Chapter 16: °16•Past resurface

Is this a fudging coincidence? Is the universe against me again? I can’t believe this. The same day I went to see my father at the hospital. He has to be here too.

But why is he here? Do I dare ask, is it my place to know? No, it isn’t anymore. I can finally say I’m done with this part of my life, all because I have this wonderful man beside me.

“Try and touch her. See what happens.” I hear Levi warn Davis, interrupting my thoughts.

As I look at Davis, I notice that he has tried to reach for me. Instantly I bring my body closer to Levi.

Davis then takes a few steps back. He looks from me to Levi and lowers his eye to our joined hands.

“You got a problem?” Levi asks Davis, annoyed at him for staring for too long.

Oh boy, maybe I should do something to ease the tension here.

“Levi, this is Davis, Davis, Levi.” I introduce them as I point between them.

That was my grand plan to ease the situation. Good job, Tory, good job. I slap myself mentally when I realize what I did.

“Nice to meet you, Levi,” Davis says, but I can tell he isn’t sincere.

What’s his problem?

“Likewise, Dick, was it?” And he’s no better.

“It’s Davis.” He replies bitterly.

“Oh, my mistake... Dick.”

“I’m sorry, but who do you think you are?” Davis asks Levi.

“You mean it’s not obvious? Well, let me put this so you can fucking understand, I’m her man. Need more? I. Am. Her. Boyfriend. So back the fuck off and stay the hell away.” Levi warns Davis as he points at him.

Did he say boyfriend?

Afterwards, Levi starts to walk away from Davis, dragging me with him.

“Tory, Katy has a miscarriage. That’s why we’re here. I wanted to let you know if you wanted to see her.” Davis rushes to say before I'm out of earshot.

I stop in my tracks and look at Levi, then at the ground, thinking about what to do with this information. Maybe if I go and see her, I can put this whole shenanigan behind me and never look back.

But do I want to open the door to the past and let it consume me once more? No, it can’t because I have a new life now and a man that I love. I have to do this so I can finally turn the page and begin a new part of my life.

“Where is she?” I ask, irritated by this whole situation.

Even if I agreed to go and see her, it doesn’t mean I’m happy about it. I may be ready to go past that, but I’ll never forget their betrayal. I will do this for myself, so in the future, I won’t regret my decision.

“Great, follow me. She’ll be happy, so happy to see you.” He says to me after I accept.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself. I won’t stay long. I have better things to do.” I will definitely not tell them why I am here. They don’t need the details.

“I heard what happened to your father. I hope he’s alright?” Fuck, I forgot it’s a small town.

“It’s none of your fucking business,” Levi says to Davis. I could hear the bitterness in his voice.

“Levis is right, Davis, we don’t need small talk if you really must know he’s ok, but that’s all I’ll tell you, nothing more,” I say as we walk towards Katy’s room.

“Tory?” Katy asks, looking at me shocked. I feel Levi beside me, leaning toward me.

“I’ll wait outside for you, babe.” He looks to Davis and then to Katy.

“If you need me, call me.” That is all he says before leaving me with two people who once betrayed me.

“So, who was that?” Katy dares to ask.

Oh no, I didn’t come here for this, no, sir.

“None of your damn business. I didn’t come here for that.” I snap at her. Katy looks at me, shocked, maybe because she has never heard me talk like that.

I think a little of Levi’s bitterness has rubbed off on me. I think as I look to the door where Levi just left.

“So why are you here then? To gloat or something because I lost the baby we conceived by cheating on you? Is that it?” Katy asks, looking at me angrily.

As I look at Katy, I take three deep breaths to calm my nerves, so I don't lose my shit. Look at that. Levi is starting to imprint on me.

“No, Katy, I didn’t come here to gloat. I’m not that kind of person. I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am for what happened to you. No mother should endure that, however, was conceived. I just wanted to tell you that I forgive you both. It’s not good for a person to endure negativity towards others.” I explain.

“Thank you, Tory, it’s very kind of you,” Katy says as she begins to cry.

To my surprise, I go to her and take her in my arms. In turn, she envelops her arms around me and starts to cry even harder.

Thankfully Davis stays where he is.

“Do you think we could be friends again? I’ve missed you since you left.” She looks at me with pleading eyes.

In a way, I missed her too. We were friends for so long. She even helped me when I panicked after Davis and I slept together for the first time. She was there for the good and the bad. Even so, it didn’t stop her from betraying me with Davis. I don’t think I can pass that. No, I’m sure I can’t. She did the unthinkable.

“I’m sorry, Katy. I said that I forgive you, but I can’t forget what you did, either of you.”

Now silence falls. You could hear a pin drop in the room.

Am I wrong here? On her worst day, I finally found release. The burden I have been carrying on my shoulder after all this time has ultimately disappeared.

“I’m sorry, but I have to go now,” I announce to both of them. I must go back to see if my father is ready to be released.

“So that’s the reason you came to see me, not because you wanted to see me, but to tell me that and feel better after? What a great friend you turned out to be.” Katy says as her lips tremble.

“Do you think I’m like that, Katy? By the way, we stopped being friends the day you slept with him. The only thing was I didn’t know for two years.”

I’m starting to regret coming here.

“I think it would be best if you leave Tory,” Davis says without looking at me. I look at both of them for one last time before I leave the room. I can finally say that this drama is behind me.

I look at Levi, who’s sitting on one of the chairs, looking up at me

“You ready to go, babe?” I look one last time at the door behind me. I nod, and we walk away, finally leaving the past behind me.