Page 111 of Second Chance

The song ends, and I quickly remove my guitar. I give Tommy a sympathetic look, but he’s already nodding for me to exit the stage. I hand off my guitar to a guy waiting in the wings. Tommy not only came through for me. He stepped it up another notch like he always does.

“Ladies and gentlemen, as my wingman leaves me to chase the girl, hope you don’t mind that I brought another family member with me. Did you know Denton and I are cousins? Well, this punk ass is married to my niece. Welcome to the country, city kid. Gage Everly, everyone.”

+ + +

The music fades behind me as I race to the edge of the street near the outside bar. Billy got the permit he wanted, and the space on Third Avenue is packed from brewery to bookstore.

“Where did she go?” I call out as I’m racing to Billy by the bar.

“Toward the alley.”

I run in the direction of the alley behind the brewery. Scanning the dark parking area, I see a head bobbing between vehicles, making way for the back corner of the gravel lot behind the alley access.

“Mati,” I yell, weaving between cars to lessen the distance between us. She picks up the pace, but her shorter legs can’t outrace me. I quickly catch up just as she comes to the side of her truck and reach for her upper arm before she can touch the door handle of the vehicle.

“Mati.” Her name huffs out as I’m out of breath.

“What?” she snaps with all the spice in her as she spins to face me.

“Stop running.”

“Why? You’re always running,” she reminds me. “You left this town, your family, me.” She jabs at her chest. “When will you stop running?”

“You’re right.” The admission stops her. Her eyes widen, stumped that I’m giving her credit.

“I’m…” Her lips clamp, and she tugs at her arm, but the force isn’t enough to loosen me. I step forward, crowding her space and pressing her back against the driver door.

“I have something for you,” I say. “I figured it was better to deliver in person.” Pausing a beat, I lean forward, my fingers combing into the soft locks on the side of her head. I want her eyes on me. Her heart with mine. See me, I whisper.

“An apology. I’m sorry.”

Tears streak her cheeks and my thumbs stretch to swipe at each drop.

“What about Freya?”

Freya? I think, and then I remember the message about Costa Rica. “Freya? Oh my God, Mati. No, no.” My fingers delve deeper into her hair, holding her head, so she looks at me. “Nothing happened.”

Mati’s eyes close as I speak. “We were both duped. My agent didn’t tell me I’d lost the ‘Fit over Forty’ article until I arrived in New York. My shoot was repositioned to a couple’s shoot for another magazine.”

“But I saw the post. You said hanging with your girl.”

“You’re my girl, Mati. Tell me I’m not too late.”

“Why…why are you here?” Her teeth chatter as she speaks.

“I wanted to see you again. And I wanted to tell you I’m sorry in person.” I lower my face toward hers. “And I want to touch you one more time.” My lips lean for hers, but she stops me with a flinch.

“It doesn’t work like this. You can’t come and go as you please.”

“Coming is all I plan on doing.” Mati stiffens under my hands.

“You didn’t…just make a joke of things.”

My head tilts, and I reconsider for a second. A smile I can’t contain breaks across my lips.

“Actually, I didn’t, but it’s good to see some things haven’t changed. Still have a dirty mind.”

“I do not—”