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I take a deep breath.
The thoughts overwhelm my fragile heart.
28
LOGAN
The smell of stale beer and cheap perfume lingers in the air as Steve and I sit down at our usual spot for a drink after work. It's been a while since we've had a chance to catch up.
Our conversation is interrupted by some laughter and a sweet, high-pitched voice. "Hi there, mind if we join you?" Two girls appear in front of us, tottering on heels and reeking of desperation.
Not too long ago, I would have welcomed their company, flirted and played the same game that I've played a hundred times before.
But tonight, I can't even pretend I'm entertained.
The girls turn to grab a drink from the bartender and I look at Steve.
Steve looks at me, puzzled. "What's up with you, man? They're cute."
"I don't know, Steve... I'm just... not into it.”
"It's Bailey, isn't it?"
I don’t deny his guess. How could I?
She's all that's been on my mind. I've tried to convince myself that she's just another girl, but I can’t.
"I'm just tired... It's been a long day."
The girls turn back around. "So, how about a shot?" one of them purrs, her hand inching its way to my arm.
"I’d rather drink alone, ladies." I can't help myself; it slipped out.
The girls blink at me, shocked and offended. With a huff, they turn around and strut away, leaving me and Steve sitting in awkward silence.
"Man, something's gotta be up. You've never sent away two pretty girls in your life."
"Yeah, I've been stressed."
"Stressed? Bro, you chased those girls out of here with that tongue of yours. Harsh, even for you."
I roll my eyes, unable to hide a smirk. "It's not the girls." I run a hand through my hair. "It's Ethan. We've had a few run-ins lately."
Steve's laughter fades when I say Ethan's name. He knows all too well about the tumultuous relationship I have with my older brother. Ethan and I have a history, a complicated one, filled with a lot of shady shit he's pulled over the years. Steve understands, he's seen it first-hand.
We sit in silence for a moment, and in that quiet, I think of Bailey, of Ethan, of all the stress and the mess that my life has turned into. I can't help but wonder how everything got so complicated.
Taking a gulp of my beer, I spill it all. "You remember that promotion at work? Taking over my dad's position?" I start. "Well, Ethan and I had a bit of an... altercation over it. Things got heated, so heated that I may have... punched him."
"You did what?!" He almost spits out his drink.
"Yeah, I know, not my finest moment... But that's not the worst part. I turned down the promotion. I thought Bailey should get it instead." I put my drink down and swirl it around on the counter. "But Bailey won't even talk to me right now. It's a fucking mess, man."
Steve takes in my confession. He takes a deep breath. "Logan, you've got yourself caught up in this drama, and it's clear you've still got feelings for Bailey. Give it one last shot, try to make things right with her. Maybe she's as stressed out as you are right now, and you guys need to clear the air."
The truth, as inconvenient as it is cuts through the static of my thoughts. I've never been so drawn to a woman, so consumed by her presence, her voice, her spirit, in my life.
Bailey isn't just another girl, she's... She's Bailey.
