Page 2 of The Hang Up
The truth is, I burned out years ago, but somehow, I’ve still managed to juggle all the balls. It’s what’s expected of me, and I’m nothing if not the dutiful daughter. My dad would want me to help my mom. Though sometimes I wonder where the line is. At what point am I allowed to stop living for her and start living my life?
A knock sounds at the front door. I grab the tray and head out front. Sliding the cupcakes into the display case, I paste a smile on my face and look through the front window at our first eager customer of the day.
My smile drops when I see who it is.
Holden.
My ex-boyfriend.
Holden was my high school boyfriend—my only boyfriend. I thought he was my forever, but after we graduated, he left town—and me—behind.
I never thought I’d see him again, but he showed up in Lilac Harbor six months ago, and he’s been trying to talk to me ever since.
I’ve ignored him. I won’t let him back in my life. I won’t give him a second chance to break my heart.
Holden knocks again.
I glare at him. “We’re closed,” I yell, refusing to let him in.
“Lena, please,” he pleads.
I shake my head. Seeing him is like a punch to the gut. I hate the guy, but a part of me still has feelings for him. I hate that part of me.
I wish I could cut off those feelings. I wish I could forget about Holden and our history. I wish he’d never come back to Lilac Harbor.
No, you don’t, my subconscious whispers.
I ignore it.
“I just want to talk to you,” Holden hollers. “Five minutes, Lena!”
He’s done this a lot lately—at least twice a week. He comes in and tries to talk to me or asks me out for coffee. He’s tried to catch me on my break or when the shop is quiet, so I don’t have a reason to ignore him. I hope he’ll get the message soon and leave me alone.
It hasn’t worked so far.
I pretend I’m sick of seeing him, but deep down, I can’t deny that I still have feelings for him.
“Go. Away!”
He sighs, looking defeated. For a second, I want to give him a chance. Then I remember how cold and distant he was, how he barely looked at me the night he told me it was over and left me and this town behind.
I reinforce my defenses against him, determined to ignore him. Turning my back, I head for the kitchen. I clean up the mess I made, wipe down the counters, and wash the dishes. I work until the space is spotless and the stainless-steel countertops and appliances shine.
Once I’m done, I finally admit that the distraction didn’t work.
I’m still thinking about Holden.
“Fuck,” I hiss, closing my eyes and hanging my head.
Something needs to change. I’m just not sure what.
TWO
Holden
Fucking hell.
I don’t know why I keep trying the same thing over and over again. She’s never going to let me back in. I know Lena, and she can hold a mean grudge. She’ll never forgive me for leaving after high school, and I don’t blame her. I thought I was making the right decision. It didn’t take me long to realize I was wrong.
