Therapy is Good for the Soul

“Ugh, next time I go out, remind me to drink water and take Advil before going to bed. At least I had a good dream about y..” Tyler rolled over to wrap his arms around Bailey, only to find it was Marshall who was keeping the spot next to him warm. He pet his little buddy for a bit trying to rack his brain of all the events from last night and why Bailey wasn’t there. “SHIT!” He cried out startling Marshall as soon as he remembered his poor choice of words with Bailey last night. “Sorry buddy didn’t mean to scare you.” He rubbed behind Marshall’s ears. “Your daddy fucked up big time! I’ve got a lot of groveling to do today. Wish me luck!”

Tyler got out of bed, took a quick shower, and changed. Once he was done he went on a hunt for his phone, finding it in the pocket of the jeans he wore last night. He took a quick glance and noticed he had several missed calls and almost 30 new texts. He hoped that at least one of them was from Bailey, but no such luck. All of the calls and texts were from his teammates and a few of their wives basically yelling at him for what he did to Bailey. He knew he was in the wrong, but he was kind of pissed she told everyone before trying to work things out with him. He decided he deal with his teammates later and stopped checking the messages after the first couple. Bailey needed to be his priority and he wasn’t looking forward to the conversation ahead of him. He grabbed his keys and started dialing her number. When he went into the living room he heard her phone ringing and immediately had hope that making up would be easier than he thought if she was there. Those hopes were soon dashed as he saw her phone sitting on the side table next to the couch. He grabbed her phone and went into the kitchen to make a protein shake and get a bottle of water. Tyler had procrastinated long enough and realized the sooner he faced the music, the sooner he’d have Bailey in his arms again. When he reached for the doorknob, Freddy and Brad burst their way in.

“What the fuck is wrong with you Segs? Why would you mess up the best thing that’s ever happened to you besides getting drafted?” Brad yelled.

Tyler sighed before replying. “I know I fucked up. Candace was a pill for the past two days and I had too much to drink last night. I’m headed over to Bailey’s now to fix it.”

“You really are an arrogant son of a bitch! I know she’s done it before, but do you really think Bailey’s going to forgive you this time?” Freddy went into the kitchen for a water and spotted the brownies Bailey and Cassidy made on the counter. “Oh my God, she even made you brownies last night. She really is the sweetest girl in the world. You sure as Hell don’t deserve her!”

“Why the fuck would you say that to me? I thought you were my friend!”

“I am your friend, but so is Bailey and she doesn’t deserve to be treated like shit!”

“I know I was an asshole last night, but I didn’t expect her to turn around and tell the entire world I fucked up, before I had a chance to at least talk to her when I’m sober. Is she really that pissed?”

“She didn’t have to tell the world, but could you really blame her if she did? I haven’t spoken to her, I just know she was crying when she called Christina and asked her to come over in the middle of the night. She and Emily were up all night trying to comfort Bailey. I just don’t get you. After all the chances she’s given you, how could you do that to her?”

“Yeah and with fucking Mandy of all people! That’s just cruel!!!” Brad chimed in.

“Mandy? What does she have to do with anything?”

“Are you still wasted? She’s what we’ve been talking about. The picture is all over the internet.”

“Picture? I have no idea what you’re talking about. Bailey and I had a fight last night but it wasn’t about Mandy.”

Brad pulled out his phone and showed Tyler the picture that’s been spreading like wild fire all over the Internet. It was a scantily clad Mandy kissing him at the bar.

“FUCK!!!! I can’t believe someone took a picture of that. I swear to God she kissed me! I told her to get the fuck off of me and never touch me again! I would never cheat on Bailey!!”

“You really pushed her away?”

“Yes! If you don’t believe me Freddy, ask Candace. She was there and saw everything that went down.” Tyler ran his finger through his hair several times in frustration. “I can’t believe this is happening to me.”

“Wait, if you didn’t know about the picture what was your fight with Bailey about?” Brad was confused and wanted to get to the bottom of things.

“I might as well tell you. After I got home last night and Cassidy went into the guestroom to be with Candace, Bailey and I started making out. She made me stop because my sisters were in the other room. I got pissed and called her a prude and a tease. When she got upset, I think I basically told her she was being stupid and over reacting, then she left.”

“Geez Tyler, you really are an imbecile! Did you really think Bailey would want her first time to be on your couch while your sisters were in the next room? You know how sensitive she is; I can’t believe you would call her those names?” Freddy scolded his friend.

