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It would be so easy to walk in and flash the journal at Stevie, be the hero, and have her forgive me. But I need her to hear me without that prize dazzling her.
Opening the door, I’m not surprised to find the usual crew of tough-looking bikers. My eyes go to the very end of the bar where John usually sits, and I’m oddly comforted that he’s there. He made it clear he wasn’t going to help me, but he’s full of shit. He already has, just by the advice he gave on how to handle the reporter.
My gaze slides behind the bar and lands on Stevie, looking so much like that first night I met her. Looking so rocker chick, but I know how sweet she is under the dark eye makeup, nose piercing, and sexy tattoos.
Just as I’m aware that it’s important I play this right. This isn’t my only shot, and John warned me it might take awhile before Stevie thaws. I might even have to start over from square one.
But I want this done.
I want her forgiveness for the way I treated her, and I want her to love me again.
Not sure how she knows I’m standing here, but Stevie goes from an intense conversation with a customer sitting next to her dad to her body stiffening. She turns her head slowly and locks eyes with me.
Once again, they’re blank, and I can’t tell if she’s pissed or indifferent.
Quickly, I move to the end of the bar near John. If she’s going to order me thrown out again, hopefully he won’t jump to do her bidding. I hope he’ll give me a fighting chance.
Her eyes follow me warily.
“I’d like to talk to you,” I say.
She’s a smart-ass and cups her hand behind her ear. “Sorry… can’t hear you.” She points at the jukebox and shrugs.
Then she turns on her heel and walks down the length of the bar, checking for people who need refills.
I swivel to John, and he lifts one shoulder.
Can’t hear me, huh?
Knowing at any moment Stevie can sic her guard dogs on me, I pivot and head toward the jukebox. Without hesitation, I pull the cord from the outlet, and it goes silent. All active conversations die just as quickly, and everyone turns my way.
Stevie stares at me with round eyes, full of shock.
Finally… an emotion.
The two bruisers who bounced me last night are in their same spots. Stevie merely looks at them, jerks her chin my way, and gives the silent order to throw me out.
“Free drinks the rest of the night!” I yell, and the two men halt in the process of rising from their stools. “The entire bar can drink on my tab the rest of the night if you let me have five minutes with your beautiful bar owner.”
Stevie’s jaw drops, and there’s some conversation between Gary and Chris. John ducks his head, and I can see his shoulders quaking with laughter as I move back his way.
“No,” Stevie says, taking the towel over her shoulder and slapping it down on the bar top. “I don’t have to give you my time.”
“Give him five minutes, Stevie,” someone calls out from the back. “We’ll do double shots all night long and make you lots of money.”
More laughter, then a woman hollers, “It’s only five minutes. Give it to him.”
Stevie rolls her eyes, huffs, and walks toward me. She stops, keeping the counter between us, and places her hands on her hips. “Fine. Say what you need to say.”
“I heard what your mother did… how she conned you into thinking she was in danger and—”
“So what?” Stevie demands angrily. “Now you know the truth, and you’re here to tell me you forgive me for going to the reporter in the first place?”
“No,” I say softly, shaking my head. “I’m here to beg you to forgive me for the way I treated you. You tried to tell me the truth, and I wouldn’t listen, and I’m so very sorry. I let you down when I should have protected you. That’s why I need to talk to you.”
It’s a stunning revelation, and I can tell she didn’t expect it. I can also tell it’s not making a huge difference to her.
She shakes her head, as if shaking off my request for atonement. “Let’s say I forgive you, how could I ever trust you? You told me you work hard at relationships. That you don’t give up easily, and I believed you. And yet, the first problem that arose, you walked out on me. You didn’t even bother to try.”
I wince internally, because that is the absolute truth. It was such a failure on my part. “The only thing I can say in my defense is that I’ve never been in love before. So I’ve never been hurt like that before. I’m young, Stevie. I don’t have that type of experience when it comes to loving someone and being hurt by them. I handled it badly, and you’ll never know how much I regret it.”
