Page 99 of Meant to Be

“Why didn’t you leave?”

“I stayed with some mates down south for a while but it wasn’t for me. I was in a pretty dark place for a while. I burnt some bridges.” He clenches his jaw. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes.”

“I think we all have.”

“Some more than others.” He comments. “What did you do while you were away?”

“I got a degree. Partied a lot. Made bad decisions.”

“Did you make a lot of friends?”

I shake my head. “I met a lot of people who I spent time with. They weren’t my friends.”

“Why did you come back?” he asks.

Exhaling, I shift, pulling my legs out from underneath his. “I got involved with a dangerous guy. I ran away.”

Harley stiffens. “You ran away?”

“Escaped”—I let out a bitter laugh—“is probably a better term. He was fucking mental, and I shouldn’t have stuck around as long as I did.”

“At least you’re out of it now.”

“I just don’t know what’s next for me. Should I stay, should I go? If I move on, where?” I sigh, feeling the pulse of a headache threatening to make an appearance. “It makes my head hurt thinking about it. I just need everything to stop for a while.”

“This town is the perfect place for that.” He smiles. “Nothing much happens here. Perfect rest stop.”

I laugh softly. “That’s a good point.”

“Are you enjoying your new job?”

“It’s fine.” I nod. “More relaxed than what I’m used to, but I’m enjoying it.”

“That’s good.”

“Do you like working behind the bar?”

“No,” he laughs. “Not at all. I’ve been spending most of my days doing construction. Apprenticeship wages suck, so I have to work at the pub for extra cash. I’m in my final year though.”

“Oh, great. Then you’re a qualified builder?”

“Yeah. Thank fuck. Sick of being the one stuck with the shit jobs and the shit pay. The pay rise I get once the certificate is finished will make it all worth it.”

“That’s how I felt studying. I wanted to pull my hair out. But now that I’m done and have my degree, all the sweat and tears have paid off.”

“I’ll have to come see you at work. I never go to the dentist. I was terrified of them as a kid,” he admits.

“A lot of people are.”

He grins. “Go easy on me, yeah? No pulling out my teeth or anything.”

I laugh. “It’s not in my scope to pull adult teeth, so you’re safe.”

“Phew,” he teases with a carefree smile that makes my heart ache. He looks at his phone and his face falls. “I have to go. I start work in an hour.”

I bite my lip, surprised at the disappointment filling me. “Oh, okay.”

Harley places his finger under my chin, tilting my head back. “I had a good time with you.”