BENNETT

 

Setting up the camera on the ground of the John Seigenthaler bridge downtown Nashville, I ignore the people walking around. The sun has set and the lights from the city beam. This is the moment I wait for Jenna to arrive as I patiently pace back and forth. Nervous I fidget my fingers inside my jeans pocket moving the box around.

Predators’ banners hang proudly above the bridge. Each player proudly displayed with pride as they head towards the Stanley Cup. The city is a bustling mess when it comes to Hockey season. It’s the busiest time of the year besides the CMA Festival. Here I am standing anxiously waiting for her to arrive. And once I see her I can’t stop the smile that has graciously crossed my face.

“What are you doing?” she grins happy to see me.

Dressed in a beige knee length shift dress she inches closer to me as I pull the box out of my pocket and hear her sigh. I can see the fear cross her face. She doesn’t hide it. Am I even more nervous now to ask? Fuck yeah, but I won’t be stopped.

Placing my right knee on the ground, bystanders stop and observe, but there’s one person loud and clear to interrupt this special moment.

“Forget it,” he shouts and punches the box out of my hand. As I try to get up he places his hand on my shoulder holding me down.

“Noah, what are you doing?” Jenna looks scared.

“It’s okay,” I try to calm her.

“She’s mine, why do you not get that? She was mine back then, she was mine after, she’s always been mine. You’re forcing her into something she doesn’t even want, you’re pretending to win against me. I see through it, Bennett. I see through you. You’ve been out to get me since high school, you didn’t want her, you just didn’t want me to have her, and you’re still like that,” Noah looks at Jenna and pleads, “don’t you see it? Why can’t you see it? All that romantic bullshit, it’s because that’s what you girls want, so he’s giving it to you.”

Noah walks towards Jenna, she’s frozen, still confused about the situation. I’m standing behind watching the unexpected unfold.

“Is that true?” she asks me doubting our relationship.

“If you think that’s true, then you don’t know me at all and this is the biggest mistake,” I’m upset she would believe anything Noah would have to say. “This was supposed to be a special moment, not an I’m out to get Noah moment,” I’m upset.

Picking the ring box back up and placing it in my pocket I walk past her and Noah leaving them both behind, choosing to ignore any words that may fall.

Leaving them to fight it out.

 

My ego bruised, upset she would believe anything Noah says, I sit in my car taking a moment to breathe. This was supposed to be a proposal to make her mine. Mine because I love her, not because I’m trying to win.

I thought things were getting better.

I thought she would be mine.

I thought we finally surpassed all the drama and hate and hardship.

 

Sometimes it hurts in love. Sometimes you have to let go of something or someone you loved more than anything.