A/N: I hate starting all of these with an apology lately, but real life keeps getting in my way and I'm so sorry for the delay in updating! This semester is finally winding down and I feel like I can manage my time better. Thank you for your patience, support, votes, and comments! Keep 'em coming! Xo

***

I was sitting across the table from my sister and two childhood best friends, Nik and Britt. I'd met them for brunch before we started our afternoon of shopping and gossip. I rarely ever got to hang out with my friends when I was home, because I usually only came back for the holidays. I sipped at the last of my strawberry margarita as distracting thoughts of yesterday and last night with Jamie replayed in my head. The smile encompassing my face was hard to disguise, but it wasn't like I had anything to hide; I deserved to let the happiness seep from my pores.

"Someone looks awfully damn happy over there," Nik said.

"Yeah, what's gotten into you?" Britt asked. "What's with the impromptu visit?"

Nik elbowed her.

"We miss you, of course, just curious," she added.

I chuckled and went to respond when my sister interrupted.

"A gorgeous Irishman; that's what's gotten into her."

"Gee, thanks sis. How romantic you make it sound." I rolled my eyes.

"Oh yeah," Nik said, "we've saved copies of the magazine scans if you'd like them."

I shook my head, mortified. "Burn them."

The three of them laughed.

"I can't believe you're dating a celeb," Britt said, "let alone Jamie Dornan!"

"It's not like that," I said quietly.

"Kels didn't even know who he was." Emily laughed at her comment.

"You're kidding, right?" Nik asked.

I shrugged. "I don't keep up with Hollywood."

"Since when?" Britt exclaimed.

"Since ever," I replied.

"Bull. You were a huge *NSYNC and Justin Timberlake fan. Tell me you didn't keep up with that boy."

I raised my hands in surrender. "You're right, I did. But since moving to New York it's not important anymore. I don't know how to explain it it's weird. It just seems like all the guys there are either in the market to be famous or so low on the totem pole that I don't even consider them relevant, although they think they're hot shit. It's gross really, they want to be recognized for nothing, and so I ignore them."

Nik's jaw almost hit the table. "You have all these hot men parading themselves around the city and you ignore them? Lord child, how'd you even meet Jamie with that attitude?"

I smirked. "By accident. Seriously."

"Explain," Britt said.

"There's not much to explain," I began, "we literally met at Starbucks and exchanged numbers."

Britt rolled her eyes. "Starbucks is lame. So you fell in love over expensive, basic tasting coffee?"

We all laughed at her response. She'd always hated Starbucks, practically protested it.

"I suppose we did," I replied. "Our whole relationship has happened pretty fast and unexpectedly."

"How long have you known him?" Nik asked.

"Since two weeks before graduation."

"Damn girl! Go get you some!" She did a chair dance, which made me shake my head in amusement.

"She's already met his family," my sister said, "and he's here in Ohio, so you know what that means."

"Wait, he's here with you?" Nik asked.

"Yes," I answered, "he's golfing with dad while we're having girls day."

"This is great news!" she exclaimed.

"Why, so you can embarrass me and ask for his autograph?"

"No, silly, tonight's my annual bonfire. You have to bring him!"

Every year since junior high Nik and her family hosted a bonfire. At first it was just a bunch of our friends and her parents' friends, but as we went through high school more and more people came. By senior year it had become the party of the town and if you weren't there then you were either an outcast or a criminal. It was unofficially a public event.

"Wow, I haven't been to one of your bonfires since the summer before college."

"All the more reason to come tonight. You were the talk of the town once you moved to New York, but since you've been with Jamie your name is the only name out of these people's mouths."

"Oh my God," I replied, "never mind then. I don't want to come."

Britt laughed. "It'll be fun and you know it. You're practically famous around here, so everyone will be head over heels when you show up. They'll be wanting your autograph, not his."

"Doubt it," I argued. "I'd have to ask Jamie obviously. That's a lot of pressure, knowing that pretty much my entire hometown will be there, hanging all over him."

"I'll buffer," Nik said. "I can isolate you with a small group of non-crazies and then ward off the rest."

I chuckled. "You're ridiculous. We'll see. I'll let you know later."

"Okay," Nik agreed. "The sun sets at 9:30ish, but we'll probably get started around 9."

