Cat

I spent several days in the hospital. I really did it to myself this time. Dr. Deveraux was concerned. He understood the stress that landed me here, but he's considering putting me on strict bed rest for the duration of my pregnancy. I convinced him that wasn't necessary. I haven't had an issue for months. Not since I've been doing my breathing and meditation exercises I have learned in Prenatal Yoga. He agreed, but he warned me the next time is the last time.

My parents were trying to convince me to stay home and not return to school. I really scared everyone this time. Hell, I scared myself. My mom stayed with me during the day. My dad would be there after work until dinner. Dillion would remain by my side until the nurses kicked him out.

Olivia came to visit me. She came when Dillion was there at night. Dillion would use the reprieve to grab some coffee before the cafeteria would close. The only person who didn't visit me, who cared so little about me he didn't even call or text, was Alex.

It's funny the gamut of emotions I've gone through since finding out that Alex left. Shock. Depression. Hope that he still cared. That he'd try to reach out to me. Anger. That's where I've landed. I'm angry that he would walk away without a word. I'm angry and I'm hurt.

"Hey, Tiger. You all set?"

I shut my suitcase. "Yeah. Olivia texted me. She's decided she's riding back to school with me. I don't think she trusts me driving home on my own."

Dillion smiled. "I'm glad she's looking out for you. Honestly, I would have gone if she wasn't going."

"I'd still be driving. When are going to get your driver's license?"

"I already have it."

"You do?"

"Yeah, I just never had enough money for a car. Mom and Dad didn't spoil me as they did you. I was told I had to earn it. In prison, I didn't need it and well, you know the rest."

"It  would be great if you gave that some thought because I would really like to see you more." I had to bite back tears. "I'm going to miss you."

Dillion pulled me into a smothering hug. "I'm going to miss you, too. I'll figure out a way to see you soon, I promise."

I pulled away and play punched his shoulder. "You better." My phone pinged me. I glanced at it to see Olivia has arrived.

"Time to go," I plastered on a fake smile not wanting to worry Dillion or my parents any more than they already are.

My mom and dad gave me a hug and kiss goodbye before I left.

"Call us when you get settled," my dad told me.

"Take care sweetheart," my mom doesn't want to let go when she hugged me goodbye.

"I'll be okay, mom. I promise."

She nodded. Obviously, she doesn't trust herself to speak. Most likely afraid she'll start crying.

I opened the door and Olivia was outside and leaning against my car. I guess she left her bags with Doug.

"Ready?" she asked.

"Yep." I opened up the car and Dillion took my bag from me and placed it in the back seat.

"I'll be fine," I reassured him again. I saw the concern written on his face.

"You better be," he told me and opened the car door for Olivia to jump in as I walked around to the driver's side.

"Thanks for watching over her."

Olivia almost looked shy as she gazed up at my brother. Is she blushing? I shook my head and got in.

"You know how stubborn she is, but I'll try my best," Olivia told my brother.

"I can hear you, you know," I complained, they both laughed and Olivia got in the car with me.

"Are you sure you don't want me to drive?"

"Really, I'm good. I just want to go back to things being normal. Well, as normal as they can be instead of everyone treating me like I'm this fragile egg that's going to shatter at any moment."

"Okay, no more hovering. We're just two friends on a road trip back to college."

"Right," I said starting my car. I hit the horn and waved goodbye.

A few miles into the trip I had to make a pit stop. One thing about pregnancy is the numerous bathroom trips required especially as the baby gets bigger. I swear this kid loves to use my bladder as a pillow.

We pulled into a rest stop and decided we'll get lunch too.

"I'll get us food, while hit the restroom. Then we can swap when you get back." Olivia told me.

"Sounds like a plan."

"Anything I shouldn't order."

I checked out the food court, nothing is setting off any alarms. "I should be good."

"Okay, any cravings?" Olivia asked with a grin.

"Actually no, not at the moment."

In fact, the only food I could remember craving was Alex's spaghetti. Alex. My smile disappeared and Olivia touched my arm, startling me a little.

"Hey, you okay?"

"Yeah," I tried to reassure her. "I just need that bathroom."

Olivia quickly scanned the room. "Back there." She pointed behind me and turned me in the direction I needed to go. I saw the sign.

"Thanks." I was happy to escape. I don't want to break down in front of Olivia. She's already hating Alex. I thought she had it in for Liam but when I told her about Alex, I really thought she'd kill him if he were in the room.

I used the bathroom and washed my hands. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I looked worn out. I went digging in my purse to touch up my makeup. I found I wore it more often lately. Mostly so I could feel/look human.

I saw my phone in my purse and felt the anger well up in me again when the impulse to check if Alex has called or left a message. I pushed my phone aside and went back to digging for my coverup.

Why can't I let him go? He's let me go so easily. I wish it were that easy for me.

Upon my return, I see Olivia waving me over to where she snagged us a seat in the crowded food court.

"I got you a grilled chicken sandwich, some fries, and vanilla shake. Is that okay?"

"Perfect." I take my seat across from her.

