WHO ARE YOU?
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WHO ARE YOU?
OSH – PRESENT DAY
“Wait,” I said, my voice stopping her as she adjusted her bag.
She turned back, her dark curls bouncing over her shoulder. Her hazel eyes met mine, and for a moment, I felt that familiar awkwardness creeping in–the same way I’d felt the first day I met her.
I shoved my hands into my pockets, unsure of where to start. “I need to say sorry. About… being a fucking asshole that first day.”
Her brows rose slightly, and I forced myself to continue. “I was just—Asha is everything to me, and I didn’t want to screw up. I let that turn me into, well… me.”
She smiled softly, her hand brushing against my arm in a way that felt far too kind for someone I barely knew. “It’s okay. Really, it is. I know. It’s okay,”
Her voice was warm, and for some reason, it made the tension in my shoulders ease. I let out a long sigh and shrugged. “Thanks.”
The corner of my mouth tugged upward. “Least I can do is buy you an apology drink?”
She laughed, shaking her head. “I don’t drink, actually. I was just here for my sister’s bachelorette party.” She tilted her head toward the door, her smile widening. “Needed a bit of fresh air.
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Nobody is safe from those girls.”
The way she teased, the way her smile made her whole face light up–I couldn’t help but stare for a second. It was like noticing her for the first time. The freckles scattered across her nose, the way her dimple deepened when she smiled–it hit me all at once.
Before I could say anything, a woman in a too–tight dress and sky–high heels sauntered up, the smell of her perfume hitting me like a brick wall. She leaned into me, her red lips curving into a sly smile.
“Oh my God, Josh Saunders!” she practically purred, her hand landing on my arm. “You were amazing out there tonight. Can I buy you a drink?”
Her intentions were clear, and I could feel Vivian’s curious gaze shift between us. I took a step back, gently pulling my arm from the fan’s grasp.
“Thanks,” I said, my tone polite but firm, “but I’m good.”
The fan pouted, clearly displeased, before giving Vivian a once- over and flouncing off toward the bar.
I turned back to Vivian, feeling a little sheepish. “Sorry about that. Comes with the territory.”
Her brows rose in curiosity, “What territory?”
I blinked. “What do you mean?”
She shrugged. “I mean, what are you doing here? Celebrating something?”
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I tilted my head at her, trying to figure out if she was messing with me. “You really don’t know?”
“Know what?” she asked, her voice light, as if my answer didn’t really matter either way.
I let out a short laugh, gesturing to the bar and the room full of my teammates. “You don’t watch football?”
She shook her head, smiling apologetically. “Not really, no. Sorry. Did the team you support win?”
That made me laugh harder. “The team I play for won, yeah.”
Her lips parted, her gaze flicking to the TV mounted above the bar behind me. The screen was showing highlights from the game–slow–motion shots of tackles, touchdowns, and the celebration afterward. She blinked, her eyes widening slightly as they moved back to me.
“Oh,” she said, her voice soft, her mouth forming a small O.
“Yeah,” I said with a grin, amused by her reaction. “That’s me.”
She tilted her head, studying me in a way that felt far more personal than anyone had in a long time. “Well,” she said after a moment, her smile returning, “congratulations.”
“Thanks,” I said, my voice low.
There was a pause, a beat of silence between us that felt heavier than it should have. She didn’t fill it with questions or awkward small talk, and for some reason, I didn’t feel the need to say much either.
Her eyes lingered on me for a second longer before she glanced
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toward the door. “I should probably get back before the girls send a search party.”
“Right,” I said, nodding, even though a part of me didn’t want her to go.
She hesitated, like she might say something else, but then she gave me one last smile and turned toward the door. I watched her go, her curls bouncing as she disappeared into the night.
“Josh! Come on, man!” Mateo called from the bar, his voice breaking the moment.
I smiled to myself, the corners of my mouth lifting in a way that felt unfamiliar but good. Turning back to the bar, I made my way inside, the door swinging shut behind me.
For the first time in a long time, I felt something other than the weight of my past. It wasn’t much—just a flicker, a tiny spark. But it was something. And for now, that was enough.
