Free Love Rekindled (Love Surfaced) by Michelle Lynn

phone?” I hear the ticking of his turn signal, and wonder if he still has the nervous habit of tapping his thumb on the steering wheel. On the way to meets, that thumb would tap to the beat of Eminem’s Till I Collapse, his go-to song to fire him up.
    “Okay.”
    “You know you can say more, right?”
    “Okay.” I snicker, and he chuckles lightly.
    “After you left me, I continued to get really messed up until Piper finally informed my parents. They got me to a counselor. It took about two months and living with my parents, to get my act together. I enrolled in business school to get my master’s.”
    He pauses and I continue to wait for the entire story.
    “That’s where I met Bayli.”
    “You don’t need to continue. I don’t need to know.”
    “You do because, Taylor, I should have come after you, and please believe me, I regret that decision every day. But I truly thought you were better off without me.”
    “What’s changed? Why now?”
    “Me. I’ve changed. I know it will take time for you to believe me, but not one day has ever passed where you didn’t occupy most of my mind. I have a whole fucking list of regrets, but you’re my biggest, and I’m here to make amends now.”
    I release a breath, my feet rubbing together for warmth from the shivers he just ignited. “I’m scared,” I admit.
    “Me too, but I think we’re scared of different things. You’re scared to trust me, and I’m terrified you won’t.”
    My hand lands on my heart to stop it from opening. They’re words, Taylor, that’s all.
    “You can hurt me, Brad, but promise me you won’t hurt her. No matter what, I have to know you’ll be in her life forever.”
    “I’m going to prove it, Taylor. I promise I’ll show you I’m back for good and I’m not that piece of shit anymore.”
    “I fell in love with that piece of shit.” I wish I could stay silent and allow him to knock himself down, but I can’t. He may have faults, but he is a good person deep down.
    “Well, if I wasn’t a piece of shit, you’d still be in love with me.”
    Who’s saying I’m not?
    “I’m going to extend a branch, Brad, but that’s all.” He doesn’t need to know I’m close to giving him our whole tree.
    “That’s all I need. Just give me a chance.”
    “Okay.”
    “But, Taylor, I’m warning you; I’m not going away.”
    I nod, even though he can’t see me. A small part of me likes it that he’s going to be fighting for us. I just have to trust him enough to let him. That’s the hard part.
    “Okay.”
    “Please give me another word.”
    “Yes.”
    “Taylor,” he pleads, and I hear his turn signal go off again.
    “Tell me something I don’t know about you.”
    “Hmm . . .” I can imagine he’s nibbling on the inside of his cheek, thinking about it. “Do you want to know about Piper and Tanner?”
    “Nope. Something about you.”
    “Okay, I like long walks and candlelight dinners.”
    I cover my mouth to conceal the burst of laughter that’s threatening to pour out. “Seriously.”
    “I am serious,” he argues, but he’s laughing as well.
    We talk for another hour about how he got fired and his roommate Dylan, Tanner’s brother. He touches on Piper and Tanner, their problems, and how they reconciled at his wedding, but I can tell he’s hesitant about sharing because of the fact he was going to marry someone who wasn’t me. He’s moved from his truck to his apartment, and I waited on the line while he took off his shirt to climb into bed. What I wouldn’t do for a selfie of him right about now.
    “I guess I should get to bed. She wakes up early.” I yawn, stretching my limbs.
    “Okay. If you can’t sleep, call me back because I’ll be awake.” He doesn’t sound groggy at all.
    “Brad, I have to work late tomorrow. Would you like to pick Em up from daycare?” I bite my nail, because as much as it frightens me, I have to extend the branch. Some might think it’s too soon, but I know Brad. Plus, I