Chapter 7...

Song: When Did You Stop Loving Me-Hunter Hayes

Brock Spencer, aka my ex-boyfriend. I never thought I would see him again, and a small part of me wish I never would. But here he is in all his glory. I had no clue that he was back in town. It had been years since he was back in Port Townsend, too busy with his baseball career to visit home.

I had tried over the last few years to not listen to anything about his life but it never worked. It was hard though living in such a small town and having a local be a professional baseball player. Everyone around here couldn't get over Brock Spencer being a 'celebrity'. Every time his team played people threw parties to watch it and made banners.

A small part of me was happy people here talked about him a lot. I got to hear little pieces of what was going on. Like when he won a game, when he was named rookie of the year, when he won some sport award. And of course I got to hear about him and his girlfriends and where they went. That part I didn't like.

Although the last few months I hadn't heard much about him or seen him on the news so I was kind of shocked seeing him here. If it was planned for him to be here everyone would have known and thrown a surprise party or something for him. It would not surprise me if people end up hosting something in honor of him once they find out he is here.

My eyes looked him over despite my inner protest. He looked good, really good. Brock no longer looked like the teenager he once was. His face had leaned out even more making his jawline more prominent as well as his cheek bones and the slightly stubble on his face made him seem older. His brown hair was slightly shaggy and looked like it needed a cut. His blue eyes were filled with some sort of emotion I couldn't decipher.

He had filled out even more as well. His long sleeve shirt hugged his upper body and showed his arm and shoulder muscles even more. Brock had more of a mature look about him now. The last 6 years has done him good.

"Brock." I spoke first. At hearing my voice I watched him blink and take a step back.

"Haley." Damn even his voice has gotten deeper and hotter. We continued on staring at each other, neither saying a word. Finally I shook myself and spoke.

"I didn't know you were back in town." There were so many emotions whirling through me right now I wasn't sure what to do. I was angry, happy, disappointed, confused.

"Uh, it was a last minute thing." His eyes never looked away from my face as he answered.

"Oh." I awkwardly shifted on my feet. Speak Haley, speak! But nothing was really coming out.

"Brock." Annie's voice made me look away from Brock. I had forgotten her and Brad were behind us.

"Hey Annie." Recognition flashed in his eyes as he looked over at Annie. From here I could feel the anger coming off of her. Having been around when he broke my heart she didn't like him. She had to console me for months which just had her hate Brock with a passion. I was surprised she had yet to lung at him.

"I"m Brad. Huge fan of yours man." I moved to the side as Brad shook Brock's hand, trying hard not to fan girl. Didn't blame him, Brock was a great baseball player.

"Thanks." I noticed his eyes darted back to me briefly.

The three of us awkwardly stood there. People moved around us but it was almost like I was in a bubble. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't keep my eyes off of Brock. It was like I was trying to convince myself he was really here, that I wasn't just imagining him.

"Well we have to get going. Nice seeing you Brock." Annie finally broke in, interrupting the silence. Silently I shot her a huge thank you.

She grabbed my arm and started tugging me away from Brock. He took a small step to the side to let us pass.

"Nice seeing you Brock." I said softly as I passed by. Sending him a small smile I let Annie pull me away. Annie's hand was strong around my arm and I was actually glad she had a tight hold on me, if not I was sure I would have collapsed right there.

Even though every part of me was screaming not to turn around I did. Glancing over my left shoulder I saw Brock standing there staring after me. He looked almost disappointed which had me frowning. He disappeared from my view as Brad came up behind me.

Turning my head back around I blindly let Annie pull me wherever she wanted. My mind was in overdrive right now. Seeing him here threw me off. I was so sure I would never see him again. And what do I say to him? Oh hey the person who crushed my heart into pieces and left me alone for 6 years. Yeah, no.

Annie finally pulled us off to the side and turned to me.

"He's back." All I did was nod. "Well shit." I could agree with that one.

"What's going on?" Brad butted in, clearly confused. "We should have stayed and talked to the guy. He is an amazing baseball player, I mean it is rumored he is up there with some of the best."

"Brad not right now." He looked between the two of us with raised eyebrows. "Are you okay Haley?"

"Yeah." I nodded but I wasn't sure that I was.

"We can go if you want." She suggested but one look at her voice I knew I couldn't ask her to leave. She was having a good time and she was finally getting somewhere with Brad.

"You guys stay. I am going to go though."

"Hay."

"I'm fine. I am just tired and it will take me a bit to get home. You guys stay." I suddenly didn't want to be here anymore.

"No, I'll go with you." Annie started to say but I shook my head at her.

"Annie stay. I really am fine. I just need time to wrap my head around things." I could tell she wanted to protest but I sent her a look then nodded over at Brad who was still confused as hell about all of this.

"Let me know when you get home okay?" Ann finally sighed.

"I will. You two have fun." Pulling her in, I hugged her tightly before smiling over at Brad. Not wanting to see Annie's pity looks or have another chance of running into Brock, I left them and headed for the parking lot.

If he is here in town there was a big chance I was going to run into him again, much to my dismay.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

That night I laid in bed staring at the ceiling thinking about Brock. Try as I might I couldn't get his face out of my mind. I had so many questions I wanted answers too. But I wasn't sure if I wanted the answers, they would probably just hurt me again. I wanted nothing more than to go up to him and hit him. Hit him for what he put me through.

I wish I had a heads up that he would have been in town. Would have given me time to come up with something to say if I saw him, or I could have avoided him the entire time he was here. That option was very very appealing. I could still do it too; this town wasn't that small.

The entire night I tossed and turned, my mind going a million miles an hour. I may have gotten an hour of sleep before I just got up. There goes my sleeping in on a Saturday. And it didn't help knowing I had to go back to the festival to help with some of the booths later today. I really just wanted to stay home all day.

Hitting start on my coffee machine I grabbed my usual mug, needing coffee more than anything right now. As soon as the coffee was brewed I fixed myself a cup before grabbing the blanket I had over the couch. Wrapping it around my shoulders and my hands gripping my warm mug I opened the front door.

Plopping down in the wicker rocking chair we had up front I snuggled into my blanket. Before my mom passed we use to spend Saturday and Sunday mornings out here, drinking coffee and talking about random things. It was just nice to sit out here for just a few minutes of silence.

Sipping my warm coffee I gazed out around the neighborhood. I lived on a quiet simple street; the same street I have always lived on. All the neighbors were friendly and in a few hours the street will be filled with kids running around.

I sighed as a cooler breeze brushed against my face. I loved this time of year. The air was finally cooler, the leaves were starting to change color, everyone in good moods as the holiday season came upon us. Who didn't love fall time?

My thoughts wandered for a bit as I stared blankly in front of me. It wasn't long until my thoughts moved onto Brock once again. Groaning I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. I had gone about 15 minutes without thinking of him and it was driving me nuts.

I really shouldn't care he is here. We weren't together anymore, haven't been for a long time. This was his hometown just as much as it was mine. Just because we use to date years ago doesn't mean anything. I shouldn't let my feelings get in the way of his visit.

All I have to do is avoid him until he leaves, and if I do see him I just have to be pleasant. If he has moved on so should I. I really just need to let go of the hurt I had inside of me. It was about time.

"Mom I wish you were here to help." I whispered to the empty air. If she was here she would know what to do. I could basically hear her words now. "Honey, you need to move on. It was in the past and you can't be mad about it anymore."

Sometimes it was just hard to move on.