The Best Of Me

Chapter 12

Harmony

       I couldn't stop pacing. Was it too early to call him? Brantley was 20 minutes late. Usually he was early. If you counted our two lunch dates this was our fifth date in two weeks. What if something happened to him? What if he just decided he didn't like me anymore? Okay that was crazy he wouldn't keep asking me out if he wasn't interested. He hadn't kissed me yet though so maybe he just wanted to be friends and didn't know how to tell me. I picked up my phone and dialed his number. Two rings and it went to voicemail. That meant he hit ignore. Maybe he didn't mean to hit ignore maybe he meant to hit answer and he'd call me right back. Something probably came up. He wouldn't just blow me off. Would he?

I didn't want to seem clingy or crazy so even though I wanted to keep calling until he answered I only called Brantley twice and text him once. I wasn't even mad I was just worried. This wasn't like Brantley at all. After awhile I sat on the couch and I must have fallen asleep because next thing I knew it was pitch black. I jumped up and checked my phone. No missed calls, No texts. Maybe he would show up in the morning to help me move into my new apartment like he said he would. If not maybe he'd at least call or text and let me know what was going on. I could hope. I plugged my phone into the charger and went to bed.

I woke up to my phone ringing and I jumped up thinking maybe it was Brantley. It wasn't. It was the bouncer Chris from my work letting me know he was here to help move. I tried to call Brantley and there was still no answer. I guess it was just going to be me and Chris. Good thing I didn't have too much to move. Brantley was supposed to be bringing me a couch for the new place and I had bought a bed and dresser that I had to pick up from the furniture store. Other than that I only had a few boxes. We didn't really need Brantley's help I could lift what little furniture needed to be moved but he said he would be here. So where was he?

After we moved everything me and Chris got some lunch. When he asked about Brantley I made up some excuse. I don't know why I felt the need to lie except I didn't want him to look bad. The next two weeks I was super busy with work and trying to unpack and decorate my fist home in Nashville. When I wasn't busy I found something to keep me busy. I still hadn't heard from Brantley. I was really beyond worried by now and I had to know. Leann knew Kolby so if there was something going on she could find out for me. If Brantley was just ignoring me and wasn't interested I would look like a crazy stalker or something. He wasn't even my boyfriend. We'd gone on a few dates but we hadn't even kissed. Would calling Leann and having her call Kolby be out of line? I wasn't sure. I'd give it a few more days.

I hadn't heard from Brantley in a month I had to risk looking crazy. I had to know everything was alright. I called Leann, who called Kolby, who called Brantley, who called me. So he was alive and he hadn't lost my number. He'd been ignoring me? I didn't answer it. I was pissed. The phone rang again. I picked it up. "Hey sorry I haven't been answering your phone. I haven't been feeling great. I should have told you. I am so sorry. I'm getting better. Just give me a few days and I'll make it all up to you I promise. I am so sorry Harmony. My brother and your cousin are coming for a couple days maybe we could all go out together." "I don't know Brantley. I want to know why I haven't heard from you. I thought maybe something bad happened or you just weren't interested anymore and I wasn't sure which was worse. I can't talk right now. I have to go to work." I hung up the phone my heart shattering in a million pieces. Brantley was drunk I could hear it in his voice. People weren't sick for a month straight and if they were they told someone. They answered texts and calls. Brantley wasn't sick he was drunk and I didn't know what to do. Brantley wasn't Justin but a drunk was a drunk and I wasn't sure I could separate the two. Not right now.

There was a knock on my door and I opened it to see Leann. I was so happy to see a familiar face. I hugged her and noticed that Melody and Anthony were with her out in the hall. I was a little ashamed to let them in all I had was a bed and dresser. Brantley still had my couch and I hadn't gotten around to getting more furniture yet. I stepped back apologizing for the lack of seating. Melody said she'd rather sit on the floor anyway and so everyone grabbed a coke out of the fridge and sat on my living room floor while I told them about everything that's happened to me since I got to Nashville. When I got to the part about Brantley I couldn't keep going. I stepped outside onto the little balcony for some fresh air and Melody followed me. "You really care about him don't you?" "Yeah. I know it's fast but we were getting along so well. We have so much in common and he's just so great. I just don't know what to do." "Kolby's with him now. He'll get help. We were there before we came here. He just keeps talking about how he messed things up with you. He feels terrible." "Melody, I just don't know if I can continue with him. It's still early so it's best to end it now before things get worse." "He's going to get help. He was sober before he can do it again." "He can get drunk again, too. I just don't want to get my heart broken." "He's not Justin he would never put his hands on you. He's not Grandpa either. He's Brantley and you don't know that it wont stick. People make mistakes" "The not knowing is the hard part though." "Brantley is a really good guy having a hard time. Just think about it. Okay?" "Yeah. We'll see. One more chance. But Melody I'm scared. I don't know if I can do this. What if I fall in love with him? What if I get hurt?" "You take that chance with everyone you meet. Just know that if you ever need me. I'm one phone call and about 5 hours away." "Thank you."

My family only stayed a few days and we all camped out on the living room floor. Anthony and Kolby brought me the couch from Brantley and Kolby told me that if I didn't hear from Brantley not to worry that he would call me when he was ready and that he said to wait for him. After everyone left I layed on the couch that smelled like Brantley and I cried. I missed him like crazy and I just wanted him to get sober so we could pick up where we left off. Maybe that night on our 3rd dinner date he would have kissed me. Maybe I would have asked him inside. It was no use wondering now. I just looked forward to seeing him again.

I came in from work and threw my purse on my couch. It had been an extremely long night and I just wanted to crawl into bed and stay there until I wasn't tired anymore. These days I was always tired though so who knew how long that would be. I climbed under the covers but I couldn't sleep. I was thinking about Brantley again wondering how he was doing. I hoped he was doing good. Everyday I checked my phone waiting for a text or a call. Some sign he hadn't forgotten about me. It had been a whole month. I was making friends at work and hanging out. I was almost always surrounded by people I genuinely liked but I had never felt more lonely in my life. Who knew that knowing someone for two weeks could make such an impact that their absence left a huge hole that couldn't be filled.

I dug my phone out of my purse and plugged it in. I had been so tired the night before I forgot to charge it. As soon as it had enough charge to power on it did. And as soon as it turned on my text message alert went off. I grabbed my phone and checked it. "Can I pick you up at 6? There's this new barbecue place I've heard so much about. Unless you're working then whenever is fine." My heart skipped a beat. "Yeah 6 works for me." "I'm sorry for everything. How bout a fresh start?" "Sounds good to me." I had a date with Brantley. I couldn't wait until tonight. 

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