Unchained Heart

Chapter 16

I felt like I was sitting in a makeshift therapy session. Laying on the couch still clutching my ice pack Andre sat at the end of the couch and put my legs on his lap. Prince was still slumped over in the chair like a baby and his dad was sitting in one of the kitchen chairs next to him blocking the front door so that none of us would try to make a break for it if thugs got too heated. My mom sat in another kitchen chair across from the sofa I was laying on staring hard at my face. I could feel her eyes without even knowing if she was looking her direction. It was almost disturbing in a way but at the same time I did t really care too much. I just wanted to be as far away from Prince as possible. I was still fuming from everything that had happened between us and the anger that I thought I beat out of him I still managed  to hold onto. My mom let out a deep sigh and I could see her from the corner of my eye leaning forward and shifting herself up in a position to try to understand both sides of our "disagreement".

  "Now what exactly is going on with you Regan? I've never seen you this upset since you said Morris tried to drown you at camp." My mom said trying not to laugh.

  "Gee Ma I really don't know! Why don't you ask the long haired cheating asshole over there." I huffed looking up at the ceiling.

  "Regan! Not cool!" Prince said to me.

  "Yeah inner it ain't! Asshole." I hissed.

  "You're gonna stop calling me names girl!"

  "And your gonna stop being a cheater!"

  "It's not considered cheating if we didn't do anything! Stop being so damn insecure!"

I threw the ice pack off of my chest nearly missing Andre by two inches. Standing up quickly I almost charged him again but I felt someone pulling me backwards back on the couch.

  "You thinking my screwing Andre! You've got some nerve calling me insecure nerd!"

  "You kissed him!"

  "Yeah I kissed him but that was only because it was in the moment! I didn't blatantly start ignoring phone calls and seeing one of my employees now did I?"

  "What makes you think in seeing her? Shes a 16 year old dancer! I'm not stupid Regan stop treating me like I'm supposed to be there for you 24/7!"

  "You're my man Prince! What did you think that I was just gonna be ok with you sleeping with every girl with a pretty face? If anything you think I'm the stupid one!"

  "I never once thought you were stupid mouse you know that!"

  "DO I REALLY????"

  "You should! I'm your man! Remember?

  "You were but not anymore."

The room got quiet. Me and Prince looked at each other but our feeling for each other were definitely different. Prince looked like I had really did a number to his heart just now.

  "So what are you saying Regan? Are you ending it with me?" Prince asked sadly.

My face softened a little and I let out a deep breath before I gave him my answer.

  "Prince I'm saying......we were better off as friends. It shouldn't have went as far as it did. I need someone who loves me all the time and not when it's convenient."

  "What and you thing Andre will do that?" Prince snapped angrily.

  "Come on man don't do that. It's not what you think. I told her that kiss shouldn't have happened. I owned up to that. You and Regan love each other. But to be fair you really haven't been on her side lately." Andre replied.

Prince didn't look happy about what Andre just told him. It was almost like he was ready to explode. He didn't though. He stood up and came over to where me and Andre sat.

  "So why do it?" Prince asked.

  "Prince it just happened! I've been so emotionally detached from you because it's like you want me here but don't want me here at the same time. Prince I want you to love me but it has to be real and it hasn't been! I want the you I left behind back. I want Prince Nelson  nerdy next door neighbor and best friend in the whole world. Not the shell you've become. I.....I miss who you were."

Prince's eyes had been sad before but not like how they looked right now. It was a type of sadness that you would only see in black and white films. The big glassy eyes and the stunning heartbreak overpowered his tanned face. As slowly sat down next to me and took my hands.

  "Is that how you really feel? Regan......I.....I love you! I mean....you have no idea how much I love you! I've been going crazy thinking about what's gonna happen when......I don't......I don't know what.....I'm gonna do.....without you."

His voice broke several times from the internal pain he's been masking with his actions all this time. He was really trying his hardest to fight back his tears. I looked over to my mom and tried to give her the signal to clear the room so me and Prince can finally have this serious conversation that he's been putting on the back burner. When my mom saw my face she understood and got up from her chair.

  "Andre dear. Would you help me take this chair to the kitchen? I'll cut us all a slice of pie while they talk. Care to join us John?" She asked.

  "No problem Lorraine. Make sure my piece is nice and warm too." Mr. John joked as he followed my mom into the kitchen.

Andre took the kitchen chair and before me left gave me a reassuring nod that if I needed anything he's in the next room. Once the room was empty Prince dropped his head to hide his face from me. I already knew he was hurting. What I didn't know what exactly how much hurt he was going through.

  "Skipper?" I said to him softly trying to gain back his full attention.

  "I don't want you to look at me this way." He whispered.

  "Like what? Sad? Prince why?"

  "Because.....I'm losing you and I don't know how to get you back."

  "Don't lie because you do know how to get me back. Your real problem is trying yourself back."

  "I haven't changed that much Regan." He said raising his head to me at last.

  "Prince! Come on! We've known each other since we were little kids! You can't tell me you haven't changed when I know you have! It's not like you to blow me off especially when I need you! Seriously? My graduation? You promised me."

His face was finally like I remembered. He was Remorseful and begging for me for forgive him.

  "I will admit that I was being an asshole and missing your graduation was wrong of me. That day is gone and I know that I will never get that opportunity to see you accept your degree. But I want to be here for you from now on."

We sat and looked at each other and I thought about what he said.

  "What about the tour?" I asked.

  "I go on tour in two weeks. Let's make the most of it until I come back?"

Prince gave me a smile and I was t sure if he was being genuine or telling me what I wanted to hear.

  "How do I know I can trust you?"

  "Well I can't tell you now but you'll find out before I leave."

I can't believe he's charming me with his tricks again. He better be telling the truth because he will get a repeat beat down if I find out he's playing me for a fool.