Page 19 of Final Goodbye
“Logan, what are you doing here? Why don’t you just sit down at the bar and I can get you something to drink?” I refused to look up at him. The nerves ran through me as I bit down on my lip so hard, I tasted the metallic flavor of blood.
“I didn’t come here for a drink. I came here to talk to you.” His hand shot up to grip my arm firmly as he pulled me around the corner, hiding me from the potential of anyone spotting us if they came in the front door.
“Take your hands off of me, Logan!” I swatted at his arm when my back hit the wall behind me. My eyes went wide at our proximity. “We can talk about whatever you want, but I’d prefer you to be sitting at the bar. I’m working, and someone could walk in at any moment,” I begged him to let me go.
“You left me years ago, Paige, and you never looked back. What the fuck is wrong with you?” He gave my arm a quick shake as his grip tightened and his anger boiled over. “You wouldn’t take any of my calls or return my messages. You’ve ignored me for the past decade, then you waltz back into town with a new boyfriend, a new job, and a new life, and you didn’t think you even owed me a conversation?” Was he fucking kidding? He was so close to me I could smell the whiskey lingering on his breath.
“You’re a jackass, Logan. You know that?” I shook my head and pushed against his chest hard enough that it broke his contact with my arm and finally created the distance between us I was desperate for. “Don’t you ever fucking put your hands on me. If you want to have an adult conversation, you will go sit at the bar right now,” I said sternly, throwing the nice version of me out the window.
I waited for him to turn around and start moving toward the bar before I moved. Once he was seated, I ducked under the opening that allowed me to see him from the other side. He opened his mouth, but before he could speak a word, I shut him down.
“No part of me owes you any conversation, Logan. I left town for many reasons, with you being a big one. We were in a high school relationship twelve years ago that was absolutely toxic. I’m sorry if you were hurt in the process and wanted more from me before I left, but I had enough. This is a prime example of exactly how toxic it was. You haven’t changed a bit, and you’re so unpredictable.” His expression softened, like he was coming down from an episode and realized just how out of hand his actions had been. His eyes raked over my arm where he once held a tight grip. The same area I was running my hand over in an attempt to rub away the bruise that was bound to form.
“I’m so sorry…” He looked down at his lap with regret plastered across his face. “I came here today with innocent intentions, I swear. But when I saw you, my emotions overwhelmed me, and it’s not right what I did back there, but I just wanted to talk. After so many years of being ghosted… I just didn’t know what to do.”
I stood on the other side of the bar with my arms crossed against my chest, my heart still pounding as I came down from the anxiety of Logan being here. “It was inevitable that we would run into each other with me being back. But my priorities are to my family—my dad. When I found out he passed, my whole life was flipped upside down. Sorry to break it to you, but you weren’t my first thought, Logan.”
“I know that. I know that even more now, and I’m sorry today went down this way. I fucked up. I’d still like to talk with you, though. I have some things I want to get off my chest—” He wasn’t able to finish his thought when both of our heads swung toward the front door. A couple of regulars walked in and headed straight for the opposite end of the bar.
Saved by the bell.
“Looks like I have to get back to work.” I started to step away when he spoke up.
“Wait, can I just sit here and have a drink and maybe grab a bite to eat?” I feared if I said no that he would act out.
Nice Paige was back.
“Sure.” I handed him a food menu as I ran over my plan of action in my head. I’d get him what he needed and place myself at the other side of the bar with the other customers—that way, I could appear busy and unable to help him or entertain any more conversation he wanted to have.
“What can I get you to drink, Logan?” I asked in the most monotone voice I could manage.
“Whiskey, neat. I’ll probably hang around for a while.”
Of course he was going to be here for a while.
I rolled my eyes and let out an irritated sigh as I turned around to grab his whiskey. There were over fifty different types of whiskey in this bar; it was our specialty. Out of spite, I chose the cheapest one, hoping it would taste terrible. Logan didn’t deserve top notch whiskey. Placing it in front of him, along with a menu, I excused myself to help my other customers.?
I was counting down the minutes to five-thirty. It always seemed to be around the same time when Declan came intoPeaks, and I crossed my fingers that he wouldn’t skip out on his routine today.
I needed him today more than ever.
I could confirmthat it was the most defeating feeling Monday ever, there seemed to be a problem with everything at work. Myles hitched a ride home with one of the other guys because I was stuck late finishing up the project I had started earlier.?
It was around seven o’clock when I finally made my way out. I was starving and without a doubt needed a drink after the day I had. Not only would a cold beer help me wind down, but my mind wandered to a certain brunette I’d been seeing around lately. I hadn’t talked to her since she texted me out of the blue Saturday night, but I was craving my next interaction with her.?
Things were going great the other night until she suddenly ended our conversation. I may have dug a little too deep, and the last thing I wanted to do was push her away. I wanted to know more about her. She intrigued me.But that conversation made me realize I needed to be patient. I needed to move slowly with her. She’d been going through a lot, and I didn’t want her to feel like she couldn’t talk to me because I’d push too hard or pry.
Pulling up toPeaksa little later than normal, I was relieved when I saw Paige behind the bar still. Dark brown hair flowed over her shoulders in soft waves. When her pretty eyes looked right back at me, the expression on her face told me she may be relieved to see me too—but I didn’t want to jump to conclusions.
Taking in my surroundings wasn’t important at the time because seeing her was all I cared about. With tunnel vision, I headed straight toward her. Setting my keys on the bar top, I greeted her with a soft smile and a wink.
“Hey, baby girl. Save me a spot? I’m gonna head to the bathroom and wash my hands.” I walked back toward the restrooms with a grin I couldn’t wipe off my face. I felt so much better now that I was surrounded by her, my long day of work completely behind me.
It had only taken me seconds to wash my hands. When I opened the door, I was surprised to see Paige standing right outside like she was waiting for me. I almost ran into her, not expecting anyone to be standing there.?
The wrinkle in her brow gave her a worried look. I had a rough day, but she looked like she had been going through it.?
“Hey, hey… Is everything okay?” My hands reached out to rub her arms as I waited for her to tell me what was going on. She reached up to wrap her delicate fingers around her bicep in reaction to my touch. That’s when I noticed her skin was slightly discolored.
