Chapter 32 Letting Go
Daylan's POV
I walked into the cafeteria to get my last coffee. I needed it. I saw patients the entire day, and then it was Abby who was constantly around. She is pushing this project and as much as I want to push it, the board has to make the final decision and I know that they won't go with it. If I am turning down those women who throw themselves at me, then I might not get it. They want a piece of me as always. I'm not that man anymore.
The only woman that is constantly on my mind is Brie. I lingered at the coffee machine, hoping that I would see her. It was one of her colleagues that stood out front to take any orders, but she was scrolling through her phone.
"She went home, if you're looking for Brielle," she said, not taking her eyes off the phone.
"Um, I just wanted to check up on her." I replied. I didn't know if Brie had told her about us or if I was being obvious earlier.
"I know that you like her, it's obvious." she finally looked up at me, "I know what happened." she smiled, of course she knows, Brie told her.
"I care about her and yes, I do want her, but we made our decisions. Just look after her, and inform me if she is okay with her health." I said as I started to walk away.
"I like you as a person, not that you are hot and, yes, we have crushes on you, but I want to see Brie happy. I am rooting for you both. I hope that whatever it is that she wants, you will give it to her without hesitation. If you don't want to, then it's your loss because she is an incredible person. She was so happy with Rick, she was excited about the future that they were going to have together, and he messed that up, and now she thinks that she won't have it all. Stop thinking about yourself if you want her," she said.
"I don't want people to force things on us. I appreciate that you want us together, but I just can't give her what she wants."
"So Abby will always be there for what you want?" she shook her head in disappointment.
"No, there is nothing going on between Abby and me anymore. Brie is the only one-"
"So, fight for her, I just don't get you. Just remember my words," she said as she turned and went to the back.
I sucked in a breath as I looked at the polystyrene cup in my hand. I don't think I can do that. This might be for the best. I turned to walk out but then Abby entered. "You do know I have made a reservation for dinner with you this evening. Just as colleagues, nothing more. I just want to hang out and have dinner." she smiled.
"Abby, I appreciate that, but I'm tired, and I will be heading home soon. I will no longer hang out like old times. This is how it starts and things progress. I'm sorry to disappoint you." I replied.
Her smile faded, she was clearly hurt by that, "Its always Brie that gets everything. I wish that you both had never met," she snapped.
"Jealousy doesn't look good on you."
"I hate you," she snarled, before turning on her heel and storming off.
I laughed at her reaction, it just proves to me that she will try anything to get me back as the f^ck buddy and more. I hope she moves on from me and finds someone else. She cannot put her life on hold because of me. I will never be with her the way that she wants me to be. Not even as a f^ck buddy.
I walked back to my office, but then Tabitha was seated on the chair when I opened the office door, and then I stepped inside, closing the door behind me, facing her again, "Anything I can help with?" I asked as I took a sip of my coffee. I rounded my desk and took a seat, placing the polystyrene cup on the desk.
"Well, I'm worried about Brie. Rick told me that he saw her, and her face was all bruised. Apparently it's her stepbrother. Do you have any idea who he is?" she asked, "I know you have treated her injuries because you are her doctor. I get that this kind of information is confidential too, but I worry and if we can find him, then we need to do something about it."
"I don't know him. I haven't seen him either. She just called me and she was a mess. I wanted to find him and have her report it, but she made me promise not to push and that she would think about it. I broke her heart and I cannot do that again. I want to respect her wishes but I worry too. He is out there, and he can go back to her." I replied.
"I wish I knew who he was. Maybe we can ask around at the other apartments if they have seen anyone on that night. They could give a description." she shrugged.
"That could work, I guess. Brie doesn't want to see me, so you will have to go. I'm respecting her from now on. I'm only her doctor since things didn't work out between us."
"I knew you would break her heart. I could slap you right now. I knew you wouldn't change," she snapped.
"We were not meant to be, okay? I didn't cheat on her and I didn't hurt her on purpose. I don't want her to waste her time on having a family when I don't want one."
"That is far different from what you told me, you said you both were going to start a family. Is it Abby clouding your brain? You know what...maybe it's for the best that you are both not together anymore. It will save Brie a lot of heartache because Abby wouldn't let you go that easily. I know her type, you just ruined a good thing, the same as you have ruined our marriage with Abby," her eyes glazed over and I felt guilty.
"I'm sorry," I said. "But you cannot always hold that against me Tabz. I expected you to move on already, but I get it, those wounds take years to heal. I want you to be happy too. Maybe I have hurt you so deeply that maybe you cannot trust another man again, and I take full responsibility in my actions that ruined that. But don't always live in the past, work through it, and heal, find happiness." I tried to encourage her.
"It was only you, Daylan. I gushed to everyone about you while we were married." her eyes glazed over. "So, it's difficult for me to let go of everything. Rick is our only child, and he is the closest thing that I had to you after you left. Seeing you here after so many years, it just brings back the hurt and what we could've been if you hadn't cheated on me. We would've had a beautiful life and family. We could've added to our family. But now the focus is on Brie and her safety. I know you care about her, but you are selfish. So, what are we going to do?" she asked.
"We cannot report it if Brie doesn't want to. I think it's her decision. I will not get involved, but if you want to, then by all means," I said as I shifted folders on top of my desk.
"I will just have to pay her a visit. She has to listen to me, I'm close to her as a mother." she stood up. "As for Abby, I will have a word with her, she makes me sick. She needs to leave you alone."
"Please do, she doesn't know when to let go," I said without looking at her.
"Then its sorted. I will inform you about the situation with Brie." she slung the strap of her bag over her shoulder and then left.
I leaned back in the chair, staring at nothing but taking in what Tabz had just said. I do still feel guilty about it all. What if my life had been different, and I was still with her? I know she wanted to expand the family, but I was always putting it off due to work and then Abby came into my life and that is when things changed. Tabz deserved more. She deserves happiness and I can't help but think that her desires for a family are the same as what Brie wants. Yet it feels like a cycle all over again that I just cannot do it with Brie. Abby is always lingering around, but I'm just not giving in to her. That is the difference between my marriage with Tabz and Brie. Maybe I'm just not ready for family. I might never be, so I'm glad that I let Brie go no matter how difficult it is.