Chapter 15: His Vulnerability

\[Rue’s POV\]

Mykel and I sit together at the bar of one of the few clubs that exist in my hometown. Together, we share a drink while talking about anything and everything.

It is nice and exactly what I needed, but even now I still feel guilty for coming here while Mr. Owens is caring for my mother alone.

“Earth to Rue,” Mykel announces as I find myself slipping into my own head. “We came here to make you feel better, not for you to still stress.”

“Sorry,” I sigh, taking a sip of my drink. “I’m just…”

“I get it,” he assures me, swiveling around and taking in those who move about the bar behind us. “Maybe the thing you need is someone to help you forget.”

“Nah.”

The last time I decided I wanted to do something like that, I ended up linking up with someone related to the man that I just couldn’t forget.

“I think I’m going to swear off crushes and love for now.”

After going through such a painful first love, I didn’t want to experience that again, and even if there was a chance that things wouldn’t turn out like that, I just didn’t really think it was fair to the other party.

Even as time passed I still couldn’t forget Mr. Owens, and that was a problem in and of itself.

“Have you ever even tried dating before?” Mykel asks, eyeing me.

“No.”

I was so determined to win Mr. Owens over that I didn’t even consider any other man. That didn’t mean that they didn’t approach me and even ask me out, but I turned them all down.

“Then how do you know it won’t help you forget?”

How? Well, my heart and head were so filled with one man, there just wasn’t room for another.

“Don’t joke,” I sigh, finishing my drink and ordering another.

“Who says I’m joking?” Mykel asks and gives me an unreadable look. “Since none of these guys seem promising, why don’t you give me a try?”

For a moment, I don’t speak as I examine the man in front of me.

Was he being serious right now? I mean, he joked about it a few times before, but even then I knew he wasn’t serious, but now…

“Even if you’re just using me.” He continues, reaching out and touching my hand. “You can use me.”

Eyes widening, I take in what he is saying, and when the bartender returns with my drink, I pull my hand free.

“Don’t say such things,” I say slowly, feeling the easy atmosphere between us shifting. “You don’t deserve to be used like that.”

“I’m fine with it.” Mykel shrugs. “Who is to say that I won’t replace my brother in your mind and heart?”

You won’t. I think silently.

“I can’t do something like that to you,” I say outwardly. “Now, don’t say such things again.”

“Why not?”

Mykel’s voice is serious as he gently grabs my chin and makes me look at him.

“Instead of pining over my brother like this, you could give me a chance. I’m certain that I can replace him in your heart if you just…”

“No,” I repeat more firmly. “I only see you as a friend, and I’d like to keep it that way.”

“Why?” He demands, clearly not giving up. “You know that there isn’t a chance that you and my brother will ever work out, so…”

“Enough!!”

I didn’t want to sit here and argue with the one person I considered to be a friend. We came to this place to drink and unwind and forget about the stress of real life, and yet here he was, only adding to the stress that I already felt.

“I think it’s best that we end the night here.” I continue, digging in my purse and pulling out my credit card. “You can stay if you want, but I’m going home.”

After paying, I head out of the bar, and when Mykel doesn’t follow, I feel a bit of sorrow over the way things turned out, but I don’t dare go back to try to comfort him.

Right now, the thing that would work best was a bit of distance so Mykel could realize that I wasn’t the person that he wanted to be with. Chances are he was confused because we spent so much time together, and after we returned to school, he would find someone else.

At least, that was what I hoped because I knew that there was no chance that I would ever fall for him.

Sighing, I shake off my uneasy thoughts and then lift a hand, and when a cab stops in front of me, I climb in.

When I return home, the light in the living room is on, and I find myself wondering if Mr. Owens hasn’t gone to sleep yet.

For a moment, I stand in the yard debating whether or not I should go inside, and when the man himself walks out and his gaze comes to rest on me, I know that I have no choice but to move.

“Rue,” Mr. Owens announces as I climb the stairs of the porch. “Where is Mykel?”

“He decided to stick around the bar for a bit longer.” I explain, and I see a flash of anger in Mr. Owens’ eyes. “It’s no big deal.” I continue, not wanting him mad at Mykel. “I was the one who told him to stay.”

“Still,” he says slowly, pulling his cigarettes from his pocket. “He should know better than to let a woman roam about alone at night.”

“I’m not that fragile. ” I say, but then remember what happened back on the island during our family vacation. “Usually,” I finish lamely.

At my words, a chuckle escapes Mr. Owens, and he gives me a smile that makes my heart sing.

“Sure, sure,” he says, lighting his cigarette and taking a long drag of it. “Just don’t do this again, got it?”

“Yeah,” I sigh. “Is she sleeping?” I continue, nodding toward the house.

“She is,” he confirms. “She has an appointment tomorrow, so she needs all the rest she can get.”

“I see.”

“Don’t worry about her.” He tells me. “She’s strong and stubborn. I’m sure that she will be fine soon.”

“Yeah,” I repeat, but even now I can see the doubt in Mr. Owens' eyes. “Have they figured out exactly what is wrong? She keeps telling me that it is nothing and that she will be better soon, but that isn’t happening.”

Growing quiet, I wait and watch as a clear inner struggle starts to form in Mr. Owens’ gaze, and when that struggle shifts toward sorry, I’m certain that whatever is wrong with my mother isn’t as simple as what she keeps saying.

“She’s going to make it.” He says quietly, but I can tell he doesn’t believe it. “She has to.”

As he speaks, I see such a deep sorrow form in his gaze, and I’m moving, my arms wrapping around him while the need to comfort him rushes through me.

“Hey,” I murmur, rubbing soft circles on Mr. Owens’ strong back. “You’re right, she’s going to be okay.”

For a moment, Mr. Owens doesn’t speak as he just lets me hold him, but when he seems to snap out of whatever daze he was in, he gently pries me off.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” He tells me, and I feel my heart squeeze painfully. “Especially since…”

“Yeah,” I agree, though I hate that he is pushing me away. “But aren’t we supposed to be family?”

I was being unfair in using the family card, but I didn’t want him to push me away when he clearly needed a shoulder right now, and if pretending to be family would make him allow me to help him, then I was willing to be just that.