Page 3 of Fight for You

“Brylee?” she asks. “You’ve been acting all kinds of off since she rolled back into town.”

We did not need to talk about her. It’s been a long time since that name has come up and honestly, it hurts less if I try to keep my mind off of her. If not, when my memories with her creepback up, my heart gets broken all over again. “I never got over her leaving. Is it crazy for me to want to see her?”

My sister leans into my side. “No, if anything, I think that is normal. Get answers. Closure. You loved her.”

Loved her… more like love her. Okay, so maybe she up and left me, but she is still the single most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Things were going good, so something must have happened to cause her to run, but what? Those are the answers I need. The why?

3

Brylee

Miles’ bar is a refuge for those seeking solace within its walls. I perch on a stool at the bar, eyes scanning the room. At least if I am here drinking, I’ll have company. Soft jazz plays in the background because Miles wanted this to be a different kind of bar. People seem to love it since the place is always pretty packed.

I should be at the bookstore going through inventory and getting caught up on bills and mail, but a sprite and vodka won. Miles didn’t kick me out when I walked in, so he must not still be pissed at me for leaving, but I doubt I will get that lucky with Leo. Will Miles tell him I came by tonight?

“Hey, how about another round?” Miles asks, leaning over the bar with his signature playful grin. His broad build and short dark hair make him appear more intimidating than he truly is, but those who know him understand beneath his rough exterior lays a loyal friend and reliable confidant.

“Sure, why not?” I force a smile, attempting to mask the vulnerability. “It’s not like I have anywhere better to be tonight.” I try not to let my weakness show, but I’m sure it’s written all of my face. I expect him to ask me where I’ve been or what brought me back, but nothing. It’s a welcome respite.

“Good to have you back.” Miles pours my vodka, double shot, and hands it to me. “You’ve been missed around here.”

“Looks like I still have some friends in this town. I wasn’t sure what I’d be coming back to.” I swirl the vodka around the glass like it’s holding the secret to my life hostage. “Everyone here knows about my unexpected exit, it’s embarrassing.” Sure, the whispers from the town gossipers aren’t new, but it didn’t make it any less annoying.

“Speaking of old friends,” Miles says, nodding towards the door to reveal Leo Harrison. The tall, handsome man with short dark hair and warm brown eyes. My mouth falls open, and blink slowly. No, I’m not ready to talk to him. Ugh. I should have known better than to come to this place. Should I try to make a run for it? An empty feeling settles in the pit of my stomach.

I watch Leo approach the bar, his confident stride stirring memories I have tried so hard to suppress. Did he still harbor resentment over our past, or has time washed away the pain and left only indifference in its wake?

“Hey there, stranger.” He takes a seat next to me at the bar, his presence both thrilling and terrifying.

“Hi.” I should ask about his life and what he’s been up to since we last saw each other, but the words are lodged in my throat, too heavy to speak. My chest tightens and I replay the day I left him in my mind. I wish there was a way to go back and change what happened.

“Long time, no see,” Miles chimes in, pouring Leo a beer with no need to be asked. “You two have some catching up to do, huh?”

“Seems that way, doesn’t it?” Leo says, his eyes never leaving my face, as if searching for something he lost long ago.

The air in the bar seems to be sucked out as we lock eyes, the past colliding with the present like a storm on the horizon. I trynot to make direct eye contact because right now I’m at a loss for words, and this is inevitable.

“Cheers,” Leo says, raising his glass toward me before taking a slow sip. His eyes never leave mine, as if asking questions he didn’t dare to voice aloud.

I take a deep breath, willing myself to relax. If we are going to have this reunion, I need to face it head-on, no matter how much it frightens me. I search for something neutral to say, hoping to ease the tension. Every hair on my body is standing at attention.

“Five years,” I finally say, giving him a small smile. “It’s been quite a while, huh?”

“Has it really been that long?” Leo asks as he runs his hand through his dark hair, a gesture I remember all too well from our time together. His nervous tick. “Feels like yesterday.”

“Time flies.” My heart twists at the memory of our parting.

“Sure does.” His eyes assume a faraway look as if he, too, lost himself in the past. The silence between us grows heavy, charged with unspoken emotions and lingering regrets.

“Bar’s gotten busier since I was last here,” I comment, grasping for something to break the spell that seems to have fallen over us.

“Word got around about Miles’ famous cocktails.” His lips quirking up in a half-smile. “It’s become quite the hotspot.”

“Good for him.”

“Hey, that song we used to dance to is playing,” Leo says. The sultry rhythm of our favorite tune from years ago is drifting through the air, weaving its magic around us once again.

“Seems like the universe is conspiring against us.” My breathing hitches as memories of our tangled limbs and passionate embraces come flooding back.

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