Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

Meghan

The scent of fresh cedar envelops me as I step onto the front porch of our new home.

My fingers trail along the smooth wooden railing, still pristine and untouched. This is ours now—mine and Tindra's.

A sanctuary, a fresh start.

Tindra's excited voice carries from inside the house. "Mom! Come look at this view!"

I smile, my heart swelling with a mixture of pride and nervousness. "Coming, sweetie!"

As I enter, my footsteps echo through the empty spaces.

The living room stretches before me, sunlight pouring through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Tindra stands there, her silhouette framed against the glass, gazing out at the expanse of our new backyard.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" I say, moving to stand beside her.

She nods, her eyes wide with wonder. "I can't believe this is really ours."

I wrap an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. "Believe it, kiddo. This is our new beginning."

My mind races with all the possibilities, and the potential this house represents.

A safe haven, away from the chaos and danger of my past.

But even as I relish this moment of peace, a nagging worry tugs at the edges of my thoughts.

How long can I keep the truth hidden?

How long before my past catches up with us?

I push those thoughts aside, focusing on Tindra's excited chatter about decorating her new room.

This is what matters now—this moment, this fresh start.

"So, what do you think?" I ask, giving her a gentle squeeze. "Ready to make this place our home?"

Tindra's grin is answer enough, and for now, it's all I need. “Heck yeah! When will all of our stuff be in here?”

I glance out to our long driveway and look at the white box truck. “Looks like they’re getting the last few things brought in now.”

The movers grunt as they haul our last couch through the front door, its weathered leather a stark contrast to the pristine cedar walls of our new home.

I direct them toward the living room, trying to get everything as organized as possible.

There’s still so much more we have to do.

"Mom?" Tindra's voice is hesitant, breaking through the craziness of moving day. "Do you really have to work tomorrow?"

I sigh, running a hand through my ashy blonde hair. "Yeah, sweetie, I do. We're opening Beans & Babes next week, and Dasha needs me to start training the new girls."

Disappointment flashes across Tindra's face, and my heart clenches.

I hate seeing her upset, but I can't neglect my responsibilities. "Hey," I say, softening my tone, "if you want, you can come with me and work in the kitchen. Maybe prep some sandwiches?"

Tindra's eyes light up, a smile tugging at her lips. "Really? That'd be cool!" Then, her expression turns thoughtful. "When can I help with the customers?"

I can't help but laugh, though there's an edge to it. "Not until you're at least eighteen, kiddo. I'm not having grown-ass men sexualizing my barely teenage daughter."

"Mom," Tindra rolls her eyes, "not everyone will sexualize me."

I ruffle her hair, my protective instincts flaring. "There are some things you're a little too chill about, kiddo." I think to myself, 'If only you knew what I've seen, what I've been through. I'd give anything to keep you this innocent forever.'

But I push those dark thoughts aside, focusing on the present. "Come on," I say, gesturing to the boxes scattered around us. "Let's get this place set up. Our new life starts now."

Tindra and I stay busy for the next hour until the movers come and tell us they’re pretty much done.

The front door clicks shut behind the last one as they exit, and I exhale deeply, surveying our new living room.

Boxes are stacked randomly, creating a cardboard maze.

I run my fingers through my ashy blonde hair, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling in.

"Mom?" Tindra's voice breaks through my reverie. "Can we order pizza? I'm starving."

I nod, a smile tugging at my lips. "Sounds perfect, sweetheart. Why don't you find the box with the TV stuff while I call it in?"

As I dial the local pizza place, my mind wanders to Tor.

I wonder if he knows I'm back in town.

The thought sends a shiver down my spine, a mix of anticipation and anxiety.

"Hey, Mom!" Tindra's excited voice pulls me back. "I found the router. Can we set up the internet and watch a movie tonight?"

I finish placing our order and turn to her, warmth blooming in my chest at her enthusiasm. "Absolutely. Let's get this place feeling like home."

An hour later, we're sprawled on the couch, the smell of pepperoni and cheese filling the air.

The TV flickers with the opening credits of some action movie Tindra picked.

"This is nice," I murmur, pulling her close.

She nestles against me, and I can't help but think how different this is from the life I left behind.

No danger, no drama… at least not for now.

Just me and my girl.

As the movie progresses, my eyelids grow heavy.

I fight to stay awake, but the stress of the move and the comfort of this moment are too much.

The last thing I remember is Tindra's steady breathing beside me as we both drift off, safe in our new home.

***

The scent of freshly ground coffee beans fills my nostrils as I step into Beans & Babes, our newest location in Tallahassee.

It's early morning, and the soft pink glow of the ambient lighting casts a warm hue over the rustic wooden furniture.

I take a deep breath, steadying my nerves.

"All right, ladies," I call out to Amber, Jasmine, and Chloe, the three girls Dasha and I hired. They're bustling around, adjusting their skimpy uniforms and checking the equipment. "How do you feel about a trial run today?"

