“We were.” Jeremy stared at his beer like it held answers. “Senior year, we were making plans. We had it all figured out.” He paused. “And then I joined the Marines after ROTC at ODU.”
“And let me guess? You decided to have some fun.” Jack lifted a brow.
“Yeah. I mean, not just that. Guys going out, getting drunk, and getting laid. For some stupid reason, I thought I was missing out.” Jeremy's laugh was bitter. “I told her we should break up. That it wasn't fair to ask her to wait. That she should move on, date other people, live her life.”
“You didn’t count on her actually doing that, did you?” Jose asked.
“Nah…I just wasn’t thinking.” Jeremy shook his head. “Remember Cameron Overton, that prick from high school? Well, he went to ODU. We weren’t friends, but he hung out at some of the same places I did. Fucker posted some pictures on social media of me locking lips with some girls at a bar. I was wasted and don’t even remember kissing anyone, but damn, if that wasn’t the night I was taking dares like crazy.”
“And Emily saw them.” Jack shook his head at Jeremy’s bad luck.
“Oh yeah. I didn’t know until the next time I had leave and showed up at her house. I thought we could go out, but she told me that I was the last person she wanted to be with. Then she slammed the door in my face.”
“Oh damn,” Jose mutters under his breath.
“It gets worse,” Jeremy admitted. “Aiden opens the door, doesn’t speak, but holds up his phone with the pictures on a rotating screen. I knew then I was fucked.”
“Jesus, man.” Jack winced. “That's rough.”
“Now, she won’t take my calls or talk to me if we see each other out somewhere.” Jeremy took another drink while Jack and Jose shared a lifted-brow, bug-eyed look.
“Let me guess,” Jack said quietly. “You want her back.”
“Exactly.” Jeremy met his eyes. “She’s the only woman I want in my life.”
Jack felt the words hit uncomfortably close to home.
“Can't blame them,” Jose said, glancing at the bar. “You broke her heart and walked away. They're just protecting their family.”
“I know.” Jeremy's misery was palpable. “And the worst part is, Emily won't even look at me. I've tried calling, texting, showing up where she works. Nothing. She's completely shut me out.”
Jack took a sip of his beer, his mind churning. “You ever think that maybe she needs time? That you can't just waltz back in and expect her to forgive you immediately?”
“Every damn day.” Jeremy looked up.
The table fell silent for a moment. Jack felt the weight of Jeremy's situation settling in his own chest. How many chances did you get before you had to accept that some mistakes couldn't be fixed? “I'm in the same boat, you know,” Jack said quietly. “With Rachel.”
Both men looked at him with surprise.
“Rachel Ayers?” Jose asked. “I thought you two were endgame. Everyone did.”
“We were supposed to be.” Jack traced the condensation on his beer glass. “But I fucked up. Multiple times. Broke up with her twice because I thought I was doing the right thing. Thought I was protecting her from the Navy life, from deployments and uncertainty.”
“And you weren't?” Trevor asked.
“Maybe I was. Or maybe I was just protecting myself from having to balance duty and love. From having to choose.” Jack met Trevor's eyes. “Either way, I hurt her. And now I’ve heard she might be dating someone else, so I have to work harder to have her give me another chance.”
“But you want to,” Jose said. It wasn't a question.
“More than anything.” The admission felt like ripping off a bandage. “I'm building a life here. But none of it means anything if Rachel's not a part of it.”
“So what are you going to do differently?” Jeremy asked. “Sounds like you’re still maxed out… full-time job and coaching part-time?”
“Now, I’m older and hopefully smarter.” Jack shook his head. “Show up. Be present. Prove that I'm not leaving again. Hope that eventually she'll trust me enough to give me one more shot.”
“That's my plan too.” Jeremy nodded. “Though it's not going so well with the MacFarlane protection detail breathing down my neck.”
“I’m outprocessing the Marines,” Trevor said, shaking his head. He looked at Jack and grinned. “Hoping to get on with the Sheriff’s department.”
