Motioning to the front door, I waited for her to meet me there only she still didn't move.
"Come on,” I mouthed, and she dropped her hands from her hips and began walking toward the front door. She made no rush to unlock it or push it open and I tried to plan out in my head what I'd say once she did.
Pushing open the door, she didn't step aside only leaned her hip against the frame and crossed her arms over her chest with defiance. My how she'd changed, the girlish features were long gone. She wore her makeup light, which I found perfect because she was flawless without it. Her lips appeared glossy as she pressed them tightly together, still saying nothing.
"I felt bad about yesterday." I held out the drink and she didn't take it. "Cut me a break here, I'm trying to apologize."
"So, this is all about making you feel better?" Timid was not something Sadie was anymore. "Well, goodness officer, here, " she took the drink and offered a fake smile, "let me ease your mind."
Stepping back inside she let the door fall shut but I stopped it with my foot. "Sadie, I was an idiot kid that didn’t know any better."
She swiveled around so fast I stepped back to move out of her way. "Yes, you were a kid, I was a kid. I spent the rest of my senior year being harassed and made fun of, but you, your girlfriend, and all your idiot friends used me as a metaphorical punching bag. There is really no reason to go back to that time, it followed me long enough. I'm not back here to rehash the past and I sure as hell am not back here to make you feel better about the dumb choices of your past. Honestly, I never thought I'd find you here."
Her chest rose and fell as she took in a slow calming breath.
"Actually, as far as this goes," she motioned between us with her hand, "there really isn't any reason for us to even communicate. I'm back, you’re here, and neither of us seems to be going anywhere. It's a small town so we are bound to run into one another, but in LA I got used to passing the same people on the street and finding it easy to walk on by without saying a word. So, the same tactic should be easy to follow here."
"Mason Creek isn’t LA."
"No, it is not."
I couldn't help but notice how beautiful Sadie had become. Even the hate she obviously felt for me did nothing to hide the spike of adrenaline I'd felt in her presence.
"I'm not the same guy I was back then." Nowhere close.
"Yeah," she squared her shoulders, "and I'm not the same girl."
With that, the door closed, the lock flipped, and she turned her back to me. I stood there for a few minutes before I walked back to my cruiser and ignored the curious stares of those, I know without a doubt, had witnessed the interaction between Sadie and me.
I’m sure this exchange would be tomorrows news.
Sadie wasn't the only girl in school that I'd hurt, but she was the only one that ended up being the butt of all the jokes from that point until graduation. Notes that would be pinned to her locker would be from guys asking her on a date and then saying things like wait on your front porch and I'll pick you up at seven.
They'd all stand back and laugh when they'd watch her grab the note and read it. Because of me, she was the girl that everyone taunted, because of me she was the girl that didn't even get asked to prom.
* * *
No wonder she hated me.
Chapter Six
Sadie
* * *
With one more look in the mirror, I wondered once again if I should change. I've been dressing for LA for more than five years, my wardrobe was not meant for country life. I'd had no use for cowboy boots and jeans.
My nerves were a mess, this was a mistake. Why did I let Anna and Levi talk me into this?
Meet us all at Pony Up, they said. The whole crowd will be there, they said.
The problem was it was their crowd, not mine. I no longer knew any of these people. I didn't keep in touch.
I ran my hand over the black leather pants I had on, and focused on my black suede ankle boots. The heel was tall, but that has been the same thing with all my shoes, I don't think I owned anything without a heel.
The light gray V-neck slouchy sweater I topped it off with was my absolute favorite. It was soft and it made me feel sexy, but I found myself questioning it. I didn't remember the last time I'd felt like such an outsider.
My phone rang from inside my purse, and I hurried to grab it. I hoped it was Anna and that maybe something came up. Maybe her mom had backed out and was no longer able to babysit Drew. "Hello?"
"Where are you?" I could hear the music playing in the background and I knew my wish had not come true. "Everyone is here, but you."
"I was thinking—"
"So, stop thinking," she covered the phone, but I could hear everything she was saying. "She's trying to make excuses, but I swear if she doesn't get her ass in her car, I am going over there to drag her out, kicking and screaming I won’t care.”
I wasn't sure who she was talking to.
"Anna?"
She was still such a brat.
There was a scuffle and then I heard Levi on the other end of the phone. "Do I need to come and get you?"
"No." I was already grabbing my purse and my keys. “I’m on my way.”
“Twenty minutes, Sadie.” I narrowed my eyes like he could actually see my glaring at him. “If your ass isn’t walking through the doors, both Anna and I will be there to drag you out, carry you out, if that’s what it leads too.”
“Have I mentioned how much I hate you both?”
“You don’t hate us bug.” I cringed at the mention of my nickname. All it took was one pair of glasses in third grade that were bigger than my head and I’d landed that stupid name for life. “You love us.” And with that the call ended.
“Going out?” I skidded to a stop in the entryway feeling like a kid again, asking for permission to leave the house. “Do you need some money?”
“No, Dad.” I really needed to get my own place. “I’m good, just meeting up with Anna and Levi.”
“Good.” He nodded as he stepped up and gave me a hug. “You have fun with your friends.”
He left me standing in the entryway as he joined my mother in the living room.
The entire drive over I scanned every single space of property I passed hoping to see a for rent sign I hadn’t noticed before. With no luck, fifteen minutes later I was pulling into the busy parking lot of Pony Up and again that feeling of instant regret filled my stomach.
I hadn’t planned on jumping right into this type of outing. I thought I’d fly under the radar for the first month, quietly intertwining myself back into the typical life of small town living. But with people like Anna and Levi in my life, I should have known better.
Walking across the parking lot I did my best not to fall on the uneven ground. Voices in the distance laughing and enjoying themselves as I tried to remain hidden in the semi dark parking lot.
“Well, if it isn’t little Miss LA, herself.” Beau, Anna’s husband moved toward me quickly and wrapped me in a bear hug before I had the chance to prepare myself. “Damn girl, are those leather pants?”