“I think that's your limit,” Owen stated, pulling the fresh drink away from his friend.
”I’m not a child!” Heath shouted, grabbing for the drink. Deep down, he knew Owen was right. He couldn’t lose himself in the bottle again. Not when it had almost destroyed him before.
Owen pulled the drink further from him when he tried to grab for it. “She hurt you, I get that. But… did you ever think that maybe she was in so much pain that she didn't know how to deal with it?”
“I didn’t ask for your opinion.”
Owen hadn’t grown up with Everley like Heath had. How the hell would he have a clue what she’d gone through? Heath knew every little thing about her. How she would get irrational when she got upset, how she was quick to close herself off when she was in fear of getting hurt. He had always been the one to reign her in, calm her down. Everyone had seen it, so he could understand why they would all think he and Everley could weather any storm.
But some things can’t be fixed with hugs and kisses.
“I’m just trying to say-”
“Enough.” Heath rolled his eyes and paid his tab, fully intending to go home and drink in peace. Far away from Owen, and anyone else fool enough to try and stop him. He stood and stepped away from the bar and made a beeline for the exit, accidentally plowing into a group that had been headed towards the bar.
“Dammit!” The annoyed groan sounded through the shattering of glasses hitting the floor. From the sound of things, they hadn't been paying attention to where they were going either.
Heath froze, knowing exactly who the voice belonged to. “Sorry,” he muttered, ducking his head and looking for a quick escape.
“Heath?”
He looked up, noticing the two girls she was with were trying to help her clean her dress. Brandi and Harper, he realized. Everley's closest girlfriends from high school. They both pulled their attention away from Everley and turned to look at him, noticing that both he and their friend were just staring at each other.
She was just as beautiful as he remembered. Long, brown curls and big, hazel eyes. A little sadder, perhaps, her face missing the bright smile he'd fallen in love with, but still quite enchanting. It took every ounce of willpower to keep from closing the distance between them and taking her into his arms.
“Again,” he said quickly, “I’m sorry.” He knew he needed to move, but couldn’t seem to get his feet to work. They felt cemented in place, unable to cooperate. There was a part of him that didn’t want to escape. A small part that still held on to hope. For what, he wasn’t sure, but he knew it was what kept him standing right there. The other part of him, the part that valued his self preservation, needed to escape.
“Are you drunk?” Everley asked.
“I don't recall that being any of your business, Evie,” he said, snapping back into defense mode. Done with the one encounter he was nowhere near ready for, he started moving again, slowly at first, then gaining speed once he found his footing, continuing his path towards the door.
***
Going out had been a mistake, Everley decided as she curled up under the plush quilt that covered her bed. She was currently seeking some semblance of comfort from the soft material, but finding nothing more than a hollow emptiness. The last person she’d expected to see was Heath, and it had killed her to see the coldness in his eyes when he’d recognized her. It was her fault it was there, she’d broken his heart. It didn't matter that she was only trying to do what was best for him, he still seemed to resent her for pushing him away. Not that she blamed him. He had every right in the world to hate her, but she couldn’t help wondering why he’d come back, when he’d had the freedom he needed to chase his dreams.
She wasn't sure what hurt more, the fact that she’d let him go, or the fact that he’d wasted his future sticking around in Mer Harbor.
Despite the anger etched into his features, he was still incredibly handsome. Dusty blonde hair, disheveled as always. He’d cut it shorter, making it easier to look into his sea blue eyes. He’d obviously been out of sorts, yet he’d still looked as if he'd just walked out of a fashion magazine.
And there she’d stood, glass shattered at her feet, and the remnants of whatever she'd been drinking all over her dress.
Like always, he was gorgeous, and she was a mess. How the hell had he ever been in love with her?
“I'm sorry.” Harper sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed Everley's back. “I didn't think he'd be there.”
“Eight. She would be turning eight next month,” Everley sobbed. “And today, I would have had a three month old...”
She started crying even harder after confessing the last part. She hadn't told her friends she'd been pregnant, that after ten weeks, she'd lost the baby. All she’d told them was that Benny had cheated. She didn't tell them it was because he couldn't stand to be around her after she lost their child. “It’s my fault he left.”
“Everley...” Harper sighed. Everley knew that her friend had always had a desire to fix things. To make sure everyone was happy. It was apparent that this time even she was at a loss for what to say. “It’s not your fault you know.”
“I'm two for two,” she said, finding the words difficult with the lump in her throat. “I can't even protect my babies.” Just like the first time, the doctor had assured her she'd done nothing wrong, that these things just happened, but Everley found it hard to believe. One stillborn, and the other miscarried. It seemed things “just happened” every time for her.
Harper didn’t say anything, but she didn’t leave Everley’s side either. It was a comfort the blanket wasn’t giving, and for that, she was grateful. Losing her baby hurt more than losing her marriage. As much as she hated to admit it, she’d never felt for Benny what she’d felt for Heath.
What she probably still felt for Heath.
Benny would have left anyway. Not that the thought bothered her as much as it should.
