I Need You.

Matt’s POV

The sun had just set which meant it was time to leave the hospital and head home. I said goodbye to Jasabelle, she was getting a ride with her friend Chelsea and her mom, and exited the room I would be occupying for the next six months. Once I stepped into the elevator, I hit the ground floor button and waited. The doors opened and I was able to walk into the parking garage. My black SUV was in sight when I pulled out my keys, unlocking the doors.

I started it up after climbing in and I was hit in the face with a blast of cold air from the air conditioner. The twenty minute drive to my house flew by in the blink of an eye and before I knew it, I was parking in my usual spot, next to Val’s cherry red Mustang. I stepped out after shutting it off and walked to my front door. I still had my keys out so I could unlock the front door. I didn’t even bother announcing I was home; it’s not like I’d get a response.

I headed to the kitchen to get a beer but when I happened to look out the back door, I noticed Val and Michelle were in the pool while Brian was standing behind the grill, cooking something. I opened the door and descended down the stairs, drinking from my beer. “Hey, man” Brian said, being the first to notice me. “Hey. What are you guys doing here?” “I’ve known you for years. I can’t just come over and see you?” he asked, mimicking my exact words from the other day. “Very funny” I responded, heading over to where he stood.

“Hey, Matt” Michelle greeted me from her place in the pool, floating on an inflatable chair. I tipped my beer can at her as a response. Val looked at me, but didn’t say a word. If she wasn’t going to talk to me, then I wouldn’t talk to her. Brian used the spatula to flip one of the burgers over.

“Food’s almost ready” he announced to us. “I didn’t know we were having a barbeque.” “Well now you do” he said looking at me then turning his attention back to the grill. “We’re gonna go change” Val said more to Brian than to me. Her and Michelle were now out of the pool and had towels wrapped around their bodies. Brian nodded and they took off into the house.

“So what happened with that blind girl?” he reached for his beer as he looked at me closely. “Nothing. We’re friends I guess.” “Friends?” he sighed. “Man, you can’t be friends. You macked on her” I raised my eyebrow as I laughed. “She just wants to forget about it, I think. Besides, I have that deal with her dad. If he found out, it’d be a no go” he nodded. “Just be careful. If Michelle ever found out I knew about this, I’d be dead” I laughed once again.

“Of course” he looked away from me then back at the grill. “Food’s ready” he declared, picking up the meat and placing them on a plate nearby. We both went up the stairs and into the house where Michelle and Val were now standing in the kitchen. “Is dinner ready?” Michelle asked, looking at her husband. “Of course, baby” they both looked at each other adoringly and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt.

Val hadn’t looked at me like that in months. I blew up my cheeks, and slowly let the air out. Brian set out the tray of burgers next to all the other fixings. “Help yourselves, guys” Brian announced. I loved how he made himself so comfortable in my own house.

I grabbed my plate and placed a bun and burger on it. I put cheese and ketchup on it before scooping a spoonful of potato salad on there too. I picked up my beer and headed out back to the patio. Brian soon joined me shortly after I sat down. His plate matched mine.

We heard the door open and both of the girls stepped out. Michelle sat next to Brian and Val sat next to Michelle. You could feel the awkwardness in the air. I continued to let my anger build up and not say anything. I took a huge bite out of my burger and chewed hard till I swallowed.

I glared daggers at her as we continued eat and she pretended not to see me. That royally pissed me off. I couldn’t help but let my anger just sit there and boil as we all ate in silence. Finally, when dinner was coming to an end, I made up my mind. Tonight, Val and I were going to have the conversation we’d needed to have for the last few months. Not long after, Brian and Michelle got up to leave.

Val said goodbye to her sister and I said goodbye to my best friend. As soon as the door closed, Val turned her back to me and headed the other direction. Before she got to the stairs I called her name. She acted as if I hadn’t just practically screamed at her and continued on her merry way up the stairs. I had no choice but to run after her.

She closed the door to our bedroom just as I reached the top of the stairs. I pushed the door open so hard, it slammed against one of the bedroom walls. Val immediately came out of the closet she was currently standing in. “What the fuck?” her voice was high and squeaky. “What the hell is your goddamn problem?” I boomed at her.

She scoffed but her eyebrows were raised. “What’s my problem? You’re the one who just shoved the door against the wall and probably put a hole there” I couldn’t believe her! “You act as if we’re not married or that I don’t exist! It’s been this way for months and I can’t live like this anymore. What the fuck did I ever do to you? What did I do to make you hate me?” she stared at me, her eyes wide, for what felt like minutes. “Matt” she pressed her fingers to the temple on her forehead. “Don’t Matt me” I stopped her before she could go on.

“Don’t make me suffer anymore. If you want a divorce, fine. I’ll move out. If you’re not happy, tell me what I can do to fix it” tears had started to form in her eyes. “There’s nothing you can do” she paused, taking a breath, before she uttered the words that would break my heart. “I just fell out of love with you, Matt” my mouth fell open. “Val, I still love you” she didn’t say anything. Instead of being a groveling fool, I left the bedroom, picked up my keys and left the house. The whole time, she never made a noise. She didn’t even look at me.