Wyatt
THORNE

My mind has been going ever crazy since Lia hung up on me. I was terrified about what she was doing. I could tell by the way she was talking that she was wasted; and Lia rarely ever got like that. Then she said she was going home with some random guy. It didn't make me mad—it made me terrified.  I had no idea who that guy was. I knew that we weren't together, but she was still my best friend. 

I had stopped by Down the Rabbit Hole on the way to her place to see if she was there. The bartender, Roger. said she left thirty minutes before I got there. With a blonde guy. FUCK. I headed to her place; breaking every traffic law there was. 

If something happened to her, I was going to lose my mind. I've already come to realize that I was crazy in love with her. I probably have been since the very beginning. I couldn't imagine a world where she wasn't okay. Or where she didn't exist. I trusted her not to put herself in harms way, but who was this mysterious guy? That's what I didn't trust. 

I finally pulled into the garage at her apartment. I hoped to God she was here. Then it dawned on me. I didn't have a fucking key to her place. The tires on my car squealed as I drove up the ramp of the garage. When I got to the top level, I turned into a spot and jumped out. I started running towards the elevator when I heard a familiar voice. 

"Wyatt! Over here!" 

I turned towards the voice and frowned. I started waking over to the black sedan. I looked in the passenger window as I got closer and saw Lia passed out in the front seat. I looked to the 'mysterious blonde'. "Grant? Is that you?"

He shifted uncomfortably on his feet before offering me his hand. "Yeah. It's been awhile." 

I shook his hand as I tried to make sense of this night. I remembered him as a friend of Logan's. He came by our place a few times. I hadn't seem him in a long time, though. "What the hell—" I glanced from Lia back to him. "What's going on?" 

"I'll explain everything. But we should get her inside first. I got her this far but she passed out before I could get her apartment number." 

I nodded and gently lifted Lia in my arms. Grant grabbed her purse and followed me to the elevator that led to her floor. During the elevator ride I couldn't help but think about how good it felt to have her in my arms again. I missed her so much these past few days. Sleeping seemed impossible without Lia in the bed beside me. Not having her with me—hearing her jokes and her laughter—it didn't feel right. 

The elevator dinged and told us we finally arrived. We walked in silence until we got to her door. 

"Her keys are in her bag," I said to Grant. "It's the square gold one." 

"Got it." 

He quickly unlocked the door and held it open for me. I carefully maneuvered Lia through the doorway and went straight towards her bedroom. 

"Help yourself to anything in the fridge," I called out. "I'll be out in a minute." 

I laid Lia down in her bed. She sighed contently as she sank into the plush mattress. I stood there for a moment and looked down at her. She was beautiful. She was wearing that same black dress she had on the first night I saw her when I got back to town. Her hair was loose and curly. I wanted nothing more than to run my fingers through it. To lay beside her and pull her against me. But I couldn't do that. Not until we talked and I begged her to take me back. I didn't care if I had to get on my fucking knees. I fucked up; and I was willing to pay for it. 

I walked to the end of the bed and removed the heels she was wearing. I covered her with a blanket and gave her a kiss on the cheek. After one last look at her, I left her room and closed the door behind me. I saw Grant sitting on the couch drinking a beer. I grabbed one for myself before I joined him. 

"It's been a long time." I popped the top off of my beer and stretched out my legs. "So, what happened tonight?" 

Grant cleared his throat. "I was at Down the Rabbit Hole and Amelia was sitting next to me. I didn't see her at first. She actually recognized me and said hello." 

I frowned at that. How did she know who Grant was? I barely remembered the guy. "How did she recognize you? When did you two meet?" 

He seemed even more uncomfortable. "I came by the lake house once when you guys were there. Logan had told me about her and she passed by us when we were talking."

Now for the part that really interested me. "Okay, so tonight..."

Grant smiled and glanced to Lia's closed bedroom door. "She's really something, Wyatt." He looked back to me. "You have a really amazing girl."

"She's my brother's girl." The words rushed out of me. I didn't know how much Grant knew and I didn't know how much I should say. 

"I know she and Logan aren't getting married, Wyatt. She told me." 

My heart skipped a beat. "What else did she tell you?" 

He leaned back against the couch. "A lot, actually. I think she just needed someone to vent to. She told me about your guys' past and what happened at the lake house." His eyes bored into mine. "You really hurt her, Wyatt." 

I cursed under my breath and ran my hand over my face. "I know. I was a fucking idiot." I looked at her door, wishing I could tell her this now. But, unfortunately, I had to wait until she was sober. "She wanted me to tell her I loved her, but I was terrified. I've seen what love can do to people. I just can't lose her." 

Grant's expression was quizzical. "You did lose her, Wyatt. Were you going to try to get her back?" 

I nodded. "I was on my way to her place already when she called me. I realized a little too late that I made the biggest mistake of my life. Well," I sighed, "maybe the 2nd biggest. I love her. More than anything. When she wakes up, I'm going to tell her." 

"Good," Grant said. "That's good." 

"So, she was trying to make me jealous, huh? The whole blonde guy thing?" 

Grant laughed and took a drink of his beer. "Nah. She was just messing with you. I told her I would make sure she got home okay, that's all." 

"I appreciate that, Grant. Really." Something occurred to me. "Have you talked to Logan lately?" 

He seemed to have trouble looking at me. "No, not since I came by the lake house. I actually tried to call him tonight since I didn't have you're number, but it went straight to voicemail. Why? Haven't you?"

"Yeah," I replied on a breath. "I don't know. Something's up with him. I'm sure it's nothing." 

Grant didn't reply to that. The living room stayed silent as we finished out beers. After a few minutes, he got to his feet. "I should get going. It's been a long night." 

I set my empty bottle on the table and followed him to the front door. "Thank you, Grant. For everything. I was fucking terrified something would happen to her." 

"Anytime," he replied softly. "Take care of her, Wyatt. She's pretty incredible. She deserves a guy like you." 

"Thanks."

After Grant left, I threw away the empty beer bottles and made sure all the doors and windows were locked. I slipped off my shoes and went to check on Lia. She was sleeping in the same position from earlier. I reached down to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and she started to stir. 

"Mmm," she cooed, "Wyatt." 

I had no idea if she actually knew I was here or not. She rolled over a little and her eyes opened. She smiled up at me and I wish I had a camera. She looked so happy in that moment. So...Lia.

"Wyatt. You're here." She frowned and looked around. "Am I dreaming?" 

"No, baby. You're not dreaming." I cupped the side of her face. "How are you feeling?" 

She shrugged and rubbed at her face. "I feel a little out of it. I had a lot to drink." 

"I noticed." 

She grunted in the bed as she shifted. "I want to get out of this dress. I'm—I feel uncomfortable." 

"I'll help you." 

She sat up on the bed and I had to help steady her. She was right about one thing...she was out of it. I unzipped the back of her dress and helped her out of it. She said back down in the bed and snuggled into the blankets. I got up to go sleep in the living room when the sound of her voice stopped me. 

"Where are you going?" 

When I turned towards her, she slid over in the bed and held the blankets up for me. "Lay with me, Wyatt." 

I hesitated before I finally climbed into the bed with her. She snuggled against my body—laying her head on my chest and her arm on my stomach. I closed my eyes tight as I inhaled the vanilla scent of her perfume. God, I loved this woman; and tomorrow, I was going to tell her. 

I stroked her hair lightly until her breathing evened out and I knew she was sound asleep. It didn't take long before my eyes got heavy and I drifted off. 

A/N: Hey guys! Since you all have been so AMAZING I'm going to do a double post today! Keep your eyes open for the next chapter in a couple hours!