Another Try

Chapter 1

I sat in my truck staring at the neon signs of the bar. Every raindrop that hit my windshield reflected the reds and greens of the flashing signs as I sat mesmerized. I was stalling and I knew it. This bar was the last place I wanted to be on a Thursday night, but it was better than sitting in that damn apartment. It had become my own personal hell these past 2 months since she left.

Hadley. God, she was everywhere I looked in our, well, my apartment now. Fuck. Mason and Blake were right when they said I needed to get out. I had gotten into a routine. Get up, go to work, go to the gym, come home, go to bed and repeat. But what else do you do when the love of your life leaves you saying you're the reason she's not happy anymore. That's all that I've been thinking about these past 3 weeks and I could tell the guys were starting to get worried, so I agreed to meet them at the bar tonight.

I looked at the clock on the dash of my truck. 9:47. I'd managed to kill 20 minutes sitting here but I know I can't put it off for much longer. I hopped out of the truck and made my way to the door. As the door swung open, the familiar smell of cigarettes hit me, and I had the feeling I might need a few to get through tonight. I quit a few years ago but that was before she left. Now, my only plan is to be happy again, even if that means starting again.

Inside, the bar was buzzing, especially for a Thursday night. I worked my way through the small crowd and made my way to the bar. From what I could tell there only 2 people working behind the bar tonight. On the far end of the bar, there was a guy pouring shots. He must be new because I can't remember if I had seen him here before. I had been so caught up in trying to figure out who the new guy was, I hadn't noticed that the other bartender had made her way to my end of the bar. She cleared her throat and I looked up into a familiar pair of green eyes.

Raegan

"Jase!" she smiled, but it wasn't a genuine smile. It was forced. Shit, she knew. "How have you been? I haven't seen you around here in a while."

"I've definitely been better." I knew there was no use in lying. One, because she knows me too well and she'll know I'm lying. And two, I look like shit and that's putting it lightly. My dark brown hair that was usually cut short was now shaggy and messy looking and I couldn't remember the last time I had picked up a razor. I was a mess.

"Jase, I'm sorry. She just-"

"I get it," I said, cutting her off. "I'm not it for her. I'll be okay."

She looked at me and I could tell that there was more she wanted to say. Instead, she just smiled and nodded.

"How about a drink? First ones on me. It's the least I can do."

I smiled and quickly told her a double shot of Red Stag. This was probably going to be the first of many drinks tonight, so I knew she'd be seeing me again. She handed me my drink and I thanked her before turning towards the crowded bar.

"Jase!" she called as I looked back over my shoulder, "Don't be a stranger. I miss you" she smiled.

"Miss you too Rae" I smiled and then turned to go find the guys.

Raegan and I go way back. She was my first middle school girlfriend. That was short lived since she quickly realized she was into girls and only girls, but we decided to stay friends. Little did I know she would become my best friend later in life. I owe a lot to her. Especially my relationship with Hadley. Fuck I miss her.

I tried to shake off any thoughts of her as I approached the guys sitting at a table against the wall. After a half hearted greeting, we all fell into easy conversations catching up on what had been going on with each other. It was almost beginning to feel like old times again, cutting up and laughing while the drinks flowed. That was until I noticed that they had all gone silent and were staring at something behind me. Better yet, someone. The last person I expected to walk into this bar.

Hadley.

~

Hey guys! So, first chapter is up. Yay! Hope you guys like it. I'm working on the next chapter now so comment and let me know what you think!

~Lyric