"Any thoughts on what you're going to do when you get back?"

Her question confused me. "The usual. Despite what happened, I'm not restricted."

"No." Olivia frowned. "I mean where are you going to stay?"

"Oh, I thought... well if it's alright with the girls, I'd like to stay at the sorority."

"Really?" Olivia had looked surprised and somewhat excited.

"If it's okay?"

"Are you kidding me? You know they all love you there. Me most of all. You're always welcome."

"Thanks. I just want to stop at the apartment to get a few things first."

Olivia's excitement faded and her look of concern returned. "You sure that's a good idea? Why don't you let me..."

I shook my head no. "I doubt he'll even be there. And if he is good."

"Good?"

"Yeah, I'm done running from my problems. He owes me an explanation at the very least. I may not get one but I damn it, I deserve better than how he left things."

Olivia smiled at me as if she were proud of me or something. 

"What?"

"Nothing. I'm just happy to see this side of you. Standing up for yourself. You go girl."

I felt a real smile tugging at my lips and it felt good. "Yeah, remind me of this again after I talk to him."

Olivia reached out and squeezed my hand. "I'll remind you of how incredibly awesome you are every day if I have to, and that Liam and Alex are idiots for letting you go."

"Would you want me to come with you?" Olivia offered.

"Would you mind waiting in the car? I want to face him on my own but I'm not sure how I'll be once I leave."

"Yeah, you got it."

We finished our lunch and were back on the road. Both of us seemed lost in thought as we listened to some music. Olivia took the second shift and I took the time to doze a little. I was surprised when she shook my shoulder to wake me.

"Hey Cat, we're here."

"Here?" I said sleepily. Here was at my apartment. My stomach dropped.

"You sure you want to do this right now?"

I nodded. "I'll just be a minute. I'll grab a few clothes and blow out of there." I  got out of my car and grabbed my suitcase from the backseat. I let myself into the apartment and saw Alex sprawled out on the sofa, an arm over his eyes. My heart cried out. I've missed him so much.

"Just five more minutes? I'm not ready to go just yet," he said.

I don't know why but his words infuriated me. I stormed up to him and dropped my suitcase on his stomach. "Really? You couldn't seem to leave fast enough when you left my house."

"Cat?!"

This comes from William who is now standing in the doorway, stunned to see me.

Alex pushed the case aside and scrambled to sit up. "Cat, what are you doing here?"

"I live here from what I last recall unless that's changed too?" I challenged.

"You do. I'm... I packed my stuff. I'll be out of here as soon as the truck comes to take my things to storage. I'm leaving you all the furniture and I've covered the rent until the end of the school year. I know this place might be hard to afford on your own, but if you wish to stay, I'll see what I can work out with the landlord after that."

I saw red. I took a deep breath to calm myself but it didn't work.

"After nearly a week, this is what you have to say to me? That I'm getting the furniture and the apartment as some sort of post-settlement package? Well, screw you, Alex Bragin! You can keep all your shit and this apartment, too! I want nothing from you!"

"Don't you get it? I'm trying to help here!" Alex said frustrated.

"Help?" A garbled laugh caught in my throat. "That's rich. Help? Your kind of help I don't need. Your kind of help landed me back in the hospital this week. Scared to death for the baby when my blood pressure shot through the roof. Why would you do this to me?" I demanded to know. "How have I come to mean this little to you in such a short period of time?"

His expression could only be described as stunned. "Hospital? What? When? Why didn't..." He shook his head. He didn't call because he didn't know. Is that even possible?

"So, you really didn't know?" My heart wanted to hold on to hope. 

"Of course, I didn't!"

My brain however insisted on justice. "Would it matter if you did?" No. It wanted to leave zero room for hope at all. "Would you have bothered to come?"

A truck's horn sounded. William who I completely forgot about said, "I'll go stall them,"  to Alex before leaving and shutting the door behind him.

I'm still waiting for my answer. My foot tapped impatiently as I waited.

"I don't know."

This was his response. I felt the sting of tears and pressed my lips together to fight them back. That's it... I stormed into the bedroom. I snatched another bag from the closet and shoved some clothes in. I stared at the bed we both shared. The bear, tiger, and kitten are all sitting together.

My heart is broken. I grabbed the bear and tiger my brother bought me and removed my necklace and engagement ring.  Once back in the living room I put the ring and necklace on the table and picked up my suitcase.

"Where are you going?" He asked seizing my wrist. I looked down at his hand that had a hold of me but he didn't let go.

"I'm moving into the sorority house with Olivia. I'll pick up the rest of my things later."

"You can stay here. There is no need for you to leave. This is your home."

His words felt like a knife to my heart.

"Not anymore, it's not."

Alex looked over to the coffee table to where I left his ring and the necklace. When he turns back at me, he looks... broken.

"I know you believe I don't care. I'm sure you'll convince yourself that I never loved you, and I can only pray you don't hate me, but I can't..."

His phone rings distracting him. It was sitting on the coffee table. He let me go to answer it. Now, of all times? Really?  It was the last straw. I left slamming the door behind me.