“Damn Tyler, even I know better than to say something like that. Everybody warned you not to move too fast with Bailey! Between that and the Mandy picture, you’re up shit’s creek without a paddle.”

“I know; I had too much to drink and was horny. It was a stupid mistake! I don’t know what I’ll do if she doesn’t forgive me! What do you think I should do?” Tyler’s paced the room back and forth, frantically running his fingers through his hair.

Before Freddy and Brad could respond, Cassidy entered the room and interrupted their conversation.

“Tyler, Candace has something she needs to tell you.” Cassidy waved her hand to signal for Candace to follow her into Tyler’s living room.

“Cass, this isn’t a good time. Would you mind going back in there for a while so we can finish our conversation? I’ll come get you and Candace and take you to get something to eat when we’re done.” Freddy gently requested to his best friend’s sister.

“I’m sorry, but this can’t wait!”

As Tyler walked over to Cassidy he blinked away the first drop of a tear that was about to fall. “Please give us a minute Cass. I made a mess of things with Bailey and need to figure out what to do.” Another tear formed in his eyes, and this time he let it roll down his cheek.

Cassidy placed her hand on Tyler’s back in an attempt to reassure him everything would be okay. “I know and that’s what Candace needs to talk to you about. I think it will help.”

Tyler wiped his cheek as he looked at his sister with despair still in his eyes. “I know you mean well, but I don’t see how could she possibly help.”

Cassidy turned away from Tyler to locate her sister, who was cowering in the doorway of the guestroom. “Candace get over here now! If you don’t tell him I will!”

Everyone was now staring at Candace, waiting for her to respond. She slowly walked towards Tyler, keeping her head down as she spoke. “I didn’t realize how much it would hurt you. I’m so sorry Tyler! If I had known, I never would have done it!”

“What are you talking about? Done what?” Tyler questioned his sister who still couldn’t look him in the eye.

Her chin began to quiver as her throat tightened. She took a deep breath and continued. “I did it Tyler; I took the picture of that puck bunny kissing you and sent it to one of those tumblr blogs. I’m sorry!”

A blank, emotionless expression swept over Tyler’s face as the confession of his sister gradually seeped in. Hurt rose behind his eyes. Like a caged animal, he just stood there. He felt paralyzed by the feeling of betrayal; he closed his eyes and gazed into fields of nothingness. He felt the water creep out of his eyes, bringing him back to the reality of his nightmare. “I don’t understand. Why would you want to hurt me?” As he approached Candace the hurt in his eyes turned to rage. He forcefully grabbed her wrist. “Answer me! What the fuck did I ever do to you?”

“OWWW! You’re hurting me!” She cried, while unsuccessfully pulling away from his strong grip.

“Fucking answer me!” Tyler demanded as he shook her arm.

“TYLER, PLEASE STOP!!!” Cassidy was now in tears at the scene developing before her.

Just as Freddy was about to break Tyler’s grasp on Candace’s wrist, Tyler let go. As soon as he saw the pain on Cassidy’s face and heard the hurt in her voice, he regretted his physical action towards Candace. He was losing all control as he felt the world crumbling around him. He covered his eyes, took a deep breath, and then moved his hands forcefully through his hair out of frustration.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have touched you, but I deserve a fucking answer!”

Candace rubbed her bright red wrist with her other hand. “I was still mad at Bailey when we went out. I saw the picture she posted on Instagram from the jewelry store and thought she was using you. So when that slut approached you I saw my chance to make Bailey angry and save you from her.”

“Save me? She’s the best thing to ever happen to me! And for Christ’s sake that picture and comment was a joke!”

“I know that now, Cass told me. But at the time I thought it was proof she was using you for your money.”

“God, Candace that’s really rich coming from you! Do you realize the only one I bought anything for at that store was you? I wanted to get Bailey something, but she wouldn’t let me. She fights me all the time when I don’t let her pay for things. She’s the farthest thing from a gold digger! The only reason she was even looking at rings is because I asked Cass to find out her size and what she likes.”

“Wait, why would you need to know that?”

“Why do you think?”

“You really love her that much?”

“YES and thanks to you I may never have the chance to see if she feels the same! I just don’t get how you could hate her so much, when you don’t even know her. You didn’t even give her a chance!”

“What do you want me to say? I’m SORRY!”

“Sorry isn’t good enough! I want more answers. You said you wanted to make Bailey angry; you could have just shown her the picture to do that. Why did you send the picture to a blog?”

