Chapter 229:
Ray of Hope
Chris’s P. O. V.
His fingers danced across the keyboard; the rhythmic clacking of keys provided cadence across the small, dimly lit apartment. The book was coming into place, but it was hard to keep the words pumping out. Megan’s story was incredible and overwhelming; Chris found himself at almost every turn in the road between admiration and frustration. He had promised to help her tell her story, but now it weighed upon him.
The shrill doorbell cut through his reverie. He frowned, consulting his watch. It was late, and he hadn’t expected anyone. He rubbed his eyes and shuffled to the door, tugging it open to find Megan standing there, a mix of determination and vulnerability playing on her features.
“Hey, Megan,” Chris greeted, stepping aside to let her in. “What’s up?”
“I need to talk,” Megan said, the pitch of her voice steady, though her eyes spoke a different language altogether with their fluttering nervousness. She strode past him into the living room, not stopping there, but continuing in heavy, purpose-driven footsteps.
Chris closed the door behind him and followed her. Her gait showed rigidity in her stance. “You look like you’ve got a lot on your mind.”
“Yeah, well, I do.” Megan perched on the edge of the couch, her fingers drumming nervously against her knee. “I have been thinking about everything-the book, us, my career. I have been trying to keep it all together, but.”
Chris sat down across from her, elbows braced on his knees. “But?”
“But I’ve been struggling,” Megan confessed, her voice faltering a little. “I’ve been keeping up appearances, but the truth of the matter is that I am more lost than ever. I thought everything was just as it was, whereas now, I don’t know for sure.”
Chris softened his expression. “You don’t have to put on a brave face at all times, Megan. You can talk to me.”
She finally looked at him, these burning eyes seeming to read his face for something, probably comfort or reassurance. “It is just that my ex is getting hitched, and well … I’m still coping with the fallout. I thought being with you would help me move on from everything, but lately, I feel it’s not enough. I am still stuck in the past.”.
Her words cut deep into Chris’s chest. He had known Megan as a strong lady, but hearing her so vulnerable made things different-now he realized how heavy she was in emotional weight. “I didn’t realize it was hitting you that hard. We’re in this together, okay? We will figure it out.”.
Megan nodded slightly, easing her shoulders. “Thanks. I’ve just been so wrapped up in trying to get through this charade that I haven’t stopped and started thinking about how I really feel.”
“Sometimes, one gets just swept away by the act,” Chris said, leaning forward, then set a hand over hers. “But what’s really important is being honest with yourself.
She squeezed his hand back, and her lips arched into a small smile. “I guess I needed to remember that it’s okay to be human, you know? To feel things. I have been so caught up in making everything seem perfect that I forgot to acknowledge my feelings.”
Chris nodded. His grip was reassuring. “It is a hard balancing act, but you don’t have to do it alone. You see, we’re a team now.
Just as Megan was going to respond, the doorbell rang. Chris turned a little quizzical toward her. “Now, who could that be at this hour?”
Megan’s smile faltered a bit, and she rose to her feet, wiping her palms on her jeans. “I’ll get it.”
As Megan opened the door, Chris could see the expression on her face change from confusion to a look of surprise. There, at the door, was Miles. On his face was etched a mixture of regret and determination. Chris’s muscles stiffened at what this little encounter would do to their conversation.
“Megan,” Miles said, his voice shaking, “I know it kinda late, and I’m really sorry about just stopping by, but I needed to see you.”
Her eyes widened, a mix of emotions crossing her face. “Miles. What are you doing here?”
Miles sucked in a deep breath, his eyes falling to the floor before rising again to meet Megan’s. “I’ve been thinking about everything, us, and that mess I had made. I came to set the wrongs right, or at least I should try to do so.”
Chris stood up, crossing his arms as he regarded Miles. “Well, this is a surprise. What are you after?
Miles’s gaze slid sideward to Chris, and he nodded at him. “I realize this may be more than a little awkward, but I really do have to talk with Megan alone. That much at least I owe her.”
Megan’s eyes fluttered between Miles and Chris as her face was split. “Chris, would you mind giving us just a minute?”
Chris stopped, his face a picture of concern. “Are you sure you want to do that now?”
“I have to,” Megan said softly. “I have to hear what he has to say.”
Chris blew out a loud breath but nodded. “Alright. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.
With Chris out of the way, Megan ushered Miles into the living room before closing the door behind them. Taking a deep breath, she steeled her nerves. “Alright, Miles. You have my attention. What do you want to say?”
Miles ran a hand through his hair, and actually, he did appear contrite. “I have been such a mess since I left. Scared, and I didn’t cope very well. I should have been more considerate, but then I didn’t know how to face you or the situation either. I realize now how much I hurt you, and for that, I’m truly sorry.”.
Her eyes softened, but not her voice. “You can’t just come and expect everything to be OK. You disappeared without a word, leaving me to sort everything out. Why should I start believing you now?
Miles nodded, accepting her anger. “You’re right. I don’t expect you to just forgive me. I’m not asking for that. All I want is a chance to explain myself and show you that I have changed. I want to make amends if you’ll let me.”
Megan regarded him with a skeptical curiosity. “And how do you plan on doing that?”
Miles sucked in a deep breath, his eyes in dead earnest. “I just want to be honest about everything. I want to work on the problems that made me leave. It won’t be easy, but I am willing to put forth some effort. I would like to prove that I can be better as a person, maybe even as a friend someday.”.
She turned away for a second; her thoughts were racing. All the weight from the words lay heavy upon her from Miles, as she wrestled with feelings that came. “I don’t know if I can forget everything that happened. It isn’t that simple.”
Miles’s voice was firm. “I know. I’m not demanding forgiveness right now. All I want is to be given a chance to prove that man is gone, that I am somebody you can believe in.”
Megan exhaled a sigh, letting her shoulders relax to a degree. “I need some time to think about it. I just don’t know if I am ready to open that door again.
Miles nodded in his mind. “I get it. I’ll wait. I just hope that, at some point, you’ll be willing to give me a chance.”
As Miles turned to leave, Megan watched him with convoluted emotions. She had become so preoccupied with her own battles that she hadn’t thought in detail about how Miles’s sudden return affected everyone.
Chris reentered the room; his expression guarded. “How did it go?
Megan’s gaze lifted to his, an odd mix of doubt and hope. “He came back to make things right. I don’t know about tomorrow, but… he brings a sense of hope.”
Chris nodded and offered a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “We’ll face it together, whatever comes next.”.
Her eyes lit up slightly with relief, and Megan smiled.