5,000 Miles & Only One You

The Life Before You (Steve)

Summer was coming to an end in the Hamptons, which meant it wasn't hot enough to keep all the windows and doors closed; instead they stayed open all evening to let the cool breeze filter through the house. Steve Rogers was found leaning against his counter in the newly built house on the beach that was indeed covered by many fancy homes. Steve was by no means a wealthy man, but he worked hard for his money and it showed. His dirty blonde hair sat perfectly on his head while his blue/green eyes flickered over the body of a blonde woman who was unpacking a box.

Steve was married to a woman named Sharon, who just so happened to pop up into his life way before he wanted her too. Steve has just lost his best friend and was at war with the world. He didn't want anyone to come into his life and build a relationship with, instead he wanted to be alone and wallow in self pity. But, Sharon wouldn't take no for an answer; she saw how pained Steve was and she made it her job to make sure he was being taken care of. From random drop ins with some homemade soup all the way up to making sure he had enough gas in his car to get him to and from work. Sharon never let Steve be alone. Which was something he was thankful for, but did he truly love her? No. He loved her for how caring she was. How much time she poured into him. How thoughtful she was. Steve loved those things, but not her.

Steve would have never married Sharon if she didn't bring it up. They never dated either, but because they spent so much time together she and everyone else assumed they were. Time passed and of course they dated, fooled around, and eventually Steve proposed. But after they said I do, Sharon made sure that Steve put a tracker on his phone so she could track where he was and her true colors started to show. She became possessive of him and obsessed with everything he did and didn't do. It drove Steve to wanting a divorce, but he knew that wouldn't end well. So, he sucked it up and continued to live his life.

As Steve shifted from the counter to the area where Sharon was, he placed his hand on her lower back and bent in to kiss her cheek. "Our new home is beautiful, just like you." Seeing Sharons eyes light up, he knew she was happy and that's all that mattered to him. While helping unpack some of the boxes, Steve heard his phone go off and he went over to it. Placing down a stack of plates, Steve picked up his phone and read the message.

Sam:
Hey! I heard you moved to the Hamptons, it's about time! Listen, there's this bar not too far from the beach, you should go so we can meet up! It's been awhile, it would be nice to hang out with an old friend. Let me know!

Steve smiled softly and turned to Sharon. "Hey...Sam just text me. He's headed down to one of the bars near by. He wanted me to head down too so, we could hang out. I'll be back later, ok?" Seeing Sharon look at him with uncertainty and then a quick nod, Steve grabbed his keys and was about to head out the door when he heard his voice. "Put the tracker on...I don't want to worry..." Steve turned and nodded towards Sharon and then faced back in the right direction and headed to his car. Little did he know that when he would arrive at the bar, he would soon find the woman of his dreams and all things bad would soon begin to pour into his mind.