Heath probably would have stayed with her even after the obligation was gone, but Everley couldn't let him destroy his future when there was no reason to tie him down. So she’d let him go. She’d seen the heartache in his eyes all those years ago, it was the same heartache she’d seen at the bar earlier this evening.
Benny, on the other hand, had seemed to be repulsed by her very presence, finding any excuse to get away from her. He’d moved on easily, while she still mourned. Why she’d ever started dating him, she couldn't be sure. She’d been so beyond broken at that point, she’d been willing to take any risk to heal her heart. Eventually, he’d become her ticket out of town.
Everley lifted her head and looked up at Harper. “Why did Heath come back?” she asked. He had gone straight off to some school in the midwest after his graduation. When Ryan had informed her that he’d returned shortly after she’d taken off, she’d been a bit shocked. For as long as she’d known Heath Mitchell, she’d known his dreams. He’d wanted to get out of this town and make a name for himself. Baseball had gotten him a free ride to school, and everyone they knew thought it would take him straight to the Majors.
At one point in his life, he’d wanted to take her with him. Hell, he probably would have still taken her with him had she not pushed him away. But she couldn’t bear to bring him down. Not after all they’d been through. Not when she couldn’t get her own head on straight.
“I don't know, Everley,” Harper answered, “maybe it just… wasn't all he hoped it would be. He finished school here, and now, he teaches history at the high school and coaches the baseball team.”
Of course he did. There was never any doubt he’d find some way to stay in the game.
“I hate this place,” she admitted, and she didn’t have to say why. Being here reminded her of all she could have had, and of all she’d lost along the way.
Chapter 3
Heath and Everley knew they couldn’t keep the pregnancy a secret, and figured telling their parents as soon as possible would be the best course of action. It would be difficul
t, but in the long run, things would be better.
“We can present a united front,” Heath said, though he knew Everley was barely listening. “At the moment, we still need their help, so they’ll likely want us to show them we can be responsible.”
His words fell on deaf ears, and he could understand why. The Romeros were strict and they’d never cared much for him. But where Everley only saw a horrible outcome, he saw hope. She was their only child, he couldn’t imagine them being anything but supportive.
Just hours later, he’d discovered how very wrong he was.
They’d kicked her out, her father giving an ultimatum of, “Take care of this, or don't come back”. Of all the scenarios Heath had imagined, that one hadn't even crossed his mind, he was glad he hadn't left her to face her parents on her own.
It seemed as though they didn't love her completely and unconditionally, and that made his blood boil. Heath took her away before they could do any more damage, and perhaps he drove a little too fast for sleepy town roads, but he needed to get her somewhere safe.
His first instinct was to drive her to the sandwich shop. Brandi’s parents owned the place, and by extension, the small apartment above it. It might not have been a permanent solution, but until he talked to his own parents and figured everything out, it would do.
By the time they got there, Everley was in such a frenzy that she’d made herself sick. Brandi was quick to meet them at the shop, apartment key and a duffle bag in hand.
“My parents said they don’t have any potential tenants looking at the place right now, so she’s fine to stay for a couple days,” Brandi said as she tossed the duffle bag onto the bed. “I brought some sheets, toiletries, and some clothes for her. I wasn’t sure if she was able to grab any of her own on the way out of her house.”
“That’s great,” Heath smiled. “Thanks, Brandi. Why don’t you help her get cleaned up and comfortable, and I’ll get the bed made.”
“I’ll get you some food, too,” Brandi said. “Mom said she’s cool with you guys getting some sandwiches tonight.”
Everley made no indication she was listening. Usually, she would be the first to complain about people talking around her, but now she just sat silently on the bed. Together, Heath and Brandi worked to get her moving. Once she was cleaned up and in bed, Brandi ran downstairs to get some food.
“We’ll figure this out,” Heath said. “You never know. Your parents might come around.”
“My super strict, totally religious parents basically just told me to get an abortion,” she reminded him.
He had to admit, they had been extremely harsh with her, though Heath had an inkling it was more about him than her.
“You’re safe here for now,” he said. At least here, she had Brandi, who wouldn't leave her alone, and as soon as he was done talking to his parents, he'd come back.
“Okay,” she said softly. She was quiet for a moment, then sighed. “Now what?”
“Now, I need to go talk to my parents,” he said. “Brandi will be back shortly with the food. I want you to get some rest and I’ll be back soon, if they don’t murder me.” He added the last statement with a laugh, hoping a joke would make Everley feel better.
It didn’t.
“I should go with you,” she insisted.
“Evie… your parents already reacted poorly. I don’t want to put you through that again.”
“But your parents love me,” she said.
They did love her. But then again, so did her parents. “You’ve had enough stress for the day. Let me handle my parents. You get some food and rest.” When she tried to protest again, he held up his hand. “They will understand.”
Fortunately, Brandi returned with some food just in the nick of time. When Everley’s stomach growled, she sighed and reluctantly agreed to stay behind. After promising he’d be back soon, Heath took his leave, hoping for some sort of good news after the day they’d had.
