ꔛ 𓈒 *🌊🖇˚ ᦃ ･ ﹆ ˚🛩️ ◞˚ₓ 🫀⁕˚彡

T H R E E :
'we're not who we used to be'
── two ghosts : harry styles
𝟶:𝟶𝟶 ──◍───── 𝟷:𝟹𝟶

❝ we're not who we used to be
we're not who we used to be
we're just two ghosts standin' in the place
 of you and me ❞

〖 🌊 ੈ✩‧₊🛩️ 〗

°。°。°。°。°。°。

Alexa and Gretsky sat close together in the waiting room, waiting for Rooster and Hangman to finish their drill. There was the usual background buzz of chatter and muffled comms, but Alexa couldn't help her eyes flicking up to the screens as Hangman's voice came over the radio.

"So, Rooster, mind if I ask you a personal question?" Hangman's voice sounded casual, but everyone knew he was never one to ask something without a reason.

"Would it matter if I did?" Rooster's voice was sharp, practically dripping with annoyance.

Alexa rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. Gretsky nudged her, amused. This was classic Hangman, always trying to dig up drama.

Hangman wasn't fazed. "What's the story with you, Bolter, and Maverick? Seems like they've got you rattled."

Alexa's whole body tensed, hands clenched as she heard her callsign. She wanted nothing more than to storm up to the flight line and knock the smug look off Hangman's face.

Rooster tried to brush it off. "That's none of your business. Now, where the hell is he?" But there was a tightness in his voice that was impossible to miss.

Maverick cut in, finally breaking the tension. "Been here the whole time. You see me now?"

"Fight's on!" Rooster shouted, and Alexa's stomach did a little flip. She knew what Maverick and Rooster were like when they were both out there, all stubborn pride and fierce competition.

"Oh no," she muttered, almost to herself. Gretsky chuckled, shaking his head. "Those two are gonna end up killing each other one day."

"Let's just hope today's not that day," she said, her eyes fixed on the screen.

Up in the air, the tension was mounting. Maverick's voice came through strained as they pushed their planes lower. "Alright, you put us here. How you gonna get yourself out?"

"You can bail out anytime!" Rooster fired back, the g-forces pressing down on them both.

"How low do you want to go, Rooster?" Maverick's challenge was clear, almost daring him.

"I can go as low as you, sir, and that's saying something."

Alexa was practically holding her breath. They were way below the hard deck now, pushing limits they weren't supposed to. She murmured, "Just pull up already..." but knew they couldn't hear her. She glanced at Gretsky, who was watching just as intently.

"Past is past, for all of us," Maverick's voice broke through. Alexa knew he was talking to her, too. He wanted all of them to move on, to leave the past behind, but she knew it wasn't that simple.

"You'd like to believe that, wouldn't you?" Rooster's tone was sharp, laced with years of history that still hung between them.

"Hard deck is 5,000 feet, fellas. You're running out of room," Hangman chimed in, sounding a little too pleased.

As Maverick and Rooster continued to descend, Alexa found herself muttering again. "Pull up, dammit..." She crossed her fingers, hoping one of them would have enough sense to end it before it got worse.

At the last possible second, both pilots finally pulled up. Maverick's voice sounded in the comms, calm and steady. "You got it. Don't think, just do."

The quiet in the waiting room felt heavier as Rooster locked onto Maverick's plane. Hangman's voice came over the comms, cheering Rooster on. "Come on, Rooster, you got him!"

"Take the shot, Bradley," Alexa whispered, her hands clenching. She could almost feel herself willing him to take it, to finally win this round.

"It's too low!" Rooster's voice came back, hesitation creeping in.

Alexa sighed, shaking her head. Same old Bradley.

"Too late. You had your chance." Maverick pulled out, getting the hit. There was a finality in his tone that left no room for argument. "Go see Hondo about your pushups."

The comms went silent, and Alexa leaned back in her chair, exhaling slowly. The room felt thick with the tension they'd just watched play out. Gretsky leaned over, raising an eyebrow at her.

"Well," he said, voice low, "Guess that didn't go as planned."

"Nope," she muttered, but her eyes went back to the screen, knowing this was far from over between them.

. . . . . ╰──╮~ 🛩️ ~╭──╯ . . . . .

