Worth the Wait

Part 11 - Wake Up Call

Part 11 - Wake Up Call

Steven’s POV 

        I needed to get to the airport. But Christine wouldn’t let me drive myself, so she made Trevor drive me instead. I couldn’t sit still on the ride there, but Trev had enough respect to not say anything about it. He just drove as fast as he could.

        I held my head in my hands. I had to tell her I loved her. She needed to know. When I woke up this morning to see her gone, my heart stopped. I thought it was all just a dream until I found the note she left on the desk.  

                Steven,

        Who would’ve thought we’d be here now? I can’t believe it to be quite honest with you. These past two weeks have been amazing, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Thank you for showing me the true me, and for giving me the confidence I have lacked for so long. But now it’s time for me to go back to where I belong. Justin had an accident, and Beth needs me more then ever. I won’t be returning to Chicago afterwards. It breaks my heart to say this, but we both know nothing can become of this. Our feelings towards each other are too different, and I’m not as naive as I once was to see this. I love you Steven, I always have, and I always will. My heart will be forever yours. Take care of yourself.

                Rose

        It broke my heart to see those words again, and I knew this time around I had to go after her.

        Trevor pulled up to the curb in the drop-off zone and called out that he would wait for me there. I barely heard him as I ran through the doors, earning myself some glares from other people. With the security at the airport, I knew I wouldn’t be able to get to the gate, but I had to try and catch a glimpse of her. I knew her gate number was really close to the entrance, and I started scanning the crowd. I saw a blonde head bobbing up and down as the person was running towards a gate that was just about to board. I saw the person accidentally bump into someone and turn to apologize, and my breath caught. There she was. I tried calling out to her, but there was no way she could’ve heard me. The crowd was too big and I was too far away. I watched in slow motion as I the woman I loved boarded the plane. I felt my heart clench in my chest. Once again she was gone, and I was too late.

        I somehow made my way back to Trevor and pulled open the door. I was in a daze, and Trevor had to help me close the door after I climbed in. He didn’t need to ask to know what happened. I silently thanked him as he started the truck back up and pulled out. About a half hour later, he pulled up to my apartment and took me up the stairs. I barely heard him say he’d call later, and was grateful he was giving me time to sort everything out.  

        I walked into the bedroom where she slept last night, and gave up on trying to fight it. All I could see in my head was her leaving. Her crazy curly hair bouncing all over the place as she ran to the gate. I so badly wanted to tell her everything, but I was too late. Buried feelings from five years ago came bubbling back to the surface, and I couldn’t take it anymore. I pressed my face to the pillow she had used, her scent still lingering, and I clutched the note in my hand. That was the only piece I had left of her.  She was gone, and I couldn’t get her back.

* * *

        A week later, I was still in my “depression state” as Christine put it. She, along with just about everyone else kept telling me to go after Rose. But I couldn’t. I had nothing to offer her. I don’t know why I even thought she’d settle for me. She deserved so much better. I was a waste of space, lowly mechanic, and she was a successful, savvy business owner. She needed someone to take care of her, and I could barely manage myself. What was I even thinking?