CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN –
MEGAN POINT OF VIEW
“Okay just an hour!” I slide the phone back in my pocket.
Inhaling the cool morning air, it felt refreshing after the frustration I had been feeling.
And with every step I take, I could feel the tension leaving my muscles.
I turned the corner onto the riverside trail, enjoying the peace and quiet of the almost empty path so early.
Up ahead, I saw a familiar figure stretching on one of the creaky benches overlooking the water.
Josh looked up as I got closer, grinning from under his worn baseball cap.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the famous Megan Williams herself!” he said teasingly as he stood up straight. “What brings you out here?”
I rolled my eyes good-naturedly, grateful for his irreverent ability to instantly defuse any lingering tension.
Josh had been my closest friend for as long as I could remember – the one steady, stabilizing force who never wavered or faltered, no matter how chaotic the currents of life got.
“Can it, you jackass,” I shot back with a wry smirk, walking straight into his outstretched arms and accepting his enthusiastic bear hug without pretense. “You know damn well I need a dose of your old man wisdom to bring me back down to earth.”
He chuckled richly, the sound rumbling against my cheek where it pressed into his solid, comforting warmth.
Even after all these years, Josh’s familiar earthy musk of sandalwood and motor oil never failed to conjure a sense of coming home.
“Ah yes, how silly of me to forget that you require my humble guidance and boundless restraint at all times,” he deadpanned, squeezing me tighter for a beat before we separated.
His warm brown eyes crinkled at the corners as he regarded me fondly. “But in all seriousness, it’s been too damn long, Meggie. Can’t even remember the last time this famous mug was allowed to grace my presence without an appointment.”
I had the good grace to look sheepish, shoving my hands into the pockets of my hoodie.
“You know how it is,” I mumbled, avoiding his mock-accusing stare. “Things have been… well, kind of a Category Five shitshow lately, to be honest.”
His expression softened at my uncharacteristically candid admission of vulnerability, one calloused hand settling on my shoulder and giving it a reassuring squeeze.
“Hey, I’m just busting your balls as always,” he said gently. “You know you don’t ever have to apologize or make excuses with me.”
A lopsided grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I, for one, am still deathly terrified of you and your ungodly abilities to utterly demolish a person without even breaking a sweat. Even with all this newfound celebrity and the throngs of salivating fans, I know you’d never neglect your dear old pal.”
I snorted half in amusement, half in amused exasperation, shoving his arm away with a roll of my eyes.
Yep, leave it to Josh to instantly diffuse any heaviness with his corny brand of affectionate irreverence.
It was one of the core reasons we just… worked so damn well.
“How is it you always manage to be just the right blend of aggravating and soothing at the same time?” I wondered aloud, cocking an eyebrow at him.
He simply shrugged, that easy grin never wavering for an instant. “It’s a gift, really. One of my many amazing talents I humbly share with a dark, corrupt world yearning for light and healing.”
“You’re absolutely ridiculous, you know that?”
“I really do try.”
“So, what made you this morning?”
“Just needed to clear my head,” I replied with a shrug.
Josh nodded understandingly. “Rough morning?”
“You could say that” I said with a sigh.
“Well, a little walk and fresh air usually does the trick for me too,” Josh said. “Want to join me for a few laps around the trail?”
“Sure, that sounds perfect actually,” I agreed, feeling a little better already.
We set off together down the path, making small talk about our days so far. The tranquil surroundings and good company helped shake off the last of my foul mood.
We shared another charged look laden with years of unspoken history and understanding.
For a brief, fleeting heartbeat, I allowed myself to simply bask in the reminder of Josh’s steadfast presence in my life – the one inviolable constant no external storm or personal maelstrom could erode.
Then, with a gentle clearing of his throat, he tilted his head in a silent invitation to continue our meandering path along the riverbank.
I fell into step beside him, appreciating the reprieve of comfortable quiet between us.
In Josh’s easy, undemanding company, I could feel some of the residual anxiety and doubts from earlier beginning to bleed out.
Eventually, he spoke up again, his tone carefully neutral.
“So, what’s got those pretty eyes all stormy and haunted this morning? Even with Miles out of your life! I always hated that jackass.”
I started slightly at the unexpectedly perceptive undercurrent in his question, but really, I shouldn’t have been surprised.
Josh had an uncanny intuition for reading between the lines of my churning moods, even when I tried to deflect or obfuscate.
With a resigned sigh, I nodded, chewing on my bottom lip briefly.
“They’re just… well, you saw the coverage,” I muttered, waving a hand vaguely. “Acting like I’m some jealous, unhinged ex still hopelessly pining away for him. As if I have nothing better to do than wallow over a douchebag who tossed me aside like a piece of used up garbage when it was convenient.”
