Page 8 of It's Always Been You

My body still reacted to him when I saw him, even though he ruined all love for me after the hurt he caused. It didn’t matter how many dates I tried going on in the last seven years, each one always ended shortly after it started because I couldn’t stand getting close to another man again. I’ve had this underlying fear that all men will leave me the way Dawson did, so I’ve steered clear of love altogether — I can’t get hurt if I don’t fall in love, right?

One look at him today, though and I’m certain my time here isn’t going to go as smoothly as I had hoped. The only thing I can do is try to stay away from him as much as possible and even that seems like it will be a struggle, considering he’s one of the men that keeps this place safe.

After I lock all the doors, I start to head into the room that used to be mine all those years ago, but I stop short and head back into the living room. Staying in my old room will only bring back more memories and that’s the last thing I need right now.

It took me a while to finally get my life together and now I’m right back where I started. Why does it feel like this won’t be like before?

Chapter Four

Dawson

Mrs. Sampson is standing behind the small wooden counter when I push through the floral shop entrance, a smile taking over her face when she sees the customer is me. “Mr. Travis, it’s always good to see you, Sugar. What can I do for you today?”

I glance around the shop, but I don’t have a single clue as to what women want. “Uh, could you make something for Mrs. Gentry? I want to pay them a visit after hearing about what happened.”

There’s a gleam in her eye as I mention Savanna’s mother and I avert my gaze. Everyone in this damn town remembers how inseparable Savanna and I were before I made the mistake of ending things. I should’ve known they’d get excited that something big is about to go down in town because they also know that Savanna hasn’t been back in years.

“Of course, Sugar, just have a seat and I’ll get something ready for you.” While she walks around the shop, she talks my ear off about Mr. Gentry and how sad it is about what happened. She tells me how she saw him out walking around town just last week and he looked as healthy as a horse. “Savanna is back in town, did you know that?”

The way she’s looking at me tells me she already knows the details of me pulling her over, so I don’t give her the satisfaction of an answer and only hum in response. It would be wise if I kept my feelings to myself, or else it would be all over town within an hour.

“That girl, she grew up to be a beauty,” Mrs. Sampson says and I raise an eyebrow in question. She smiles and nudges her head toward the exit. “Saw her and her mother across the street a few hours ago, stopped them to say hi and see how her father was doing.” She walks behind the counter, a bouquet clutched in her hand and she hands it to me. “Okay, Sugar, all done.”

Before she can mention Savanna any further, I quickly pay for the flowers and rush out of the shop. There’s a crowd of people standing outside the coffee shop, eagerly waiting for the doors to open so they can get their drink of the day, and although I’d love to get one of my own, there’s no way I’m standing in that line.

It’s been like this for a few years. Once a week the owner of the cafe will come up with a special coffee, but never tells anyone the name of it or what’s in it and instead leaves hints all over social media. I wave to a few of the older people who are always getting their coffee when I grab mine, then head toward my truck parked along the curb.

I’m a ball of nerves as I turn up the Gentry driveway. I’m not sure what I’ll be getting myself into when I knock on the door, but that’s not going to stop me from paying my respects to the family. Mr. Gentry has never treated me poorly, even though I’m the reason his daughter never comes around anymore, and I want the family to know I’ll be there if they need me.

Savanna’s father was always more of a softy than Easton, who gets his hard exterior from their mother, so it’s not surprising that he didn’t give me shit for everything that happened. There’s also the fact that he showed up at my home one day, a couple years after Savanna left, wanting to chew me out and he came across the reason I had to let her go.

My phone rings from the cup holder and I smile at the name on the screen, then immediately accept the call before parking in front of the Gentry household. “Landon, what’s up?”

My little brother clears his throat on the other end before saying, “Just wanted to see how things are out there as we haven’t talked in a few days.”

Landon is five years younger than I am and currently in college down in Tallahassee, something I’m more than proud of him for. The night I ended things with Savanna was one of the worst with my family and Landon was close to getting the brunt of our father’s anger, but I stepped in. It made me feel guilty when my father mentioned how I was leaving town after high school and wouldn’t be there to stand in his way any longer, so I made the decision to stay so Landon would be safe.

“Things are going well. How’s school?”

“Good, got a final due in a couple weeks that I’m starting later on, but I’m heading out to a frat party tonight.”

I roll my eyes. “Don’t be partying too much out there. Focus on school.”

“Yes, Dad, whatever you say,” he says with a chuckle. “I’m going to get off here, love you.”

As much as I regret breaking Savanna’s heart, I can’t bring myself to regret giving Landon the life he deserves. I take a deep breath before slipping out of the truck, making sure to grab the flowers from the passenger seat as I do, then head up the front porch. Before my hand can connect with the door, it’s being swung open and my breath stalls at the sight of Savanna.

She glares at me. “What are you doing here?” Her tone drips with venom and she curls her lip in disgust.

I can’t help but let my gaze track down her body, which has only gotten better with age, then I bring it back up to her eyes. They’re shining as she stares back at me, waiting for an answer that I’m having trouble forming, and I bask in their light for a few extra moments before clearing my throat. “I, uh, brought flowers.”

Savanna growls. “You have some nerve after everything.” Before I can explain who the flowers are really for, she rips the bouquet from my hand and throws them onto the porch before narrowing her eyes at me. “You have thirty seconds to get off the propertybefore I get the police on the phone and tell them you’re trespassing.”

Even though her threats are futile since I am the police, I give her a nod and turn away from her. No sense in making things worse than I’ve already made them. I flinch at the door cracking against the wood as she slams it, then slip into the front seat of my truck. Gage normally has the same days off as I do, so I send him a quick text letting him know I’m heading his way before quickly pulling out of the driveway.

He’s already sitting out on his front porch when I pull up, two beers clutched in his hands with a smile on his face. “What, you don’t see me enough at work?”

“Shut up and give me the damn beer. It’s much needed right about now.”

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