by Sienna Parks
The last time I saw him was at the Houston rodeo. I couldn’t bring myself to go and talk to him. After the way I left all those years ago, he wasn’t going to welcome me with open arms. I’d followed his rise to the top—a shoebox full of articles documenting the epic emergence of a new star. I didn’t contact him, and he never reached out to me. When I read he was going to be competing in Texas, I couldn’t help myself. I told my parents I was planning a visit, and made a stop in Houston.
I remember it like it was yesterday. The roar of thousands as they announced his name, a ripple of anticipation rolling through my body as his face appeared on the jumbotron. Blown up to massive proportions, the sly sparkle of mischief in his eyes was spellbinding. My breath caught in my chest, my heartbeat galloping as I drank in the dark scruff on his jawline, remembering how sexy it felt as it grazed the inside of my thighs.
His smile lit up the stadium with its brilliance. Every female within a ten-mile radius, melting in its warm glow. Surrounded by strangers, a cacophony of praise for the golden boy of bronc riding—everything faded into the background. Just the knowledge I was within 250 ft. of him filled my heart with joy. The sweet memory of a simpler time washing over me—the familiarity of… home. For a split second, it felt like we made eye contact—an impossibility for him in a sea of strangers, but my body reacted to him—a reflex I couldn’t control.
I couldn’t stay and watch him ride, a physical ache in my chest threatening to crush my soul. I never got over Maddox, and admitting that to myself was hard. My visit to Kingsbury Falls was quick, and painful. The town was abuzz with his victory, preparations for a celebration in his honor underway, everywhere I turned. I had to get out of there before he arrived, and I haven’t been back since—until now.
I stopped reading articles, or following Mad’s career after that. I told my parents I didn’t want to hear his name again, and I just let my relationships with old friends taper off in the natural busyness of life. It was too painful, and I knew I couldn’t move on if I didn’t make a conscious decision to let him go. My success in that department is evident in the shoebox I unpacked into my new place last night. I haven’t opened it in years, but I just couldn’t get rid of it. There will always be a part of me that belongs to Maddox Hale, wherever he is in the world—but I’ll bury it deep in the recesses on my mind, in a shoebox with the initials, M.H. written in Sharpie on the lid.
The sights and smells of my childhood, rush me like the crest of a wave. Bowling me over with their all-consuming serenity. The juxtaposition of familiarity and fear, wrestle for dominance in the cool morning breeze. My lungs are so accustomed to city smog it physically hurts to take a breath. My senses work overtime as I register the hushed whispers and blatant stares of everyone we pass.
“Hurry up. They’re going to be serving lunch at this rate!” My dad’s voice interrupts my annoyance.
“I see your flair for exaggeration hasn’t dissipated in my absence.”
“Well, you’re taking your sweet time, Annabeth. I don’t have all day. I’ll be dead before we get to the diner. You’re slower than a bullfrog in molasses.”
“Give me a break, will you? I only flew in last night. I’m tired, and already sick of people in this town gawking at me. I’m not a sideshow for their amusement.”
“That’s what happens when you don’t visit. You’re a local hero… more like a myth to the little ones. You are the educational success story of Kingsbury Falls. Hotshot New York doctor. Let them have their day. You’ll soon be yesterday’s news.”
Fat chance in this town.
I smile and make nice down the green mile of Main St., nodding and thanking everyone for their warm welcome. Ellen’s Diner seems further away the faster I walk. Dad opens the double doors, the familiar chime of the cowbell transporting me back to happier times.
“Well as I live and breathe… if it ain’t A.B. Clark.”
“Jax McKinney?” I run into his arms. “How are you?”
“A damn sight better than you, by the looks of it.”
You could hear a pin drop as all eyes turn to await my response. I feel like a lightning bug in a mason jar. “Still working that Texas charm I see!”
I can always count on Jax to take an awkward situation and exploit it. He never could pass up the chance to embarrass me. He was one of my best friends growing up, but it’s been years since the last time we spoke.
