Second Chances

Chapter 1

Her skates were beginning to feel constricting around her aching feet. Mackenzie had been at it for nearly 7 hours now, constantly rushing from table, to the kitchen, to another table. It was nearing midnight and her shift would be over soon; she couldn't help but look forward to her bathtub and a nice glass of wine that was waiting for her at home. There weren't many patrons in the diner at the time so she took advantage of the rest period. She leaned against the counter and rested her chin in her hands, letting her mind drift back into her memories.

He came home close to 3 a.m. She had been up all night in the October chill waiting for him, worried sick. "Luke, oh my God.." She whispered upon seeing his bruised and battered skin. "What the hell happened to you?" She reached out to cup his cheek, but he quickly pushed her hand away.

"I'm fine, Mackenzie. You need to go home." Luke glared at her. His heart was beating faster than he could fathom. This was going to hurt him just as much, but he had to. It was the only way to keep her safe.

"Luke, what are you talking about?" Mackenzie couldn't wrap her head around what was happening. He was bruised and beaten and needed her help, what was he trying to say?

"Mackenzie, you have to leave now." Luke's eyes turned dark and Mackenzie took a few steps back.

"What the fuck?! No Luke, I need to help you. You're hurt. You need to be cleaned up." She turned to get the first aid kit he kept by the front door.

This was it he thought. He took a deep before letting it all out.

"Mackenzie! I don't fucking want your help! Why can't you just listen to me?! Why won't you leave me alone?!" Luke screamed, throwing his hands up in the air. He knew this was the only way. He couldn't keep putting her through this. She deserved better. She needed someone better than him, someone who wouldn't lie to her about the extent of his night every time he came home.

"What?! Luke! I love you asshole, and I hate seeing you hurt like this! Now, what the hell has gotten into you?! Why won't you let me help you?" She screamed back, running a hand through her already tangled hair. Tears welled up in her eyes from frustration and fear of finding out what was happening to Luke.

"Well, I don't love you! So why don't you just leave me alone!" Luke screamed back. The air seemed to leave the room completely. Both of them were at a loss of breath. The tears that formed in her eyes were now freely streaming down her reddened cheeks. "I don't want your help. I want you to leave and never come back." Luke's voice was quieter now. He was trying to keep himself from breaking down completely. Mackenzie covered her mouth to keep the sobs from echoing in the large foyer of Luke's house. She picked up her shoes from the floor, trying to keep her emotions in and pushed past Luke. She ran out of the house and down to the sidewalk before letting her emotions get the best of her.

"Mackenzie?" Her boss, Anthony, asked approaching her. "Mackenzie!" He barked when she didn't respond. She snapped out of her thoughts and turned to face him, tears starting to well up in her eyes again.

"Y-yes, Sir?" She stuttered, trying not to let her emotions show, wiping away at the tears in her eyes.

"There's a table that needs you." Anthony cocked his head toward a table of men in fitted suits. Mackenzie furrowed her eyebrows. The same group of 4 men had been in the diner at the same time the day before and days before that. She had seen them many times over the course of the last 4 months. She nodded and grabbed her notepad skating over to the table.

"Thank you for coming to Tony's, can I start you off with some drinks?" She asked in her best retail voice.

"What time do you get off, sweetheart?" The man with the full beard asked in a sultry voice. Mackenzie pursed her lips and tried not to show her confusion.