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“What wreck?”
Ariel stopped at looked at me. “There was this one night, about two years back, when Christian had a bit too much to drink at the bar. He'd been partying like usual, but that night, something was different."
I turned to her, eager to hear more. "Different how?"
Ariel leaned closer, her voice low and secretive. "He got into his dad's old truck to drive home. Now, Christian always had a reputation for handling his liquor well, but that night... that night was an exception."
I felt a sense of unease as I listened.
With a solemn expression, Ariel continued, "On his way back to the ranch, he lost control of the truck, flipped it, and totaled it. It was a miracle he walked away with only a few scratches and a torn rotator cuff. But that moment was like a wake-up call for him. It was the turning point when he realized he couldn't keep living like that."
I could hardly believe it. The man I had come to know as responsible, determined, and steady had a past filled with wild nights and risky behavior. I couldn't help but feel a newfound respect for the journey he had undertaken to become the man he was today… and a touch of fear about what he had been capable of.
"Wow," I finally said, shaking my head. "That's quite a change."
Ariel nodded. "It was. And that's why I'm glad to see him enjoying himself tonight, even if he's had a bit too much to drink. It's been a long time since I've seen him let loose like this. I just hope he keeps it under control. Clay isn’t one to waste money.”
I swallowed hard. I wondered what they would think when they found out we were lying. We returned to the table, leaving the ladies' room behind. The knowledge of Christian's transformation lingered in my thoughts as I rejoined the group, contemplating the man I had come to know, a man who had chosen a different path, a path that had led him to me.
My heart sank, and a mix of worry and disappointment churned within me. I had just found out he was drunk and behind the wheel when the accident happened. It was a harsh reality check, and the gravity of the situation hung heavy in the air. I respected the fact that Christian had changed. He wasn't the person he used to be, but the shadows of his past still lingered, casting doubt on our future. The caution crept in, a nagging voice reminding me of the potential pitfalls. I liked him, genuinely cared for him, but the weight of his history made me pause.
The lively beats of the music resonated through the bar as Ariel and I rejoined Christian and Clay at the table. To my surprise, Christian was sitting there with a mischievous grin. He had a glass of water in hand.
"Would you like to dance?" He asked, the glint in his eyes promising an evening filled with laughter and joy.
Without waiting for an answer, he stood, extending a hand towards me. Clay and Ariel exchanged amused glances, and the four of us made our way to the dance floor.
Under the dim glow of the dance floor lights, Christian twirled me around, reveling in the rhythm of the music. Laughter bubbled between us as we moved to the beat, creating an impromptu dance routine that drew smiles from those around us.
Ariel and Clay joined in, and soon, the four of us found ourselves lost in the joy of the moment. It was a carefree dance, a celebration of newfound connections and the promise of brighter days ahead. As the music swirled around us, I couldn't help but marvel at the unexpected turns life could take, bringing us together in a dance of laughter and shared happiness.
About an hour later, I started to feel dizzy. The alcohol was getting to me. “Are you ready?” I smiled at Christian. He nodded and smiled back.
“Let’s go,” Anna nodded at me. It’s like she was reading my mind. Clay typed on his phone for a few minutes, then we walked out the front door.
“This was nice,” Clay said, shaking Christian’s hand. “We’ll have to do it again.”
Christian looked giddy. “I can’t wait,” he said. Anna and Christian walked to another SUV. We climbed into this one. Christian double checked the address with the driver and we were on our way.
The car hummed softly along the winding road creating a soothing backdrop. I couldn't help but steal glances at Christian, his profile illuminated by the passing streetlights. There, on his arm, I noticed a scar I hadn't seen before, a faint but noticeable reminder of some past wound.
Unable to contain my curiosity any longer, I gently traced the outline of the scar with my fingertip. "Where did you get this?" I asked, my voice soft in the confined space of the car.
Christian's gaze flicked to where my finger touched his skin, and a brief hesitation crossed his features before he sighed. "It's from a wreck," he admitted, his eyes briefly darting away.
My interest deepened. "The one from about two years ago?" I probed, my mind connecting the dots from Anna's earlier revelation at the restaurant.
Christian's eyes met mine, a mix of surprise and curiosity. "How do you know about that?" he asked, his guarded expression softening.
I explained Anna's inadvertent revelation during our dinner conversation. "She mentioned it in the bathroom. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry, but I was curious. Are you okay?"
A moment of silence lingered between us before Christian began to open up. "It was a tough time. I... I flipped my truck on my way home from the bar one night. I was lucky to walk away with just this scar," he admitted, his voice carrying the weight of memories.
I listened intently, absorbing the vulnerability in his words. "What happened?" I asked gently.
Christian sighed, a hint of regret in his eyes. "I had too much to drink. I thought I could handle it. It's something I'm not proud of."
A profound understanding washed over me. "We've all made mistakes," I said, my tone compassionate. "What matters is that you're okay now, and you've learned from it."
