Biker's Regret: A second chance romance

Riley My radio plays a perfect travel song that I know every word to. I tap my fingers along to the steering wheel as I prepare for my solo that is coming up in the song. Just as Evanescence gets to the bridge, my phone beeps with an incoming call. I paused the music and answered. "Hey girlie! How close are you?" My best friend Lynn has just started talking. No formalities or anything. "Well, I am crossing the county city limits now. So, I should be there within twenty minutes. You know I am here with the love of my life, right?" "You mean your cat, Peanut? " Lynn laughs. "Peanut loves me and my singing as well! Isn't that right, Peanut?" I asked my cat, who sits on their cat carrier cushion. A sweet meow comes from him as I nod in agreement. My jeep is fully loaded with boxes from my city days. After working my ass off in one of the top finance firms in New York City, I lost my job and have been black-listed from all others in the city. Now, I am headed back home to Beaufort to help my great-aunt with her bar. "Okay, drive safely. I will see you soon!" I hear Lynn reply. We have been friends our entire lives. All of our life has been in Beaufort. We couldn't wait to move away. I was lucky enough to do it though. As i get closer to my hometown I start having flashbacks of my time here. Then the reasons I left resurface. The man I fell in love with and left me here in this damn town without him. I had to leave so I could breathe and start over where everyone didn't know I was dumped and abandoned by the man I planned to marry. I turn up the music and continue my solo. "-frozen in time!" I begin, and then I hear my tire blow. "Fuck." I whispered, slowing my car down. I pull over to the side of the road, then get out to examine the tires. Yep, the front passenger is done. If this is any indication of my time home, I already hate it. I shook my head and called for roadside assistance. I sit on the side of the road with my cat. I swear this is the hottest day of the season. Even my tank top and cutoff jean shorts are too much clothing. I walk around the car to examine my front passenger tire again, which is flat. I bend down to get a closer look as I hear a vehicle slowing down. A pick-up tow truck pulled in behind me. One man jumps out as one grabs some parts. "Hey there ma'am, heard you needed assistance with your car." A voice so hypnotizing it lures me into panic mode. I look up to see a chiseled god in a T-shirt, jeans and a baseball cap on backwards. When our eyes connect, it's instant memories. "f**k, Cannon? Is that you?" I stand up, dusting off imaginary dust from my bare legs. He is even taller and more handsome than I remember. How has time been this good to him? Of all the people in all of this, godforsaken town and he is the one person that comes. "Riley? Riley Cross? Is that you?" Cannon replies. A sexier than allowed smile appears on his face. His body is even better than I remember. But I also remember the ache in my heart when he left me without so much as a goodbye note. How I went to sleep thinking we had it all worked out and would spend the rest of our lives together. Only to find out that he went and joined the military. Just like that and the rip in my heart is back. The pain that i felt having to find a new life for myself. How i couldn't wait to get out of this damn town because all it did was hurt me. It took my parents and then the next year it took the love of my life away to the armed forces. With no reason why. Looking at his beautiful form now only reminds me of all that I have lost. All that he never got to know because he abandoned me after he promised he never would. "Yep, that's me." I use my hand to block the sunlight shining in my eyes. He stands like a freaking god with the sun behind him and all i can think about is it isn't fair. "I didn't know you were moving back home. Welcome home, Bird." He gives me a smile that seems so carefree for him. But it guts me like a Thanksgiving turkey. "Well, look at that. My aunt can keep a secret after all," I reply, because my aunt Norah loves this man and the idea of us in the same city is magic to her ears. But my heart on a skewer is all I feel when i look at him. "Riley, look, I would love to take you out so we can catch up." He began moving towards the tire. I step backward, matching his movements. "Sorry, I didn't come here for you. I'm here to handle some things, and hopefully I'll be too busy for casual anything." "You know this is a small-town Bird. Our paths will cross, and you will have to give me a few minutes of your time." "Don't call me that, Cannon. And for the record, I don't owe you any amount of time. I plan to be very busy while here. Speaking of which, is there someone else that I can get to help with my tire? "Well, yeah. Butlers Tires and more," he tells me. "Great! I will call them." I begin. "But they are two towns over. That will have you here for at least three hours. Or you could let me do it and get you on your way," he tells me with a small smile. "Damn, it. Well, can you go ahead please. Aunt Norah is waiting for me," I mumble. "Not a problem." He squats to look at the tire. His ass looks amazing in those jeans. I turn quickly to see my cat chooses now to make a run for it. "Peanut! Come back here!" I yelled, running into the overgrown grass. My cat is happily escaping and its all i want to do. "Oh I better help. There are snakes out there," he warns, running behind me. "Snakes! Since when?" I froze, looking around for snakes. Knowing the way my luck is going, I'll get two wrapped around my ankles. "Well, less than the amount of time you have been home to visit." He replies as I give him an incredulous look. "Well, I was working. I didn't run away without a word. We are not the same," I replied, using a stick through the brush. "I was serving my country, Bird." "Yeah, well, I am glad you were there for your country," I mutter. "Peanut!" I yell, needing him to get back to me now so i can leave this exhausting man. "Okay, okay. Let's get your cat so you can get back on the road. He decides to not keep poking the bear, and I am thankful for once. There is too much built-up rage in me ready to bubble over. "Here you are." I turn and see he has Peanut. My cat, who hates everyone, is snuggled up against Cannon. "Traitor," I whispered, taking the cat and holding him close. I stood back letting Cannon get to my car and change the tire. "So you work at the auto shop in town now? "I own it. Had it for about five years now." "Oh, that's great." I decided to fake a phone call so I could stop talking to him. About twenty minutes later, he finally finishes. "All done. I will take this tire for you and I can order you another one." "Oh, thanks, but I can handle it." I hand him my insurance card. "Don't worry. It's on the house. A welcome home gift." He smiled, looking so handsome. His dark brown wavy hair peaking from behind his cap. His body is more muscular than when we were in high school. He smiles like he knows all of this as well. "I don't need your handouts. Here," I place the card on his clipboard. He exhales, shaking his head with a chuckle. Fine Bird, Give Aunt Norah my best," Cannon calls as I get my card back and hop in my jeep. Strapping my cat back in, I pull off into the streets. I need to get as far away from him as possible. Because seeing those eyes that broke my heart so long ago, I refuse to let him see what effect he has on me. I refuse. I continued into town, passing all the same exact stores and making a right off main street headed to my aunt Norah's home.