Chapter 22
22
Brylee
I stare at my cup of steaming coffee; the tendrils of steam curling around my face, obscuring my vision momentarily. The warmth from the mug is a stark contrast to the chill in my heart as I listen to my friends and family gather in the living room. Nobody can believe that Tucker just showed up and asked for me back. Honestly, I am still in shock. After everything he did, he has the balls to try to walk back in my life like nothing happened. What the fuck is wrong with him? The audacity of that man. It shows even now how much he relies on his charm.
“Can you believe he's back?” Candace exclaims. “I thought he'd be gone for good after everything that happened.”
“I don't trust him,” Mandy muttered. “He's up to something.”
I silently agree but didn't voice my thoughts, instead focusing on the sound of Leo's steady breathing beside me. I appreciate his presence. He is here to help me navigate the stormy waters of Tucker's return.
“Sweetheart,” mother hesitates, “we're here for you. Whatever you decide, we'll support you.”
“Thank you, Mom” I reply, green eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“Have you talked to him yet?” Cassie inquires, taking a seat.
“Only briefly,” I admit.
“Listen, Bry,” Mandy chimes in, her voice fierce. “You've built a new life for yourself here, with people who love and care for you. Don't let Tucker waltz in and ruin everything.”
“Leo is good to you,” Candace adds. “And he treats you with the respect you deserve. Don't forget that.”
As the voices echo, a familiar ache is deep within my chest. The memories of Tucker and our time together still haunt me, yet I can't deny the solace I found in Leo's arms.
What if I'm making a mistake?
As the conversation continues, the internal battle wages on—torn between the safety and security of my life with Leo, and the passion and unpredictability of my past with Tucker.
I need to talk to Tucker.
The leaves crunch beneath my feet as I walk through the park. The vibrant colors of the changing trees mirrored my own inner turmoil - a whirlwind of emotions that threaten to consume me. With each step, the memories of Tucker and the life we once shared weighed down on my chest. My pace slows as I approach a worn wooden bench overlooking the lake, the water rippling gently in the wind.
“Hey,” Tucker's voice startles me, as he emerges from behind a nearby tree. I didn’t even seen him approaching. His brown eyes are filled with a mixture of hope and apprehension. He has changed so much since our marriage ended, but there is still something achingly familiar about him.
“Hi,” I reply, unsure of what to say next.
“Beautiful day, isn't it?” he asks, trying to break the ice.
“Y-yeah,” I stammer, gripping the edge of the bench as I sit down. “It is.”
“Listen,” Tucker says, sitting beside me, leaving enough space between us for a hint of unease to linger. “I've made a lot of mistakes, and I can't change the past. But I'm here to fight for you, Brylee. I never stopped loving you.”
“Things have changed. I've changed.”
“Can we at least try to start over?” Tucker pleads, taking my hand in his. “I'm willing to do whatever it takes.”
“Please. Don't make this harder than it already is.”
“Are you in love with him?” Tucker's voice cracks with emotion.
“Yes,” I confess.
As I look out across the lake, the beauty of the moment is not lost, but neither is the uncertainty that gnaws at my heart.
“Goodbye, Brylee,” Tucker murmurs, pressing a soft kiss on my forehead before walking away.
“Goodbye,” I utter, feeling like the word was caught in my throat.
The sun disappears completely, leaving me alone in the gathering shadows, my future uncertain and my heart torn in two.