It was the best of times...it was the worst of times

 

Oliver needed to vent, but he knew Axton didn't have time for that and that wasn't what a friend should be. No, he was just going to have to have a heart-to-heart with Gabby, even if it might be the end and then he wondered where he and Carrie would go. He didn't have his own apartment anymore.

No way could he keep up with these fun weekends that Gabby had planned. He needed his weekends to be more relaxed. After all, he was taking online classes, and it was still a good way to get on with the school. He had enough credits and had been around kids enough that he got hired to teach summer school. He was so close to getting full-time at the school district.

Oliver started talking about how organized Gabby was and how it was great that she wanted to help with Izzy's wedding, and she was a good friend of Ruby's. BUT... and it was a BIG BUT COMING. He put his hands over his eyes, and Gabby and Carrie watched him in the middle of the living room. "I just can't take it anymore."

"What?"

Of course, Gabby didn't hear him. She wouldn't. He knew her so well. He didn't want to say it again. Still, he would try to make a compromise, but not really. Yes, it was best to let Gabby do what she wanted because that was the Gabby he knew. And it felt time to do what he wanted to.

"I'm staying home with Carrie on the weekends." 

It felt like the final answer to a Jeopardy question in his head. 

She looked at him as if he couldn't do this to her. She needed him. He knew. He was the designated driver. She could drink with the best of them, and then it was the aftermath he dealt with. Yes, he felt he was doing all the adulting these days. Honestly, Carrie was more of an adult than Gabby.

He raked his fingers through his hair as if he might pull his hair out. 

"I-I can't dump Carrie off at my parents' every weekend." The last three had been nonstop, and Carrie was with them, Friday, Saturday, and most of Sunday.

Gabby stomped away in a huff to the kitchen.

"I know," he shrugged. "I'm a real bore and-" He wasn't sure how to finish that sentence. "I feel certain you don't know me at all, Gabby," Oliver said from the living room. "But..I'm sorry..I know what you're capable of..and well, maybe-"

She turned back in tears, "No, you know I need you. I do."

"The thing is," he squinted. "You are needy."

He scooped Carrie up, knowing she didn't need to hear this. He grabbed her sneakers. He could put them on at the park. It would be good to get away. Have more time to think. Still, this was where Carrie had her own room. And yes, he did love Gabby, and he'd tried to change for her. Only he realised who needed to change was her. Everything was just fine until it wasn't.