Free Release by Brenda Rothert Page B

lunch and watch baseball. I sat alone at the bar, waiting for my food, when I felt someone walk up beside me and pause.
    When I turned and saw Amy’s platinum blonde hair and dark pink lips, I didn’t even try to suppress my glare of annoyance.
    “Hey,” she said softly.
    “Hi.” I spoke curtly and turned away, hoping she’d take the hint.
    “Can we talk?”
    “We have nothing to talk about.”
    “Orion … we never resolved things. Look, I know—”
    “Breaking up was the resolution,” I said, hoping she heard the annoyance in my tone.
    She scoffed and inched closer to me. “Don’t you remember how upset you were when we broke up?” she said. “It’s because we were in love. You couldn’t imagine your life without me.”
    I glared at her. “It was because you were fucking Brett behind my back.”
    “But that was just a symptom of what was going on in our relationship. It wasn’t really about him. It’s too hard for me to be away from you all the time. I think if we tried again and I moved in with you, everything would be different. It would be so much better.”
    My lips parted with shock. “That’s not happening, Amy.”
    “I know I screwed up, okay? I know. How long are you going to stay pissed at me? It’s been almost six months. This is ridiculous.”
    “Yeah, it is ridiculous,” I agreed. “I’m home to see my family, not you. Just let it go, alright? Things are over with us. They’ve been over for a while.”
    Her eyes filled with tears and she looked at me. Waiting. She thought if she looked pathetic enough, I’d try to console her. Instead, I turned toward the baseball game on TV.
    “But …” Her voice broke and I sighed, realizing this had turned into a scene. “Can’t we at least be friends? I miss that. I miss hanging out with you.”
    I gave her a stern look. “No. I’m busy with other things, and we’ve already gone separate ways anyway. It needs to stay that way.”
    She blinked and tears spilled onto her cheeks. “I’m so sorry. I just missed you. I never thought you’d find out. And now … my dreams are dead. I thought we’d be together forever, but I’m gonna end up living in Henley forever now.”
    I shook my head and took a deep breath, my temper flaring. “I don’t know how many ways I can say it, Amy. We’re over. I’m trying to have lunch and watch the game here.”
    “What happened to you?” she said, her voice rising. “You used to be the nicest person I knew, but you’ve turned cold or something.”
    People were glancing at us, trying to figure out what was going on. I got up and pulled out my wallet, setting some money on the bar. Without another word, I turned and left, but Amy kept going, speaking to my retreating back.
    “I’m not giving up on us, Orion. I still love you.”
    I let the words roll off. There’d been a time when Amy could get to me, but it was long past. She’d fucked her way out of my good graces, and she was never getting back in.

Chapter 6
    Samara

    The Henley Ice Arena was a little run down. The parking lot was full of holes and the large white building was in need a fresh coat of paint. But it was a mainstay in the community, and no one really noticed its shortfalls.
    Orion approached the bench I was sitting on outside the entrance to the arena and my breath caught. Those beautiful blue eyes, looking only at me, got me every single time.
    When he’d texted and asked me to meet him here earlier, I’d almost said no. I was still mortified about the other night. But I liked being with him so much that I hadn’t been able to bring myself to refuse.
    He wore gray sweats and a t-shirt with his team logo, the sleeves of a lightweight long-sleeve shirt covering his forearms. A black canvas bag was slung over his shoulder.
    I stood, taking a deep breath to calm my pounding heart.
    “Hey,” he said softly, cupping my cheek in his hand. “It’s so good to see you.”
    “You too. I’m sorry about the other