Page 4 of Fight for You

“Or maybe it’s trying to tell us something.” His intense gaze holds mine captive, making me feel as if we are the only two people in the room. Our chemistry has never been the issue.

“Maybe.” Fate is a nasty bitch, reopening old wounds that never quite healed. But whether the outcome will be heartbreak or healing is anyone’s guess.

“Um, so, how have you been?” My fingers fidget with the hem of my blouse.

“Good.” His hands find their way into his pockets, distancing himself. “And you?”

“Can’t complain.” My heart aches. This is what we’ve become—two strangers exchanging pleasantries. Not after everything we have been through.

“I never understood why you left, Brylee.”

“Not here, please.” I cast a nervous glance around the bar. But we can’t avoid the conversation.

“Come on, it’s been eating away at me all this time. One day we were inseparable, and the next, you were gone.”

“Is that what you think?” I shoot back, green eyes blazing. “That I up and left for no reason? You never even tried to reach out to me, Leo!”

“Because you made it quite clear you didn’t want me in your life anymore!” His voice grows louder and his eyes darken.

“Maybe I was trying to protect myself,” I whisper, my eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Maybe leaving was the only way to save us both from the inevitable heartache.”

“God, Brylee,” Leo exhales, his anger deflating as quickly as it flares up. “You didn’t have to go through all that alone. We could have figured it out together.”

“Could we have?” My chest aches with the weight of regrets and the lingering love for the man standing before me.

“Look, I...” Leo starts, his voice struggling to be heard above the noise.

“Can’t we drop it?” I plead, eyes darting between the other patrons after our heated exchange.

“Fine,” he agrees, taking a deep breath to calm himself. “But we need to talk about this properly at some point.”

“Fine.” I glance around, trying to focus on something else, anything to avoid the intensity of Leo’s gaze. The taste of the drink goes sour on my tongue, and I can’t shake the sensation of being trapped.

A group of friends nearby clink their glasses together, laughing raucously as they down their shots. Some glance over at us, curiosity tugging at their features before returning to their own conversations. Others seems oblivious to the tension brewing.

“Hey, guys!” Miles calls out from behind the bar. “Come on over here and let me get you another round.”

I hesitate, exchanging an uncertain look with Leo before we make our way over. As we approach, Candace walks in chatting with Nina, Leo’s sister, near the entrance. They seem unaware of the confrontation that took place. Thank god.

“Thanks, Miles,” I murmur, attempting a grateful smile as he hands me a fresh drink. I take small sips, trying to steady myself. Alcohol is a must if we are going to be in the same room.

“Everything okay between you two?” he whispers, his eyes flicking to Leo, who is now leaning against the bar, nursing his own drink.

“Everything’s fine. Just...catching up.”

“Alright. You know where I am if you need anything.”

“Appreciate it.”

My gaze flicks to Leo, who is staring into his drink as if searching for answers. He is wound up like a spring, his jaw locked and a muscle spasming in his cheek as he swirls the amber liquid around the glass. The heat is radiating off him, a palpable force seeming to draw me in despite the best efforts to resist.

Why did things have to be so unnecessarily complex? My heart aches with longing for the man I once loved so fiercely. But we both changed, and the chasm between us seems insurmountable.

“Leo,” I whisper. “I’m sorry I yelled at you. Things have changed since you last saw me.”

He glances at me, his warm brown eyes darken with hurt that hasn’t healed. “What’s there to say?” His voice is low, controlled, but the anger simmered beneath the surface. “You left without an explanation. You can’t even give me that?”

“I-I had my reasons.” My eyes drop to the floor, unable to meet his penetrating gaze any longer.

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