That Was Then, This Is Now

Part 10

"Gary I get it, it doesn't look good." I plead trying to get him on my side.
"You're damn right Faith! But I could care a donkeys ass about what this looks like I care about you!" He sitting across the table from me and almost scolding me like a father would. "Faith your love him destroyed you and I know that you're to scared to admit what you felt when that ended, and again what you felt when he started using, and then again when he ended up nearly killing himself. The world blamed you and You believed them. That man is self destructive and he brings you down with him every single time." He finishes and crosses his arms across his chest.
"Gary, he's changed." I know how ridiculous I sound. I know I'm trying to convince myself rather Gary. I know this pointless but I can't help but believe it.
"Faith, people can change their actions and reactions but it is impossible to change your character." He such a wise man. But he's wrong. Tim is a good man. A kind man. He is not the weak charactered man that Gary and the media make him out to be. So what he went to rehab. Hell I should've gone to rehab long ago, not for substance abuse, but still. He's a lot stronger than what people give him credit for.
"When are we kicking Scott out?" He says breaking the silence.
"What?" I ask him shocked.
"When are you telling that good for nothing ass hole to get the hell out?"
"Um, I don't think I am. Despite everything I love him." I say. I don't really do I? Surely not? He speaks to me like I'm nothing. He treats me like a possession and here I am asking for more. Maybe there is something wrong with me. Maybe I do need help.
"No you don't." Gary says sounding as sure of himself as ever.
"You couldn't know that. I do love him. I really really do."
"You think you love Scott, but you don't. On you love is all consuming, it makes you radiant and bouncy. On Faith Hill love is smiling about a song she wrote with the man she loves, exactly like you did when I asked you where you were last night. You do not love Scott."
"I don't love Tim either Gary-"
"I'm not saying that you do, but you did. So deeply and there is no way to let go of that, but just because that destroyed you doesn't mean that you have to put yourself through hell to make it work with Scott." God He is smart.
"You're right." I sigh.
"Good. Well I will book you into the four seasons tonight, get people to come and get his things and change all your locks." He says typing on his phone. I don't deserve Gary. He always been there for me. I remember it was just after Tim had left and I was so embarrassed at myself because I just crumbled. I don't reach to my mom, my family or friends instead I just wallowed in my sadness and misery for a couple of weeks. Everyday Gary would come by and make sure I'd eaten, get me to change sweats and just hold me while I cried. He didn't make me feel like I was being crazy, he made me feel supported and I will forever love him for it. Then there was the day Tim ODed. My heart stopped when jack rang me. And I couldn't move. Gary took me to the hospital and the whole drive over he kept reassuring me that this was not my fault. That I had no control over his actions. He want wrong but god I didn't believe he was right either. Maybe it's because I wanted to do the exact same thing because that same pain was festering inside of me. I got to the hospital and there he lay in his bed, eyes barely open and the groggiest expression on his face. "Tim, you're okay." I said moving closer and grabbing his hand.
"Why are you here?" He said. I could feel accusation in his tone. I felt him slip his hand away from mine. "You need to leave." He said slurring each word together. I don't blame him. If that was me I wouldn't've wanted him to see me like that. Vulnerable and needy. So i left. Without another word. And then I didn't see him again until the next award show after his two stints at rehab. Wild.
"Okay that's booked." Gary says putting his phone down. "Personal stuff sorted, sort of, now career stuff. I'm supposed to call Jack and their PR team in 2 minutes to strategise or whatever." He says looking at his watch. Suddenly his phone rings.
"Hello... I was about to call you." Must be jack. "Oh.... I mean I'm sure this is something we can sort quickly... record the song together?!? Are you crazy?! I cannot... we will... okay we will leave now..." He says hanging up. "They're brilliant idea is for you two to record that song." He says getting up and picking up his keys. "Come on." He says and we get in his car. "Play me the damn song so that I at least know what I'm arguing against. I connect my phone to the car and press play. I see him listen to the words and enjoy the harmonies.
"What do you think?" I ask him. His opinion is one of the most important.
"Maybe you should record it together."