Harmony Lake (WAYHAUGHT)

Chapter 9

It took Waverly by surprise, pulling away. "I...I've got to go. I'm sorry. This is..."

"Waverly wait, please. I shouldn't have."

"I want to. I really do, but not like this. It's too soon."

"I'm so alone. Please."

Waverly returned to the bed. "Oh God, look I'll stay. Don't cry. I'll stay. You can hold me. Nicole, I'll stay."

Nicole wrapped her arms around Waverly, burying her head in her shoulder wanting the world to give her what she was unable to give herself. "I shouldn't have. Forgive me."

"It was a moment, that's all. If you'd done that, when we first met, I would have been even more in love with you, if that's possible. I know you now, I'm not Shae, I can't replace her, but I can be here for you."

"Don't hate me. Please don't hate me. I keep fucking up. I keep making a mess of everyone's lives."

"No, no. Hey, it's fine. You haven't. I could never hate you. You silly bean. I saw what happened to you on the plane. How you survived with all that going on after everything that's happened? It would kill me too."

"I could handle it once."

Waverly brushed Nicole's hair back, wiping away a tear. "You don't have to handle anything. Record deal, or no record deal, if this isn't what you want then walk away. You don't owe anybody a thing. Imagine if it was Wynonna. Imagine if someone told Wynonna what she should, or shouldn't do."

"It's not the same. She's not tied to an industry that doesn't let you walk away."

"Nicole Haught, listen to me. If you're brave enough to kiss me, you're brave enough to walk away from this crazy business."

"I'm not. I wanted to before, but Shae said it would destroy everything we'd worked for. Everything she'd worked hard for."

"So, you'd sign for Shae?" Waverly asked. "You'd sign the deal because of Shae."

"I let her down. I should have been there that night. It should have been me on that scooter, not her. She took my scooter, hers wouldn't start. We usually rode together in case one of us broke down, or needed to stop. I let her go. Waverly, I let her go on her own. That's how selfish I am."

"My God, Nicole. You can't blame yourself. You're not selfish. Whatever happened was dreadful, should never have happened. But, it wasn't your fault. And, signing some stupid deal won't change that. It will just make you unhappier. Look at you, is this how you want your life? Honestly, hand on heart, is this what you want?"

"I want...I want. I want Shae. I'm sorry. But, I'm lost without her."

"I know," Waverly replied. "I know you are. And, my heart breaks for you that she's not here with you, going through this with you. I get it now. You had each other. Both of you understood what it's like. I can't even begin to understand. Even what happened flying here freaked me out and I was just watching it happen."

There was a knock on the door, Wynonna's head appearing, staring at them on the bed. "Fuck, sorry. Was wondering where you were. I was thinking of going for a walk, introduce you guys to some of my friends. I can come back."

Waverly looked at Nicole. "Would be good to get out for a while. Do you want to come with?"

"I can't. I look a mess. Go, I'll be fine."

Waverly hugged Nicole, whispering in her ear. "I love you. I won't be long."

She followed her sister out, neither speaking, Nicole's mother asleep on one of the couches. Their walk took them along the promenade, stopping at one of the small bars on the seafront, Wynonna ordering two beers. "You're old enough to drink over here. Salud. Cheers."