by Elias Taylor
Heather looked up to see that they had pulled into the lot outside of Louie’s Auto.
“Do you own this place?” she asked.
“Nah,” Hayden said. “I’m just a mechanic by day, and I got the Hogs by night.”
“Right,” Heather said.
Hayden led the way into the office and pointed to some leather seats. Heather sat down.
“I can take care of your car right now,” Hayden said. “Should be done in about 15.”
“Ok,” Heather said. “Are you sure it’s no trouble?”
“Course not,” Hayden said. “It’s my job.”
He exited the office leaving Heather alone with her thoughts.
She rested her elbows on her knees and buried her head in her hands. This was crazy. This was absolutely insane. Hayden Russel. Right there, out of the blue, looking better than ever.
For some reason, she had always pictured him as he was on the day she left him. When she told him it was over, he hadn’t asked her to reconsider. He had respected her wishes. She had appreciated that. She had left him forlorn, angry, bitter, and that’s how she had imagined him when she thought of Hayden. Forever a hurt sixteen-year-old.
What had she expected? That he would just stay that way for the rest of time?
She had thought about calling him, once during school. It was her first year at Juilliard and she was homesick. New York was big and scary, and all the other students were competitive. Heather had been scared she wouldn’t make it. She would never be as good as she wanted.
She had the overwhelming desire to call up Hayden and hear him tell her she was being crazy. If she just kept working, she would get it.
She wanted to hear how he was as well. She was longing to catch up on the Hogs drama and ask if Hayden’s friend George ever managed to convince a girl to date him.
Heather had sat in her tiny dorm room holding her phone for an hour, almost dialling Hayden’s number a hundred times.
Then she had put her phone away. It was over. She had to let go of the past.
Now, sitting in the auto shop’s office, with Hayden just a few feet away, working on her car, the past felt extremely close. Too close.
Heather leaned forward and tried to peer into the garage. No sign of Hayden. She crossed her legs and jiggled her foot. She checked her watch. If Hayden was correct, she had about 10 minutes to figure out how she felt about seeing him again.
It wasn’t good, she decided. She needed to be thinking about the future right now, not dredging up old heartaches. It did ache, she realized, to see him again. It was awkward and strange, but even worse it was painful. She had enough painful thoughts in her life right now. Her knee was forever damaged and she would likely never dance as well again. She didn’t need to add guilt over Hayden to her list of agonizing daily topics. No matter how handsome he was.
Hayden probably felt the same way. He was being professional and courteous, but Heather had to assume he wasn’t thrilled to see her. As soon as she was gone, he would probably call up one of his biker friends or his brother. Guess who I just ran into? That bitch who broke my heart, he would say. And get this, she dumped me for dance, but she can’t even dance anymore.
Heather winced. Deep down, she knew Hayden would never say such cruel things. Not her Hayden.
She closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the wall.
He’s not mine, she reminded herself. He hasn’t been mine for a long time.
“Hey.”
Heather’s eyes flew open and she sat up ramrod straight. Hayden stood above her. Had he gotten even more handsome in the fifteen minutes he had been gone?
“Car’s fixed,” Hayden said.
He handed her the keys.
“Thanks,” Heather said. “How much?”
She stood up and grappled with her purse. As she took a step towards him, a bit of pain flared up in her knee, forcing her to limp.
Hayden caught her adjusted stride. His eyes widened, and for a second, Heather could tell he dropped his guard.
He felt bad for her. Hayden’s pity was possibly even worse than his resentment.
“Don’t worry about it,” Hayden said.
“No, I insist,” Heather said.
“First time customer gets some services waived,” Hayden said. “I’m not lying.”
Heather chewed her lip. Hayden flashed her a grin.
“If you really wanna make it up to me, let me take you out to dinner sometime,” Hayden said. “Just to catch up.”
Heather blinked and looked away from him. For a second, there had been something like hope in Hayden’s eyes.
