Don't Say 'Yes,' Run Away Now (open!)

[Moonshine]

Tyler sighed again, frowning down into his coffee. "I feel...I've lost control, Kat. It's like I'm havin' a damn outta body experience or somethin'. This damn weddin' ain't even mine anymore. I just get told what to do, where to be, what to like." He brought the mug to his lips, took a sip. "I don't know what I'm doin' anymore." He brought his eyes up to look at her; they were swimming with confusion, pain, fear...and maybe a little bit of need.

[Kathryn]

Kathryn sighed before taking a sip of her coffee. Oh great.

"Have you talked to Sherry?"

[Moonshine]

He snorted, a little ruefully, slouching back in his chair, finger circling over the rim of his mug idly. "Yeah, a couple times. I get told it's her weddin', and she'll have what she wants." He shook his head. "She doesn't even listen ta me, Kat. Just goes on flittin' around makin' her plans." He licked his lips, nostrils flaring a little as he took a breath, they way they always did when he was getting himself worked up over something. "It's my own goddamn fault, anyway. I wanted this..."

[Kathryn]

Biting her lip, Kathryn stared down into her mug. He didn't sound happy. He didn't look happy. What was she supposed to do?

"Maybe just try...talking to her again? I don't know, Tyler. I don't think I can do anything to help. I would talk to her myself, but that would make it even worse."

[Moonshine]

He sat there a minute, just scowling at his coffee mug, then finally said, in a low voice: "I don't love 'er anymore, Kat...I'm not even sure I ever did..." The thought had been in his head for months now, but this was the first time he'd ever said it out-loud. And it made him feel worthless.

[Kathryn]

"That's not true," Kathryn replied, reaching her hand across the table to set it gently on his. "Remember when you first told me you were going to propose? You were so happy. I could tell you loved her."

Kathryn wasn't really sure why she was trying to convince him to go ahead with the wedding. What she really wanted was to convince him to call off the wedding. But she didn't want to be the reason he broke it off, in any way.

[Moonshine]

He shook his head, turning his hand over under hers to link fingers. "I thought that's what I wanted. I just...I want a family, Kat. I wanna be with someone forever. Sherry was...she was just there when I realized that's what I wanted. I thought she'd be good for me. She comes from a good family, she keeps me in line..." He glanced up at her. "But she doesn't...I don't...feel anything anymore."

[Kathryn]

Kathryn pulled her hand away, hoping her racing heart wasn't beating so loud he could hear it. "Well, I'm not going to tell you what to do," she replied softly. "But... Whatever you choose to do, you know I'll support you."

[Moonshine]

Tyler looked down at his hand, now empty of hers, and frowned. "I know. I never expected anything less from ya, Sugar." He licked his lips again, curling his fingers into a fist. "Jesus, I'm an idiot."

[Kathryn]

"Well, yeah... Sometimes you are," Kathryn admitted with a smirk and a shrug.

[Moonshine]

He snorted again, then looked up at her. "And ya know what the worst part is? The only reason I settled for Sherry was cuz I'd already missed out on the girl a' my dreams. It makes me double the idiot." He watched her a minute, then frowned down at his mug. He knew it was too late, that it didn't matter anymore. But this was the only thing he'd ever kept from her. Maybe the worst thing.

[Kathryn]

Kathryn didn't even want to know who the girl of his dreams had been. She already felt like punching Sherry for being alive, she didn't want to add to it by learning this dream girl's identity.

She was just about to tease him about it, though, when she felt her phone vibrate. She retrieved it from her purse and read a text message from her mom. After rolling her eyes, she took one last drink of her coffee. "I gotta go. Mom has something 'urgent' she needs to discuss with me." No doubt it's about the wedding invitation...

"I'll see you soon?" She stood up, swinging her purse over her shoulder and raising her eyebrows at him.

[Moonshine]

Tyler stood up quickly, nearly knocking his chair over. "Kat, wait, I --" He took a breath, met her eyes. "If you gotta go to yer mom's, I get it. But after...come over after? To the apartment? Please?" The idea of being alone tonight made him sick to his stomach. He needed her to distract him, needed her to cheer him up. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew he just needed her, period.

[Kathryn]

Kathryn couldn't help but sigh as she combed her hair back with her fingers. She didn't think that was a good idea. At all. But he looked so desperate, and who was she kidding? She never could resist him.

"Yeah, okay." She nodded, trying to appear cheerful and friendly and excited. "I'll see you later." And without further ado, she left and made her way to her mom's.

[Moonshine]

Tyler groaned inwardly and headed home, nearly slamming the door shut behind him when he got there, haphazardly tossing his jacket onto a chair. He slumped onto the couch, but shortly got up and headed to the kitchen. Raiding a cabinet, he found a well loved bottle of whiskey. He didn't bother with a glass.