WayHaught

Waverly

Ok, great just one more errand but this one she didn’t mind to doing, even if it had been a really long day. There was never any parking around this area she thought as she circled the block a third time. She finally found a spot, paid the meter and walked the half block to coffee shop. There were only about three people ahead of her in line so this was going to be quick. She looked around the shop and noticed it was quite busy. Most of the tables were full. She moved forward in the line and caught a glimpse of fiery red hair. She laughed to herself, not every ginger is Nicole. She grabbed two bags of the Arabica beans and placed them on the counter. She was looking up at menu when she heard the laugh. Nicole? That was unmistakable she’d recognized that sound blindfolded underwater even. She walked around the counter and looked towards the back booth where she had notice the ginger locks earlier. It was Nicole with her arm around a woman. An attractive woman. Waverly blinked several times trying to clear her vision but she was seeing clearly. Nicole sat at the corner booth with her arm around her ex-girlfriend Shae. She was laughing, full belly laugh. The sound that Waverly had once believe to be better than Christmas. Nicole lick her lips and leaned in to kiss Shae. Waverly was frozen in place. She couldn’t move, couldn’t think. She wasn’t even sure she was even breathing anymore. Only thing she could feel was her heart breaking. No not breaking, her heart shattered. Nicole was cheating on her just like Champ had done many times over. Waverly the fool, she thought as she paid for Nicole's favorite coffee beans and left the coffee shop.

Morning

Waverly sat at the kitchen island facing towards the front door. She was furious. Nicole came down the stairs in a hurry.

“Morning, shit I’m running late.” 

“Mhm.” Waverly muttered.

“Baby is there any coffee?” 

“Doesn’t look like it.” 

Nicole furrowed her eyebrows as she looked at Waverly’s indifference towards her. She looked around the kitchen quickly and noticed there also wasn’t a lunch bag prepared for her. Everything so far about this morning was strange. Why was Waverly behaving this way towards her. Nicole had always made sure to let Waverly know how much she appreciated the added effort she made in the mornings to make sure she had lunch ready and fresh coffee. Nicole would never take it for granted. Perhaps Waverly just hadn’t had the time to do it but either way Nicole could read the room and this was no time to bring it up. She would just have to grab something on the go if she had time. Nicole reached for a banana from the fruit basket and gave the brunette a forehead kiss. 

“Baby, is everything ok?” Nicole stopped at the door and turned back. 

“Fine.” Waverly said curt. Nicole looked down sadly before heading off. Waverly sat on the stool, her thoughts reeling. ‘Can’t believe she expected me to make her coffee and lunch after what she did’ Waverly thought as she finished her tea. She made her way sluggishly upstairs to get ready for her day, she wasn’t just going to sit at home thinking about ‘that’.

“Hey Jer” Waverly attempted to sound enthusiastic but fell way short. 

“Waves, hey.” Jeremy’s smile is big and warm. He immediately noticed that something was not right with his best friend.

“Is everything ok? I don’t know, you seem sad maybe?” He asked.

“Yeah, everything’s fine.” Her smile not quite reaching her eyes. Jeremy decided not to push the matter any further and signaled the waiter. They ordered their breakfast  and sat in silence for a while. Jeremy then started going over their upcoming schedule. It seemed that they might have to travel soon to see some marketing people but Jeremy wasn’t sure if he would go depending on which weekend was confirmed. Waverly just nodded her head along as he continued with the work stuff.

“I can’t believe so many people came to my birthday party.”Jeremy's tone was appreciative. 

“Of course, everyone loves you.” Waverly’s smile was genuine this time. 

“Ah, there’s that smile.” 

“What?” 

“Your smile.” Jeremy had his own big smile in response. 

“Oh, just feeling a bit meh today is all.” Waverly shrugged.

“You and Nicole?” Jeremy asked as he settled the bill on the company card. 

“We’re ok.” Waverly mumbled and reached out to hug Jeremy goodbye. He squeezed her extra tight knowing she needed the love today. 

“I’m here if you want to talk. Just call me, anytime, okay.” Jeremy had his hands on Waverly’s shoulders to emphasize. 

“Thanks, Jer.”

“Oh, I almost forgot, your birthday present.” Waverly hands him a gift bag and he pulls out a bowl. 

“Oh, wicked! Wha… what do I put in it?”

“Balls!” Waverly said excitedly, pulling out a second present.

“I love balls!”

“I know.” They hugged again, Waverly happy for her temporary distraction. 

Nicole

Nicole arrived at the job site just in time. Most of the guys were unpacking the deliveries. She cursed herself as she drank the crappy gas station coffee. She tried to toss the banana peel in the trash and missed. Of course she muttered to herself as she made her way to pick it up from the floor. 

“Everything ok boss.” A worker asked as he watched her struggle. 

