Kicking Reality

Serves her right for trying to change him.

She got what was coming to her.

I stay outside for a good fifteen minutes, staring blankly at the ground. Dragging my feet along, I walk back into the bar and plaster a fake smile calling Harry for another round. I know it’s not the best idea but the boys wouldn’t know any different.

“Another round? Fuck. We haven’t drank this hard since the night I got hitched,” Ash says with a burp in tow.

“The night that you fucked up your life?” I say with a straight face staring my brother down.

“The night I fucked up my life? Wow, thanks for the support, sis. Nice to know you have my back.”

“I don’t have your back. And even if you told me, I still wouldn’t have your back!” I raise my voice. “Marriage is for fools. Love is overrated and you’ll probably get screwed over then come running back to me and Logan to fix all your fucking problems.”

Ash’s face falls, switching to anger as I don’t back off, reflecting my own troubles back onto him. I needed a punching bag and my brother had the target smack bam in the middle of his face

“Are you done now?” he grits, standing beside Alessandra who looks disappointed by my outburst.

“Yeah, I’m done, Ash. Have a nice fucking marriage.”

I grab my purse and storm out, searching around for something or someone to take me anywhere but here. There’s nothing in sight but a dark road and trees swaying in the shadows.

I should be scared, but what’s out there lurking behind the shadows should be scared of me.

The sticks and stones beneath my feet sound with every footstep and just when I think I’m alone, I’m startled by the force of hands lifting me up and throwing me over a shoulder.

Logan.

“Love is just one pile of bullshit.

And I’m the one who stepped in it.”

~ Emerson Chase

“What the hell happened back there?”

Wriggling my body out of his grip, Logan drops me to the ground as I tumble and manage to not fall over onto the dirt. The foliage beneath my feet crunches, echoing in the silence that surrounds us.

My chest is heaving, with noisy breaths that exhale while the thumping inside—from a broken heart—fuels the adrenalin. Why the fuck did Logan have to follow me? I wanted nothing more than to be alone and sob like a fool.

Refusing to answer him, I continue to storm off, the dirt seeping into my brand-new wedges as my steps quicken hoping to escape him. There’s a narrow pathway where town folk often walked their dogs, and with the pale moon the only light guiding me, I follow my instincts until I reach the end of the trees with the lake in full view.

In the distance, there are speckles of lights from the few houses that surround it. It is such a beautiful place, and one that holds memories of my childhood. The three of us would ride our bikes into the same bush, causing mischief like the rascals we were.

Dad would also take the boat out, teaching me and Ash a thing or two about fishing. We enjoyed it until Dad showed us how to gut a fish which had me vomiting overboard—a very unpleasant memory.

Beside the rundown jetty that had many planks missing and shook when you walked across, sat the giant rock that we used to fight over. I don’t know why I gravitate towards it, and find myself staring at it blankly then out of the blue, I raise my foot and kick it hard with the tip of my shoe.

Ouch.

“He’s an asshole!” I yell, hopping back trying to control the pain.

Logan is standing on the edge of the water, arms folded with his eyes wandering the shoreline. His steady, muscular back is facing me and probably the best thing right now because I don’t want to look at him. He was just as annoying as the rest of the men in my life.

“Yeah, sure I’ll admit he can be an asshole but don’t you think you took it too far?” he responds in an arctic voice, keeping his expression hidden. “He hurt me too. This whole marriage thing may fuck up our game. You’re not the only one dealing with the ramifications.”

“You honestly believe all that rubbish? Falling in love? They knew from the start? C’mon. It’s impossible,” I ramble to myself as Logan quietly stands at the edge. “You can spend a whole lifetime knowing someone and still feel unsure if the love is there. Two minutes in a bar and that person is your soulmate? Ludicrous.”

Logan turns his neck, body following until we’re facing each other. His presence radiates with superiority, just like when we were kids. I wasn’t afraid back then and I am not afraid now. His tough-guy persona doesn’t frighten me one bit.