6. Skylar

I was able to slip into my first week as principal fairly easily, but students haven’t entered the scene yet. It’s mostly been meetings and setting up for the school year, super fun times.

It’s finally Friday night and I”m excited to just relax at home for the weekend before the busy first week of school starts with all the kids rushing around.

“Hey, do you wanna go out tonight? Get some dinner and have a few drinks?” Leslie’s peppy voice asks from the doorway.

“Sure! You’re the only friend I have in this town.”

“What about Sheriff Brown? I thought you were friends… and Ollie.”

“Well… I mean we were friends way back when, but we’re different people now.”

“True… but don’t write them off completely. Who knows, you might end up becoming good friends again. Do you have any exes who still live here?” She wiggles her eyebrows.

“I only dated one guy… I don’t even know if he still lives here. Colt didn’t mention him, so I doubt he does.”

“Huh. Ok, well, I”m running home to get changed. Do you want to meet at Mavericks?”

“Mavericks?” I chuckle, shaking my head. “I can”t believe that place is still open. Maverick used to kick me out almost every weekend. We’d sneak in and convince older guys to buy us drinks. I moved away long before I was old enough to buy my own drinks.”

“I can”t wait to hear all the stories you have about this old town.” She smirks.

“They’re not all good.” A sadness blankets me, begging to drag me into the past again, but I can”t allow myself to go there. Not now. Not after a long week of trying to prove I”m not the same girl these people remember. Thinking about the things they don’t know, could drag me under the current and drown me in sadness.

I pull myself from my thoughts, finding Leslie’s eyes glued on me. I shake my head slightly, clearing away the rest of the memories.

“Yes, I’ll meet you there at six.”

“Perfect! See ya then!”

The second she’s out of sight, I let out a sigh. I’ve been able to avoid most of this town so far, but going to Mavericks is going to make that a bit more difficult. It’s the only bar and only place to get food if you don’t want to go to the twenty-four-hour diner. On a Friday night, it’s sure to be packed with locals.

I slide onto the bar stool furthest from the door. I don’t want to be the first person everyone spots when they walk in the door. I’m sure the whispers have started and everyone in town is well aware the infamous Skylar Barren is back in town. Yay me!

“What can I get you, darling?” Maverick himself slides in front of me. He’s only about six years older than me. He took over the bar after Maverick Sr. decided he didn’t want to mix drinks anymore.

“Surprise me.” I smirk.

I spot the second he recognizes me. A lopsided smile takes over his face, transforming him into a gorgeous man. I swear he hasn’t aged a day since I left here, he still looks like the twenty-four-year-old who used to kick me out.

“Well, shit. If it isn”t Skylar Barren. I was wondering how long it would take you to show up in my bar… Gotta say I”m surprised I haven’t seen you sooner.”

Shrugging a shoulder, I glance around the crowded room, feigning boredom. My heart beats a little faster as I try to figure out what to say. Every conversation I have is a struggle. Every time it’s a reminder of who I used to be. Of the girl who died a long time ago.

“Eh, it’s lost its appeal now that I can legally be here. I won”t have the hot bartender throwing me out anymore. Makes it a lot less alluring.”

Maverick’s smile widens and he chuckles softly to himself, shaking his head. He grabs a few different bottles of liqueur, mixing up some sort of drink I’ve never tried before. Wordlessly he slides a glass in front of me and waits.

I lift the straw to my lips, taking a little sip. Several flavors spread across my taste buds all at once, creating a delicious drink I couldn’t name if I tried.

“This is amazing. What is it?”

“I call it the Skylar. Be careful, it tastes sweet and looks pretty, but it’ll knock you on your ass…If you’re feeling a little homesick, I can kick you out later tonight.” He winks at me.

“Eh, can you find a hot bartender to do it?”

He throws his head back, his rich laughter filling the air. Leaning his elbows on the bar, Maverick moves in close until his mouth is next to my ear.

“You can pretend you aren’t still attracted to me all you want, but we both know you are.” His warm breath fans over my bare shoulders, causing a shiver to roll through me. He steps back, a smirk spreading over his face. Damn him!

“Where are you staying, Sky?”

“I”m renting the old Beauford place, why?”

“Because if you keep drinking those things, I”m gonna have to carry you home.”

“I can think of worse ways to get home.” I grin.

“Always the flirt… Let me go get these other assholes their drinks before they start bitching. I’ll be back soon.”

He taps the bar twice before shaking his head again with a smile. I stare at him mixing drinks and joking around with the patrons. He fits in so well with this town. Something I don’t think I’ve ever been able to do.

Suddenly I feel a heat on my neck, tension filling the air. I glance around, trying to find the cause of my uneasiness. A gasp leaves my lips when I discover Tucker Donahue’s gaze locked on me. His jaw clenches and his eyes narrow on me. His chest rises and falls with a deep breath. I want to break our stare, focus on anything but him, yet I can”t. I”m trapped under his gaze. Motionless. Barely even breathing.

