The One She Needed

TWENTY EIGHT

ALEX

How the hell did I not see this coming?

I am dead.

So dead.

Should I say something? Of course not, you idiot. And what could I even say? "Hey, sorry for accidentally knocking up your daughter?"

I feel like I'm drowning in my own nerves, and what makes it worse is that he just keeps staring at me. Not blinking. Not moving. Just staring.

This life of mine never fails to surprise me.

Then again, this is on me. I should have seen the connection between him and Raquel. Now, up close, the resemblance between my boss and her is painfully obvious.

"Stop overthinking," his voice snaps me back before I completely collapse into panic. I gulp, bracing for whatever verbal assault he's about to launch my way.

Mr. Hughes has always had this... aura. The kind that demands respect but also scares the hell out of you. Sure, he's my boss, but deep down, I know my fear of him is rooted in something much deeper. And now? Now, the glass separating us in this visitation room doesn't feel like enough of a barrier between me and the sheer force of his presence.

"I'm not overthinking," I say, though my voice is a little too strained. He smirks.

"I didn't come here to start anything. Still..." He leans back, crossing his abnormally large arms. Arms large enough to strangle me to death.

"You have no idea how shocked I was to discover you were associated with my daughter."

"I think 'associated' puts it lightly," I chuckle, but the blank stare he gives me immediately shuts that down. I clear my throat as if I can erase the awkwardness.

I've seen enough in this place already, but I'm almost certain Raquel's father evokes more fear in me than anyone else here. Even back when I worked at his auto shop, I kept my distance. Never late, never irresponsible. The man ran a tight ship, and I respected that. Hell, I think I even admired it. We weren't saving lives, but we were making sure people's vehicles were safe. That had to count for something, right?

Even Johnny, the biggest goofball I know, had the sense not to mess around on the job. None of us were reckless enough to gamble our lives with Mr. Hughes.

Having him here now? It's an anomaly. I can't even separate him as my boss from him just being a father.

"Please spare me the vivid details. Still," he tilts his head, scrutinizing me, "I never thought you'd be her type."

"Neither did I, to be honest," I chuckle.

"And now you're here. Stuck in jail."

Releasing a heavy sigh, I run a hand down my face. "I can't bring myself to say life is funny and actually believe it anymore. There's nothing funny about having your life ruined. You can see me as the bad guy in all this if you want, but I just want to be with your daughter."

I drop my gaze to the hard surface of the table, too wary of seeing his reaction. But when I glance up, his expression is unreadable. A blank canvas. So I keep going.

"I had a shitty dad growing up. And I'll be damned if I end up like him."

"Alright, kid, I hear you. Part of me still wants to kill you for knocking her up, though. However, there are worse people in this world who deserve more pain than you. My ex, for example, had terrible taste in men."

"Tell me about it," I mutter. I've spent countless nights fantasizing about the things I'd do to the bastard if given the chance. Probably obsessive, but I wanted him dead.

Mr. Hughes seems to read my thoughts. "I can feel the contempt rolling off of you. The anger boiling inside. You have a right to be mad. But if it's any consolation," his gaze locks onto mine, unwavering, "you'll be out of here in no time."

"Is that a promise?"

"Call it a guarantee."

Our conversation was unexpected, but insightful. Raquel never told me much about her childhood—only that it was a nightmare she'd rather keep buried. Now, I'm starting to understand just how deep those scars run.

***

Two days later...

"For the last time," I sigh, rubbing my temple, already feeling the headache creeping in, "it's not her fault."

Gina doesn't look convinced.

Not that it matters. I have nothing to prove to her.

"If you came here just to tell me this, let's cut this visit short," I say, trying to keep the irritation out of my voice.

"I just don't understand why you're holding on when you got thrown in jail. Look, you might not want to hear this, but you deserve better."

"What do you think I've been doing all this time?"

She frowns. "I'm not following—"

"Every second I'm in here is bringing me one step closer to getting it."

She rolls her eyes, and for some reason, that pisses me off.

"Alex..."

"What?" I shrug. "I don't get why you suddenly care so much about my love life. You showed up in the middle of the story."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means," I stress, "you shouldn't judge something you don't understand. Frankly, it makes you sound stupid."

Her eyes widen, cheeks flushing pink. Guess she took that personally.

"Is this my reward for giving a damn about you?"

"Why are you here, Gina?" I mumble. My life is turning into a damn telenovela.

She hesitates. "I couldn't leave without seeing you."

Her voice is softer now. It puts me on edge.

Silence stretches between us. She's waiting for something. For me to say something. To do something.

"Well," I look anywhere but at her, "thanks fo—"

"I still love you, Alex."

Stuck.

I am absolutely stuck.

"Gina," I exhale sharply, gathering my thoughts. "It's been over a year since we had anything. And you left me. Remember?"

"I know—I regret that. Why do you think I came back?"

"I hadn't given it much thought," I admit.

"Alex..." The glass between us reflects everything. Her vulnerability. The hope in her eyes.

I want to feel something.

Sympathy, maybe.

But her tears only make me cringe.

"Gina... no," I shake my head. "Don't."

"But why? And don't say it's because of her."

"It has nothing to do with Raquel. I just don't feel the same for you."

Her tears fall freely now. Lips trembling.

"You hurt me, Gina. You cheated. And in as much as I prefer to leave the past in the past, you still left."

"That was a mis—"

"A mistake," I finish. "I know. You said that already. But like you told me back then—if something isn't pushing you to the limit, if you're unhappy, you move on. That's what you did."

I chuckle suddenly, shaking my head. "You traveled the world searching for adventure. I just had to step into an office to find mine. And unlike you, Gina, I'm not making the mistake of going back to what I once knew."

I already know where my love lies.