Alexa shoved open the door, stalking across the tarmac, her jaw clenched and her eyes locked onto Bradley. The sinking sun cast a long shadow across the pavement, and with every step closer, her anger deepened, fueled by ten years of silence, confusion, and betrayal. She had spent a decade wondering why he'd turned his back on her so easily, while he'd chosen bitterness over any chance of understanding.

"Bradley, stop," she called sharply as she reached him. He paused, his shoulders tensing, and glanced over with a look that was more annoyance than anything else. His face was a mask of indifference, but she wasn't buying it. He had to know why she was there.

He turned halfway to face her but made no effort to stand, his gaze cold and unyielding. She crossed her arms, glaring down at him. "What the hell was that up there?" she demanded, unable to keep the venom from her voice. "Are you trying to prove something, or are you just being reckless for the hell of it?"

His eyes flicked over her before he looked away with a shrug. "Why do you care?" he muttered, voice laced with irritation. "It's not your problem, is it?"

Alexa felt a flash of frustration, and a bitterness that had been festering for years rose to the surface. "You're right, Bradley. I don't need to care. I shouldn't even bother," she snapped. "But I don't understand how you can be so damn careless. So... hell-bent on self-destruction, like the whole world owes you something."

He shot her a glare, his jaw tight. "Maybe it does."

She scoffed, taking a step back. "Please. Still throwing yourself a pity party because you think everyone betrayed you? Grow up, Bradley. It's been ten years. The rest of us moved on."

He got to his feet then, his posture tense, his fists clenched at his sides. "Moved on?" he spat. "You don't get it, do you? You never understood. You were always too busy being Maverick's perfect little protégée to care about anything else." His words were venomous, and the accusation hung between them, sharp and cutting.

Alexa's eyes narrowed. "Oh, that's rich coming from you. You think I had it easy? You think I wanted him to pull your papers? That I agreed with it?" She let out a bitter laugh. "I didn't even know about it, Bradley. But you wouldn't know that because you didn't have the guts to ask me. You just cut me off without a word."

Bradley's gaze hardened, and he shook his head. "It doesn't matter. In the end, you chose him. You always chose him."

She felt a surge of anger flare up. "Maybe I chose him because he didn't make everything about himself. Because he didn't push away everyone who tried to be there for him."

Bradley's jaw clenched, and he let out a hollow laugh. "So that's it, huh? Just the same old lecture from someone who thinks she knows everything."

They stood there, facing each other, each too angry to back down, the tension stretching between them like a raw, open wound. Alexa wanted to turn away, to let him keep his resentment and his misguided anger. But the hurt and the betrayal in his eyes told her that, despite everything, he'd never let it go—and maybe, neither had she.

Without another word, Bradley turned on his heel and stalked off, his steps echoing down the tarmac. Alexa stood there, fists clenched, watching him disappear into the shadows, the familiar ache of hatred and loss settling over her all over again.

. . . . . ╰──╮~ 🛩️ ~╭──╯ . . . . .

The Hard Deck was alive with noise—the sound of laughter, music, and the occasional shout echoing through the air as people tried to unwind from the long, exhausting day. Alexa could feel the weight of the evening settling on her shoulders as she pushed through the doors. The bar wasn't exactly her favorite place, but Phoenix had insisted, and now she was here, trying to avoid the thing that was hanging between her and everyone else.

It had only been a few hours since the awkward confrontation on the tarmac with Bradley. The exchange had been terse, painful, and far too familiar. She could still feel the sting of the words, the anger, the hurt that had been left unspoken for so long. But that didn't mean she was ready to talk. Not to him. Not yet.

She glanced around the bar, trying to ignore the familiar faces and the chaos that surrounded her, but of course, her eyes landed on him. Bradley was sitting with Fanboy, Payback, Coyote, and Hangman, the usual suspects. They were all gathered around a table near the back, beers in hand, laughter filling the space. But it wasn't the usual easy camaraderie. There was something tense in the way Bradley's eyes flickered around, always a little too sharp, a little too guarded. As if he was waiting for something—or someone—to make it all come crashing down.

"Here we go," Phoenix muttered, nudging Alexa in the ribs, breaking her from her thoughts. "Time to face the music."

"I'm not talking to him," Alexa muttered back, her voice barely audible over the noise.