He pulls me back into his arms, just about choking the life out of me. “When did you get so smokin’ hot?” I’ve missed him.
“I’ve always been hot, Jax. You were just too busy chasing anything in a skirt to notice.”
My dad goes about his business, too set in his ways to stand and chat for a few minutes. He sits in the same booth, in the same spot he has since the diner opened in 1976. His routine both comforts and disturbs me. This is part of the reason I left, and a lot of why I came back.
“You were too busy sucking face with my best friend to give me the time of day, girl.”
My skin flushes at the memory of his lips against mine, his tongue teasing me with skilled strokes. “Let’s treat that period of my life like Voldemort, okay?”
“Seriously?”
I swiftly change the subject. “What are you up to these days, Jax?”
“Working Mustang Ranch. Breaking some new stallions right now. You should come up one day and ride with me. Bet you haven’t been riding this decade.”
My heart lurches into my mouth at the thought of revisiting the ranch—it was as much home to me growing up as my own house. Maddox, Jax, and I would spend all day out in the fields, losing ourselves to wild adventures. I used to dream of Mad and me sitting out on the porch, old and gray, watching our grandkids laugh and play—exploring the freedom that comes when you set foot through the gates of the Hale family ranch.
“Once I get settled in, I’ll take you up on that.” My words say yes, but an understanding passes between us. Jax knows me better than anyone… almost anyone.
“Sure thing, A.B. I’ll see you around. How long are you staying?”
A question I’m loathe to answer. The nail in the coffin of my fall from grace. “It’s not a visit. I’m back.”
“Well, fuck me sideways.”
Ellen shouts from behind the counter. “Hush your mouth, Jackson McKinney! I’ll have none of that cussing at this time in the mornin’.”
I’ve missed his mischievous grin and the twinkle in his eye. He blows her a kiss, before heading for the door. “Eight o’clock… Cardinals… be there.” Before I can say no, he’s out the door. The last thing I want to do is go to a bar tonight. People in this town have a habit of saying exactly what’s on their mind when they’re drunk, and I know there are plenty of people who’ll have a few choice words for me.
Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to come home.
My mom came into town to help me set up my new office. It might just be the first time I’ve thanked God for her neurotic attention to detail and need to organize everything in the room. I’m putting myself in the belly of the beast, setting up a family practice doctor’s office here in town. From my days of helping old Doc Barnes in his office, I learned it’s the hub of the rumor mill. Small town living isn’t for the faint of heart, your business is public record. A routine visit to the doctor can be spun into a secret lovechild, or a terminal case of cancer. Nothing is sacred, and my return will be front and center. It won’t matter that I treat what ails them, and take care of their family members. My departure fourteen years ago will be discussed like it was yesterday, and my absence over the past five years will be duly-noted and held against me for the foreseeable future—as will my fall from grace.
Mom and dad have always boasted my achievements, telling anyone who would listen about my scholarship to Yale, and the fact I’m doing my residency in New York… past tense now. I know they are as happy as they are disappointed. I failed. I couldn’t deal with the loss of one of my long-term patients. The responsibility for h
er death resting squarely on my shoulders. I know my mom and dad are pleased I’m going to be living and working in Kingsbury Falls, but their smiles are tinged with a sadness I can’t repair.
Nerves swarm my stomach as I prepare to meet Jax. I scramble through boxes trying to find my favorite jeans, frustrated that my office is less of a mess than my home! I’d get my mom over here to OCD her way through my boxes, but I need boundaries now I’m back. I haven’t had to deal with anyone in my personal space for years. I push that disturbing thought to the back of my mind and head out to Cardinals.
I haven’t been here before. I heard a friend from high school had taken over the old bar my mom and dad used to frequent on Friday nights, but I never expected it to have been completely remodeled. Kirby was one of the hottest guys in our class. I thought he would breeze out of this town the first chance he got, but it just goes to show how wrong you can be about people. The local bar is the social heartbeat of a small town like Kingsbury Falls. No matter what you’re celebrating—this is the place to do it.
