Boomerang

Chapter 1. A New Start

Sawyer

    It only took two weeks to “graduate”, find and move into an apartment, and acquire a job. I put on a brave face for Luke, but inside I felt like I was dying. When he thought I was settled, Luke finally left to go back home. Once I was alone I let it all out. Every last tear was filled with sadness, anger, and regret. I let my guard down and trusted him to take care with my heart. I gave him the best part of me and it wasn’t good enough. I cried for a what felt like forever and when I felt I was done I started a shower. I washed it all away. The pain, the love, the memories. I told myself I’d be alright. I closed that chapter on that part of my life and moved on.

It’s been seven months since I left Wyoming and since Beau Whitmore shattered my heart and soul. I’ve settled into Lansing, Michigan quite well. The winters are mild compared to Wyoming’s cold and snow filled ones. However, the summers are comparable. Now it’s mid-August and the heat is bearable at a whopping eighty degrees. I stood in the kitchen of my two bedroom two bathroom apartment letting the air conditioner work it’s magic. I have a shift tonight at Dagwood’s Bar and grill, a local bar not too far from my place. The money is usually pretty good, but I can’t wait for classes to start in a couple of weeks. I only took up a job to keep myself busy and meet new people. I wanted to start over, and I have with the help of my two new friends, Serenity and Maria.

I met Serenity on campus when I came to set up my classes for the fall semester. She was outgoing and kind; reminded me of Lucy. Physically though, she was the opposite. She had long dark brown wavy hair that went well passed her shoulders. Her light hazel eyes match her bright white smile and perfect olive skin tone. She is thin and has legs for days. She stands tall at 5’10 and easily towered over me by five inches.

Then I met Maria, she started at Dagwood’s a month after I did. I trained her and we became instant friends. She wants to become a veterinarian just like me. We had other things in common, but our love for animals tied us together. Maria had big round brown eyes , full lips, and a small button nose. Her hair was black and short stopping right at her shoulders with an A-line cut. She was about the same height as me, maybe a little shorter. Maria is just as, if not more, outgoing as Serenity. So of course they became friends too.

    Luke is coming up for a visit this weekend, so the girls and I are going out after work tonight. Clubbing on a Thursday was common for us; it was our go to plan. I only went for the dancing; it made me feel free and kept me in great shape. Maria and Serenity on the other hand, welcomed the male attention. We were regulars and now most of the guys know to not even bother with me. Occasionally a new guy would try to dance with me and lay on some cheesy pick up line, but they would be left with disappointment and rejection. Tonight would be no different.

    I could tell school was about to start. Dagwood’s was extremely busy for a Thursday night. Four hours felt like one and before I knew it, it was ten-thirty. I clocked out, grabbed my purse, and headed to my car. I stopped at my apartment to change and freshen up my makeup. I wore my usual short black dress. It hugged me in all the right places and stopped just below my ass. I felt confident and sexy. I was ready to dance out my work day and nerves about this upcoming weekend. It would be me and the music.

    I met Maria and Serenity at the front door of the club. We were waved in ahead of the line by Mark the bouncer. I heard the groans of the people stuck waiting in the line, but I didn’t care. I needed this. The bar took up the entire left side of the club, the DJ booth was set up on the right side with table along the walls. The dance floor was at the heart of the building. We quickly made our way to the center of the dance floor. We begin to sway our hips to the beat of SOS by Avicii and Aloe Blacc. Grinding on each other with our short dresses instantly caught the attention a few thirsty guys. Serenity wasn’t interested until a built blonde approached and held out his hand for her. She gladly accepted and it was just Maria and I. I started dancing on Maria, trying to break a sweat. Then came a brooding, dark haired, dark eyed, dark skinned beauty, as Maira would say. I knew I had lost her, but I didn’t care. I actually preferred to dance on my own.

    I was so into the music and my dancing I didn’t notice when a pair of hands landed on my hips. Normally I would instantly buck the guy off of me, but he hand good rhythm and his hands stayed only on my hips. I leaned into his body, from what I could feel on my back he was ripped. I could feel his hard chest and the outline of beautifully chiseled abs. I changed paced with the song and mystery guy was still able to keep up. After four songs I was ready for some water and a small break. I was also curious to see what mystery guys face looked like.

Facing the bar still grinding on mystery guy I shouted “I need to rehydrate, wanna grab a drink real quick?”

    “I could use a water.” He whispered in my ear. I still hadn’t turned around, but his voice sounded familiar. I grabbed his hand and without looking back, I bee-lined straight for the bar. That’s when I finally turned to mystery guy. My eyes widened and my mouth fell open.

    “Zeek?!”

    “Hey there Thompson!”

    My heart began to pound hard against my chest. What the hell was Zeek doing here? In Michigan. I hadn’t seen nor talked to him since the day I saw him at Johnny’s. He looked good, still handsome as ever. That same light in his eyes.

    “What are you doing here?” I asked, fearing his answer. I wasn’t prepared for my past to follow me here.

    “Football scholarship, practice started two weeks ago.” He smirked.

    “Wait, you go to MSU?!” Fuck me. Why would I ever think that I could escape Casper, Wyoming and everyone there. Ugh, just my damn luck.

    “Yeah, I was an early acceptance. I would have told you, but you changed your number and deleted your social media.”

    “I needed a clean break.”

    Thankfully we were interrupted by the bartender. I ordered two waters and found a table to stand at. Zeek looked at me with such concern. He still cared. Months later, and after everything with the dance. He still cares.

    “What happened Thompson? I saw you at Johnny’s and two weeks later you were gone. Beau was a mess and no one knew what the hell happened.”

    I stared at my cup of water and watched a drip of sweat slide down the side. Not wanting to make eye contact. I didn’t want to bring up that hurt again. Zeek took my hand and squeezed it, reassuring me.

    “If you don’t want to tell me, it’s okay.”

    “Beau cheated on me.” The words escaped my mouth before my brain could comprehend.

    “Wait, what?! With who?!”

    “I don’t know. I left without a single word. I didn’t want to know who was better than me.” I said truthfully.

    “No ones better than you Sawyer.” My heart skipped at the way he said my name. I felt the blush spread across my face.

    “Well, he didn’t think so.”

    “Fuck him. He didn’t deserve you.” Zeek squeezed my hand again.

    “I know that now. After I found those tacky panties in his truck, I knew I deserved better.”

    Zeeks eyes grew and then he looked away. “You found a pair of underwear in his truck?”

    “Yeah, the night I almost hit you with my door.” I blushed again, remembering how awkward it had been.

    “Wow.” Zeek sounded shocked.

I shifted in my seat becoming uncomfortable with the conversation.

“Wanna dance?” Zeek was standing and holding out his hand. I nodded and he lead me back to the middle of the dance floor. He wrapped his arms around me and hugged me tight before spinning me around and pulling me to him.

    Dancing with Zeek felt good. I haven’t felt good in a while.

    Zeek Sward goes to my college and still cares about me.

    I am in trouble.

*Author Note*
This story is a Sequel! Please read Blissfully Unaware before continuing with this story!

I originally started this story on the chapters app, however I love Watt Pad so much more!

Anyway, what do you guys think of Sawyer's new life?

How about Zeek showing up?