Dana ran down the stairs and out to the parking lot, hoping she wasn’t too late. Luckily, she wasn’t, and she smiled as he came into view. Kaylie smiled and climbed into her car, calling out that she would meet them at the airport. Scott smiled as he saw her.
“You comin’ along?” he asked. She nodded and hopped into the car next to him. They drove off, and within minutes, pulled into the car rental parking lot to check the car back in. He nonchalantly took her hand as they walked through the airport. The butterflies surfaced in her stomach, and she concealed a deep breath, and said nothing. Soon, it was time for him to board the plane. He embraced Kaylie, then turned to Dana, taking a deep breath. He softly touched her face, leaning in slowly as he looked into her eyes. His lips caught hers in a soft, gentle kiss, and he pulled her against him. The kiss lasted only seconds, and he pulled away, watching her eyes flutter open. He smiled and turned to board the plane and disappeared.

***

Scott smiled as Kaylie appeared in the hallway to check him in. He followed her down the hall to the elevator, praying that Dana would be home. Kaylie wished him luck and disappeared into her own room, leaving Stapp to surprise Dana for her birthday. He knocked on the door, but there was no answer. His heart fell, and he tried the door. Surprisingly, it was unlocked, so he entered slowly and quietly, a smile on his face. His smile fell when he saw her, lying in the bed nude, another guy behind her with his arm draped around her side. He shook his head, the tears surfacing. She slowly opened her eyes, groggy. Her jumped when she saw him there, then followed his gaze, her face darkening when she saw the man behind her in her bed.
“Scott, I can explain,” she started. He just shook his head and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him. She swore and stood, dressing quickly. She hurried down the hall, hoping Scott was at Kaylie’s. She burst in the door, and was greeted by two menacing scowls, one from Scott, the other from Kaylie.
“Who the hell do you think you are?” Kaylie asked, her voice low and tense. Dana sighed, her eyes focused on the floor.
“I can explain.”
“And it’d better be good,” Kaylie warned, crossing her arms over her chest.
“A couple of friends threw an early birthday party for me last night,” she started, looking up at Kaylie, who blinked silently.
“And…?”
“I guess I got a little drunk, and made a mistake,” Dana said, throwing her hands up in the air. “Scott,” she turned to him, putting a hand on his shoulder. He shrugged it off, scowling, and she recoiled, hurt. “Scott, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen. I don’t know what else I can say.”
“Sorry, doesn’t cut it Dana,” he said, standing, his arms crossed over his chest. Her head fell.
“What can I do to fix this?” she asked quietly.
“You know what?” She looked up at him. “I really don’t know.”  Scott stood and left the room, slamming the door behind him. Dana stood there, fighting the tears. Kaylie’s features softened.
“Look, Dana. I know this is all a mistake. You’d better go after him.” Dana nodded and jogged down the hall, running down the stairs. She caught up with him in the parking lot and grabbed his shoulder, spinning him around to face her. Tears were streaming down her face as she tried to explain the situation.
“Dana, I’m sick of excuses, okay? Why the hell should I believe you?” She sighed. “I come visit you for your birthday, and I find you in be and you just tell me ‘I’m sorry, I don’t know what else to say?’ C’mon, Dana. I’ve heard this shit before.”
“Scott, I’m sorry – what else can I say?” He turned away and she walked around him to face him. “Scott, I really am sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten drunk, and I should have had someone there with me to make sure this didn’t happen, okay? I made a mistake. Can’t you forgive me that?” Scott walked past her toward his car. “Scott?” He turned back around to face her.
“I don’t need this, Dana. I’ve heard this before.” He walked to his car and left, leaving Dana in the parking lot crying.

***

Dana tried to shake her nervousness as she walked up to the arena. She took another drag off her cigarette and entered the building, her eyes searching the place for her friend Dave, who was a security guard. She finally found him and he took her backstage, leaving her outside the door to the greenroom. She took a deep breath and opened the door. The guys looked up to see who was there, and Scott stood.
“Dana. What are you doing here?” She smiled at him.
“Can we talk?” Stapp nodded and followed her out the door and into the hallway. “Look, I feel awful about this. I really am sorry about what happened, and I hope you can forgive me eventually. I just wanted to tell you that I miss you and I love you.” Stapp looked at the ground. “I mean that, Scott, I really do. But I’ll understand if you can’t forgive me.” She turned and started walking down the hall toward the door.
“Dana---” She stopped and turned around slowly. “I’m sorry I didn’t give you a chance. I mean,” he stopped, frustrated, and took a breath. “This has happened to me in the past, and I got hurt really bad. I just don’t want that to happen again. You can understand that, can’t you?” She forced a smile and nodded. “I’m sorry, I really am. I love you, but I can’t…” He took another breath, then sighed. “I can’t forgive you right now.” Her smile fell, and she turned and left.
Back to My Stories