ONE
LUCY
Ishouldn’t be here.The thought runs through my head for the hundredth time as I push open the heavy wooden door of Black Rose Tavern and step inside.The smell hits me first—beer, overpowering perfume mixed with cologne, and something fried in old oil.It’s loud, too.Music humming through old speakers, the clack of pool balls, men laughing too hard.
My fingers tighten around my purse strap.This was a bad idea.
What choice did I have?My ex called, making it known he found me again, and wants to discuss our child.I can’t ignore it.He will chase me out of this town and I’ve finally found footing again.As much as I want to, I can’t run forever.The life I have given to Quinn isn’t the one I dreamed of.Two years of moving, two years without stability, I can’t keep it up.She needs to make friends and keep them.
Which is why he called, I answered, and I’m walking into a dive bar like I know what I’m doing, even as every instinct in my body screams against this.
I glance around the bar, scanning the space, taking in all the faces.None of them are familiar—truckers maybe, a few locals, some rough-looking guys in worn denim and leather.Those I know as Kings of Anarchy Motorcycle Club because they come in to the diner I work at sometimes and frequent the ice cream shop I have a second job at.A couple women sit near the bar laughing loudly with a group of men.They are dressed for the night out while I’m considerably covered up.The more I look around, the more my anxiety climbs.He isn’t here.
I check the time on my phone.Seven twenty-three.He said seven.I didn’t see his car in the parking lot and purposely waited to make sure he would already be here.And he’s not.
My stomach twists.Typical.He is playing games with me as usual.
A bartender with a gray beard wipes down the counter and nods in my direction.“You meeting someone, sweetheart?”
“Yeah,” I remark, forcing a polite smile as I step closer.“My ex.He said he’d meet me here.”
“What’s your name?”He ask still wiping down the bar top.
“Lucy,” I respond hoping maybe this will help somehow.
The man snorts softly like he’s heard that story before.“Well, honey, you can wait if you want, but I ain’t seen anyone come in looking for a Lucy.”
Great.I exhale slowly and slide onto a stool anyway.“Can I just get a soda?”
He pours one without asking questions and pushes it toward me.I wrap both hands around the glass, letting the cold seep into my fingers.Maybe Clint’s late.Maybe he got stuck in traffic.Maybe—My phone buzzes interrupting my thoughts.
My heart jumps as I grab it.Unknown number.
I answer quickly.“Hello?”
A slurred voice comes through the speaker.“Lucy?”
I stiffen as instincts kick in.Tension rolls through me as my body prepares to take the brunt of whatever comes next.Abuse is a funny thing like that.Even with years away, my body reacts like I am back in the grips of his violence once again.I thought I was strong enough to face him.I was wrong.Based on this phone call alone, I am not ready to do this.Now, I’m going to have to work things out to move again.He’s too close.
“Where are you?”He asks speaking clearly suddenly.
“I’m here,” I say carefully.“At Black Rose.Like you said.”
A long pause.Then a laugh.“Yeah, about that.I ain’t gonna make it tonight.”
For a moment I don’t breathe.“You asked me to meet you,” I respond delicately because everything inside me is screaming that I mixed it up.This is my fault.Old habits die hard.
“Relax,” he states like we are friends.“We’ll figure out something later.”
Anger flares in my chest.“You said it was about Quinn.”
“Yeah well,” he mutters, “I’ve been thinking we need to work out visitation.”
My stomach drops.“You can’t just decide that after two years.When I left you told me to take off and not to look back.You even said she wasn’t yours.”I leave off the part where he specifically told me if I did stay close he would kill me in front of our daughter to teach her a lesson about leaving.
His tone turns sharp.“Don’t fuckin’ say that shit.She’s my kid too.You keep popping off and around, can’t find you, and I want to see her.You got off clean, Lucy.That’s bullshit.Taking off and making me chase you like a fucking dog wanting a bone.Ain’t got a taste for you right now.Just wanna see my daughter.”
I close my eyes.Here it is.The reason I knew I shouldn’t come.He has just proven to himself he has a lock on my location.This was all a game to him.One that risks my freedom and security with my daughter.“Call me when you’re sober,” I state, keeping my voice even.
