| 18. Can't Let Her Go 10:17 am. Paul couldn't sit still. What would she think of Chad? Does she know that she's being fooled? "How much longer, Regis?" "About three more miles," the chauffer replied. Paul leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms. "Antsy?" Gabe asked. "Yeah. You?" "Yeah. I really don't know what to expect, you know?" "She's sick. Do you expect her to be jumping with joy?" Chad asked bitterly. Paul narrowed his eyes. "Maybe she's handling this better than others." Chad rolled his eyes. "Don't start attacking me, Sterling, just because you can't get someone as good as her." "I'm attacking you, Bishop, because you don't deserve someone as good as her." "Why don't you ask her if I deserve her?" "Dang it, Chad, how stupid do you think she is? You think she doesn't know something's going on?" "What? Did you squeal or something?" Chad asked, unintimidated. "I thought you didn't have anything to squeal about. Remember, there's nothing going on between you and Christina," Paul said, using Chad's own words. Chad lowered his eyes. "Whatever." Paul sat back again, satisfied that the truth was revealed. He glanced over at Rob, Gabe, Seth, and Kev, who looked a bit lost. "Well isn't this special?" Rob asked. "I think I missed it a long time ago," Gabe assumed. "Yep. Stranded in the middle," Kev stated. "I won�t ask," Seth said. Paul ignored them as they began their own conversation, though it was all too brief, as the limo stopped in front of the hospital. The six men bailed out of the vehicle and into a massive lobby. After receiving instructions from a clerk on how to get to Duncan Tower, they were on a crosswalk connecting the main building and Duncan. "Listen, guys, I don't want any more conflict, okay? Meg really needs us to be uplifting and supporting for her, especially now," Rob warned. "Why 'especially now'?" "Well�being cooped up in a hospital is no fun and she hasn't seen many people she knows in days. But Chad, if there's something you need to tell her, please tell her now, she's got to move on with her life, alright?" "Okay." The men entered into the main lobby and glanced around for the nearest elevator. There she is. My God, she looks sick. A thin, curly-haired woman sat in a plush reading chair, flipping through a magazine. Though she wasn't in a paper hospital gown with an IV stuck up her arm, like Paul had thought, she was dressed and had even put on makeup. That still didn't make her look any healthier. She was pale, and looked as if she hadn't slept in days. Sighing, she threw the magazine on a coffee table and looked around the room. She looked up and noticed the guys, still searching for an elevator. Her eyes locked with Paul's, who had been staring at her for quite some time. A smile formed to her lips as she pulled herself out of the chair. "So do I have to be a celebrity for y'all to recognize me or something?" "Meg!" Gabe exclaimed, running to her and picking her up with his hug. "You're alive!" She laughed, "For now, at least! I've missed you guys!" She hugged Seth, Kev and Rob, then came up to Paul. "Hey Meggie." She smiled. "Hey Paulie." She threw her arms around her. Paul then realized how much he'd missed her hugs. Hugs were the only thing he'd ever gotten from her, but they were great. She always smelled great, not of perfume or spray, but distinctly Meg; a combination of lavender and mint. He smelled it now, and longed to never forget the scent. "I've missed you the most, my Paulie," she whispered. He didn't say anything, he just tightened his grip around her, then released her. She smiled and winked, then threw her arms around Chad and kissed him. Paul couldn't help but feel jealous, but noticed the look on Chad's face, as if he would regret telling Meg the truth. Paul began to feel a bit sympathetic for him, now that Chad had realized what a great person he'd cheated on. Chad whispered something in her ear and soon the two were on their way down the hall. 19. Can You Stand the Rain? 10:23 am "We need to talk." Chad whispered. Meg could sense the urgency and need in his voice. "Let's walk and talk, then." They took hands and began walking down one of the long room-filled hallways. "What's on your mind, baby?" "You deserve someone better than me, Meg." "What?" "I mean it. This is the hardest thing you've ever gone through and I haven't been there for you." "But that's okay, Chad, you were scared." "Meg," he stopped her, took her other hand and looked her in the eyes. "I found comfort in someone else and I realized how much I cared for them." She frowned. "You cheated on me?" He sighed. "Yeah." She closed her eyes, sighing. Why did I not see this one coming? "Please don't hate me, Meg." "I could get really mad, right now, Chad, but I'm not going to. That'll only end up hurting both of us. I'm sure you don't know what it's like having a girlfriend with�� she paused, "With cancer. And I might have done the same thing in your situation, so spare me the details and we'll end this thing quietly." "Cancer?" She nodded. "Yeah. I don't want to be a burden on you, baby. I care about you too much. You don't want someone like me. Cancer�isn't pretty." Tears formed in Chad's eyes. "I'm so sorry, Meg." He placed a hand on her face. "If I had known--" She put a finger to his lips. "No ifs, Chad. This is the way it's supposed to be." He closed his eyes and lowered his head. "I wish it didn't have to end like this." "Hey," she said, "Better now than later, huh?" She smiled meekly. "You don't hate me?" "No, Chad. I could never hate you. You've been a page�a chapter in my life and you mean too much to me." She smiled. "Just don't forget me, okay?" "I won't. I swear it, Meg." He kissed her for the last time, his hand grazing the back of her neck. She backed away, paused and quoted their song, "Storms will come, this we know for sure, but tell me, can you stand the rain?" He smiled. "I'll try." "That's good enough for me." They took hands and walked back into the lobby. |