Did I ever fucking exist for her?
“Wha—” I threw her over my shoulder, walking toward the lake.
“Wait! What are you doing? This isn’t fair! You’re bigger than me! NO! I don’t want to go in there, Creed! I’m wearing a pretty dress! Please!”
“Beggin’ won’t work in this situation, Pippin. Shoulda’ thought of that before you decided you wanted to go to war with a soldier. I don’t lose.”
“I’m sorry! I was just playing! Put me down! Please!”
“Alright, only cuz you asked so nicely.” I threw her into the lake.
They finally pulled away from each other with tears streaming down their faces. Staring intently into each other’s eyes like they’ve always loved each other. Like she was yearning for him to kiss her.
Did she ever really love me?
“All I wanted was for him to kiss me! To experience what every other girl has already done! You took that away from me, you asshole! You had no right! You ruined my fairy-tale ending!”
We stared intently in each other’s eyes before I kissed her, murmuring against my lips, “Gave you your first kiss, now stop fuckin’ bitchin’.”
I leaned forward, placing my hands against my bike, needing the support to hold me up. Bowing my head, about to lose my shit. I shut my eyes trying to reel in my fury, feeling like I just took several goddamn bullets to my fucking heart.
“I love you, Creed. I’ve always loved you.”
I felt a solitary tear slide down my face as I let my mind and body go to the dark place inside of me, where I’d lived all my fucking life. I don’t know how long I stood there with my heart pounding, my ears ringing. Bleeding the fuck out. Not saying a word, not moving a muscle. Frozen in fucking place. Fighting back the compelling need to hit something.
Or more like someone.
Out of nowhere, moving on pure instinct, emotion, and feeling, I looked back up. Locking eyes with Mia from across the lawn as if she felt me, too. Noah’s back was still turned. He no longer owned her undivided attention.
I did.
He turned around, following her stare. Instantly jerking back when he saw me, hunched over on my bike, fucking waiting. Mia didn’t hesitate making her way over to me. Each step more determined than the last. One by one bringing her closer, never once breaking our connection. As much as I wanted to run to her, I couldn’t. Her eyes always showed me the truth. She still didn’t know who I was, but it didn’t mean her heart wouldn’t remember.
I owned it.
It belonged to me.
Proving it with her intense stare, answering all my questions and doubt with each step that brought her in front of me.
“You...” she whispered loud enough for me to hear. “You were in my hospital room. How do you... who are you?”
I resisted the urge to pull her into my arms, tell her I loved her, show her how much she meant to me. How much I meant to her. Yearning to just fucking hold her, feel her, fucking love her.
So I simply spoke the truth, “Whoever you want me to be, Pippin, as long as you remember the man.”
Her eyes glazed over, it was quick but I saw it. I was still inside her, still a part of her. Mia’s mind may not remember me, but her soul did. Deep down she knew who I was, and right then and there I vowed to fucking figure out how to make her come back to me. There was no living without Mia, there never had been for me.
She licked her lips, sucking in her bottom one like she always did when she was thinking about something really hard. “Why do you keep calling me that? My name is Mia.”
“Cuz once upon a time, a pigtail wearin’ spitfire reminded me of Pippy Longstockin’. Persistent as fuck, but cute as hell.”
She tried to hide back a smile, narrowing her eyes at me. “I did that?”
I nodded, wanting to tell her everything, but I didn’t want to overwhelm her or worse... scare her away.
“I met ya at the beach when you were just a baby girl. You were always up to no good, even back then. Followin’ me around when you knew better not to. Wantin’ to be my friend.”
“Oh... did we become friends then? Is that how I know you?”
“We became way more than that.”
“What do you me—”
“I warned you to stay away from my daughter!” her dad roared, interrupting us. Much to my disapproval.
“Lucas, enough! Please! Enough!” her mom ordered, standing out in front of him. Trying to keep him in place on the sidewalk a few feet away from us.
“What’s going on?” Mia asked, frantically shaking her head, looking from me to her parents. “This cannot be happening again! Do you not like any of my friends?”
“Lucas! Just let them be! Maybe it would help bring our daughter’s memory back! Please! I am begging you to back off.”
“Lucas, she’s right!” her Aunt Lily shouted, stepping out in front of them. “God, you can’t control this anymore! Mia has no idea who she is! Creed and Noah were a big part of her life before, whether you accept it or not! We all want Mia back, and at this point who cares?! He saved her life! He’s the reason—”
“You saved me?” Mia interjected, frowning her face, looking deep into my eyes. Desperately searching for an answer.
I refused to lie to her, so I merely stated, “Somethin’ like that.”
“Can you please tell me what’s going on? I want the truth! Who are you? What are we to each other?”
I was about to open my mouth to tell her everything I needed her to hear. Needed her to know, but I didn’t get the chance.
We were no longer alone.
“You want to know the truth, Mia? I’ll tell you the fuckin’ truth!” Noah called out, coming out of nowhere, bringing everyone’s attention over to him as he stepped in between Mia and me.
“Noah...” I warned, cocking my head to the side.
He callously smiled, grinning, “What, Creed? What are you gonna do? Huh? What can you possibly do that you haven’t already fucked up! You see, Mia, I used to love him, too. What’s not to love, right? My big, protective brother always there for me no matter what.”
“I still am.”
“Bullshit! The only thing people need protection from is you! All you do is fuck everythin’ up, takin’ lives that don’t even fuckin’ belong to you! Everythin' you touch is tainted, includin’ Mia!”
“Don’t do this... ain’t the time or the place,” I gritted out, shaking my head. Working my hands into fists.
He stepped back, throwing his arms out at his sides. “Come at me, bro! I don’t give a fuck about what you think! They need to know! She needs to know! What kind of man and brother... you really are.”
“Everythin’ I’ve ever done has been for you, you little shit. I’d fuckin’ sacrifice my life to save your sorry ass. Jealousy don’t suit ya, baby brother! She was never yours! Now walk the fuck away!”