Page 11 of Hard Candy Christmas

“Dad, my feelings for Belinda died a long time ago. Probably the night she took my heart and stomped on it, then upped and left as if there was nothing to think about.”

“Chase,” he started, sighing again. “You’re a smart kid, always were. But sometimes that brain just didn’t process things the way they should. Listen to an old man. Not everything is as it seems. Not everything is cut and dry. And not everything is black and white.

“Sometimes things happen in life, and you can’t quite figure it out, but you have to accept it. You have to move on. You can’t keep the bad stuff around and let it bring you down.”

“Does this look like I’m down?”

I grinned as my dad rolled his eyes. I knew what he meant, but he was also wrong. I had no feelings for that woman anymore. I couldn’t.

I couldn’t let her sad eyes tear me up.

And I couldn’t see the marks on her body and did not want to fight some asshole.

And I couldn’t walk by her and not see that smile that I did years ago.

God, I longed to see that look on her face. The last few days, seeing that almost haunted look cloud her eyes and the half smile that she had been dawning, tore at my heart almost as much as her leaving did.

But I knew I had to keep my distance. I just had too. There was no other way around it. Because I did not trust this woman not to break my heart in two again.

I had to warn Bo. That was the excuse I gave myself as I left my father sitting on the porch, grabbed the keys to my truck, and tore out of my parent’s driveway.

It’s the mantra I kept repeating when I hauled ass to the one location, I knew he would take her.

It’s the saying that was utmost in my head as I slammed on my brakes next to his truck.

And as I stood just outside the door to the local bar and pub, I had to take a deep breath and recite it.

“Just tell him she will hurt him. Get in and get out. That simple, Chase,” I muttered, then yanked the door open.

I was ready to stalk across the makeshift dance floor, park it right next to Bo, and let him know, in no uncertain terms, the kind of woman that Belinda Carmichael really was. I hadn’t expressed half of my pain and heartache to him ten years ago. So, he couldn’t possibly grasp the viper she really was.

However, the sight before me stopped me in my tracks.

Bo had his arms around her, slow dancing to some country song. In fact, the more I paid attention, the more I remember it being our song.

‘Hard Candy Christmas’ from Dolly Parton was the first song we danced to, the first song we kissed, and the first song that was playing when she told me she loved me. That damn song was our song, and it was downright wrong for them to be dancing to it.

“Bo,” I muttered, heading to the couple. Both looked up in surprise, and I almost relished it. But it was the look in Belinda’s eyes that stopped my tongue from uttering anything else.

She didn’t want to be dancing with him, not to this song. The look in those eyes spoke volumes. And it was a look only someone who knew her would understand.

“What’s up, Chase?”

“Your truck, it looked like it was leaking something.”

“Shit. I’ll be right back B, you’ll be okay?”

“Yeah, just gonna sit down and enjoy my drink. Take your time. I’m sure Chase will keep an eye on me.”

“Thanks.” With that, he ran out the door and I led Belinda back to the table.

“Leaking, huh?”

“Had to think fast, B. I came here with a purpose in mind, but the look on your face had me sidestepping.”

I watched as she took a sip of her drink and nodded.

“I love the song, but it’s never felt right to be with anyone else other than you. Usually when it’s on the radio, I’ll skip right over it because it brings up memories of us.”

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