking about Leah. And then what Ruby said popped into my head.”