Amber, a perky redhead, grins. "Hell yeah, bring it on!"

I can't help but smile at their enthusiasm. "Great. We'll open from 9 to 11. I'll make a quick post online."

As I update our social media, I hear Jasmine ask, "You think we'll be busy?"

I look up, meeting her nervous gaze. "Honey, in this outfit? You'll be beating them off with a stick."

The girls laugh, and I feel a swell of pride.

They're capable, confident, and ready for this.

I head to the back, where Tindra's prepping in the kitchen.

"Hey, kiddo," I say, ruffling her hair. "You good back here?"

She nods, focused on arranging muffins. "Yeah, Mom. I've got this."

I give her a quick rundown of what's happening out front, then return to the main area.

As the clock strikes 9, I flip the 'OPEN' sign and brace myself.

Within minutes, the bell above the door starts chiming incessantly.

The sweet aroma of vanilla and caramel mixes with the earthy coffee scent as orders start flowing.

I'm a whirlwind behind the counter, calling out drinks and flashing smiles.

"Holy shit," Chloe whispers as she passes me, her arms laden with empty cups. "Is it always like this?"

I laugh, the sound slightly manic. "Welcome to Beans & Babes, sweetheart."

As I ring up another order, I glance at the tip jar.

It's overflowing, and we're barely thirty minutes in.

A quick count confirms my suspicion—we've already raked in close to $400 in tips alone.

My heart races, partly from the caffeine, partly from excitement.

This is it.

This is what I've been working toward.

A fresh start, a successful business, a safe place for Tindra and me.

I can only hope it stays safe… but I know it won’t.

My father found me in Atlanta, and I know it’s only a matter of time until he figures out I’m back in Tallahassee.

For a moment, I allow myself to bask in the small success of this trial run.

But as I call out another order, a nagging thought creeps in.

I need to reach out to Starla, and go to the club.

I need protection for me and my daughter.

Fuck.

I push my thoughts aside, focusing on the present.

For the next hour, we’re slammed, and we’re close to closing for the day.

Overall, I’m thrilled with how well our trial run has been going.

I shout, my voice carrying over the buzz of conversation. "Iced vanilla latte for Tor!"

The moment the name leaves my lips, my heart stutters.

Time seems to slow as I look up, my eyes locking with a pair of familiar bottle-green ones.

Tor.

He's standing there, his dark hair a little longer than I remember, his broad shoulders filling out a worn leather jacket.

The skull tattoo peeks out from his collar, a stark reminder of our shared past.

His eyebrows shoot up in surprise, mirroring my own shock.

I can't breathe.

My lungs refuse to cooperate as I stand there, frozen, the cold drink sweating in my hand.

This isn't how it was supposed to happen.

I had a plan—settle in, reach out carefully, control the narrative.

But now he's here, and all my carefully laid plans are crumbling around me.

His deep voice carries a mix of disbelief and something else I can't quite place. "Meghan?"

I force myself to move, to speak. "Hey, Tor. It's... it's been a while."

As I hand him the drink, our fingers brush, and I'm catapulted back fifteen years.

To stolen moments, passionate nights, and the gut-wrenching decision that tore us apart.

"Yeah, sure," he says, his eyes never leaving mine. "But, fifteen years is more than a while."

I swallow hard, acutely aware of the bustling cafe around us, of Tindra in the back, of all the secrets I'm still keeping. "I... I was going to reach out. To you and the club. I just needed some time to?—"

"To what?" Tor interrupts, his voice low but intense. "To disappear again?"

The accusation stings, but I can't deny its validity. "No," I whisper. "To figure out how to explain everything."

Tor's eyes soften slightly, and he licks his lips before taking a sip of his latte. The familiar gesture makes my heart ache.

"Mmm, I see. So, how've you been, Meghan?" he asks, his tone gentler now.

I exhale, grateful for the shift in conversation. "I've been okay. Busy, you know? Getting the cafe up and running, settling in..." I trail off, not wanting to reveal too much too soon.

He nods, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "It looks good. The place, I mean."

We fall into an easy rhythm of small talk, discussing the weather, the changes in Tallahassee over the years.

It's surprisingly comfortable, and I find myself relaxing despite the circumstances.

"Listen," I say, seizing a moment of courage, "I was wondering if I could stop by the clubhouse in the next couple of days? To catch up properly?"

Tor chuckles, the sound warming me from the inside out. "Meg, you don't need to ask permission. You're always welcome there. You know that."

His words hit me right in the heart, a bittersweet reminder of what I left behind.

I'm about to respond when the kitchen door swings open.

"Mom," Tindra's voice carries across the cafe, "we're all out of yogurt for the parfaits. I prepped about fifty sausage, egg, and cheese burritos, but I don't know what you want me to do next."

My stomach plummets as I watch Tor's eyes widen, his gaze darting between me and Tindra.

The air suddenly feels thick, and my head is pounding.

Oh God, I think, my heart racing.

This can’t be happening.

Not here, not now, not like this.

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