Candace bit her lip and took a deep breath. “Because I was pissed at you for treating me like a baby all night!”

“You decided to ruin my relationship, and damage my career because I was a protective big brother? My life may be over because I loved you and didn’t want to see you get hurt. You can be sure I won’t make that mistake again!”

More tears streamed down Candace’s face as she realized how badly she hurt her brother. “Tyler, PLEASE, PLEASE FORGIVE ME! I didn’t mean to hurt you. I regretted what I did as soon as I sent the picture, but it was too late to fix it. Cass, made me realize how wrong I was about Bailey too. I’m SO SORRY!” The room was filled with silence after Candace’s plea. Everyone was waiting for Tyler’s response. Candace continued to beg for his forgiveness as he just glared at her. “PLEASE, PLEASE, Tyler!”

“Tyler please say something.” Cassidy, couldn’t take his silence any longer.

“What do you want me to say Cass? I forgive her, because I don’t!”

“TYLER, PLEASE!!! I can fix everything, just let me talk to Bailey.”

“You stay far away from her! I’m going to go see if I can repair the damage you’ve caused. When I get back I don’t want to see you in my home!”

“Calm down Tyler! Candace made a mistake. A very horrible one, but she thought she was doing it out of love. She’s also not the only reason for your problems with Bailey. In fact you don’t even know if Bailey has seen the picture and if she has, Candace can clear up the misunderstanding.” Cassidy tried to reason with her brother.

“I’m sorry Cass! I know this is upsetting you, but I just can’t forgive her right now. I know I made my own mistakes last night, but if Candace hadn’t been such a brat, I never would have gone out, had too much to drink, and said those horrible things to Bailey. So I hold her partially to blame for that too.”

“That’s not fair! You can’t blame me for your stupidity!” Candace spat at Tyler.

“Was it fair, that my own sister betrayed me? No! So I don’t really give a fuck what you think. I swear to God, Candace if Bailey doesn’t forgive me I will never speak to you again!”

Feeling totally humiliated and heartbroken, Candace ran to the guestroom and slammed the door. Within those few short steps, her embarrassment and fear she may have lost her brother forever took over, she fell onto the bed and began to sob uncontrollably.

“That was a bit harsh don’t you think?” Freddy said as he Brad, and Cassidy all stared at Tyler in shock.

Tyler collapsed onto the couch, grabbing his head with both hands and shaking it side to side. “I feel like my whole world is caving in on me. I can’t do anything right! Bailey probably hates me and now Candace too. What am I going to do?”

“For starters, you’re going to stop this pity party, get your ass off the couch, and go talk to Bailey.” Brad wasn’t about to let his best friend throw in the towel so easily.

“What am I going to say to her?”

“Start with the truth, then ask for forgiveness.” Cassidy sat beside her big brother and wrapped her arms around his waist. He appreciated the warmth and comfort her hug gave him and pulled her in for a tighter embrace.

“Some of her favorite flowers and kissing her ass won’t hurt either.” Freddy chimed in.

“Cass, I’m really sorry you’ve had to witness this mess. Please forgive me for not spending more time with you.”

“It’s ok. You need to fix this because I like Bailey a lot.”

“I’m going to try! Freddy, would you take Cass and Candace back to the hotel?”

“Sure.”

“Brad do you think you can let the team and Wally know that the picture isn’t what they think and I’ll talk to them later?”

“Of course man. Now go get your girl back!”

“Cass, I promise I’ll meet up with you at the hotel as soon as I can.” Tyler gave her another hug before standing up and heading towards the kitchen. “Thanks for everything guys.” He grabbed his keys from the counter. “Wish me luck!”

Tyler closed the door behind him. He racked his brain trying to think of exactly what he needed to say to Bailey. By the time he reached his truck panic started to set in. He was worried between his stupid words last night and the picture of Mandy, Bailey wouldn’t forgive him this time. He looked in the rear-view mirror disgusted with himself for breaking the promise he made to never hurt her again. He clenched his hands around the steering wheel and slammed his head on it. “Don't cry. Pull yourself together." He mumbled to himself. He grinded his teeth back and forth, as tears silently filled his eyes as he started the ignition, pulled out of the parking lot and headed off to win the love of his life back.

Notes

I'm so happy y'all are still enjoying my story! Thanks for all the wonderful comments. Hope I don't make you too mad that I'm leaving you hanging a bit longer before you find out if things get resolved between Bailey and Tyler.