“Just one of those mornings, Mike.” Nicole walked around giving everyone their assignments before settling down at the makeshift office. What the hell was up with Waverly this morning she thought when she had a second to herself. She didn’t care about the lunch or coffee but Waverly’s demeanor had been completely off. Nicole thought back at the events of the previous day. Nothing out of the ordinary. Nicole went over to Waverly’s for dinner, she hadn’t planned on spending there night because she had an early start today but they stayed up late watching ‘The L Word”. Waverly had called herself a baby gay and said she had a lot of catching up to do. Nicole smiled at the thought. Waverly had fallen asleep midway through the third episode of the night. They went to bed, not even any sex, they just fell asleep with Waverly on her chest and two bonus blankets. This morning though she woke up unusually cold, Waverly was not beside her and oddly the bonus blankets were both folded neatly at the foot of the bed. Very strange but definitely a Waverly trait but the brunette’s attitude had been very aloof. Nicole now was starting to think maybe this had nothing to do with her but something was amiss. 

Nic

Hi, baby  ❤️

Should I pick up Thai tonight?

Nicole went to make sure all the work was being done so she could leave on time. Nicole fully immersed in her work hadn’t realized she was well past lunch time and she still didn’t have a reply from Waverly. She sat back in her chair and stared at her phone. She debated sending another text but decided against it. She ordered lunch and ate it alone in her car. She was sad but more than that she was worried about Waverly. 

Waves

I want to be alone

You should go home, Nicole

You should go home, Nicole

You should go home, Nicole

You should go home, Nicole

Nicole kept reading the text over and over as if she were in a trance. She was at a loss at what she could have done wrong or what could possibly be troubling Waverly. 

“Nicole… Nicole… hey boss” Nicole finally snapped out of it as one of the guys shook her shoulder. 

“Oh hey, yeah, what’s up Mike.” 

“Boss you should join us for a drink.” 

“You look like you could use one.” Another worker added as everyone began to tidy up to leave for the day. 

“Tomorrow, we start at eleven. You guys have fun. I got to finish up some things here.” Nicole sat back down at her desk. You should go home, Nicole. She read the text once more. She grabbed her bag threw her phone in it and rushed towards the door. 

“Hey guys, wait up. Shorty’s?” She yelled out asking. 

“Yeah.” They responded with a cheer. Well just cause Waverly didn’t want to see her tonight didn’t mean she had to go home. She walked into Shorty’s and was relieved to see it was busy so she wouldn’t draw too much attention. She approached the bar and saw that Rosita was tending the bar. 

“Nicole, hey, is Waves here too?”  She asked, pouring out a couple of pints. 

“Uh no, just here with some of the work guys.” She pointed towards the table they were seated at. 

“Can you send us two pitchers of beer and a round of shots, pretty please?” 

“Sure thing.” 

“You’re the best.”  Nicole smiled slamming her palm down on the bar top before turning around heading back to the boys. The drinks kept coming. It was a late start the next day so why not. Another round and then one after that. 

“Nicole, should I call Waverly?” 

“NO, please no, not Waves.” Nicole was beginning to slur.  “Don’t tell Waves, she doesn’t want to see me.” Rosita could see that something was up she decided to just keep an eye on Nicole and wait for Wynonna to come pick her up. 

“Hey babes, you ready?” Wynonna sat at the bar.

“Yup but we got an extra stop tonight.” Rosita pointed towards the table where Nicole was passed out on. 

“Why didn’t you call Waverly?” 

“Nicole begged me not to. You drive her home in her truck and I’ll follow.” Rosita and Wynonna made their way to help Nicole get to the car.

“Up we go Haught.” They managed to get her in the truck and they were on their way. Wynonna got Nicole into her house with Rosita’s help. Wynonna took off the redhead’s shoes and pulled the covers up.

“I love… I love her sooo…. so much.. you know right.. I’m sorry.. sooooorrry.” Nicole mumbled on as she tried to get comfortable. 

Wynonna turned off the light and closed the door slightly but not all the way. 

“What was all that about.” Wynonna asked Rosita as she got in the driver seat to head to the homestead. 

“Don’t know babe but I’m tired.” Rosita replied.

“Yeah, yeah. We’re going baby.” Wynonna reached over and held her hand. 

Waverly

Waverly woke up super cranky, if you can call the tossing and turning she did all night sleeping. She laid awake in bed for a long while before her phone vibrated. Jeremy was checking in on her, they needed to confirm dates for the marketing meeting. She scrolled to look at the last text she sent Nicole and tears filled her eyes again. She knew she had hurt Nicole with that text but she couldn’t shake the feeling of what had happened.  Especially since it happened again, keeping her up. Waverly was sluggish to get up but she made the effort. She replied to Jeremy and thought about texting Nicole but she needed more time, a drink and some advice. 

Waverly walked into Shorty’s happy to see Rosita behind the bar. She doesn’t know why she didn’t think to call her first but here she was plopping down on the corner stool. She held her head in her hands with her elbows on the bar. 