“Sure,” Heather said. “But right now, I’ve really got to go.”
“Ok, great,” Hayden said. “Your number the same?”
“Yes, but I can text you or call the shop,” Heather said.
Her number was not the same. She had gotten a new phone two years ago. She definitely didn’t have Hayden’s number.
Without a backwards glance, Heather breezed through the door and headed to her car.
She had said yes to be nice, but she had no intention of going to dinner with Hayden Russel.
If one chance encounter with her ex-boyfriend shook her up this much, dinner would not be good.
Besides, nothing could ever happen between them. Even if Heather wanted to rekindle romance, those flames had flickered out.
Yes, Hayden had been wonderful. And maybe she shouldn’t have ended it like she did. But it was too late to go back and change things. They could only move forward, and Heather was positive that she and Hayden were not taking the same road.
Their lives were too different now.
Heather hopped into her car and pulled out. At least she got a free tow out of it.
Somehow that positive didn’t comfort her as she caught a glimpse of Hayden in her rearview mirror. He was standing in front of the shop and watching her leave.
As she saw Hayden growing smaller in the mirror, Heather didn’t feel like she was moving forward.
She felt like she was just running away.
Chapter Six: Destiny
Hayden waited until both he and Charlie had beers in front of them before telling his brother about his day.
They were in their parent’s house, sitting at the old kitchen table.
Hayden’s family didn’t have much, but they were comfortable. His mother had always made sure her sons were well-fed and dressed and had a clean home. Hayden had made it tough for her during his wild teen years, but she never gave up on him. She understood better than anyone that Butcher was not the perfect father.
Brenda Russel was currently at the county fair setting up her booth. Hayden was glad of it. His mother had been furious when Heather dropped him. She had told Hayden over and over that Heather would live to regret it.
Charlie was always understanding. He didn’t get riled, and he wasn’t a harsh judge.
“So I got called on a tow today,” Hayden said. “It was Heather Carlson.”
Charlie widened his eyes and let out a slow whistle.
“That’s amazing,” Charlie said. “She back in town?”
“Yeah,” Hayden said. “She hurt her leg, she’s here to teach at her old studio for a bit.”
“Man, I don’t go in for corny shit, but this is destiny,” Charlie said.
Hayden rolled his eyes and took a swig of his beer. Charlie had a tough exterior, but he was a hopeless romantic at his core.
“This is not destiny,” Hayden said. “Just awkward, that’s all.”
“Honestly, bro, I’ve always thought you two were gonna end up together,” Charlie said.
Hayden regarded his brother in disbelief as Charlie leaned forward and nodded. He was serious about this theory.
“Look, I know she had her whole dancing thing,” Charlie said. “But I knew she would come back to you.”
“She’s not coming back for me,” Hayden said. “She had a bad fall, that’s why.”
“Destiny,” Charlie said.<
br />
“Besides, she’s different now,” Hayden said. “She ‘s not the same girl I dated. Now, she’s just someone I barely know.”
“Nah,” Charlie said. “You made her happy, she’ll remember that.”
Hayden finished his beer and grabbed another from the fridge. He got one for Charlie too, although Charlie’s fantastical babbling might mean he had drank too much.
“There’s no way I could make her happy now,” Hayden said. “She deserves the nice life, the one she’s used to.”
Charlie leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms as he turned philosophical.
“But what is the nice life?” Charlie asked.
“You know...big city, classy people, that kinda thing,” Hayden said. “Not a biker guy in small town Cali.”
“Don’t sell yourself short, bro,” Charlie said. “You got plenty of shit to offer.”
“Maybe I do, but not for Heather Carlson,” Hayden said. “She’s not a girl meant for Lyndon.”
Charlie sighed and shook his head.
“I would argue with you, but I know how stubborn you can be,” Charlie said.
Hayden chuckled. He knew his brother was only trying to make him feel better, but in reality, Charlie’s insistence that Hayden had a shot with Heather was painful and embarrassing.
