Chapter 10
I forgo my bike and opt for my shiny black Chevrolet Camaro instead. I restored it years ago, and it’s been sitting in my garage ever since. I paid a fuck ton of money to get it transported here on short notice.
As one of my most prized possessions, I’ve been hesitant to drive it, wanting to keep it locked up safe. The same way I’d prefer to keep Roxy. But what’s the point of me having a rare vintage car if I don’t drive it?
The hum of the engine is music to my ears.
I lean back and blow out a satisfied breath.
The seats still have that new leather smell, embracing me like an old friend.
I set my playlist to Nirvana’s In Utero album as I head toward the blinking dot on my navigation.
The tracker I put on her phone leads me to Level Up, an old arcade that’s been in this town since Roxy was a kid.
When I arrive at the run-down strip mall, there are only a few other cars in the parking lot. I drive around to the side and park farther back. I pull my hoodie up around my head and make my way to the entrance. No mask this time. Just me. The real me.
Level Up isn’t as new and shiny as Joystick.
I actually prefer this place more. Its old vintage decor invokes ‘80s nostalgia and more of the feel of those retro arcades from when I was a little kid.
There are all the classic games lined up along the perimeter, and the back wall is stacked with old-school pinball machines.
Neon signs light the dingy room, distracting you from the dirty carpets and chipped paint.
It’s almost reminiscent of those old skeezy casinos.
The one thing it does have in common with Joystick is the bar.
Back in my partying days, I would’ve gladly gotten obliterated here.
But now the stench of cheap beer and cigarettes makes me queasy.
But I head for it, anyway, determined to find my pretty girl.
A chick with dark hair, red lips, and a toothpick hanging out of her mouth looks up from behind the bar as I amble up. Her eyes flicker with lust when she sees me. I shudder. I don’t like women looking at me anymore. Not like before. Their gazes are intrusive, hungry, and shallow.
I should’ve worn my mask. Roxy’s eyes are the only ones I want glued to me.
“Get ya a drink, handsome?” She rests her hands on her hips.
I shake my head. “Don’t touch the stuff. I’m looking for a girl.”
She chuckles as she rolls the toothpick over her bottom lip. “Well, you’re looking at one.”
My stomach twists, gurgling with nausea. I angle forward and lean across the bar. “I’m looking for my girl. Her name’s Roxy. Any idea where she is?”
The toothpick falls from her mouth and hits the sticky counter. “Oh… I know who you are. Roxy’s in the bathroom. But look, I don’t want any trouble.” She lifts a bat from underneath the bar. “I will beat your ass if you upset her.”
As I size her up, I notice the scars on her arms, the ones she’s attempted to hide with bad tattoos that are now faded.
She plants her feet, taking a firm stance, her frame strong with broad shoulders and thick legs.
And she holds that bat like she’s used it before.
A small-town chick who’s had to learn how to fend for herself. I can appreciate that.
I glance at her nametag and hold my hands up in submission. “I just need to talk to her, Cherry.”
She arches an eyebrow. “Okay, pretty boy. You can wait right there.” She points the end of her bat at a table in the center of the arcade. It’s the most visible spot for her to keep an eye on me.
I nod and back up toward it while I scan the room for the restrooms. The last time Roxy went to the bathroom by herself in a bar, she got assaulted. The memory has me on edge, my skin prickling.
A few local drunks stare in my direction. With everything going on, I forget how fucking famous I am. I nod politely, and they turn back around in their seats, seemingly satisfied.
When I spot Roxy sauntering out of the restrooms, I let out a sigh of relief. She looks calm and unharmed, and so fucking beautiful. So perfect. Our eyes meet, and for a second, she pauses in step. The pulse in her neck ticks.
I smile at her, desperate for her to come barreling into my arms. But she looks away and heads toward Cherry at the bar. They whisper, their heads huddled together. Roxy’s gaze flits back to me, her eyes wide this time, fearful. Yet she can’t hide the longing behind them either.
Patience has never been my strong suit, but I will stand in the middle of this room for however long she makes me wait.
I’ll do anything for her. Except leave her alone.
Because I don’t break my fucking promises.
And neither does she. Not the ones we make to each other. Those are stronger than blood.
