Maddox blinked. “Blair Cunningham?”
I gave a slow nod.
He whistled low. “Well damn. That’s a name I haven’t heardin a long time.”
“Tell me about it.”
“When?”
“Yesterday. She walked into the bar like nothing had changed.” I paused. “Except everything had.”
Maddox tilted his head. “You talk to her?”
“She sat at the bar. She said she’s staying with Madison for a bit. Helping her out.”
“And how’d that go?”
I let out a breath and finally looked at him. “She’s... different. Still her, but heavier somehow. Like she’s carrying things she never said out loud.”
Maddox swirled his drink. “Sounds like you’re still into her.”
“I don’t know what I am,” I said honestly. “Back then, we were just kids. She had dreams that didn’t fit inside this town and I stayed because I didn’t know where else to go.”
He was quiet for a moment. “But she’s back now.”
“Yeah,” I said, wiping the counter again. “She’s back.”
Maddox leaned back, looking thoughtful. “Well, here’s what I know. You’ve been going through the motions since forever. Running this bar, taking care of everybody, but not really living. Maybe her coming back changes that.”
“I don’t know if I’m supposed to let her in again.”
He shrugged. “Maybe it’s not about what you’re supposed to do. Maybe it’s about what you want to do.”
I met his eyes. “You think I should talk to her again?”
Maddox smirked. “If you don’t, you’ll be cleaning that one spot on the bar until your knuckles bleed.”
I let out a laugh despite myself.
Yeah. Blair was back.
And suddenly, the whole town felt like it was holding its breath.
Chapter 6
Blair
It had been a long time since someone looked at me like that, like I mattered. Not because of what I could be or should’ve been, but because I did.
Greyson saw me. And somehow, that was the scariest part.
I walked home from the bar alone, the air cool against my skin. Every step pulsed with memories. Some I welcomed, others I shoved away.
The truth of why I left lingered behind my ribs like a bruise. But seeing Greyson again cracked something open.
When I got home, Madison was asleep on the couch, her hand resting protectively on her belly. I pulled a blanket over her and crept into the guest room.
I opened my laptop. The blinking cursor dared me to say something honest. So I did.