I left town before it could be my weekend haunt, but I better get used to it. The door swings open as a tipsy woman comes barreling out, shouting into her phone. The music blaring from inside is live country at its best. The lights are dim, and there at the bar, I spy Jax. I’ve never noticed just how handsome he is. All rough and raw. He catches my eye, raising a shot glass to his lips and slinging in back.
Taking in my surrounds, I’m impressed by the new makeover. I could see myself hanging out here. Maybe the town is changing with the times. I need to at least give it a chance to impress me before I condemn it… right?
“Over here, hot stuff!”
All eyes in the vicinity turn toward me, watching my every move as I make my way across the floor. “Hey, Jax. Looking sharp. Your mom dress you tonight?”
A familiar laugh comes from behind the bar. “Burn.”
“Kirby? Kirby Hollander?”
“The one and only, darlin’.”
In an instant, I’m transported back to high school. The old gang back together again… with one glaring exception. These boys have only gotten sexier with age. There must be something in the water in this town. Kirby jumps over the bar and pulls me into a tight hug. “We’ve missed you around here, A.B. Jax tells me your back. That true? You’re back for good?”
“Back for now. Good enough?”
“Hell yeah! Lottie is going to be so stoked!” Kirby is married to my friend Lottie. Now that I think about it, I remember there being a Facebook announcement a few years back. We didn’t stay close after I left, but we exchanged holiday greetings and the annoying thumbs up on each other’s posts occasionally. Kirby signals to one of the bartenders to pour some shots of tequila. Raising his glass, he toasts my return. “To old friends, and new beginnings. Welcome back, A.B.”
We laugh, we dance, we drink… a lot. The hours’ tick by as we reminisce about the adventures of our youth. I manage to avoid the elephant in the room, refusing to let myself ask the question that’s been racing around my head for hours. I know they’re waiting, Jax goading me to cave.
“Seriously? You ain’t gonna ask? You know you want to.”
I try to play dumb, but he’s not buying it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Tequila is beginning to take effect—Kirby slurring his words as he wraps his arm around my shoulder. “Your high school beau, sweetheart.”
“I haven’t thought about… him… in years. I don’t care where he is, or what he’s doing. I don’t need to be hearing about him riding wild horses, or whatever else he’s riding these days.”
The color drains from their faces, causing my heart to lurch into my chest. Kirby turns to Jax. “Well, shit. She doesn’t know.”
“Bull. She lived in Manhattan, not on the moon.”
My palms are sweaty, a thousand scenarios running through my mind. “What don’t I know? Is he okay?”
“Fuck, A.B. When was the last time you saw him?”
“Five years ago. We didn’t talk. It was at an… event. Haven’t heard anything since.”
“You better sit down.”
My lungs tighten, fear twisting them like a boa constrictor. Surely momma would’ve told me if something bad had happened to him? What if he was injured? Paralyzed? What if he’s dead? “Just tell me, dammit.”
He sobers in seconds. “Annabeth…” His eyes widen as his attention diverts to the door.
“Jackson Robert McKinney, look at me. Stop looking at every girl who walks in, and tell me. What happened to…” I turn to see who has him dumbstruck…
“Maddox?” My brain short-circuits—white noise drowning out the music as I stare in shock… awe… horror.
“What the fuck are you doing here, Annabeth?”
MADDOX
The bar falls silent. You could hear a pin drop. Everyone is staring at me… waiting.
My breath catches. My pulse racing so hard, I can feel it pounding against my skin. Time hasn’t dimmed her effect on me. Annabeth looks even better than she did at eighteen. Her curves are more mature, slender yet voluptuous. I drink in the sight of her, desire burning as fierce as my anger. I can’t stand the silence. Even the band has stopped playing.