She had been gorgeous, even stranded on the side of the road. Her curves had filled out since high school, but she still moved with that athletic grace. Hayden had done everything he could not to stare at her ass when she climbed up into the tow truck. Her face was a bit leaner, but she still had those cheekbones that could cut glass. And her eyes. Heather Carlson’s eyes were still gorgeous pools of chocolate warmth.
Only they hadn’t been shining with joy to see him, that much was obvious. Heather had been awkward and even short-tempered with him. It was clear she didn’t have any interest in updating him on her life.
Hayden didn’t blame her. She must be wrecked about her injury. When she mentioned her hurt knee, Hayden had wanted to reach out and hug her to offer comfort. Of course, if he had done so, Heather would have jumped out of the truck.
He didn’t know why he had asked her to dinner. As he finished her car, he got to thinking about how he would feel if he never saw Heather again for another ten years. The idea had made him so miserable that he just figured he might as well take a chance.
She rushed out of the auto shop so fast, Hayden figured it was a long shot that the catch-up dinner would actually happen.
Hayden glanced over at his brother, still smiling over his beer at the thought of love and destiny or whatever other bullshit Charlie was mulling over in his head.
“Well, I better head out to meet Georgie at the fair,” Hayden said. “You wanna come?”
“Nah,” Charlie said. “I got club crap to deal with.”
Hayden grimaced in sympathy. As stressed as Hayden was about the Hogs, Charlie was even more so.
“Sorry, man, you need my help?” Hayden asked. “I can stay behind if you do.”
“No way,” Charlie said. “You go have a good time. You deserve it.”
“Alright, bro,” Hayden said.
“And make sure Silvertongue doesn’t flirt too much and get himself in trouble,” Charlie said.
Hayden gave his brother a wry smile and headed for the door.
He hopped on his bike and headed towards his apartment. Hayden had moved out as soon as he could. Things with his dad were much easier when Hayden had his own place. It wasn’t much, just a two-room apartment, but Hayden liked the quiet and privacy.
After changing out of his mechanic shirt, Hayden drove across town to the fair.
Rides and fair games weren’t really Hayden’s thing, but he had gone to the fair with Georgie ever since they were little kids.
The two friends had agreed to meet at 8 just inside the entrance.
“Hey, bro,” Georgie called.
“Hey,” Hayden said.
“So, Heather Fucking Carlson?”
Hayden sighed. He had not mentioned the incident to Georgie, but he figured his friend would have found out from one of the other mechanics. Georgie had a sixth sense for sniffing out secrets.
“Look, I don’t wanna talk about it,” Hayden said. “Especially not in front of my mom.”
Georgie took in Hayden’s serious face and shrugged. Hayden figured he had only postponed the conversation. At least Georgie wouldn’t talk about destiny.
The two friends decided to first check out Hayden’s mom’s booth. She was raising money for the local children’s rec center with some other women in Lyndon.
When Hayden and Georgie arrived at her booth, which was sagging under the weight of piles of baked goods, Brenda waved them over. The other moms all grinned at Hayden.
“Hi, sweetheart,” Brenda said.
Hayden gave his mom a hug. She was the only one who was allowed to call him sweetheart.
“Jeez, I wish my son would visit me at this thing,” Mrs. Harrison joked. “I never see him, now that he’s got his big corporate job.”
“You just get more and more handsome, Hayden,” Mrs. Fitz said.
All his mom’s friends loved him, which Hayden thought was hilarious. Brenda was always bragging about how Hayden visited her all the time and even took her to run errands now and then. Her friends thought that was adorable. Georgie was always joking that clearly Hayden needed to go for older women if he was their type.
“How was your day?” his mother asked.
“Good,” Hayden said. “Straight-forward day at the shop.”
Georgie raised his eyebrows but didn’t say anything. Hayden was grateful. The mention of Heather’s name would set his usually mild-mannered mom off. Brenda had never forgiven Heather for hurting her youngest son.
