Stay Away | BH

Chapter 8

"God, it feels like I haven't seen you in forever," Darrell pulls me into a tight hug.

By now the airport was full of people and I could feel passing shoulders brushing against me.

"I know," I squeeze him lightly.

Something about airports made me nervous.

"Come on," he grabs his suitcase.

We walk outside towards my car. I start to relax, glad that we are out of that place.

"Here," I grab his suitcase shoving it in the back.

We hope in my car trying to beat the traffic.

"How have you been?" He turns towards me.

"No, no, no, how have you been? How's your girlfriend?" I push my hair behind my ear glancing at him.

"Good, I think Mel is the girl, she makes me happy," he smiles looking at his hands.

"You really like this girl, don't you," I glance back at the road. Looks like we won't be moving anytime soon.

"Yeah, I-I think I'm in love with her," he smiles. "She's so smart, and pretty. I can't imagine my life with out her anymore."

I smile at him before looking out my window.

"She's a lucky girl Darrell," I sigh tightening my grip on the steering wheel.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I'm just really tired," I lie giving him a reassuring smile.

"I'm in love with her Betty. I have for the past year," he digs in his pocket. "I bought this, for when I- well you know, propose."

He takes out a velvet box, he opens it showing me the prettiest ring I've ever seen.

"Oh- Jesus, that's gorgeous," I take another glance at it. "I'm so happy for you guys."

Finally the cars in front of my begin to move, I drive past them trying my hardest to get home.

"Look, I know after c-"

"Don't day his name!" I hiss putting my hand up. "Sorry, it's just- I don't think I'm ready to here his name yet."

"It's been a year Betty, I know what he did to you was terrible. But I think it's time you move on," he puts his ring away.

"I know... It's just I'm not ready for a relationship," I squeeze the wheel tighter the tips of my fingers going white.

"Not everyone is like him, Betty," he puts a band on my shoulder.

"Don't you think I know that! I have to live with the pain that he did to me, every single fucking day. I don't need you to remind me how broken I am!"

"I'm not-," he sighs.

"Yes you are, you out of all people should know I don't like talking about this. Please understand that some people grieve different. I don't need some man in my life right now; My life is fine the way it is," I park in my driveway.

"I'm sorry, okay, I know I shouldn't have brought him up. But the way you reacted when I talk about the ring and Mel. I know that look, it's not that you don't want a strong man, you just want someone you can trust and be comfortable with," he grabs my hand.

"I know you mean good, and I love you for it," I squeeze his hand, "but can you drop it? For me?"

"Okay, your lucky I love you," he messes my hair up.

"Hey!" I groan fixing my hair.

"Come on," he hops out of the car making his way back to the back of the car to retrieve his luggage.