It Really Breaks My Heart Leaving You Behind
Chapter: 1/1
Song: El Camino- Amos Lee
Word Count:1,753
Summary: Wade makes it to that appointment before his car breaks down.
A/N: Just a little note, if anyone has any ideas about what I should write or an idea of what you want me to write about (seriously, anything, a thought or a phrase you have in mind or a song you want me to write around--anything) don't be afraid to let me know. Just leave me a message. It's going to be a long summer if I run out of things to write :)
He checks the clock on the dashboard before he gets out of the car. He’s ten minutes early but the realtors car is already parked outside of the apartment building and she’s leaning against it with a manila folder held against her chest.
She’s not really dressed up-most would call it business casual-but it’s enough to make him question what he’s wearing. Should he have put more effort into this? Jeans and a plaid button down might not be projecting the right image. He sighs as he shuts the door and wishes that he was able to give a little more. It’s a feels that’s been escalating in the past few months and he doesn’t like it.
But the realtor smiles so wide when she sees him and holds the folder at her side as she shakes his hand with her free one.
She introduces herself as Nancy in her southern accent that sounds as sickeningly sweet as the crème Brule coffee that Zoe tried to give him this morning and with a smile that kind of reminds him of a used car salesman. Like the salesman that sold him his car when he was seventeen. That guy clapped him on the back and dangled the keys in front of him and told him that this car was a classic that would serve him well and run for miles and miles. Wade was young and had money to burn, Jesse was only thinking about joining the army and Wade wasn’t bogged down with all the responsibilities of taking care of his father on his own and this guy made the car sound so damn good. He just had to take it. It’s been over ten years and it’s almost at the point of being held together with strings and paperclips but he’s got to give that salesman some credit-it’s still running. Barely.
He follows her into the building and up the stairs to the apartment. She’s telling him how great the place is and how much he’ll love it and he just nods along because he doesn’t care if the bedroom is spacious or if the place has a great view. He’d take anything that got him out of the gate house and away from Zoe.
He’s been losing himself in that way he feels about her. He’s not the same guy he was before the night she climbed into his car and kissed him with wine flavored lips. There’s no way to fight it. He’s starting to care a little more and his irresponsible one night stands were fewer and farther between. It’s a change for the better, he won’t argue that. He has had more than enough time to screw around and get into trouble and now is the time to finally get what he both needs and wants but he hates to admit that it’s Zoe’s presence that got him there. Why does he feel the need to impress her when she obviously doesn’t care about him?
“So.” Nancy is still cheery and still smiling as she pauses at the door to build up anticipation. “Are you ready to see your future home?”
Wade sighs in response. He’s here and he’s prepared to do this but he’s not happy about it.
It’s a plain apartment, only a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and closet. Nothing special or out of the ordinary and that great view she talked of is really only tree tops. It’s underwhelming compared to how she talked about it on the way up the stairs but he can’t afford to be picky.
“Well…what do you think?”
He has his hands on his hips as he wanders into the open space. “It’s a little sparse.”
“It’s full of possibility though.” She supplies quickly and Wade can’t help but to laugh softly. She’s really selling this place with everything she’s got like the commission that she gets from this will change her life; like he actually has enough to pay her to change her life. Little does she know that just a few weeks ago he was trying to win five hundred dollars by mixing drinks.
“Once you get all your things moved in here it’ll be just like home. Just like you’ve always lived here.” She continues, bouncing on her toes, not deterred at all by his attitude. “Plus I’m sure that your wife won’t have a problem helping you decorate the place.”
“I don’t have a wife.” He says; his voice muted because there’s an echo in the empty space.
“Oh. Girlfriend then?”
“Nope. It’s just me.” He has to stop himself from snapping ‘thanks for reminding me, Nancy.’
“Well.” Nancy takes a conspiratorial step towards him and whispers. “You know, if you ever need someone to show you around my daughter lives just around the corner and she is an excellent tour guide.”