"I have to sit this one out," Emily said. "I picked up a shift tonight. Lame. But I can't wait to hear stories about how my little sis and her Irish boy toy stole the show!"

"I think that's enough about me," I said. "Can we leave now and go shopping?"

"Deal," Britt said.

We all threw enough cash down to cover our bills and tips, and made our way out of the restaurant into the humid Ohio day.

***

Jamie had been in a gleeful mood after his day of golf with my dad, which surprised me really. I didn't realize my dad could be that fun around men I brought home. So luckily for me, it wasn't hard to convince him to join me at the bonfire. He said he was Irish; he rarely turned down events that involved alcohol.

It had been a fun night thus far. I ran into some more old girlfriends from school, Marion, Henrietta, and our other friend Brittany. We were all the original crew that would come to the bonfires before half of the town did. I was ecstatic to be reunited with them like old times.

Thankfully everyone was fairly chill with Jamie being there. I forgot how laid back the people around here could be and it was refreshing. If he'd walked into something similar in New York, everyone would be trying to network with him and use his fame to get themselves ahead. He seemed relaxed, too. He answered a lot of their questions and was willing to shake hands with anyone who came up to us. Nik had been right, though, they asked me a lot of questions about New York and life outside of small town Ohio. I was surprised they even acknowledged my existence around Jamie, but it was nice to have him there while I talked with old family friends, neighbors, and even schoolteachers. He was seeing many different sides of me, whether I intended for that to happen or not.

He broke my train of thought as he ended a conversation with my old neighbor.

"Do you want another glass of wine?"

I met his gaze. "Um, see if she has Corona. Used to be her favorite beer."

Jamie nodded. "Good choice. Be right back."

I watched him walk over to the table Nik had set up. She was currently standing behind it getting a drink as well. I saw them start a conversation and prayed she'd keep our embarrassing stories to herself tonight.

"Hey," I heard someone say.

Before I could turn to who it was my stomach began twisting in knots at the mere sound of his voice. That voice I'd never wanted to hear again after graduation.

I whipped my head around and sure enough, there he stood in all his glory, my bastard ex-boyfriend, Brad.

"Wow," was all I could muster.

It was taking everything in me not to run in the opposite direction. He was the last person I had hoped to see while in town, just like every visit home. Should've known he'd be here though. Dear stupid cheating jock: stop living in your glory days; you're not popular with anyone anymore.

"It's been a while. You look amazing," he said, gazing up and down my torso.

I felt violated and disgusted. "Six years."

"You're keeping track?" He winked.

I wanted to vomit. "Uh, no. We graduated six years ago, and I've luckily avoided you since."

"Ouch, burn to the ego."

I rolled my eyes.

"Look, I just wanted to stop and say hi. Haven't seen you in," he paused dramatically, "six whole years."

"For good reason," I said. I didn't want this man near me.

"I was a teenager back then. A very stupid one at that, look how you turned out. My loss."

"You're right, it is your loss. You cheated on me with one of my best friends. Don't blame it on being young. You knew exactly what you were doing. No regrets."

He went to respond, but his eyes shifted over my shoulder and before I could turn, I felt my safety net wrap his arm around my waist. I immediately relaxed. Thank God he was here.

He kissed the top of my head. "Here's your beer, baby."

I took it from his hand and threw it back, taking a necessary swig.

"I don't think we've met," Jamie said. He didn't let go of me nor offer his hand out.

"We have not," he replied. "I'm Brad, an old-"

I cut him off. "Classmate. Just an old classmate."

He must've understood my glare because he didn't correct me.

"Yes," he agreed. "You must be..."

"Jamie, Kelsey's boyfriend."

No matter how many times he said it or how long we'd been together, I loved hearing him call himself that.

"Ah, very nice," Brad answered. "Well, I'll leave you two be. Hey KT-"

He knew I hated that nickname, because it sounded like Katie, my childhood nemesis. At one time I'd loved that he annoyed me with it, now it just drove me mad.

"We should catch up some time, you know, as two old classmates. I don't think I have your new number."

I actually laughed out loud, and I think it took them both by surprise.

"Don't be ridiculous," I said. "We have nothing to catch up on. Besides, we won't be staying in the area much longer."

