I know she thinks I’m gonna start a fight, but I’m already over it.
“I’ve got nothing to do with him,” I say.
“Oh, really?” She folds her arm. “No unfinished business? Like you had with me?”
“I’ve lost the will to care,” I reply.
She snorts. “Typical.”
“What do you want me to do? Apologize?”
She raises her brows at me in a defiant way. “It’s a start.”
I sigh and roll my eyes. “Fine.”
As I get up from my seat, Dixie’s eyes widen, and she tries to grab me, but it’s already too late. I march over to Derek, who turns around to face me while bracing too. His nostrils flare, and his eyes practically shoot lightning at me. I come to a halt in front of him and place my hand on the counter while he grabs his cup.
He holds up his hand and suddenly starts to beg, “Please, don’t hurt me.”
I frown. “Hurt you? No.” I guess that night at the bonfire really left a mark on him. Damn. “I just wanted to say sorry for the burn,” I say with the most chill voice I can muster, considering who it is.
We both glance at his hand. It doesn’t look too bad, so it must’ve healed over time.
He seems utterly confused. “O-kay?” It sounds more like a question than an answer, but I’ll take it.
“Glad we got that sorted.” I pat him on the shoulder a few times and then turn around again. “See ya around,” I add while walking back to where Dixie’s sitting.
She looks as if I just told her I saw a grandma knock out five robbers with her handbag.
“That really happened, didn’t it?” she mutters, staring at me.
“Yup,” I say, casually sitting down to continue drinking my coffee.
“That went surprisingly … well,” she says, snorting and shaking her head at the same time.
“What?” I shrug. “You wanted it done. It’s done.”
“But did you mean it, though?”
“Of course,” I say, smiling at her.
“Really?” She folds her arms and glares at me with one eyebrow lifted as if she thinks I’m lying or something. I’m not. I’m dead serious.
“I’m a new man, remember?” I say between sips. “I’ve turned over a new leaf. For the better, right?”
She smirks. “If you say so.”
“Play nice, cupcake,” I reply, licking my lips. “Or I may have to punish you for it later.”
“Hmm … I may or may not, depending on what you’re gonna do,” she taunts, wriggling her brows while deviously smiling.
Oh, it’s on now.
“Don’t tempt me, cupcake.”
“If you stop calling me cupcake, maybe I’ll finally listen,” she retorts.
She’s always hated the name, which makes me love it even more.
I grin. “Never.”
Epilogue 2
Brandon
A few months later
After we’ve renovated the Stop & Shop, there’s a grand opening. The townsfolk seem happy they can shop here again, despite the fact I’m the one working behind the counter. Apparently, Dixie managed to convince both them and the cops that it was all my uncle’s fault her family perished, and that I wasn’t to blame. That he came after us and we had no choice but to kill him before he killed us.
We both know she’s lying about my involvement, but I appreciate it, nonetheless. She wants to give me a new start, and I am happy to take it with both hands. I thought I couldn’t ever belong anywhere ever again, but she proves me wrong.
With a bit of good faith and goodwill here and there, the people in this town have grown less wary of me. Hell, even Derek comes into the shop now. He doesn’t smile at me, but he doesn’t make a fuss either. He just grabs what he needs and pays for it, like he should.
I’m surprised he decided not to press charges against me. Maybe he’s scared of me retaliating against him. After all, he’s heard the rumors and gossip about me back in the days. He knows what I did, and now he’s probably terrified I’d do the same to him. Murder him in his sleep while he’s hugging his teddy bear and sucking his thumb.
He doesn’t have to worry. I won’t waste my time on a sad motherfucker like him. But he doesn’t need to know that. I’ll keep smiling politely whenever he comes into my shop to buy stuff, just to let him know I’m not the guy I used to be.
Things have really changed. This community has accepted me now, and nothing will stand between that. Not Derek. Not me. And not anyone else.
Despite my doubts, life has given me a second chance, and I can’t help but grasp it with both hands. It’s all thanks to Dixie and her willingness to put aside our past struggles and focus on what could be instead of what has been.
I’m done looking back. All I want is to focus on the future. The future I hope I’ll have with her.
That one girl who always escaped my grasp …
Turns out, all I needed to do was bow down and accept my shame with dignity.
That little cupcake came to me on her own accord, running right back into my open arms.
Just like my papa once told me. You can’t force love. It has to happen on its own.
How fitting that it’s now that I think of him. As we make our way to the place he once loved the most. On the vast plains beyond the town, there’s a small hill that overlooks the valley. We used to camp out here all the time, make flatbread, and eat smoked fish. I remember this place and the memories I have fondly.
Which is why we’re out here building a fire. In memory of my papa and her family. For those who have perished. For those who have suffered at our hands.
This is my moment of salvation.
I take a deep breath, inhaling the smoke and fire like it gives me life.
Dixie stands beside me, and she smiles coyly as she tucks something into my hand. Frowning, I open my hand only to find my own pendant.
“Thought you might need this,” she says. “You know … to say goodbye.”
I cock my head. “I gave this to you to keep.”
“I know because you wanted to protect me. But I don’t need any more protection.” She wraps her arms around my waist and hugs me tight. “I have you.”
And I am fucking melting into a puddle. Dammit. Only for this woman.