Wade has to laugh because he’s not that guy that gets set up by the girl’s mother. He’s the guy that makes mothers and fathers warn their daughters about. But how long is he supposed to hold onto that? He’s not sixteen anymore. Hell, he’s not even twenty one anymore. He doesn’t want to be alone forever but he doesn’t want to settle down either. At least he doesn’t want to settle down with just anyone. He has a very specific girl in mind and she’s got brown hair and wears short shorts and doesn’t have a southern accent and she’s somehow managing to fall more in more in love with George Tucker.
“That’s alright.” He brushes the offer aside as politely as he can manage. “I know the area pretty well.”
“Right.” There’s some disappointment behind the word and for the first time since she’s introduced herself to him the smile slips off her face and Wade gives her his best ‘you really don’t want me in your family’ look. The smile finds its way back onto her face like it never left as she hastily changes the subject. “You’re just from over in Bluebell, aren’t you?”
Wade nods and pokes his head into the bedroom. It looks just like all the other rooms.
“Isn’t the Breeland-Tucker wedding today?”
“You know about that?”
“Honey, everyone in a thirty mile radius knows about that. Lemon-it’s Lemon isn’t it?” She waits for Wade to nod. “Lemon came to town looking for flowers for the wedding a few months ago and apparently they weren’t up to her standards and she let the whole town know.” She rolls her eyes and Wade laughs.
“That sounds like her.”
“I hope they get married before the storm rolls in. I’d hate for her perfect, little wedding to get ruined.”
Wade laughs again because there’s clear sarcasm in her voice.
“Yeah, I hope they do too.”
And he really means that. He’s gotten tired of them dragging it out and planning it for years and years. He’s ready for the town to move on and start talking about something else. He’s ready for George to finally stop being an option for Zoe, like maybe she’ll stop pining after him if he finally has a ring on his hand.
Not that the last part really matters. He doesn’t plan to be in town long enough to see her either getting over George or falling harder for him. He plans on getting this place-or one just like it, it’s not going to get better than this-and continuing to work at the Rammer Jammer until he saves up enough money for his own bar to open and then he’ll be done in Bluebell. He’ll still see Lavon, that won’t change, and he’ll still have to go into town to check on Earl but besides that he’s prepared to move on. He’ll be out of the gatehouse and out of Bluebell and away from Zoe Hart. That’s all that he really wants; to get away from her.
He nods to himself like that’s really going to convince himself that that’s true. That the anger that he’s feeling toward her is just that, anger and not a cover up for how he really feels. That he really actually cares about her, more than he’s cared for anyone or anything in a long time and the thought of not seeing her every day, even if it is just to tease her, hurts him.
“Mr. Kinsella?” Nancy’s voice brings him back and when he looks over at her she’s frowning, obviously worried about the way he’s been silently walking through the apartment ignoring everything she’s been saying. “I was just asking why you’re leaving Bluebell.”
“Oh.” He looks away and sighs. “I don’t know. Guess I just need a change of scenery. Start over someplace.”
“And do you see yourself starting over here?” She asks hopefully.
He sighs and looks around the place again. Yeah, he could see himself starting over here but that’s only because he’s already accepted that this is the only option that he has. He can see himself living here but he doesn’t want to be starting over here. He wants to get a fresh start back in Bluebell where he’d finally make things right with Zoe and they could be something and he’d get his bar and everyone would stop calling him a screw up. He’d finally be something with someone that he wants to be with.
But the chances of him actually accomplishing any of those things are slim to none.
“I guess that I could.” He says half heartedly and Nancy’s smile falters for a moment. “Let me think about it?”
“Of course. Take your time.” They both start for the door. “It’s a big move.”
They part ways once they’re out of the building. Wade promises to call her and she tells him she’ll be waiting for it.
It takes him three times to get his car started and when it finally comes to life he curses himself for being such a pushover and letting Zoe have the keys to Lavon’s car.
He’s on the road for fifteen minutes before his car dies completely and he has to call Lavon.
Ten minutes after that Zoe picks him up and eight tense hours after that he’s in a suit, knocking on her front door and she’s letting him in and in that last fleeting moment before all he’s thinking about is her-just before he slowly pushes her against the wall-he thinks that Nancy is going to be waiting awhile for that phone call.