He nodded, looking defeated, which gave me great pleasure. "Very well. Best of luck back in New York."

I refused to reply, and after an awkward moment he turned to finally leave me alone. Jamie let go of his embrace. I hadn't realized how tight he'd been gripping my side.

He looked at me, taking a large sip of his beer. "Ex-boyfriend, eh?"

I sighed. "Unfortunately."

"Hmm," was all he said.

"I don't want to talk about it right now, but I promise I'll tell you about him later if you really want to know."

"I only have to know what you want me to know."

I wrinkled my forehead. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," he answered.

Why was he all of a sudden being sour?

"Do you want to leave?" I asked.

"No, just not sure why you never told me you were practically engaged."

I internally screamed. Who the fuck had told him that in the short time we'd been here? Jesus.

"Practically should be used lightly," I said.

"Well he asked, yet you introduced him as an old classmate."

"As opposed to what? He's a nobody to me. I really don't want to discuss this with a hundred prying ears around."

"We don't have to ever talk about it, babe," he said, taking another sip and looking away.

"Where'd you even hear it from?"

"Nik is a very talkative girl."

I made a mental note to kill her later since I couldn't find her in the crowd to send her death glares.

"Jamie," I said. It took him a moment, but he finally met my gaze again. "He was a high school sweetheart. He asked me to marry him so I wouldn't move to New York for school. I told him no and a week later he cheated on me with one of my childhood friends. That's it."

He didn't say anything for a long time and I felt my heart racing. I wanted to find Brad and Nik and run both of their heads together for ruining a simple night. We'd come to Ohio to escape the drama, yet here we were again, face to face with the stupid past.

"I believe you." He shrugged.

I wanted to cry. He was being distant all of a sudden. I knew this would be an uncomfortable social gathering for him since he was simultaneously famous and a stranger to everyone, but that wasn't even the problem; my ex was.

"I need to use the bathroom," I said.

I wasn't sure if I was going to barf or scream. Maybe both. I handed him my beer and quickly made my way across the yard and into Nik's house. She was opening a bottle of wine by herself at the kitchen counter.

She smiled when she saw me come in. "Oh hey girl, how's the Irishman?"

"Are you fucking kidding me, Nik?" I said.

"Whoa, what the hell!"

"Why did you have to spill my high school drama to Jamie?"

She cringed. "I am so sorry, Kels, really I am. He saw you talking to Brad and asked who he was, I made the mistake of calling him a 'could've been fiancée.' That required further explaining."

I bit my tongue. I wanted to die. "Thanks for your help. Now he's mad."

"Why's he mad?" she asked.

"Because I introduced him as an old classmate."

"Well, that's all he is."

I sighed. "Right."

"Maybe he's not mad, maybe he's thinking about how stupid of a person Brad must be to cheat on you."

"Nice get-out-of-jail-free card, brat."

She laughed. "Don't be upset with me. We never get to see each other."

I rolled my eyes. "Fine. Just keep your mouth shut."

"So that's all he said I told him?"

"Wait, what?"

"Oh, oops. Nothing then." She covered her mouth.

"You will tell me right now or I'll pour that whole bottle down the sink," I said.

She hugged it to her chest, which made me chuckle.

"Fine. I told him he shouldn't worry about other men, because you're madly in love with him, and if he were to ask you to marry him you'd undoubtedly say yes without blinking."

My face went numb from embarrassment. "Oh my God."

"What? It was a harmless conversation."

"So you told him I already denied a man I once loved, but then said 'hey, have no fear, she wouldn't do that to you!'"

"Essentially." She shrugged, seeing no issue with her confession.

"He probably thinks I told you guys over lunch that I want to marry him and now he's thinking I expect a ring. Jesus, he's going to think that's the only reason I brought him to Ohio, to propose to me!"

Sure I wanted to, and she was right, I wouldn't even think twice about saying yes if he walked through the door and asked. He'd been promising us and forever for a while, but was his reaction tonight proof he wasn't truly ready for that kind of commitment again?

"I think you're overthinking this."

The door opened behind me and I prayed it wasn't Jamie.

"Kelsey, get out here!" Brit yelled.

I turned back to Nik, confusion etched on both our faces. She followed me back outside where I saw a group of people standing in a circle around what appeared to be two individuals talking very loudly over one another. Then I heard his accent.

