Chapter Two - My Heart Still Beats For Him

Peyton

I exit my room to take a walk around while my boyfriend makes some business calls, since he will be busy with me all weekend. I wish he would have left work behind, but if I let him do some today, he won’t get cranky. I head down the hall, just as I do, the room next to ours opens, and someone steps out into the hallway.

I freeze, realising who it was. I knew he would be here, but I wasn’t expecting to see him until this afternoon. “G-G-Gabe,” I whisper.

He stops what he is doing, slowly turning to me. “Peyton.” He breathes out.

I swallow hard, and my heart races in my chest as our eyes meet. I haven’t seen him in five years. A part of me hoped he wouldn’t come this weekend, since he hasn’t been around. He is still so handsome. I try to ignore all of the feelings coursing through me. I hate that he can still affect me even after breaking my heart and not seeing him for so long.

I take a deep breath, pulling it together, hoping he wouldn’t notice what he is doing to me.

“What are you doing here? You haven’t bothered with anyone for years.” I snap.

His eyes divert to the ground, and a loud sigh escapes from his lips. “Because I was invited.”

“Yes, but you shouldn’t have come.” I hiss, shaking my head and go to barge by him.

I don’t get far because he grabs my arm gently to stop me and brings me to face him. My breath catches in my throat at the closeness between us.

“I am sorry, Peyton, for everything. Leaving you is still the biggest regret of my life.” His words are shaky, his eyes staring intensely into mine.

I open my mouth to speak, but I can’t find my words. His deep green eyes were always a weakness to me. I always got lost in them so easily.

“A little too late, stay away from me.”

I yank my arm out of his hold and rush off, hoping he doesn’t follow me. I would have been better off going back to my room, but Max would know something was wrong, and I don’t want that. He knows my ex may be here, but he doesn’t know much more than that. He knows I had a relationship with Gabe, but I never went into detail. Why would I want to tell someone about the worst pain I have ever felt?

I run into Kaitlyn as I try to get away. “Wow, slow down. Where are you off to in such a rush?” she laughs.

I glance up at her, trying to hide my sadness because I don’t want my past interfering with her future, but I don’t like lying to her either. “I ran into Gabe.” My words come out in a whimper.

“Aww, sweetie, I am sorry. I hoped that when you saw him, you wouldn’t be alone. Come on, let’s go somewhere quiet where he won’t see us.”

I nod, and she links her arm through mine, leading me away. She leads us around to the back of the country house and into some wooded area, and we come to a stop at a beautiful pond. Ducks and swans are swimming around in it. Beautiful water lilies and Lotus flowers surround it. It is peaceful. We take a seat on a bench, and I sigh loudly.

“What was it like seeing Gabe again after all these years? Any old feelings come flooding back?”

“Harder than I thought it would be. I hate to admit it, but my heart started to pound, and my stomach got butterflies the second my eyes fell on him. How pathetic is that? He broke my heart; no, he destroyed it. I haven’t been the same since, yet my heart and body still seem to ache for him.”

I am with Max. He takes care of me. He is older and more honest.

Kaitlyn places her hand on my knee. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but you reacted like because a part of you will always love him. I know he hurt you badly, but before that, you two had something amazing. I really thought you would have found your way back to one another.” She says softly, squeezing it.

“I could never be with him again, not after the way he hurt me. I am with Max now. I am happy with him.”

Kaitlyn rolls her eyes. She isn’t a fan of Max. She doesn’t say anything and tries not to show it, but sometimes it slips out without meaning to.

I laugh, shaking my head. “I have never understood why you don’t like Max.”

“He doesn’t make you a priority, but let’s not talk about that. Maybe I will learn to like him.”

“We have been together for two years. If you were going to like him, you would have done so by now.”

I don’t hold it against her. She is entitled to her opinion, but she lets me live my life how I want without trying to get in the way. I am sure if she really wanted to, she would.

“True. Does he know about Gabe?”

“He knows of him, but not the full story. I don’t plan on telling him.”

“Are you going to be okay with Gabe here?”

“I will be fine. I will stay out of his way when I can. Kaitlyn, he is still so handsome, more handsome than when I last saw him.” I sigh and rest my head on her shoulder.

She slips her arm around me. “You know, we could always make Max leave, and you and Gabe can rekindle your old flame.” She giggles.

I slap her leg playfully. “Don’t be mean.”

“Sorry.” She laughs.

“Gabe is in the room next to me.” I groan.

“I swear I didn’t plan that. Do you want me to see if I can get someone to swap with you?”

It is a tempting offer, but Kaitlyn has enough going on with her wedding coming up. She doesn’t have time to switch rooms, and she doesn’t need the extra stress.

“No, I will be fine. I can deal with it.”

“Okay. If you change your mind, let me know, okay?”

“I will, I promise.”

We fall silent, enjoying the peacefulness of the nature surrounding us. It lasts for about 5 minutes and is comfortable.

“Do you think it is too early for a cocktail?” Kaitlyn laughs.

“It is drink o’clock somewhere.”

We decide to head to the bar for a cocktail. It is a little early for drinking, but I think we both need it.