“Well you look as bad as Nicole.” Rosita began pouring her a drink. Waverly stirred it before taking a sip. Waverly’s phone beeped and vibrated on the bar top. She glanced at it and set it back down face down. 

“So, trouble in paradise.” Rosita asked, pointing to the phone having noticed it was from Nicole. Waverly rolled her eyes and dropped her forehead down on the bar. 

“Give me a minute.” Rosita said and went to take care of some other patrons before returning to Waverly, this time with two shots in hand. Waverly lifted her head when the shot glass hit the wood. 

“Spill it.” Rosita urged lifting her shot and throwing it back. 

“She cheated.” Waverly said as she downed her shot. 

“WHAT?!” Rosita nearly choked on nothing, eyes wide and jaw on the floor. 

“Nicole?” Rosita confirmed and poured another shot drinking hers before pouring the second for Waverly. Her face in utter disbelief. 

“Yes, well no. Yes, I mean Nicole but no not her exactly.” 

“I don’t understand. Are you telling me Nicole cheated on you or not?” Rosita now leaning forward resting her weight on the bar. 

“Ugh.” Waverly took a deep breath before she continued. “It was a dream. I dreamed it.”

“So Nicole cheated on you in your dream?” Rosita’s expression changing from concern to amusement. 

“Yes, but it felt so real. It startled me awake. She was with Shae both of them having a laugh behind my back.” Waverly sounded very distressed. 

“Oh, Waves, hey look at me. It wasn’t real.” Rosita filled a glass with water and offered it to her. She drank about half the glass before she continued. 

“There I was at the one coffee shop that sells Nicole’s favorite beans. We still had some at home but I don’t like to let it get too low on supply. You know?” Waverly’s eyes began to well up. Rosita just nodded along. 

“Well, I’m there waiting in line so I started looking around and I saw a glimpse of ginger hair. There she was with her arm around Shae. They were laughing and having the absolute best time. I was frozen in place. I couldn’t move or speak, just watching in slow motion. Nicole leaned in and kissed Shae like it was the most natural thing in the world. No hesitation, nothing.” Waverly now had tears streaming down her face.

“She’s fucking dead.” 

Waverly and Rosita immediately turned towards the person speaking but they both already knew who it was.  Wynonna was covered in paint but her face was pure rage. She stomped her way behind the bar and grabbed the whiskey. 

“Wynonna, no wait.”  

“Oh, no there’s no way I’m going to let this go. I’m going to kill her. I can’t believe I took care of her last night. Is this what she meant when she said she was sorry?” Wynonna took two shots back to back and grabbed the baseball bat from under the bar. 

“Wynonna, no, it wasn’t actually her. Please stop.” Rosita managed to grab her wrist before she could step out the other side of the horseshoe bar. 

“What do you mean it wasn’t her. I heard the whole story and you saw the condition Nicole was in.” Wynonna jerked her arm free from the latina. 

“Wynonna, please.” 

“Give me one good reason why I’m not halfway to murdering Nicole.” 

“What you heard, it was just a dream. It didn’t actually happen. Ugh, I was retelling Rosita the dream I had.”

“Gua-ca-cuse me?” Wynonna said incredulous.

“It was a dream but it…. it just felt so real and you know my history with Champ. It really affected me.”

“Waverly, don’t lie to me to protect her.” 

“She’s telling the truth.” 

“Ok well, Champ was an asshole that never deserved you.” Wynonna had made her way around and was hugging a sniffling Waverly. “Anyways, I was really going to put the smackdown on her, but honestly I found it really hard to believe Haught would do that.”

“Can you please put the bat away.” Waverly asked, wiping away the last of the tears. 

“I don’t know, maybe I should go see Champ.” Wynonna said only half joking and Waverly chuckled. Wynonna grabbed Waverly’s face before she continued.

“Nicole loves you. Like really really loves you. Like annoyingly in love with you.” 

“I know. I know.” Waverly and Wynonna were both much more calm now. 

“Have you talked to Nicole about what the dream made you feel and the unresolved issues left from your relationship with Champ?” Wynonna poured three shots. 

“Wow since when are you the voice of reason and communication.” Rosita gave her a kiss and wrapped her arms around her neck. 

“I’ve actually been short with her since yesterday.” 

“You’ll always be short, Waves.” Wynonna joked. Waverly gave her an exasperated look. 

“She was in pretty bad shape last night. When I mentioned you, she begged me not to call you.” 

“I need to fix this. I just need to be open with my feelings. It’s Nicole, she’ll understand right.” 

“Definitely.” Wynsita responded. Waverly grabbed her bag and headed to leave. 

“You know, Nicole would have laughed in your face if you showed up looking like that.” 

“I’m an artiste.” Wynonna said waving her arms around artistically. 

“Don’t mind her, we are fixing the upstairs to rent. Go make up with your girl.”  Rosita waved her goodbye.