It All Leads Back to You

Chapter 1 - Dani

Drunk in the Bathtub

I pulled my jeans back up my legs, zipped, and buttoned them. I found my shirt on the floor and tossed it over my head and slipped my arms through the sleeves. As I slipped my belt through the loops of my jeans, I looked at the woman who was asleep.

Thank God.

I picked up my phone and walked out, making sure I didn't forget my jacket. I was exhausted, sure, but I don't sleep next to the person I just fucked. Not anymore. I walked down the streets of St. Louis until I found the hotel I was staying in. When I walked in through the push doors, I saw a face I didn't want to see.

Jill.

"Good morning, Cruz."

"Jill." I shoved my hands into my pockets and beelined it to the elevator. Well, I tried to. A hand grabbed my arm, holding me back. "Yes, Jill?" I turned with a smile.

"You just got out of rehab, Dani."

"I know that."

"And yet," She sniffed me.

"What the fuck—"

"You've been drinking. I'm giving you a second chance, Cruz. Don't waste it. Youcan't afford to waste it."

"It was one drink. I'm not drunk."

"Just...Just get it together. I want you to play today." I nodded. "Go get some rest. It's three a.m.."

Instead of using the elevator, I walked up the stairs. Three flights later, I found my hotel room and went in. Christen was awake and Tobin was in the room too. I walked into the bathroom, not wanting to be bothered by them. I needed a few minutes.

When I did walk out, Tobin grabbed my shirt and sniffed me.

"What is it with people smelling me in the middle of the night. Good god." I swatted her arms away.

"Where were you?" Christen asked.

"Out. I already talked to Jill."

"I'm the one that told her you were gone."

"Jesus, Chris. Stay out of my life. God."

"You just got out of—"

I pushed Tobin away from me. "I swear, if one more person says the word rehab one more time, I'm going to fucking punch them."

"You weren't like this. At eighteen, nineteen, you were happy. Yourheart isn't made for this, Dani." Christen sighed.

Disappointment.

"You weren't a mess. You're twenty-three and a goddamn mess." Tobin said. There was a knock on the door. "I'll get it." She walked to the door and cracked it open. "Hey, Ash. What's up?"

"I'm here to talk to Dani. Mind if I come in?"

"No, not at all. Come on."

Ashlyn's eyes met mine. "Good night out, yeah?" I shrugged. "Good sex?"

"Eh. I've had better." I replied. I squinted slightly, trying to understand where's she's going with this.

"Sit down."

"What's going on?"

"Sit the hell down, kid." I sat on one bed and she sat on the other. "I'm going to give it to you straight okay?"

"Okay."

"You've fucked up your life." I swallowed. "Jill has given you chance after chance. This team has given you a hundred chances, but you continually fall back to that twenty-year-old heartbroken, insecure girl you were. It's time to pull your big girl pants up and grow the fuck up, Danielle. Do you understand?" I nodded. "Do you understand me?"

I looked down and began to play with my fingers. "Yes."

"Good. Get some sleep. We need you to score tomorrow—well, today."

"Okay."

"Come on, Tobin. I think Christen can handle her from here."

"Alright," I watched Tobin kiss her girlfriend goodnight. I held back the external cringe. "Goodnight you two."

When they were gone, Christen laid down in her bed. "Go shower. I don't have anything left to say to you tonight."

I did what she said. I went back into the bathroom and started the shower. I started taking my clothes off slowly. First my shirt and the sports bra under it. I looked at myself in the mirror.

They were right.

I wasn't the same. I'd changed since I left England. I was only nineteen at the time and still figuring life out, but the second I left and moved back to America, I drank and smoked. I fucked around and got high. I was a party chaser. I lived for the thrill.

I sometimes wondered what would happen if I found my way back to North London. What would they think of me? Would they love me? Would she still—Did she love me? Those are several questions I desired answers for, but I knew the life I was living would only make the answers hurt.

All my answers would lead back to her. I fucked up there. She did too. I didn't hate her, but she hated me. God, she was doing so well and I...I was a nobody again.

I discarded the rest of my clothes and stepped into the warm shower. Water ran down my body. I turned and faced the showerhead, seemingly wanting to drown, but I didn't. I turned again and palmed the shower wall. I stared straight ahead.

I wanted to hate the life I was living, but if I didn't live it, I'd be forced to go back to a life I used to live. A life that was exciting and happy, but a life that broke me.

A life that lead straight back to her.

~~~~
AN: Welcome. I kept this one short on purpose. Just so you can get a feel. Each chapter will have a song attached to it. It'll have to do with the vibe, I suppose.

I'm going to figure out this book's "thing". We've had icebreakers and jokes, so I need to figure something out. Let me know any ideas you have.

I'll maybe get chapter two out later.

As always, vote ⭐️

🫶🏼