To his surprise, his parents reacted just as he’d hoped they would. They didn't shout, or act even remotely angry. He did get a lecture, but he figured that was a given. Then they asked where Everley was, and when Heath told them what had happened, they demanded he bring her over immediately.
They weren't going to kick him out, and they weren't about to let her surf couches for the foreseeable future.
***
Everley spent the next few days reacquainting herself with the town and the old friends who came with it. Most were excited to see her, none knowing what had happened while she was away.
She hadn't seen him since their meeting at the bar, and to be honest, that was just fine. Seeing Heath was something she’d known was going to happen, but she had hoped for more time to prepare.
Now, she stood in line at the small DMV in town, forms in hand. She wasn’t expecting a hassle, but knew from experience that the person behind the counter would likely be someone she knew. Someone who would either ask about her name change, or spread the word to everyone else, or both.
“Everley,” a familiar, and unwelcomed voice sounded behind her, “getting everything changed over? I was told you’d be quick to go back to Romero.”
Ignoring him wasn’t an option. Benjamin Masters Senior was a force to be reckoned with. His only son had gone up against him, and had ended up being disinherited.
“Does it matter?” she asked, refusing to turn to face him. The last thing she wanted to give him was the satisfaction of knowing he was hitting a nerve.
“I do hope you didn't leave my son in pieces, like you did that Mitchell boy,” he mused. “Tragic.”
Everley turned to look at him. Was he really that clueless, or was he just being an ass? “Did you come here just to try and get a rise out of me?”
“I'm here on official business,” he said, “just like you. It was merely a coincidence that we ran into each other.”
Coincidence my ass, she thought. It wouldn’t have taken more than a phone call from one of his lackeys to alert him to her location. From what she remembered, Benny’s father was a master manipulator and never missed an opportunity to torment anyone he deemed an enemy.
Running off with -and subsequently divorcing- his son likely put her at the top of the hit list.
“Well then,” she said, turning back around, “I guess we should just get back to our official business. Have a nice day, Mr. Masters.” For her, that was the end of it, but she should have known he wouldn’t let her have the last word.
“I hope your new life is all you hoped it would be, and I thank the heavens that no children were involved.”
“Hey!”
Everley wanted to disappear. How were both the people she didn't want to see here?
“Get away from her!” Within seconds, Heath was standing between her and Masters, protecting her, like he always had. Though she was a little shocked he was doing it now.
“And the jilted lover runs to save his princess,” Masters laughed.
“Shut the hell up,” Heath spat. “The end of the line is by the door.”
“Have a good day, Miss Romero,” Masters nodded at her and took his leave. Instead of heading towards the back though, he went straight to one of the windows, pushing someone else out of the way.
“Goddammit Heath,” she said quietly, tears stinging her eyes, threatening to fall. She hated being a spectacle, and even though the confrontation had been brief, it was loud enough to draw attention. Whatever gossip came from this would be far worse than word of her failed marriage. Not wanting to deal with the looks from other patrons, she stepped out of line and ran for the door. She could fix her license later.
“Evie!” She could hear him running after her, his own reasons for standing in the never ending hell that was the DMV long forgotten. When he caught up to her in the parking lot he grabbed her wrist, forcing her to stop and face him.
“I don't need your sympathy!” she shouted. “Let go of me!”
Heath dropped her arm, but stepped closer. “It wasn't sympathy,�
�� he argued. “I wasn't about to let him continue berating you like that. Whatever brought you back, it couldn't have been good, and the last thing you need is for that troll of a man to lay into you.”
“And you decided to be the one to swoop in and rescue me?” Her voice was shaking, but she had brought the volume down a bit. “I'm not your responsibility.”
“I never said you were,” he muttered. “But I hate that man.”
“More than you hate me?” She couldn't stop the tears from finally falling in salty streaks as the question crossed her lips. “Because let's be honest, you hate me too. Not that I blame you, but don't think you have to lie about it.”
“I don't hate you,” he said. “I was angry, I’ll admit that. But… I never once hated you.”
“Could have fooled me,” she laughed bitterly. “I mean, you couldn't get away from me fast enough the other night.”
“You can't deny that was quite awkward,” he sighed. “Running into each other around here is a given, but I'd much prefer it to be in passing, not because I collided into you and your friends at a bar.”
“In passing,” she nodded. That sounded like a brilliant idea. “Let's just keep it that way.”
“You left me,” he reminded her. “I don't understand why you're so angry when you're the one who tossed me to the side like I didn't matter.”
“I'm not having this discussion,” she stated. “If you're looking for gratitude, thank you for getting rid of Masters, but let's not make it a habit, okay? See you around.”
She took off again, praying he didn't follow her a second time. She wasn't angry at him, in fact, she never had been. He was right, she was the one who left, and it was her own damn fault that her heart had never fully healed. The only person she was ever angry at was herself, for a wide variety of reasons. None of which she cared to think about.
Chapter 4
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