Say You'll Stay

Open Wounds

For what had to be the fourth day in a row, she couldn't sleep. She stared into the ceiling in her room. The same room she lived in for eighteen years prior. She figured they would've taken her posters off the wall, at the very least, but to no avail, this didn't happen. Felt like a time warp in there. The whole house felt this way to her. The twins were brought to tears when they came to their own room. Too many of her favorite flowers, white and red roses, on the walls, sheets, borders. She really couldn't stand the sight of it right now. She rolled over, glancing at the clock, five a.m., concluding that she should probably get up. She headed downstairs to where Laura had breakfast already prepared.

"Mornin, mom"

"Mornin, baby girl. You sleep good?"

"Right, yeah I did for sure, umm, what's for breakfast?" Another lie for the win. Damn, I'm really getting good at this now. If she knows it to be true tho, least I know she won't say anything to me about it. Laura whipped and mixed something in the bowl making Liv's stomach rumble. The only thing about being home that I actually miss, well maybe one more thing or I.... you know let's just move on.

"The usual, do me a solid and grab some eggs for me"

"Sure" I always hated those things. There was always that one hen who is evil always tryna attack me. Mom forced me to go anytime she needed a good laugh from the day. Olivia grabs the basket by the back door going out to the live animals. She felt like time stood still, everything was the same and she wanted to scream. She grabbed half dozen of the eggs heading back to the house.

"Olivia?" A deep, very familiar voice stops her in her tracks. Her heart pounds, while her blood runs cold. It can't be him, please tell me no. She turned slowly, praying it wasn't who she thought it was. She didn't want him here, least not right now. Slowly, her gaze lifts, and relief floods over her body. Luckily, it's not the light brown hazel pair of eyes and black fresh waves she expected to see. Instead, it's a pair of honey brown eyes and dark brown hair that she'd spot anywhere. The one person in this town she actually is happy to see.

"Dillon!" Her smile is automatic.

"Well I'll be damned, I knew that was you, I had no idea you were even here visiting!" He rushed forward hoisting her in the air. He smiled shaking his head.

"I can't believe it, Olivia Baker, back in the flesh"

"Lawrence now" She laughs as he squeezes her tight. "What brings you to the ranch?" She asked as he put her down.

"You're looking at the new foreman girl" She slaps his chest in excitement.

"Foreman? Here?" That makes no sense. None. I really have been gone a long time.

"Well, you know I don't want to work for my family so, I decided to come work for your brother, you know how it goes don't ya?" Dillon James has been part of Olivia's life since birth. His mother and hers have been best friends since they were kids. He also happens to be the youngest brother of the boy she ran away with. The first boy responsible for her first engagement ring, broken heart, and the reason why she never wanted to return to this place, and this town.

"That's umm...." She struggled to find the right word to call it.

"Understandable, I suppose?" Dillon shrugs with his irresistible grin, still in motion.

"I think it's great D" She fights against asking the next logical question, though she admits she doesn't want to know.

"How's your parents by the way?" He chuckled like he knew what she was avoiding.

"They coo, been traveling a lot since they retired"

"That's great. And Darnell?"

"Darnell's the sheriff now"