It was Jamie and Brad.

"Fuck," I muttered under my breath, and I heard Nik say, "Shit" behind me.

"You don't belong here!" Brad yelled.

I pushed through the crowd, everyone turning to look at me as I made my way to them.

"I belong wherever Kelsey is," Jamie spat back.

"Jamie," I said, "screw him, he's worthless."

He didn't turn around, but Brad looked in my direction and grinned.

"You can have my sloppy seconds," he said. "Just remember when you fuck her that I was there first."

I gasped along with the rest of the crowd as Jamie's fist met Brad's chin in a force so hard it knocked him to the ground.

"At least she loves me, you fucking prick," Jamie said.

Brad held onto his mouth and glared up at him. I grabbed the arm he'd just hit Brad with and pulled him backwards.

"Come on, he's not worth it," I whined.

He obliged and turned to me. I pulled his hand up, kissing his throbbing knuckles.

"This won't be the last you see of me," Brad hollered behind us.

Jamie pulled his hand out of mine and rushed back to him.

"Please don't!" I called out.

He kneeled down, grabbing a fistful of Brad's shirt, pulling him close to his face. "You won't ever come near her without going through me first, understood? Cross me again, and next time I'll make sure there isn't a crowd."

He shoved him to the ground and stood, walking over to me.

"Hollow threats!" Brad had to get the last word. Some things never changed.

I wrapped my arm around Jamie's waist as we made our way out of the crowd. I mouthed an "I'm sorry" to Nik when we walked by. She winked, shaking her head.

Jamie was breathing heavily as we headed toward my dad's truck. He didn't say a word, just loosely rested his arm across my shoulders.

We both stepped into the vehicle, and when I turned the ignition he let out a long sigh. I decided to keep my mouth shut and let him talk if he wanted to. I'd been the source of enough damage tonight.

However, he didn't say a word the entire ride to my house. It was the longest five minutes of my life.

I could see the kitchen light was on as we pulled into the driveway. I prayed it was merely a courtesy light and not to signify that my parents were still awake.

Jamie walked ahead of me toward the house. I felt shunned, and I suppose rightfully so. This was my fault even if it wasn't something I'd directly done.

I shut the front door behind me. Much to my disappointment, my mom walked into the foyer before we could head upstairs.

"Hey kids," she said with a bright smile.

"Good evening, Mrs. Taylor," Jamie managed.

She regarded my expression. I wore my emotions on my sleeve, but they were somehow amplified to my mom.

"Was the bonfire a bust?" she asked.

Jamie looked over at me, too and I felt an immense pressure to decide whether to sugarcoat it for his sake or tell the truth because she'd know even if I lied.

"Yeah, it was." I decided to be open with her in front of him.

He looked back to her, as did I.

"In what way?"

I grabbed Jamie's wrist, which he didn't protest to, and held it up.

"What happened, honey?" she asked, taking his hand from mine and examining it.

"Can we talk about it tomorrow?" I answered for him.

"Can you give me the jist?"

"Brad was there," I said.

"Oh no," she whispered.

"How'd you get involved?" she asked Jamie.

"He's an incredibly self-centered, disgusting..." He stopped. "I won't call him what I want to call him out of respect, ma'am, but a pig seems to fit."

She smiled. "Always lovely to see a gentleman stand up for his lady. He most certainly is a pig. Never understood the attraction."

"Can we get some ice for his hand?" I asked. I felt like they were having this conversation as if I were invisible.

"Certainly."

My mom retrieved her first aid basket of goodies and wrapped an ace bandage around Jamie's hand as we sat on barstools at the counter. She'd pulled out one of her frozen sponges from the freezer and dropped it into a Ziploc bag. She'd had those emergency ice packs in there for as long as I could remember. My sister and I were pretty accident-prone children.

"All set," she said, handing it to him.

"Thank you," he replied. "Sorry for involving you."

"That's what moms are for, right?" She smiled and patted his knee.

I saw the somber look wash over his face and remembered our conversation from last night about his own mom. Surely being taken care of was sparking a certain emotion in him. I hated that he was probably feeling a hundred different things after tonight. I needed to get him alone and let him talk it out.

"Want anything to drink?" she asked.