Song: El Camino- Amos Lee
Word Count:1,753
Summary: Wade makes it to that appointment before his car breaks down.
A/N: Just a little note, if anyone has any ideas about what I should write or an idea of what you want me to write about (seriously, anything, a thought or a phrase you have in mind or a song you want me to write around--anything) don't be afraid to let me know. Just leave me a message. It's going to be a long summer if I run out of things to write :)
He checks the clock on the dashboard before he gets out of the car. He’s ten minutes early but the realtors car is already parked outside of the apartment building and she’s leaning against it with a manila folder held against her chest.
She’s not really dressed up-most would call it business casual-but it’s enough to make him question what he’s wearing. Should he have put more effort into this? Jeans and a plaid button down might not be projecting the right image. He sighs as he shuts the door and wishes that he was able to give a little more. It’s a feels that’s been escalating in the past few months and he doesn’t like it.
But the realtor smiles so wide when she sees him and holds the folder at her side as she shakes his hand with her free one.
She introduces herself as Nancy in her southern accent that sounds as sickeningly sweet as the crème Brule coffee that Zoe tried to give him this morning and with a smile that kind of reminds him of a used car salesman. Like the salesman that sold him his car when he was seventeen. That guy clapped him on the back and dangled the keys in front of him and told him that this car was a classic that would serve him well and run for miles and miles. Wade was young and had money to burn, Jesse was only thinking about joining the army and Wade wasn’t bogged down with all the responsibilities of taking care of his father on his own and this guy made the car sound so damn good. He just had to take it. It’s been over ten years and it’s almost at the point of being held together with strings and paperclips but he’s got to give that salesman some credit-it’s still running. Barely.
He follows her into the building and up the stairs to the apartment. She’s telling him how great the place is and how much he’ll love it and he just nods along because he doesn’t care if the bedroom is spacious or if the place has a great view. He’d take anything that got him out of the gate house and away from Zoe.
He’s been losing himself in that way he feels about her. He’s not the same guy he was before the night she climbed into his car and kissed him with wine flavored lips. There’s no way to fight it. He’s starting to care a little more and his irresponsible one night stands were fewer and farther between. It’s a change for the better, he won’t argue that. He has had more than enough time to screw around and get into trouble and now is the time to finally get what he both needs and wants but he hates to admit that it’s Zoe’s presence that got him there. Why does he feel the need to impress her when she obviously doesn’t care about him?
“So.” Nancy is still cheery and still smiling as she pauses at the door to build up anticipation. “Are you ready to see your future home?”
Wade sighs in response. He’s here and he’s prepared to do this but he’s not happy about it.
It’s a plain apartment, only a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and closet. Nothing special or out of the ordinary and that great view she talked of is really only tree tops. It’s underwhelming compared to how she talked about it on the way up the stairs but he can’t afford to be picky.
“Well…what do you think?”
He has his hands on his hips as he wanders into the open space. “It’s a little sparse.”
“It’s full of possibility though.” She supplies quickly and Wade can’t help but to laugh softly. She’s really selling this place with everything she’s got like the commission that she gets from this will change her life; like he actually has enough to pay her to change her life. Little does she know that just a few weeks ago he was trying to win five hundred dollars by mixing drinks.
“Once you get all your things moved in here it’ll be just like home. Just like you’ve always lived here.” She continues, bouncing on her toes, not deterred at all by his attitude. “Plus I’m sure that your wife won’t have a problem helping you decorate the place.”
“I don’t have a wife.” He says; his voice muted because there’s an echo in the empty space.
“Oh. Girlfriend then?”
“Nope. It’s just me.” He has to stop himself from snapping ‘thanks for reminding me, Nancy.’
“Well.” Nancy takes a conspiratorial step towards him and whispers. “You know, if you ever need someone to show you around my daughter lives just around the corner and she is an excellent tour guide.”