“Y’all, go about your business.” I hold her gaze. “There’s nothing worth talking about here.” I turn on my heels and walk back out the door. All I wanted was a quick drink and a game of pool before holing up at the ranch to wait out her visit. I never thought for a minute she’d be here—drunk with my friends. Assholes.
Jax comes barreling out the door behind me, shouting for me to wait up, but I’m so fucking mad right now, I don’t even want to look at him. “Mad! Come on! You can’t go on like this forever.”
“Like hell I can’t! She left, without a word. She didn’t give a crap about me, so why would you expect me to be okay with her when she blows into town to visit her parents? Not once has she tried to reach out to me.”
“Mad, there’s something you need to know.”
“No! I don’t want to hear it, Jax. I can’t believe you out of everybody, would welcome her with open arms after what she did. She left all of us behind without so much as a goodbye. You know what that did to me. Why would you do it?”
“I was looking out for you.”
“At the bottom of her tequila shot?” I snap back in anger.
“Mad… she’s back.”
I stop dead in my tracks. My legs paralyzed with rage, confusion… hope. “What the fuck does that mean?”
“She’s back. She’s the new Doc.”
“For how long? A week? A month?”
The voice that haunts my dreams confirms my worst nightmare. “I live here now, Maddox.”
She strides toward me, her heels clip clopping like horseshoes on the sidewalk. She is stunning in the moonlight. So beautiful, it takes my breath away. Her hair glistens, as if sprinkled with stardust. Her eyes are wild, untamed, and ready to fight. I’ve missed her fire—hot enough to set a barn ablaze. Every move she makes, only serves to highlight how she’s changed and matured. She’s not the tomboy anymore, with a figure to match. Her new curves are sexy as hell, and it angers me further. I want to lick every inch of her caramel skin—the memory of her taste taunting me.
“Will you give us a minute, Jax? I need to talk to him.”
Jax looks to me for approval. “I’ll be fine. This won’t take longer than thirty seconds. Then I’m going home to Sally Rae.” Just the mention of my daughter’s name calms me.
I wait a few moments until Jax returns to the bar, before turning my attention to Annabeth. “So, you live here now? Kingsbury Falls suddenly good enough for you?”
“Maddox, I understand you’re angry with me.”
“Angry? That doesn’t even come close to how I feel about you.”
“I know.”
“I don’t think you have the first clue about it, Annabeth. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have left me that way. I didn’t deserve
a goodbye? A phone call, a letter… anything! I thought I meant something to you. I fucking loved you!”
She reaches for my hand, but I take a step back. I know what will happen if I feel her skin on mine. “You meant everything to me, Mad. You know I loved you.”
“Bullshit! If you love someone, you don’t rip their heart out. You don’t just erase them from your life. And you don’t just turn up fourteen years later and expect everything to be fine. What? You think we’re going to be friends now?”
“No. I just thought we could be civil. Or when you’re visiting, I’ll be sure to stay out of your way. I needed to come home, Mad.”
“Visit? What the hell are you talking about?”
“I figured you’re still bronc riding and traveling most of the time. Will it really be such a big problem for you to see me once in a while on the town square? We’re both adults now.”
“Wow! You care so little about me you don’t even know, do you? I quit riding three years ago, and moved back here permanently. So, yes… it’s a big problem for me that you’ve decided to grace our little town with your presence.”
“What happened?”
“None of your fucking business, Annabeth. You gave up any rights to knowing about my life the day you left. Do me a favor… if you see me on the street, cross the road. Don’t come to the ranch, and if we happen to be in the bar or the diner at the same time, whoever came in last can leave. That way we never have to talk, and I barely even need to look at you.” I grab the handle of the truck, swinging the door open harder than I anticipated.
“Please, Mad. Let me explain. Can we talk about this?”
“I don’t want to hear any lame-ass excuses you’ve come up with to help you sleep at night. Goodbye, Annabeth.” I shove my key in the ignition—the engine roaring to life, and I peel out of there like a raging bull. My pulse is throbbing in my ears, my hands shaking on the wheel.