The bitterness in my tone cut through the crisp morning air, startling even me with its raw intensity.
Josh’s warm palm settled on the small of my back, a steadying point of contact grounding me in the moment.
“Breathe, Megs,” he murmured. “The whole world knows the truth about that pompous fuckstick – that he was the one dumb enough to let an amazing, strong-as-hell woman like you go over his own petty insecurities.”
I shot him a sidelong look, the corner of my mouth tilting upwards slightly.
Of course, Josh would see right past my bravado to the core issue still needling away after all this time.
“You always did have an interesting way with words,” I mused wryly.
He responded with an exaggerated wink. “One of my countless gifts, really. You’re lucky to bask in the presence of such unparalleled oratory sorcery on the regular.”
We walked in companionable silence for a few more beats before I spoke up again.
“They just… they won’t let it go, know?” I sighed, frustration creeping back into the edges of my tone. “No matter how many interviews I give or statements I make, it’s like they’re determined to portray me as still carrying some kind of torch for him.”
Josh hummed contemplatively. “Well, you got to remember – outrageous controversy and speculation sells a whole hell of a lot more copy than a stale story about people moving on like healthy adults.”
He nudged my shoulder gently. “As long as they can keep framing it as some grand, tortured romantic tragedy or falling, they’ll keep poking that wound until it bleeds clickbait traffic.”
I mulled over his words, recognizing the simple pragmatism behind them.
As much as it pissed me off to be continually portrayed as some heartbroken, lovelorn caricature, Josh was right – the media didn’t care about the truth.
They just cared about stoking the flames and generating more scandalous headlines.
“So, what, then?” I muttered, mouth twisting sourly. “I just grin and bear this bullshit until they get bored and find some new unfortunate target to laser in on?”
“Not at all,” Josh said, shaking his head adamantly. “You keep being the tough, grounded, unflappable badass I know you are and let your actions speak louder than their sensationalized smear campaigns.”
His gaze turned considering, a sly grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“In fact, since you seem so hellbent on slamming that door completely shut once and for all…”
I eyed him warily, deeply familiar with the onset of that particular mischievous glint.
“What?” I demanded flatly. “Spit it out, dude. You know how I feel about-”
“Maybe,” he drawled, cutting me off grandly. “What you need is a new… shall we say, suitor to parade around in front of the cameras?”
I halted mid-stride, torn between sputtering outrage and incredulous laughter at his patently absurd suggestion.
Josh, the bastard, didn’t even bother stifling his amusement, outright guffawing in my face.
“You… you can’t be serious,” I finally managed once I regained my ability to speak.
He affected an exaggerated pout. “What, you saying I’m not good enough man candy to be seen on the arm of America’s baddest sweetheart? Just use me up and toss me aside like an unsightly rag, I see how it is…”
“Oh my god, shut up, you idiot,” I groaned, swatting his arm as he continued to make a big show of wounded ego and indignation. “You’re impossible, you know that?”
“Takes one to know one,” he shot back easily, slinging an arm companionably around my shoulders as we resumed our leisurely stroll.
I tried and failed to suppress the helpless snicker bubbling up my throat.
Leave it to Josh to find the most ridiculously inappropriate way to poke holes in my dour mood and defuse any lingering heaviness.
“You’re lucky my fists are considered lethal weapons, asshole,” I snorted.
“Damn right I am,” he readily agreed. “Without me around, you’d have hospitalized most of the city by now just by glowering at them meanly.”
We shared another easy laugh, the brisk breeze carrying the sound out over the shimmering waters and enveloping us in its peaceful tranquility.
In these rare, quiet moments alone with Josh, I could almost pretend the endless external storms of scrutiny and conjecture ceased to exist entirely, if only for a little while.
Almost.
With a resigned sigh, I leaned more fully into his steadying warmth, silently acknowledging the simple comfort of his grounded presence beside me.
Despite his penchant for merciless teasing, Josh always understood when I needed to shed the stoicism and warrior’s mask, if only for a few stolen moments.
We meandered along the riverbank trail in contented silence, my mind finally feeling clearer and more settled than it had in recent memory.
Miles and his media antics could swirl and rage in perpetual chaos for all I cared.
After all, I had the only anchor I’d ever need right here beside me.
“Okay, my time is off. I’ll be off now before Jane cut my throat!” I laughed.
“Yeah, I bet she would!” He joined me laughing. “Well, see you around.” He waved.
“Yeah,” I waved but stopped midway when he called my name.
“Megs”
“Umm” I hummed.
“Give it a thought. They knew boyfriend thing, I guess it’s the best way to keep the media shut.” He uttered with sincerity.
“Ahh, ohh thanks would do.” I stammered entering the car that mu driver pulled by.