My heart races when she finally makes her way over to me. Don’t fuck this up, Punk.
She stands in front of me, gazing up like a wounded puppy. I have to fight the urge to grab her and drag her out of here.
“Hey, pretty girl. Did you think I’d let you get away?”
She swallows down the lump in her throat. “The woods… what were you thinking? That I would just melt into your arms? You scared me.”
I grit my teeth, my emotions shifting. The anger bubbles up, the fury of not being able to get through to her. But I take a deep breath and count to ten in my head. “I’m sorry about that. You used to love the games we played. I thought it might help jog your memory.”
Her eyelids flutter, and her cheeks flush. “Some things are coming back,” she murmurs.
Then it’s working. Thank fuck. I take a step forward but stop when she flinches.
“I don’t know what your mama told you about me, but I’m not the one you should be afraid of.
She is. She doesn’t care about you, Rox.
All I’ve ever wanted was to be with you and take care of you.
Please come home with me. I’ll give you your space. Whatever you want. Please.”
She chews on her lower lip and looks down at the floor. “I… I don’t know what I should do. But I’m not happy here. Everything feels wrong.”
When I step forward this time, she doesn’t shrink back.
I gently clasp her hand in mine. A bolt of electricity shoots through us.
Her breath hitches. She feels it too. “Baby girl… I’m not going anywhere without you.
If I have to live out the rest of my life following you around, I will.
There is no me without you. No Jack without his Jill. ”
Her eyes well up with tears when she looks back up at me. “Jack and Jill… I want to remember. I need to. I feel so fucking empty.”
I rub my thumbs across her wet cheeks, brushing away her tears. “You will. I promise. But you have to let me back in. I don’t know what I’m capable of doing if you aren’t by my side. I-I scare myself sometimes. You’re the only one who can keep me tethered to reality. I love you, Roxy.”
She takes a deep breath as she pinches her eyes shut. “I know your voice. I… feel less lost when I hear it.”
“Because you love me too. Deep down, you know we belong together. Don’t let this come between us.
Fight for us. Fight your way back to me.
” My voice breaks off as I choke back a sob.
I’ve never cried for anyone before. But in the last month, I’ve cried more for her than I ever have in my entire life.
She squeezes my hands. But the hesitation still lingers in her eyes. She’s trying to remember so badly. I can feel it.
“Spend the night with me. You can ask me anything, and I swear I’ll tell you the truth. Please. I don’t know what to do without you,” I plead.
She looks away and then back, chewing on her bottom lip so hard she might draw blood. “Okay. But you have to promise to bring me back if I ask you to.”
Fuck. I blow out the biggest sigh of relief. “I promise. You’re in control tonight, Roxy.”
She nods. “I just have to tell Cherry that I’m leaving. She’s been looking out for me.”
“You do whatever you need to do, my love. I’ll wait right here.”
As I watch her grab her coat and purse, my hope returns. I’m so close to getting her back, I can almost taste it. I need to rein in my urges tonight. I don’t want to do anything to spook her.
We walk side by side to the car. The sweet scent of peaches envelops me when the wind blows her hair back. Tingles spread all over my body. I open the passenger door and let her in before going around and sliding into the driver’s seat.
“Thank you for not bringing the bike. I’m not ready to get on one of those yet.” She gazes out the windshield, her body rigid.
“I’m sorry, Roxy. I never should’ve taken off in that storm.
If we had just gone back to the motel room, we wouldn’t even be in this fucking situation right now.
Fuck. I’m so fucking sorry.” I squeeze my eyes shut and grip the steering wheel, afraid I might break it and leave us stuck here in this parking lot all night.
A shiver rushes up my spine when she rests her hand on my arm. “Hey. Breathe. It’s okay. It was an accident, right?”
I nod and exhale, staving off a panic attack. “Yeah. Fuck.”
“Let’s get out of here. I know a spot where we can sit and talk. Just drive.”
I turn my head to look at her. Her expression is soft and full of that same longing from earlier. “You got it, pretty girl. I’ll go wherever you tell me to.”
As I drive through the back roads of Crimson Valley, letting her guide me, the broken parts of me slowly start to stitch themselves back together. I know everything’s gonna be okay for once. She’s giving me a chance to win her back. And I won’t fuck it up. Not again.