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Chapter1
Emery
Avoidance hasn’t healed me.And as I pass the faded wooden sign of my hometown, Beechwood Falls, sorrow and secrets are my welcome.
The cemetery on the hill greets me with a memory my heart won’t forgive. My haunting thoughts still ring loud in the silence. Desperation to drive back to Aspen and drown in work weighs heavily on my chest as my pulse synchronizes with my rapid breathing. I swallow the lump in my throat I've managed to suppress for the past five years and continue driving toward the aging downtown. The bright yellow paint on the corner ice cream stand is chipped and faded, but still full of customers. The fountain I used to toss coins in downtown is a reminder of all the childhood wishes that never blossomed.
Facing my house will need to wait a little while longer.
Gravel crunches stones under my tires as I pull into The Painted Pony. My ears pick up the gritted sound under the rubber, and instinctively, my body relaxes. Cutting the ignition and looking around the full parking lot, jitters nerves through me. The possibility of running into a bunch of townspeople tonight is likely. Small talk and explaining the last five years are too much to handle. With a deep breath, and twenty-nine days left here, I put on a brave face and head inside to find my two childhood best friends.
The once dingy, outdated bar has been given a facelift as I walk through the first set of glass doors and follow through to the swinging saloon ones. At least there have been a few changes in this building over the years. The dance floor is double in size, since they removed half of the pool tables, and the thick scent of smoke has been replaced with decent smelling pub food. Unfortunately, the collection of tacky neon signs has grown. If it’s not the music aiding in my headache, the fluorescent lights in the entryway were the culprit. Their DJ has a large crowd line dancing as I scoot around the tables, and the rhythm hits my chest as cowboy boots beat against the hardwood floor in unison.
“Emery!” Savannah’s long chestnut hair bounces as she jumps from the chair. “It feels like a lifetime since you left!” If her voice isn’t loud enough to attract attention, her tall, curvy figure is enough to draw any man’s eye.
“I’ve missed you too, Savannah.” She wraps me in a hug. Though I try to fight it, her touch has always had this feeling of warmth. Comfort.
“If I knew my wedding was going to be one of the reasons to finally have you back, I wouldn’t have asked Justin to wait until my law degree was finished to get married.” Hallie stands, leaning in for a hug. Thankfully, hers is brief. “I’m glad to have you back, Em.” Her blonde curls frame her emerald eyes.“We ordered these while we were waiting.”
“Starting with a double?” I look at the three large shot glasses on the table. “To your wedding!” We raise our glasses and the burn slides down our throats. This is just what I needed to ease my anxiety. “Come on.” I stand, linking our arms with a smile. “I’ll buy us the next round of shots.” My grin grows as I hold in a squeal. The three of us together under the same roof is always impossible with our schedules, and I’ve distanced myself from this town for friendship’s sake. Leaving was for the better.
“We don’t hang out enough anymore.” Hallie pouts. “Thanks, adulting.”
“Catch me up, girls.” We push through the crowd and arrive at the bar. “How is the dance studio? I saw the new sign on the way in, and it looks great.”
“Taking over our old studio was the best decision. Ever!” Savannah’s brown eyes gleam. “I love teaching so much. Parents are driving from surrounding towns now to bring their kids to me.”
“I’m happy for you. I’ve seen your viral dance videos. Amazing choreography.” Savannah was the only one of us three who kept up with dance, and she’s always wanted to teach it. I rest my arms on the old wooden bar top. “I don’t think The Falls are the only thing bringing in tourists now.” The viral social media video about the gorgeous waterfalls has attracted more people over the past year. Summer nights at The Falls were where most of my teenage memories ignited.
“Tell Emery about the other big news!” Hallie yells over the music.
“One of my dancers has an audition in Vegas in a few weeks.” Her voice is full of pride. “She has a bright future, for sure.”
“That’s amazing news, Savannie.” I lean in, proud of what my friends are accomplishing. And proud of what I’ve accomplished over the past eight months after my life tookanothercrash.
“I hope you girls are ready to do some final touches on the wedding with me. Two weeks is going to fly by.” Hallie claps with excitement and flags down a bartender who is too busy to be working alone. “I prolonged my honeymoon an extra two weeks because you are finally back in town.”
“You’re the only reason I’m back in town.” If I’m being honest, the other event this month wasn’t one I had planned to attend. I push the thought away. “Please, keep me busy!” I nearly beg. “I can’t spend my days sitting around the house. Or wandering around town with my own thoughts.” Hallie nods sympathetically and forces herself to stay quiet about the issues she wants to help mend. Our shots arrive just in time, and I hold mine up to toast our friend.
“To our best friend working her ass off to get her law degree, and for passing her BAR exam earlier than expected.” I give her my best smile as Hallie’s eyes radiate joy. “And for marrying her dream man.” I feel my heart’s armored walls add another layer with how much I want to forget what I lost. But this moment isn’t about me. She deserves to be celebrated.
Tonight, my personal problems can drown in spirits.
I follow behind the two of them while they talk about proposals and wedding details. Glancing around, I’m still in awe of the facelift of this place as we make our way back through the crowd. To my surprise, most faces aren’t recognizable. Thank goodness. Hallie and Savannah’s lives are going to plan, and mine seems to have me on some karmic wheel I can’t get off. Hearing my name, I snap out of my thoughts as we settle in a booth.
“Are you alright, Em?” Hallie’s thumb fiddles with the pages of her menu while staring at me.
“I’m doing really great, Hal.” I force a smile, knowing she can read my lie. “I am happy for you. I’m glad for all three of us to be hanging out again. Life is close to perfect.” I wink at Savannah, but the small lift of her eyebrow proves she believe how fine I am.
“I know, I just thought of you and Ryan and how the past eight months have––” She goes to ramble, but I cut her off.
“Hey.” I reach for her arm and look up. “That’s in the past. I’m over it.”
“By over it, you dropped all feelings, threw yourself into work, and now avoid relationships,” Savannah chimes in with her classic half smirk.
“I am happy with life,” I assure them. “My breakup was the best thing for me. Look how quickly I became an executive chef and earned a Michelin Star.” Cooking and running the restaurant back in Aspen has been my sanctuary.
“That wasn’t an ordinary breakup, Emery.” Savannah’s brow furrows as her concern grows.
