Scars

Stella was not planning on getting out of her pyjamas all day. It was her day off not only from the store but from everything else as well. It didn’t happen often but she was having a duvet day. Just her, the sofa, junk food and all the programmes she’d TiVo’d over them past week.
With Supernatural, True Blood and The Big Bang Theory watched, Stella put down the remote and got up from her sofa, stretching her limbs. After a quick bathroom break she wandered down to the bottom of her driveway to retrieve her mail, glancing through it quickly before setting it on the coffee table. After grabbing another bottle of soda from the kitchen she curled back up on the sofa and found the recording of Hell’s Kitchen to watch.

She began to look through her mail, even looking through the junk mail for once. After browsing the mail order catalogue full of kitchen appliances and accessories she picked up the next envelope. She frowned at the handwritten address, recognising the writing but unable to place it.

She opened it, unfolding the letter inside and scanning over the words quickly, her eyes quick to fall to the bottom of the page where the words “All my love, Cole” had been written.
She stared at the name shocked. It was likely to be the last name she’d expected to see at the bottom of the letter. Slowly she read through the rest of the letter, taking in every word. Then she read it through again.

Stunned and confused she kept hold of the small piece of paper as she stood and headed back up to her bedroom where she quickly changed, exchanging her pyjamas for a pair of leggings, a long top and a pair of red low-cut converse. She then proceeded to the salon to seek the advice of her best friend.

>”<

“Well deserved I think.” Gena said as she passed Tonya a mug of coffee with a smile.

“And much needed.” Tonya replied taking a cautious sip.

“I do love doing wedding parties though.” Gena admitted. “Knowing that you’ve been a part of their special day.”

“I know, I can’t wait to see her on the actual day in her dress.” Tonya replied as she watched Stella pull up outside the salon.

“Just ten more days.” Gena added as Stella walked through the door.

“Hey Hun, how are you enjoying your day off?” Tonya asked.

“I was fine until this came in the mail.” She said passing the letter to Tonya.

She sat up straighter in her chair, taking the paper off her friend with a confused look on her face. “What is it?”

“It’s from Cole.” She replied simply watching a flash of rage appear in Tonya’s expression.

“What the fuck does that smarmy cunt want!” she snarled. “Excuse the French.” She added with an apologetic glance towards Gena who waved the apology away.

“To say sorry apparently” Stella muttered, rolling her eyes as Tonya began to read the letter.

“This guy is un-fucking-believable.” Tonya said shaking her head as she continued to read.

“You haven’t got to the best yet.” she commented, Tonya glancing up at her briefly before she continued reading.

“What the actual fuck?! Is this guy serious? Does he really think that this will work?” Tonya yelled.

“I guess she got to the best part.” Gena laughed. “What did it say?”

“The fucktard wants her back!” Tonya replied passing Gena the letter.

“What? Seriously?” she said glancing over the letter herself.

“What should I do?” Stella asked quietly, Tonya glaring up at her with wide eyes.

“Are you seriously asking me that question?” she asked her tone finally a little quieter and calmer.

“Well, no, I guess not. It just took me by surprise I guess.” She admitted.

“I bet.” Gena said passing the letter back to Stella. “Just call him and tell him that he had his chance and he blew it when he started screwing with that other whore. Tell him you’re happy with Matt and to stay out of your life.”

Stella nodded in agreement “Not that I want to hear his voice.”

“Then I’ll do it, give that son of a bitch a piece of my mind.” Tonya replied. “Or better yet, just ignore the fucker. Don’t give him the satisfaction of replying to him.”

“I like the sound of that.” Stella agreed “but what about Matt? Do I tell him about the letter?”

“What’s to tell? Does he really need to know?” Tonya asked, her eyebrows raised enquiringly.

“Is there anything to tell him if you’re not going to respond to the letter?” Gena added.

“I want to be straight up and honest with him though. I don’t want there to be any secrets between us.” Stella replied. “But then on the other hand I don’t want him flipping his lid if I do tell him and going after Cole.”

“Talk to the other guys first, see what they think.” Tonya said thoughtfully.

“Yeah?” Stella asked.

“Yeah.” Gena replied, “T is right, ask Brian for advice on how to handle it first.”

“Okay, thanks ladies, you’ve been a real help.” She said as she prepared to leave.

“Call me later.” Tonya said with a smile.

~”~

After leaving the tattoo studio Stella text Matt to check with him what time he’d be over after he finished work and to ask him to pick up a bottle of wine before she made her way back home and start on dinner for the two of them.

After explaining to Brian about the letter and its content Stella had asked him his opinion on telling Matt. He had been unsure if it was a wise decision at first, apprehensive that he would act first and think later and go after Cole to warn him off. However he also agreed with her, that she shouldn’t keep it from him.

In the end he advised her to tell him, sooner rather than later. “Make sure he’s relaxed when you tell him.” he had told her. “After he’s had food, had a beer, Hell even after you’ve had sex if that’s what it takes. And if he does kick off and go after Cole just call me and I’ll make sure he doesn’t get in any trouble.”

“Babe are you okay?” Matt asked as he watched her quickly drain her full glass of wine with a wince. Three times she had tried to tell him about the letter only to lose her nerve and change the subject.

“I’ve got to tell you something.” she blurted out, knowing that it was now or never.

“Okay, sounds serious. Am I going to like this?” he said walking over to her, his expression the most serious she had ever seen it.

“I don’t know. Probably not.” she said quietly flickering her gaze between him and the floor.

“Babe, you can tell me anything you know that right.” he said quietly as he tried to catch and hold her gaze.

“I know.” she nodded, finally meeting his hazel eyes with hers. “But when I tell you this, you’ve got to promise me that you’re not going to fly off the handle and get all angry and protective.”
Matt straightened his posture and took a step backwards. “Babe, I think it’s best that you tell me what’s wrong.”

“Promise though.” She said looking up at him. He sighed but then nodded. “Okay, well I got something in the mail this morning. Actually maybe it’ll be better if I just show it to you.” she took the folded up letter out of her pocket and handed it cautiously to him, watching him intently as he began to read it. Nervously she began to nibble at her bottom lip as she watched Matt’s expression become more strained, his knuckles whitening as he gripped hold of the letter.

“That fuckers got a damn nerve!” he said as he finally reached the end of the letter. “I mean does he really think that after all he did to you that all he needs to do to get you back is say sorry, in a fucking letter? Really?”

“Apparently so. But it’s not going to work. I’m happy now, happier than I’ve ever been.” She replied, starting to smile.

Matt smiled back at her, a full on dimpled grin. “Good and I’m telling you now, if he wants you back he’s got a damn fight on his hand. I’m not prepared to let go of you easily. I’m falling for you Estelle, and if he wants you back he’s going to have a fight on his hands.”

“No fighting.” She exclaimed, her eyes wide.

Matt chuckled, “Okay, no fighting. So what are you going to do about this?” he asked holding up the now crumpled letter.

“Nothing. We thought it’s for the best to just ignore him.” she replied simply as Matt nodded in agreement.

“We?”

“Um, yeah, I spoke to Tonya and Gena earlier, figured out what to do about the letter.” She explained.

“Hope they didn’t have to convince you not to believe all his bull shit and go back to him.” he said with a teasing grin.

“Of course not.” she said stepping closer to him allowing her to be able to slide her arms around his waist. “Like I just said, I’m happier now than I ever have been.”

“Good.” Matt replied, sliding his large hands down her side, lifting her legs so that they were wrapped around his waist as his lips found hers with a sense of urgency.