The crazy thing was, Brenda had loved Heather before the breakup.
“That’s the kind of girl who will keep you in line,” Brenda used to say. “You make sure you treat her right.”
Brenda hadn’t blamed Hayden from the break-up though. She said that Heather had thrown away the best thing that would ever happen to her, and she would realize it much too late. Her words hadn’t comforted him. Hayden was definitely not the best thing to happen to Heather. Juilliard, Chicago, Swan Lake—those were the prizes awaiting Heather. How could Hayden hope to compete?
“Here, have some brownies,” Brenda said. “You got your tickets for rides?”
“I got some, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to convince your coward of a son to get on any,” Georgie said.
Hayden laughed and punched his friend in the shoulder.
“Well, you boys have fun,” Brenda said.
Hayden gave his mom one last wave as he and Georgie headed out to explore the fair.
Over the years, the Lyndon fair hadn’t really changed. Same rides, same games, and the same crowds of locals.
Hayden was hit with a rush of fond memories as he and Georgie walked through the fair. They hadn’t really changed either. They did the same things they did when they were kids. First, Georgie wanted to check out the kissing booth to see how pretty the girls were. Then they headed to the fried dough booth so Georgie could try sweet-talking whoever was working there to give him a discount. It never worked and tonight was no different.
Years ago, Hayden had considered leaving Lyndon. Things were tense with his dad, and even though Hayden loved the Hogs, everything else about the small town was bothering him. It was just the same old people and the same old restaurants. Nothing good ever lasted and Hayden started to wonder if the town was just bad luck for him.
He couldn’t pull the trigger on a move, though. It was the Hogs. Hayden couldn’t imagine life without them. He was proud of that biker club. He had grown up at his grandfather’s knee, hearing stories about the good old days when the club was just getting started. Hayden had fantasized about when the time came for him to step up and lead the group.
Looking around at the fair, Hayden was glad he hadn’t left.
For better or for worse, this was his town. Maybe some bad things had happened here, but there had been good times as well, like all the nights at this fair with George.
As they moved from booth to booth, Hayden started to relax. Who cared if Heather Carlson didn’t want to talk to him? She was old news. This wasn’t high school anymore and Hayden didn’t have to mope over her.
Heather had moved on with her life. That much was obvious. Hayden could move on as well. He could pick up someone tonight. Someone cool who didn’t dance and wouldn’t drop Hayden cold turkey.
Hayden shoved his hands in his pockets and scanned the crowds. Everyone was laughing underneath the bright lights of the rides. There had to be someone out there for him.
Then Hayden’s eyes got caught on a pair of incredible legs.
“Fuck,” Hayden muttered.
He prayed Georgie hadn’t seen, but then Hayden saw the massive grin on his friend’s face.
“Holy shit,” Georgie said.
Heather Carlson was standing ten yards away with her friend.
“Don’t—” Hayden muttered.
“Yo, Melinda!” Georgie shouted in a booming voice. “And Heather Carlson...what a surprise!”
Heather turned and Hayden watched her brow furrow when she saw them.
“Shit,” Hayden whispered.
Charlie was going to be overjoyed when he heard about this.
Chapter Seven: Penance
“Alright, remember to stretch when you’re at home between lessons,” Heather said. “Class dismissed!”
She breathed a sigh of relief as the kids in her first introductory class started to trickle out of the studio.
She had been nervous to teach. Heather was always a good student, but standing up and explaining a routine or style of dance was a whole other ball game.
It had been fun. Heather had prepared with intensity. She had made sure the music system was working and prepped answers to dozens of questions an eight-year-old might fire at her.
For the first few minutes, Heather had been nervous. Then she saw some misplaced feet during the warm-up and she lost herself in correcting the details. Once she got talking about technique, all the nerves vanished. When a kid finally got a tough position right, Heather was ecstatic.
