6. Olivia
6
olivia
I ’m full-on bear hugging a man I just met in a bar. And, I might add, a very tall, handsome, and muscular man with a killer smile and big, soulful eyes. I don’t know what possessed me to wrap my arms around him. Maybe it was the cider beer. Maybe it’s the fact my boyfriend ditched me for a stupid video game. Maybe it’s because Hayes just said words I’ve desperately needed to hear for years but never had voiced. Regardless of the reason, I’m holding onto him so tightly I don’t want to let go. But a wave of guilt washes over me and I loosen my grip, pulling back from him slightly.
He wraps his warm arms around me and pulls me even tighter into our embrace. One of his hands slowly rubs my back, soothing the pain and loneliness that’s been my reality for so long. His other hand gently rests on the back of my head, holding my broken pieces together.
Hayes pulls back and gazes into my eyes with a deep longing, inviting something I feel deep in my soul. His hand cups my cheek as I lean into his touch, my eyes searching his as the sound of rain surrounds us. Hayes slowly leans closer, his lips inches from mine. Heat burns in my core making me have thoughts and desires I should not be having since I have a boyfrie-
“BOOM”
Hayes and I jump back from one another, my cheek cold from losing his heat. I look over to see Johnny walking away from the dumpster. I swear I see the slightest smirk on his face as he quickly looks away and heads back into the bar.
“I should get going,” I sheepishly say nervously digging in my purse for my keys. What the hell am I doing?
“Olivia, I’m sorry if I overstepped. That’s not like me,” he says, his face crumpling with remorse.
“You didn’t overstep at all. I got caught up in your stellar equipment hauling skills and all your talk about talent,” I mumble under my breath. “I’d better get going. It was so nice to meet you, Hayes, and thanks again for helping me with my gear.” I open my car door, but I turn back to look at him, my heart not wanting the moment to end, but my head knowing it’s the right thing to do. “Seriously, thank you for tonight. Welcome to Milwaukee.”