"No, I think we're going to head upstairs," I answered.

Jamie looked at me briefly before turning back to my mom. "Actually, do you have any tea?"

Why didn't he want to go with me?

"Oh sweetie, of course I do. All kinds. Kels, you want a cup, too?"

I shook my head, swallowing my pride. "Thanks, but I'm going to get ready for bed."

"Okay then. Sweet dreams!"

"I'll be up soon," he finally said to me.

I turned to leave them be. I stopped at the bottom of the stairs to eavesdrop, but all they were talking about were types of teas and how they preferred theirs prepared. I sighed and made the lonely walk to my room.

Quietly closing the door behind me, I found my satin nightgown in my bag and changed into it. I plugged my phone in to charge, retrieving the book I'd brought from my purse. I switched on my bedside light and crawled under the cool covers.

I think I read the same paragraph a dozen times as I couldn't concentrate on what was written, only replayed the night's events in my head, bracing myself for the impending conversation with Jamie.

A few minutes later he walked into the room, gently shutting my door behind him. He quickly looked at me before going through his bag to pull out a pair of black Nike gym shorts.

I pretended to be intrigued by my book, but I caught quick glances of him as he changed into them, opting to remain shirtless. Not that I had anything to complain about.

"So," he said, standing at the foot of the bed.

I marked my spot in my book, which was the same page I'd started on, and set it down on the nightstand.

"How was your tea?" I asked, aiming for a distraction.

He chuckled, seeing through my attempt. "It was lovely. Your mum is a charming woman. You're lucky to have her."

That was a surprise compliment.

"She's great," I said.

"About tonight," he began.

I tried to interject, but he kept talking.

"I'm sorry if I embarrassed you in front of half your town, but I'm not sorry for putting him in his place. He's a jackass."

I smiled. "He is. I'm sure no one minded."

"I'm even more sorry you dated him."

"Me too."

He sighed. "I don't know how serious things were between you, but yeah, I was jealous. I had to stand face-to-face with a man you used to love. The only guy that I know of who'd asked to marry you. You told him no. Now I see why."

That made me laugh. "I thought you were mad at me."

"I wasn't. I was mad that I had to meet someone who at one time was in love with you. Someone who wanted to spend the rest of their life with you. Someone like me."

My breath hitched in my throat. Dear God this wasn't the time or place. Please let him stop talking.

"Don't ever say that again," I said.

He wrinkled his forehead in confusion.

"You are nothing like him. He didn't want to marry me; it was his final plea to keep me in Ohio after I told him I got in to NYU. And I didn't want to marry him. Thank goodness I didn't or we wouldn't be here having this ridiculous conversation. I never loved him like I love you. There is no competition."

He half smiled. "Now I get it. I understand how you felt when you overheard the conversation with my ex-wife."

I let out a sigh of relief. "Jealousy's a bitch."

He walked over and sat down on my side of the bed, wrapping his arm around my bent legs. "Promise me one thing?"

I swallowed. "Anything."

"Please don't ever talk to that idiot again."

I smiled. "Case closed."

"I'm serious, I might kill him."

"What did he say that got you so riled up?"

He shook his head. "You don't need to know. It was enough to cause me to actually punch someone for the first time since secondary school. Aside from acting."

We both laughed.

"Well, thank you for sticking up for me," I said.

"No one disrespects my girl," he replied.

His accent was thick and delicious when he lowered his voice. The butterflies stirred in my stomach.

"Your girl," I echoed.

He ran his thumb over my cheek. "Why does that make you blush?"

"Because I don't know how I got so lucky."

"I guess I need to stop touching you then or all my Irish luck will rub off." He winked before tickling my sides.

I giggled until he stopped.

"You know," I said breathlessly, "no one's ever thrown a punch in my defense before."

"You're kidding?" He furrowed his eyebrows.

"Nope, and I'll admit, it kind of turned me on watching you get bent out of shape over me."

"That's because I'm wrapped around your little finger." He bit his bottom lip, igniting the fire.

"Mmm, well why don't you wrap yourself around me?"

He laughed as I scooted down to lay beneath him. He hovered above me, swiftly kissing my lips.

"I love you," he said.

"You've made that perfectly clear, babe."

His head fell to my neck as I relaxed under his touch.