think negatively. I love Natalie. I know if I talk to her in person she’ll actually listen. Of course she isn’t going to answer her phone right now after what Tike told her. She’s avoiding me because she thinks that I’ve cheated on her. If I tell her that I never cheated and that I’m there to stay, she’ll come back. It took me a hell of a lot to get her. I had to get past her insecurities—past her lack of trust in men. I don’t want to be a part of her past. She was just starting to open up to me—”
“And then you fucked up,” Mills says, completing my sentence.
“Yeah,” I sigh.
“Well, tomorrow we’re on the flight to Miami. We’ll take this couch and these two boxes to storage in the morning, hop on the plane, and tap some ass. I’ve been missing Lorie like crazy. Can’t wait to get back to her.” A smile spreads across his lips as he turns his head. I sit for five whole minutes before I actually hear him start to snore. I then grab the keys, pull the door open, shut it behind me, and then march for the car. I need some air and a few drinks and I know exactly where to go.
****
Cali Breeze is a bar on the shore I had always enjoyed going to—especially when my dad had a gig here or just wanted to come for some fun. It’s also the last bar he had performed at on the night he died. Being here is bringing back harsh memories, but I miss him. I can’t be wimp about it anymore. I have to face reality. It’s not the bar’s fault he got shot. It’s those fuckers’s fault for popping their guns at the wrong man.
Grabbing my beer, I take a heavy gulp before staring ahead at the waves that are crashing in. A waitress comes up to me, asking if I’d like another drink but I tell her no. I should be heading out anyway. I’m going to see Natalie tomorrow but something terrifies me about it. What if Mills is right? What if she doesn’t want a relationship anymore? I don’t know why I always let him get inside of my head—especially when he’s drunk. But when he’s drunk is when he speaks his mind the most. He might be right about her wanting to forget about me. I’ve hurt her in more ways than I thought. I was so selfish to have let her go but now I want her back.
The breeze picks up and nips at my cheeks but I gulp down another swig of beer. “Nolan?” an airy voice calls from behind me.
I turn slowly, facing Sharon who has a glass of wine in her hand. At first sight of her I roll my eyes. “What do you want?”
She giggles as she steps to my side. She pulls the stool back that’s to my right and sits with me. “You,” she says.
“Too bad. Go away.”
She studies me as I take another swallow of beer. “You’re being so rude to me,” she says teasingly. “I told you I was sorry.” My gaze shifts from the body of water to her. Her wide eyes blink at me as she presses her lips together. “You want to know something?” she asks.
I sigh heavily, hoping to get her to go away.
“I’m going to Miami for a visit as well.”
“Well I hope we don’t run into one another,” I sigh. “That’d be a joy-killer.”
She laughs, as if I’m joking. “Nolan, you have seriously manned-up. I love it.” She touches my shoulder but I pull away.
“Sharon, I’m going to tell you something. Not that it isn’t obvious, but I want nothing to do with you. I don’t care if you were my mom’s favorite student or that I was even in love with you—actually, yes. Yes I do. I do care that you broke my heart because it gave me the realization that you weren’t the one for me. I found the one and she’s waiting for me in Miami, where I’m supposed to be.” I sigh heavily, running a hand through my hair. “Just do me a favor and leave me alone. Don’t try to purposely run into me at Miami and don’t try to call my phone. I’m going to be with her and I don’t need anyone in my way—especially someone like you.”
Sharon swallows some of her wine as she stares into my eyes.