Summer's POV
After both encounters with Bryson and Asher, I've been on edge. Two people have found me out and I'm sure more of that was to come. I had been busying myself with work to distract myself, but it wasn't working as I wanted it to.
I'd hoped that the concert was a fluke and that he wrote me off as someone else entirely but I knew that wasn't the case. I could see Asher outside the shop staring in through the window. He had found me, I wasn't sure what to do. I'd be off of work in a half-hour and I'd be face to face with him again. It scared me to think that he found me so easily. If he could find me days later, Brad would certainly find me soon.
After clocking out for the day, I nervously head towards the door. I open it slowly and timidly step out to Asher. He watches my every move, quietly analyzing my face. He looked nervous to be in my presence and I didn't blame him. I was supposed to be dead...
He was sat at one of the outdoor tables and I reluctantly join him. The silence was thick and awkward, you could tell neither of us knew what to say or where to start. I had lied all these years to save myself but he didn't know. I would understand if he were mad, I would be.
"Hi." I find the courage to finally speak as I shift my weight under his gaze.
He takes a deep breath. running his hand through his hair before speaking. "Why?" His eyes beg me for an answer but he shuts them when I don't answer. His question was loaded for such a small word and I didn't know how to answer him. I hadn't envisioned myself here in this position. ever.
"What do you want me to say?" I take a deep breath to center myself. "It's done." Did he want an apology?
"Just give me a straight answer, Summer!" He grows frustrated. "Why did you lie about being alive!"
My breath hitched at the work 'lie'. I didn't mean to cause so much hurt to the people I loved. The pain in his eyes was slashing a knife through my body and my head was pounding in its remorse.
"I didn't want to! I had no choice!" I clamber out, "I had to protect myself and everyone else!"
"From what? You just disappeared one day and here you are." He groans, closing his eyes. "Bryson is fucked up about this.."
the mention of his name burns my heart and the guilt eats me alive. I had to stay away to keep both of us safe, but I still hurt him. I don't think I'll ever forgive myself for what it's done to him.
"How is he?" I ask truly wanting to know. I still loved and wanted what's best for him.
"He'd kill me if I told you the truth." He said visibly tensing. Whatever it was, it wasn't good.
"Tell me." I push it out of him, I didn't want to be the cause of his pain anymore. If I could help I certainly would.
He goes on to tell me what the past three years were like. He lets me in on how they all conspired to get him help and how he wasn't able to get over me. My 'death' had seriously fucked something up in him and I felt terrible. I'm sad he didn't ask for help after everything he's been through. I want to yell at him for being stupid to think it was weak. It made me sick to my stomach that 'I' had been tormenting him, It made sense why he acted as he did at the airport now.
After everything he's told me, I wanted to see him more than ever. I wasn't sure if it was right to do so though, with Natalie around. Ash told me about the guys setting him up with her, My heart ached but I knew they were doing the right thing. It pained me and made me happy to know that they weren't officially together.
"I need to talk with him." I sigh. It was my fault he's where he was mentally. I needed to make amends.
"I'll talk with the others and set it up." He grabs his phone and slides it to me on the table. "Give me your number, I'll be in touch."
I pause for a second before typing it in. I was officially putting myself back in my old life, Brad would certainly know after this. I had to be more careful from here on but I wasn't sure how. I can't just change my look and move again. Especially now.
"Here." I push his phone back and he slips it back in his pocket.
He stands up saying a quick goodbye before walking away.
I was hurt by what he told me about Bry and I didn't know how I'd help. My life was royally messed up and I didn't know how to fix it. I didn't tell Ash why I had lied to them and I hoped he forgives me for that. I will be telling Bryson when I get the chance, he deserves to know first over everyone else, it wouldn't be fair for him to be the last to find out. it'd kill him more.
Watching my back, I get up. Ever since I've been noticed. I feel like there's always someone watching me. I'm sure it was just the stress of everything, but you could never be so sure. In this case, I might be in trouble. I just hope I can sort this mess out first before I have to face him again. Hopefully, he doesn't drag them down with me this time.
♡