Beating Hearts [Knight's Rest #1]

26

"That's Stacey." He continued when she didn't appear to acknowledge his words. "Stacey Bright."

"And who is Stacey?" She asked, even though she already knew the answer.

"My girlfriend."

Darcy gulped. Watching them interact over breakfast had heavily implied that they were romantically involved, but it was something else hearing it from the horse's mouth. "How long have you been seeing each other?" This was one question she did not know the answer to, but was equally afraid of finding out.

She had expected him to say a few months at the most. She even hoped that they had met recently and it had been love at first sight. She wanted to desperately hear that he was going to tell her soon, that it was any day now.

"A little over three years."

She didn't want to believe that her father hadn't felt the need to confide in her that he had met someone. It broke her heart thinking they weren't telling each other everything like they used to. But most of all, it pained knowing that her father didn't trust her.

"How little?"

"2 months."

"So, 3 years and 2 months?"

"Yes."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I-" he began but stopped, unable to string together a plausible explanation. In truth, he didn't want her to feel like he was trying to replace her mother, but he couldn't bring himself to admit it.

"You've been seeing," she paused. "Stacey for 3 years and 2 months now, and not once did you feel the need to tell me."

"I know." He brushed a hand down his face and fidgeted on his feet. "It sounds worse than it actually is." But he winced at his own words.

"You suspected I had a boyfriend the other day and you kept pressing me about it." Her anger was rising then. It didn't help that her father was barely saying anything to defend himself. "You said that you wanted to meet him even though we've only been serious a month. Not once did you not feel the need to mention that you have a girlfriend, and that you've been seeing her for over 3 years?" Her voice was rising exponentially, but she was aware that she was at the hotel so she attempted to tone it down.

Stepping closer to her father, she spoke in hushed whispers. "How is that fair?"

"It isn't." He admitted. "I'm sorry."

"Why was it a secret?"

"It wasn't a secret."

She scoffed. "It sure feels like it since you didn't tell me 3 years ago!"

When he didn't answer but stared at her with guilt, she shook her head in hopes that she could shake away the situation.

"I think you should leave." Her words were heavy in the mouth and she practically had to force the words out of her mouth.

"Darcy," he called out to her. His heart ached as he watched her cry in front of him, wrapping her around herself as consolation. He wanted to hold her in his arms until all her tears went away, but he was the cause of them this time. "Don't say that."

She shook her head. "I need some time to think."

She stood and watched as her father headed back into the dining room. A few moments later he emerged with the woman – his girlfriend of 3 years – and she watched as they walked out of the hotel hand in hand.

Clearly Darcy wasn't important enough anymore.

Once enough time had passed, she headed for the doors herself.

What both her father and Darcy hadn't realised though was that Romeo had returned to man the front desk mid-conversation. It didn't take long for the news to travel to Thelonious whom abandoned the dishes he was washing immediately.

He didn't even have time to dry his hands. Right now, he just needed to make sure that Darcy was okay.

"Darcy!" He called out, jogging after her as she headed out the front doors. It was only when she reached the pavement outside was he able to catch up. She was very fast when she was determined or trying to escape a sticky situation. And this surely was a grand escape.

Darcy didn't push him away when he wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on top of her head. She welcomed his familiar, loving touch as he rubbed her back. He didn't say anything but rather, allowed her to cry in his arms. Thelonious knew that she didn't need to rant now but rather, she needed some time to wrap her head about what she had just discovered.

From the little that he had seen and the guilty look on both her father's and Miss Bright's faces, he was able to put in place a few pieces of the puzzle.

Regardless of the logistics and the exacts details, she was hurt and from what it looked like, she definitely had a right to be.

She needed him to be there for her so here he was, holding her in his arms as it rained around them. A few minutes passed before she pulled her face away from his chest to wipe her tears. Stopping her, he raised his thumb and used to it to wipe away her tears.

She sniffled before wrapping her own arms around him. It felt nice to be held. She hoped he would never let go.

Despite his many protests that she should take the day off to gather her thoughts, he found himself pulling up to the university.

Darcy turned to him with a sad smile. "Thanks for dropping me off."

He nodded. "It's still not too late to change your mind. I can get you back to the hotel with a warm cup of hot chocolate in less than fifteen minutes."

She sighed and gazed out the window. "I didn't want to miss lecture. The coursework's going to be released today."

Thelonious reached over and placed his hand on top of hers, squeezing gently.

She turned her head to look at him. "I can't believe he's been keeping this a secret for 3 years." Her voice was quiet but her words were nothing but loud. "3 years! He had so many chances to tell me!"

"I know you're upset."

"More than that, I'm really hurt he felt like he needed to keep it a secret from me."

"You need to tell him that."

"I'm not ready to talk to him."

Thelonious nodded and leaned over to place a kiss against her cheek. "Text or call me anytime today you don't feel well and I'll come pick you up."

Darcy looked at him. Really looked at him. Unclicking her seat belt, she leaned over the console and wrapped her arms him and buried her face in the crook of his neck.

He embraced her back without a second doubt. "Everything's going to be okay." He promised her. "I'll be there every step of the way."

Once she had pulled away and got out of the car to head into the building, he hesitated. It didn't feel right just leaving her when he knew that she was clearly feeling some conflicting emotions and was deeply hurt. But he also knew that she needed some time to process her thoughts. If she wanted to talk about it all later, then he was more than willing to lend an ear but for now, he would give her the time and space that she needed.

-

NOTE - not edited

The next chapter should be uploaded on 20/05/2020

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Layla Knight

18.11.19