You're My Exception

Chapter 25

Joe laid in his chair lazily as he sipped his coconut drink. It was nice being out at a private beach: quiet, relaxing. He listened as the waves gently crashed against the shore, the seagulls flying over head and making noise, the light breeze hitting his face. It was already fall, yet the feeling of this place was amazing. He had music playing and his white Ray Bans on. Eyes closed, he smiled to himself at the peace and serenity of it all. He came here to get away from distractions; and it did work - mostly. No matter how much he had tried, there was one thing, no not thing, person that he couldn't shake off. And that person? Her voice, her laugh, her smile, everything kept popping up wherever he went. When he passed by a few girls, he'd think "Oh, this one almost smiles like Demi," or "Wow, she is nothing like Demi." He heard her voice singing, even though she wasn't here. She was every where he was. Joe longed for her touch, only to be dissapointed. He hadn't checked his phone in the past week. He turned it on, maybe whatever messages were on his voicemail would help him decide if it was time to go home. He missed her like crazy, but he knew they couldn't be. She was off engaged to Sterling, while he was picking up the pieces of his heart.

He had quite a few texts and voicemails. He started with the latest ones, a couple from his brother, co-workers, friends were nothing surprising. One from his manager asking when he'd get back, and Joe had to let out a low chuckle. Then, he had one more message left. It didn't say who it was from (that was saved for the end) so Joe was surprised at the sound of it. At first, there was a moment of silence, but then he heard, "Hey Joe, I...I was wrong today." What? Could this be? He kept listening. "I messed up. I'd really like to talk to you so can you call me when I get this? Or better yet, will you stop by my house when you get back from your vacation? All right, bye Joe."

"Demi..." he whispered her name to the crashing waves. What happened? DId she change her mind? He was about to call her, but stopped himself. Whatever this was, it was needed to be done in person, not on a lousy phone call. It was time to go home. Joe sat up and dialed a number.

"Hello?" the other line picked up.

"Your big brother's coming home tomorrow," Joe answered. "I'm ready."

Demi paced back and forth in her house. She had just gotten back from shopping with her sister earlier that day. She hadn't heard from Joe since he left town. Had he gotten her voicemail? Probably did. It's not like there wasn't any service in Hawaii. He must've ignored it, maybe even flirting with a girl while he was at it. The nasty words from their fight replayed in her head and she felt like she was about to scream. Her stupidity had left them standing in an awkward place. She craved his presence every waking moment since he left. Closing her eyes, she remembered how she kissed him, and they ended up making out. How she didn't even think of Sterling. How she wanted more and more of him. Did he stlil feel the same? Or was he broken from the things she wished she could've taken back? Or did he just move on with a snap of his fingers? With Joe, she couldn't tell, and it wasn't supposed to be like that. She wanted to know what was going on: with her and him. She imagined her future: being Joe's wife, having children run around the house, growing old with him. That's all she wanted. Would she be able to get it?

"Demi, we need to talk," Joe said softly, barely looking at her in the eye.

"What's wrong?" she asked, looking up at him as she twirled her dark hair with a finger.

"I love you," he told her, taking her hand in his.

"I love you too, and you know that." she answered. "Now what's the problem?"

"You know I value our relationship and friendship more than anything as well, right?"

"Of course," Demi told him, confused.

"I think...I think it's best if we just stay friends," he gulped. 'Take those words back Joe!' his inner voice screamed at him. 'Take them back now!' 

"Stay friends as in..." she trailed off, biting her lip.

"Friends as in friends. Like we were before..."

Demi took her hand out of his. "Why? Is this relationship not what you wanted?"

"No, of course not, it's everything I wished for - and more." he tried to beg with his eyes for her to make this easier.

"Then what is it, Joe?" Demi demanded.

"I love you, and every moment we've spent together was worth it, but...is continuing this relationship worth it?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Dems, I love you, so much. If anything were to happen, if we were to break up - a nasty break up - would we still be friends?" Joe held a hand up, silencing her before a word uttered out. "I don't want either of us to get hurt, and I don't want to loose our friendship."

"So we're breaking up?" She looked away.

"I..I don't want anything to happen." He admitted.

"Answer the damn question, Joe."

He sighed. "Yes, you could say we're breaking up. I don't want to lose you."

They stood in silence, Joe looking at the ground as Demi stared at him, emotions clouding her face. After a few moments like that, Demi had tears in her eyes as she said, "It's too late for that." She walked out of the room, leaving him shattered while she broke down.

Joe groaned at the memory. It still made his heart sting a little. How could he have been so stupid? Why did he think she would go along with it? He lost her when he meant to keep her. It's one of the things he regretted the most about his past.Joe didn't even get a wink of sleep last night. He had just gotten off the plane and directed the taxi straight to her house. He hoped whatever she wanted to talk about wouldn't hurt him more. Slowly, he knocked. As the door opened, his heart started beating ten times faster.