Page 6 of My Heart To Heal

‘Nick, I get it you’re busy, you have your routine, and don’t get to hang out like the old days, but we still love you, you’re still our friend, and we’re going to keep pushing to include you in stuff until you realize you’re safe to come down from the castle.’

Her words hit me in the chest. I went away to college and cut them all off. It wasn’t intentional, just life got in the way. Doug and Leo were out there young, free, and single in the city. Bree was off in the academy. Zoe was married to Luke, her childhood sweetheart. They were happy living the small-town life, and I was studying hard to become the best goddam vet in the world. I had to be the best; it wasn’t an option for me to be less than exceptional.

So, I stayed away, I worked my ass off, and that’s pretty much all I did. I didn’t go to college parties, and I didn’t date. I had too much on the line. I ran every morning. I worked all day and studied all night, and I had no intention of ever coming back to ForestFalls. I came back to see Luke once when he got sick and then for his funeral, and I thought that was it — I was done with this place.

Here I am, though, back where I started. When my brother got sick, I had to be close by, so I came home. We had no idea how long he would have, so my visit became permanent. I moved into my apartment, set up my clinic, and four years later, I’m still trying to figure out my place in this town.

‘I don’t know who I am here anymore, Bree. I don’t fit in.’

‘Don’t be an idiot,’ she scoffs. ‘Nick, you left town to study and build a life for yourself. You weren’t banished or run out of town for something unforgivable. You fit here the way you always did. We missed you.’ She taps my cheek, and my eyes find hers. ‘We still miss you.’

I processed Bree’s words with more beer, which was stupid, and as I stumbled to the bathroom and bumped into Missy on her way out — that much was very clear.

‘Oh, Nick, you scared me.’

She laughs, bringing her hand to her chest, and I lean against the door frame.

‘Sorry, didn’t mean to.’

‘Okay.’ She looks around me, and I realize I’m blocking her exit, but I’m pretty comfy, propped up like this. ‘Are you okay? You look a little…’

‘You look good in that dress.’Oh no.

‘Okay, thank you.’

‘I bet you look better ou…’

‘Don’t finish that sentence.’ She holds up a finger, and I would cringe if I weren’t so drunk. ‘You want to hit on me, Nick, you do it sober.’ I inhale and feel my head spin. ‘Do you need to use the bathroom?’

She thumbs behind her, and I nod again. ‘Yep.’

‘Okay, well, if you let me out, you can get in.’

I start to step back when the guitarist, the one who had her laughing earlier, walks into the hallway.

‘You okay, Miss?’ We both turn to him and find him scowling as he looks between Missy and me as she steps out of the bathroom.

‘Yeah, honey. I’m good.’ She smiles at him again.

‘Okay, baby.’Baby?‘We’re all packed up and ready to go.’

He holds out his hand for hers, and she takes it, and he doesn’t break eye contact with me. He’s her man, and he doesn’t want me looking at her. Message fuckin’ received.

I watch them walk away before shutting myself in the bathroom. Even if she were interested, she’s unavailable.

Another Shot At That FirstImpression

Missy

This is the life:still in my PJs at noon, eating cold pizza in bed with one of my favorite humans.

‘What time do you have to leave?’ Bree asks, picking up another slice.

‘Bax is supposed to bring Jonah home at four, which meanshis momwill probably bring him at two, so I need to think about moving my ass soon.’

‘I don’t mean to sound rude, like at all.’ I snicker as Breanne Campbell does not ever mince her words. ‘But your ex sounds like a dick.’

She doesn’t know that half of it. I made the decision, once I finally cut him loose, that I was going to let go of the past and move forward. I hate that he’s still in my life because of Jonah, but he is, and I just need to breathe through it. It’s not like he sees him all that often, and when he does have him, helets his parents pick up most of the actual childcare anyway.

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