Page 13 of Scarred Hearts

Tyler coming into the bathroom at Enigma. The drive. The girl dying for his attention in the front seat, whose name I didn’t care to remember. It was all flooding back to me, and I sobered immediately. My eyes lowered to the scene in front of me before zipping to the door.

“Did he leave?” I whispered cautiously, now unsure if I was alone. “Did he see me puking?” Appalled, I lifted my gaze to the open, wooden staircase with the glass banister. “Tyler?” I called out, then waited for an answer, regretting my volume.

Shit! Eyes wide, I yanked my shirt up, then turned my head back and forth in the gold wall mirror. If history repeated itself, he’d given me at least three hickeys anywhere on my body. All good. I would’ve checked for panties, but I didn’t wear them except at work. Tyler had been in my home, and now I was overthinking everything. I hadn’t taken care of myself. He’d done it. “I really need some coffee and a shower then I need to pretend none of this happened,” I groaned.

The rest of the weekend seemed to race by, and I prayed that I hadn’t forgotten any important moments from that night. Every passing minute only heightened my worry about what may have happened between Tyler and me, and more importantly, if I’d said or done anything stupid.

Despite Kirsten’s invitation to hang out, I chose to remain at home. As the days passed, I found myself becoming increasingly restless. I’d already read several books, finished some paintings, and my apartment was impeccably clean as always. Yet, I couldn’t shake off the feeling of guilt for abandoning the club and not returning after Luke and I spoke at the cemetery that day. So, on Thursday morning, I decided to address it.

Realizing I owed them all an apology for my absence, I picked up my phone from the kitchen island and scrolled through my contacts until I found Luke’s name. I hesitantly pressed the call button, my heart racing with anticipation. It rang endlessly without an answer. Just when I was about to end the call, a notification buzzed in my ear. Glancing down at my phone screen, I saw a text from him.

In a meeting with Ian right now.

Okay, when you get done, please call me

Are you able to meet somewhere?

Furrowing my brow, I lifted the corner of my lip. “Weird but okay, I’ll play along.”

Sure

I watched the little bubbles dance as he replied.

Central Wharf Plaza in an hour.

Glancing at the time, I sprinted upstairs, changing into a pair of dark blue jeans, a green tank top, and matching sneakers. I grabbed my bag and hurried to the elevator. I hated taking the subway anywhere, but in Boston, the train was the way to go if possible. Knowing I’d be stuck in traffic forever and unfamiliar with parking near the plaza, I had no choice.

Leaving Luke waiting was probably not in my best interest. I was lucky enough that he even agreed to meet with me without me having to beg. I wasn’t a beggar when it came to forgiveness, but I would.

I took the T from Hynes Convention Center Station to the Aquarium, switching trains on the way. Once on the street, I hurried over the crosswalk, past hordes of people on their way to the aquarium and harbor. The view could be breathtaking at times, but being near the water with someone like Luke made me cautious. My father’s favorite form of punishment was drowning those who angered him. And from what I knew, Luke was just as crazy.

When I finally arrived at the plaza where we were supposed to meet, I scanned the area anxiously for any sign of him. People were scattered throughout the square, resting on benches under the shade of trees or chatting with friends.

As I strolled over to a pathway lined with short stone walls on either side, I tried not to let my nerves get the best of me. I leaned back against a wall and crossed my arms over my chest, trying to appear nonchalant as I observed the surroundings behind my oversized sunglasses.

Further down the wall, four children hopped on and off. I stole glances at them from the corner of my eye, a small smile tugging at my lips as they played an intense game of tag. One girl seemed to be in charge, her bossy demeanor reminding me of myself at her age, enforcing whatever rules they had concocted.

There was a time when I wanted to have children more than anything, and maybe a part of me still did. I adored kids and watching them now only reminded me of what I had missed out on and would miss in the future. Despite my fairly young age, that choice was taken from me.

Years ago, I got pregnant. Panicked because of my job, I hid it for a couple of months until I could figure out how to leave Penthouse. I wanted to keep the baby and find a new job with a place to live where my child would be safe.

Before I could make that decision for myself, Ekaterina found a positive pregnancy test in my trash can. She demanded I see a doctor who confirmed her worst nightmare. Her star dancer and paycheck had broken her number one rule. But what was done was done.

Reaching in my bag, I took out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. It wasn’t often that I smoked anymore but I always kept some with me in case. Watching the crowd coming and going from the Aquarium nearby, I craned my neck for any sign of Luke again.

It was then that I spotted him coming out of Brewed Awakening Coffee Bar. It was a cozy little coffee shop across the street with a cute black and white awning and an inviting outdoor seating area. The rich aroma of coffee drifted through the air every time someone opened the door.

Luke was dressed in black slacks and a black buttoned shirt; the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his intricate tattoos. His eyes were hidden behind a pair of gold aviators while he held a black coffee cup with white lids in each hand. A leashed Chocolate Lab yanked against its tight leash, jumping at him as he passed the owner in the middle of the crosswalk.

Mothers quickly ushered their children away from him, scowling in his direction as he approached me. Little did they know, he was one of the greatest dads on the planet. But judging by his intimidating appearance, I would’ve done the same.

Pinning the cigarette between my lips, I took a deep drag and then lowered it to my side. A thick cloud swirled around my head and blew away with the breeze. He came to a stop in front of me on the path, holding out one of the cups. I cocked my head.

“It’s not poisonous, if that’s what you’re worried about,” he half-joked as I took it from him.

Rolling my eyes, I sighed. “Thank you, and I didn’t think it would be.” I glanced around, taking a sip, then set it on the wall next to me. “There’s too many people around for that, and you’re not sloppy.”

He pursed his lips before taking a drink from his own cup.

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