“I guess that depends on what you want to talk about and if you’re going to lose your temper.”I arch a brow.
I take in his disheveled appearance.His normally present easy smile is gone.His brows are furrowed and his lips turned down.His short hair is a wild mess, so different than how he looked when we got here.
I'm used to the cocky, laidback man I’ve known for years.Seeing him like this is odd.He’s normally joking around with everyone.It breaks my heart to see him like this.
“I won't yell at you,” he whispers.
“And what do you want to talk about?”I push a little harder.I'm not discussing my job with him.I love working for Schmidt and taking care of Tali.I'm not giving that up so I can be his little house guest with nothing to do.
“Us.”
I eye him for a few moments as I weigh my options.I could tell him no and walk away.He wouldn’t be able to stop me and Owen’s made it clear if he makes a scene there will be consequences.
But I feel like I owe it to Wheeler to talk to him.We have too much history and I consider him one of my best friends.I can't just toss him aside.It would kill both of us.
“Let me give Tali her drink, then we can talk.”
He nods his head and watches me walk over to the table Jamie and Tali are at with a bunch of the guys and their dates.
As soon as I'm at Jamie’s side, he wraps his arm around my waist and glances up at me with a soft smile.I’d think he was doing this to upset Wheeler if it weren’t for the fact he’s touched me every chance he gets since he kissed me earlier in the week.
“Wheeler wants to talk to me,” I say softly.
“Are you comfortable with that?”He searches my face, looking for any sort of hesitation.
“Yes.”
“Ok.I’ll be right here if you need me.”He squeezes my hip before releasing me and rejoining the conversation happening around the table.
I breathe out a sigh of relief.I love how Jamie doesn’t feel the need to be possessive or controlling.He’s happy to let me handle my own drama, but I know he’s there for me if I need him.
I return to Wheeler and he leads me over to an empty table away from the rest.It will give us the privacy we’ll need for this conversation, but still keep us surrounded by others.I think he’s doing that for my sake and Schmidt’s.He knows if he takes me away, Jamie might follow and I could feel uncomfortable being completely alone with him after the past week.
Wheeler tugs out a chair and motions for me to take a seat.He takes the one next to me and spins it to face me.He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
“What’s going on, Win?I can't handle this.I'm losing you and I don’t know how to stop it.”
“I don’t know,” I whisper, hating how broken he sounds.
“Am I losing you?”
“As a friend?No.As a booty call?Absolutely.I told you I don’t want that anymore, honestly I'm not sure I ever wanted it.I want a real relationship.One I know could lead to a future with a man I love.”
“You know you’ve always been more than a booty call to me.You were everything to me.”
“I was, in college.But not anymore.I haven’t been your everything in a long time, Chase.”
“I can change.”
“I don’t want you to change.Honestly, I think I’ve always been the one pulling away and you’ve always been chasing me.I'm not what you want, Chase.You want someone to have on your arm.Someone who will smile at the cameras and go along with what you want, I'm not that person.”
“But I don’t want anyone else,” he whispers as his eyes fill with moisture.
“Maybe you just haven’t met the perfect woman yet.You’re funny, smart, athletic, a total sweetheart, and everything a woman could want.You’re a great guy.One I’ve loved to spend time with over the years.One I don’t want to lose in my life.”
“You don’t want to lose me, but you don’t want me?”
“I want you as a friend.I’ve always considered you one of my best friends.I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
