Page 57 of Bless My Heart

“I am serious, Wes. Our relationship is done. We don’t have a choice.”

“Um, we do have a choice, actually. And what about what I think? You seem to be taking away my choice in any of this. I don’t want us to be done.”

“Listen, I’ll still keep you updated on all the baby things, but we can’t be together. Not like we were.”

“You’ve lost your damn mind if you think I’m just going to take this.”

“Wes, don’t make this more difficult than it needs to be.”

“Hazel, this is our lives you’re talking about. My heart,” I put my hand on my heart. “Of course, I’m going to make it difficult.”

I reach out to put my hand on her leg, but she immediately stands up to avoid my touch.

“I’m trying to be strong here, Wes. I’ve made my decision, and you need to accept it.” She’s getting pissed now and raising her voice. But I don’t care. Let her get pissed. God knows I am.

“I’m not going to fucking accept it,” I tell her, hearing my own voice rise in anger. “You can’t do this.”

“Yes, I can. One day you’ll realize this was for the best.”

“Not likely.”

“You will. You’ll meet someone your own age who’s going through the same life phases as you. I mean, look at you. You’re not even out of college. You’re looking to start a career, starting your life. I’m in the stage of life where I’m looking forward to buying a house, maybe getting married, finding the right retirement plan.”

“Jesus Christ, Hazel. You want a house? I’ll fucking buy you one. You want marriage? I’ll buy you a goddamn ring right now. Retirement? I’ve been saving money for years and plan to invest more of it and enroll in a 401K as soon as I have a job. I’ll give you whatever you want.”

“Stop it, Wes. You need to leave.”

“No.” She can’t do this.

“Wes, we’re done. Accept it. Move on. Now please, get out of my apartment.”

“Look me in the eye right now and tell me you don’t want me.”

“Wes…”

“Do it, and I’ll fucking leave.”

And then she does what I least expected. Her blue eyes look me dead in the eyes, and she repeats my words. “I don’t want you.”

Wow. I never have to wonder what it feels like to have your heart broken because mine was just crushed. Completely crushed. I don’t know if it’s the words or the complete lack of emotion in her eyes that hurt the most. “You’re not who I thought you were. The Hazel I knew wouldn’t give up so easily.”

She doesn’t say anything, and I don’t wait for a response. I walk to the door and fling it open, my anger causing it to fly a little too hard and bang the wall behind it.

“Guess I’ll see you around, Doc,” I tell her over my shoulder. Her face is still emotionless as I take one last look before walking out the door.

I get in my Jeep and pound my fists on the steering wheel. This must be what Ozzy feels like when he needs to fight. I feel like I could punch through a motherfucking wall right now.

I whip out of my parking spot and drive, not really knowing where I’m going.

There aren’t many people out tonight, so the drive is dark, but that’s fine with me. I can’t believe her. After everything I’ve done for her to prove I’m in this for the long haul, she pulls this little stunt like it’s no big deal.

Yeah, I messed up, but is it really that big of a deal? Why wouldn’t she want to work through this together? It just doesn’t make sense to me.

Before I know it, I’m parking at Breezers, the bar where I met Hazel. I don’t know what made me come here. I should want to get away from all things Hazel, but here I am, stepping out of my car and walking to the entrance.

I find a seat at the bar with a perfect view of the table Hazel was sitting at that first night. I know I was drunk that night, but not too drunk not to remember that little white dress she had on and the way her eyes told me she wanted me.

I order a drink from the bartender.