“I”m guessing that’s the ex, huh?” Leslie asks, sliding onto the stool next to me.

“…Yeah, that’s him,” I whisper, never taking my gaze off of him.

“He’s pretty hot. What’s his name?”

“Tucker.”

“Cool… Why don’t you let me know when you’re done drooling? I can”t deal with short answer conversations, they make me antsy.” Leslie’s words don’t even register. In fact, all noise fades into the background until the only thing I’m aware of is Tucker.

His chocolaty brown hair is slightly messy, I”m sure from him running his hands through it several dozen times today. There’s a thick scruff on his square jaw, but it still isn”t able to hide the deep crevices where his dimples are. Dark lashes frame his hazel eyes, making me think of all the times I’ve stared into them over my lifetime.

Colt’s hand comes down on Tucker’s shoulder, breaking the lock we have on each other. He turns to his friend, a smile spreading across his face, replacing the scowl I caused.

My chest is tight, a deep ache spreading through my body. I didn’t think it would be this painful to see Tucker again. I knew it’d be difficult, but I never imagined it would be this hard to suck in a full breath as the weight of the past presses into my chest. Fuck! This was a mistake.

“Ahh… I see you’re done. What was all that about?” Leslie asks.

“Oh… uh… we haven’t spoken since I left.”

“Nope, there’s more to it than that.”

“How long have you lived here, Leslie?”

“Umm… about nine months.”

“And you don’t know Tucker?”

“Nah, I”m a homebody… Plus I don’t have any friends around here. Most of these people didn’t leave this town, they have these unbreakable bonds with each other and they don’t exactly want or need new friends.”

“Wow. I”m sorry. You’ve got me now though. We can go out whenever you want.”

“Thanks, Sky. So, what really happened between the two of you?”

“One day I decided I couldn’t do it anymore and I walked away. Left Tucker behind to pick up the shattered remnants of our hearts by himself…. Before you ask, no one knows exactly what happened except Tucker and me. I’d rather keep it that way.”

“I gotcha, don’t worry, I won”t push the topic.” She pats my hand.

“Hmmm… You’re most definitely new here.” Maverick’s smooth voice stops in front of us, his eyes locked on Leslie.

“Mav, this is Leslie. She’s newish and she doesn’t know many people around here.”

“You don’t wanna get to know most of these fuckers. There’s only a handful of good guys in this town.”

“Aww, let me guess, you’re one of them?” Sarcasm fills my voice, but Maverick isn”t offended. The man’s ego is the size of Texas.

“Well, shucks, Skylar! Thanks for thinking so highly of me.” Maverick slides a new drink in front of me, taking away my empty. He hands one to Leslie as well. “It’s on the house, darling. Let me know if you need anything else.” He winks and steps away to help someone else.

“Leslie! He totally likes you!” I squeal.

“Who likes who?” Colton slides up to my side, resting an elbow on my shoulder.

“Huh, I don’t remember calling the police, yet here you are. Did you take lessons from the nosy old ladies and now want to try out your skills by poking your nose into our business?”

“We both know you miss me,” Colt scoffs.

“We both know you’re scared of me and want to keep tabs on my whereabouts.” I flutter my lashes at him innocently.

“That’s only slightly true.” He rolls his eyes. “At this moment I”m a little more scared of Tuck. That man is strung tighter than a fiddle tonight and I have no clue why.”

I raise my hand, a grimace on my face. We both know exactly why he’s tense, Colt’s just trying to be nice.

“I should just go. I don’t want to hurt him anymore than I already have.”

I try to stand, but instantly sway on my feet. Colt grabs my hips, forcing me back onto the stool.

“Damn girl, what are you drinking?”

“Mav called it the Skylar,” I slur slightly.

“Ah, those things knock you on your ass.”

“Wait! He actually named a drink after me? I thought he was joking.” I frown up at him.

“No.” He laughs. “He really named it after you. I’ve had more full-grown men stay in my jail cells overnight because of a few Skylars than anything else.”

“Whatever.” I stand again, stumbling to the side before I catch myself. I level Maverick with a glare and he chuckles, sending me a wink. “I need to get outta here.”

“Stay, Sky.” Colt’s voice softens.

“I can”t! I don’t wanna hurt him anymore than I already have!”

“What the hell are you gonna do? Stay locked in your house or the school forever? You’re going to see each other, it’s a small town, in case you forgot.”

“How could I forget! I remember the feeling of the town closing in on me, making it hard to take in a full breath. I remember the whispers and rumor mill spreading like wildfire. It’s why I left, why I didn’t come back for ten years. I can”t do this again, Colt.”

I glance over my shoulder at Tucker, regretting it the second I do. His features are tight, his attention already focused on me, but he’s talking to the woman at the table with him. She peers over at me in interest. She’s gorgeous, she looks nice, exactly what Tucker deserves.

He deserves a woman who will treat him right. Who will take care of him and love him no matter what they face in life. I wasn’t that girl and I never will be.