Wade has to laugh because he’s not that guy that gets set up by the girl’s mother. He’s the guy that makes mothers and fathers warn their daughters about. But how long is he supposed to hold onto that? He’s not sixteen anymore. Hell, he’s not even twenty one anymore. He doesn’t want to be alone forever but he doesn’t want to settle down either. At least he doesn’t want to settle down with just anyone. He has a very specific girl in mind and she’s got brown hair and wears short shorts and doesn’t have a southern accent and she’s somehow managing to fall more in more in love with George Tucker.
“That’s alright.” He brushes the offer aside as politely as he can manage. “I know the area pretty well.”
“Right.” There’s some disappointment behind the word and for the first time since she’s introduced herself to him the smile slips off her face and Wade gives her his best ‘you really don’t want me in your family’ look. The smile finds its way back onto her face like it never left as she hastily changes the subject. “You’re just from over in Bluebell, aren’t you?”
Wade nods and pokes his head into the bedroom. It looks just like all the other rooms.
“Isn’t the Breeland-Tucker wedding today?”
“You know about that?”
“Honey, everyone in a thirty mile radius knows about that. Lemon-it’s Lemon isn’t it?” She waits for Wade to nod. “Lemon came to town looking for flowers for the wedding a few months ago and apparently they weren’t up to her standards and she let the whole town know.” She rolls her eyes and Wade laughs.
“That sounds like her.”
“I hope they get married before the storm rolls in. I’d hate for her perfect, little wedding to get ruined.”
Wade laughs again because there’s clear sarcasm in her voice.
“Yeah, I hope they do too.”
And he really means that. He’s gotten tired of them dragging it out and planning it for years and years. He’s ready for the town to move on and start talking about something else. He’s ready for George to finally stop being an option for Zoe, like maybe she’ll stop pining after him if he finally has a ring on his hand.
Not that the last part really matters. He doesn’t plan to be in town long enough to see her either getting over George or falling harder for him. He plans on getting this place-or one just like it, it’s not going to get better than this-and continuing to work at the Rammer Jammer until he saves up enough money for his own bar to open and then he’ll be done in Bluebell. He’ll still see Lavon, that won’t change, and he’ll still have to go into town to check on Earl but besides that he’s prepared to move on. He’ll be out of the gatehouse and out of Bluebell and away from Zoe Hart. That’s all that he really wants; to get away from her.
He nods to himself like that’s really going to convince himself that that’s true. That the anger that he’s feeling toward her is just that, anger and not a cover up for how he really feels. That he really actually cares about her, more than he’s cared for anyone or anything in a long time and the thought of not seeing her every day, even if it is just to tease her, hurts him.
“Mr. Kinsella?” Nancy’s voice brings him back and when he looks over at her she’s frowning, obviously worried about the way he’s been silently walking through the apartment ignoring everything she’s been saying. “I was just asking why you’re leaving Bluebell.”
“Oh.” He looks away and sighs. “I don’t know. Guess I just need a change of scenery. Start over someplace.”
“And do you see yourself starting over here?” She asks hopefully.
He sighs and looks around the place again. Yeah, he could see himself starting over here but that’s only because he’s already accepted that this is the only option that he has. He can see himself living here but he doesn’t want to be starting over here. He wants to get a fresh start back in Bluebell where he’d finally make things right with Zoe and they could be something and he’d get his bar and everyone would stop calling him a screw up. He’d finally be something with someone that he wants to be with.
But the chances of him actually accomplishing any of those things are slim to none.
“I guess that I could.” He says half heartedly and Nancy’s smile falters for a moment. “Let me think about it?”
“Of course. Take your time.” They both start for the door. “It’s a big move.”
They part ways once they’re out of the building. Wade promises to call her and she tells him she’ll be waiting for it.
It takes him three times to get his car started and when it finally comes to life he curses himself for being such a pushover and letting Zoe have the keys to Lavon’s car.
He’s on the road for fifteen minutes before his car dies completely and he has to call Lavon.
Ten minutes after that Zoe picks him up and eight tense hours after that he’s in a suit, knocking on her front door and she’s letting him in and in that last fleeting moment before all he’s thinking about is her-just before he slowly pushes her against the wall-he thinks that Nancy is going to be waiting awhile for that phone call.