Damien
Leaning my head back on the headrest, I blow out a breath. I need a drink. Tonight has been one of those nights that never seems to end. First, I spent two hours looking for Mrs. Miller’s lost dog. Ordinarily, this wouldn’t be a big deal, but Princess passed away over a year ago. Poor Mrs. Miller lost her husband three years ago, and not long after, she began showing signs of Alzheimer’s. At least once a month she forgets her Yorkie passed away. When she gets like this, her nurse knows she can call me and I’ll walk with Mrs. Miller around the block a couple times calling for the dog. Usually, she snaps out of it within the hour and I play it off like we were out for a stroll. She’s such a sweet lady.
After that call, I had to pick up Carl Lewis. Carl is a nice guy, but every few months, he has a little too much to drink and decides to stroll through town. Afraid he might hurt himself, I usually pick him up and make sure he gets home safely. Tonight, while I was giving him a ride home, he puked all over the back of my cruiser. That shit even flew through the cage into the front seat.
Another deep breath, and I exit my truck, ready for a cold beer. Walking into The Bar, I snag a stool, and Devan has my drink waiting for me. I look around, noting how crowded the place is for a week night.
“You’ll never guess who’s in the back playing pool,” Devan says, and I turn my attention back to him. His lips tip up in a sly smile, and I raise my brow.
“Dev, it’s been a long day. I’m not really in the mood for games. And, as you can see, I’m off duty,” I tell him, waving my hand in front of me, showing him I’m in my street clothes. His smile grows larger, mischief gleaming in his eyes. I take a long pull of my beer and sigh. “Okay. Who’s in the back?” I ask, knowing he won’t leave me alone until he tells me. Bringing the beer back to my lips, I tip it back.
“Tinsley Colt,” he states, and my heart stops as I choke on the beer in my mouth. I sputter to a cough, slapping the back of my hand over my mouth.
“She looks amazing,” Devan eggs on, and I crane my neck toward the pool room, trying to get the smallest glimpse. My eyes meet his again, and I nod before taking another drink, my mind swirling. Should I go say hi? Should I stay here and hope she sees me and comes to me? I haven’t even seen her and I’m already all twisted up inside. Before I have a chance to make up my mind, a commotion breaks out. My heart rate picks up as fear grips me. I jump from the barstool and race to the back room.
Rounding the corner, I find Tinsley slapping away Hank McQuire’s hand. I move forward as he goes to reach for her again, but Kassidy cuts me off, cocks her arm back, and swings. Her fist flies past her intended target, and she stumbles into Tinsley as I lurch forward. With a shriek, Tinsley reaches out to grip anything, but hits nothing but air as her head smacks into the edge of the pool table before I can reach her.
I drop to the ground beside her and cradle her head in my hands. The instant my skin touches hers, little sparks of electricity rush over my skin. My heart clenches as I run my hand softly across her cheek. If there was any doubt about my feeling for this woman before, it’s all erased now. I just stare down at her beautiful face, wanting so badly to kiss those perfect pink lips of hers. My face lowers to hers. I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t seem to stop myself. I’m less than an inch away from tasting those plump lips when her eyes fly open.
Her eyes are wide and her skin pales. She blinks a few times, as if trying to decide whether this is real or a dream. For a brief second, a smile crosses her face, but it’s gone just as fast. She scoots out of my grasp. A loud thwack resonates through the room, and Tinsley winces.
“Fuck,” Tinsley grunts, rubbing the back of her head. Kassidy rushes to her side and puts her hands out for Tinsley to hold as she gets to her feet. Tinsley’s eyes meet mine again, pain and heartache shining bright. A twinge resonates in my chest knowing I caused that. My stupidity and immaturity caused all that hurt.
She turns back to Kassidy. “Please, take me home. Now,” she pleads, her voice breaking, and I switch into panic mode. I can’t let her leave. Not yet. There’s so much I want to say to her.
“Let me take you both home. Neither of you should be driving.” Kassidy looks at Tinsley, waiting for her to answer. She slowly shakes her head.
“No, thank you. I’d rather walk,” Tinsley states, keeping her eyes trained on Kassidy, and I scramble, racking my brain for what to say. I need more time with her, if only just a few more minutes.
“Tin. Please,” I beg, and her head whips around. That was the best you could come up with, idiot? Our eyes meet again and the pain is gone, replaced with anger. Her fists ball at her sides and she clenches her jaw. I bite my lip, trying to hide the smile threatening to form on my face. She is still so fucking cute when she’s mad, but smiling at her when she’s angry will not help me right now.
“Don’t you dare call me that. You have no right to call me that anymore,” she barks, pushing past me toward the exit. Kassidy gives me a sympathetic look before chasing after her. I want to scream and beg her not to leave, but she’s right. I fucked up. I pushed her away. I shattered her heart thinking I was doing what was right for her. But she needs to know I lied. She needs to know I’ve missed her every single day for the last ten years, and I’m not letting her go this time. No fucking way.
Pushing through the door, my eyes dart around until landing on them stumbling down the sidewalk. I run to my car, jump in, and begin to follow them. After a few minutes, Kassidy turns around. When she sees me, she giggles and whispers something into Tinsley’s ear. Tin turns around, then stops walking. I pull up and stop next to them, lowering my window.
“Go away, Damien. I want nothing to do with you,” she hisses, but the small break in her voice tells me she’s lying. Hope that she may give me the chance to explain myself blossoms in my chest. Tonight, however, is not the night for it. She’s drunk and doesn’t seem to be interested in occupying a fifty-yard radius, let alone the same space.
“I understand that, Tin…sley. You don’t want a ride, so I’m just going make sure you get home okay,” I explain. Groaning, she looks up to the sky, then spins away from me.
“Do whatever you want, but I’m done talking to you,” she calls out over her shoulder as she wobbles down the sidewalk. I roll the window up and chuckle. She’s even sexier when she’s pissed. For the next twenty minutes, I tail the tipsy women. Occasionally, Kassidy looks back to see if I’m still behind them, but not once does Tin. It’s nice to see my girl is still as stubborn as ever.
My girl.
For the last ten years, I’ve kicked myself in the ass for hurting her—for throwing away my one and only true love. The closer we get to Tinsley’s house, the more dread settles in my stomach. For now, she’s right here in front of me, but as soon as she walks through that front door, she’ll be out of my sight, and God only knows when I’ll have this chance again.
I stop the car at the end of her driveway. Kassidy leans over to whisper something in Tinsley’s ear again, and she shakes her head. Turning to glare at me, she flips me off, then continues up to her house. I can’t help the small smile on my lips, even as my shoulders deflate knowing I’m not getting my chance to right anything tonight. I already knew, but there was still a slither of hope that wormed its way in. Kassidy gives me a shrug, a sympathetic look on her face, and I sigh. I have my work cut out for me if I want a chance at having her back. Putting the car in drive, I head home, trying to figure out how the hell I’m going to do this.