Phoenix didn't seem to hear her. "You don't have a choice. Not if Gretsky has anything to say about it."

Gretsky was already at the bar, leaning casually against the counter, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. The moment he saw Alexa and Phoenix walk in, he pushed off the bar and made a beeline for them, his grin widening.

"Finally," Gretsky drawled, taking a long pull from his beer. "You two ready to have some fun, or are you gonna keep sulking in silence all night?"

"I'm not sulking," Alexa snapped, but it came out more defensive than she intended. "I'm just here to have a drink. Nothing more."

Phoenix rolled her eyes but didn't say anything. She was already used to Alexa's resistance, but this time, even she knew things were different. There was no avoiding this anymore.

Gretsky raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying Alexa's act. "You sure about that? Because I'm looking at two people who are about five seconds from bursting into flames, and it's not because of the heat outside."

Alexa opened her mouth to protest, but Phoenix cut her off with a look that said everything.

"Gretsky," Phoenix began, her voice a little sharper now, "can you not make this harder than it already is?"

"Harder than it already is?" Gretsky laughed, a low sound of amusement that Alexa wanted to smack off his face. "Please. You two are both walking around like emotional time bombs, and you're acting like no one can see it. It's hilarious."

"Gretsky," Phoenix warned, but it was too late. He was already marching toward the table where Bradley and his crew were sitting, his voice carrying over the crowd.

"Bradshaw!" Gretsky called out, grinning like a cat with a bird in its mouth. "Get off your ass. It's time to talk to Alexa."

Alexa froze, her stomach sinking. She didn't want to go over there. She didn't want to be in the same room as him, let alone talk. But Gretsky wasn't waiting for her to make up her mind.

"C'mon, Alexa," Phoenix said, pulling her by the arm. "You're not getting out of this."

"Phoenix, I swear to God, if you—" Alexa's protest was cut off as Phoenix gently, but firmly, dragged her across the room. Alexa could feel every pair of eyes on her, but the worst part was the fact that Bradley's eyes were locked on her as well. It was like nothing had changed between them, and yet everything had. The tension was suffocating.

They reached the table, where Bradley, Fanboy, Payback, Coyote, and Hangman were all sitting, their chatter faltering when they saw Phoenix and Alexa approaching.

Gretsky took a step back, grinning like a man who'd orchestrated the world's most uncomfortable reunion. "There we go," he said, leaning against the edge of the table. "Now, you two, work your magic."

Bradley's eyes didn't leave Alexa's, and his face tightened the moment she stepped into his space. She could feel the weight of his gaze, the unspoken accusation in it, but she refused to back down. If he thought she was going to apologize or acknowledge anything, he was mistaken.

"Hi, Alexa," Bradley finally spoke, his voice guarded, controlled. It wasn't a greeting, more of a statement of fact.

"Bradley," Alexa replied, her voice cold, the words tight. "What do you want?"

"Me?" He raised an eyebrow, his gaze flicking briefly to the rest of the group before landing back on her. "Nothing. I was just sitting here, trying to enjoy the evening, and now—" He gave a small, humorless laugh. "Here we are."

Phoenix shot Alexa a pointed look, clearly exasperated. "Would you two please just talk for once? Ten years, Alexa. Ten damn years, and now we're doing this again."

Alexa swallowed the words that wanted to spill out. This wasn't the time. Not now. Not after everything that had happened.

But Bradley wasn't making it any easier, and the silence between them was stretching thinner and thinner, almost unbearable.

"Don't pretend this is my fault," Alexa finally spat, her voice lower now, but laced with bitterness. "You were the one who walked away. You made your choice."

"Alexa," Bradley started, but she cut him off before he could continue.

"No. You don't get to play the victim here," she hissed. "You didn't even try. You didn't even—" She broke off, the words catching in her throat. "You never called. Never reached out. Like I was just... nothing."

Bradley flinched, the flicker of regret crossing his face. But before he could say anything, Phoenix jumped in, her voice sharp.

"You're both idiots," she muttered, but the irritation in her tone was mixed with something else—concern. "Seriously. It's been ten years, and all you do is circle each other like dogs, barking but never actually communicating. It's exhausting."

Hangman, always quick to add his two cents, let out a sarcastic laugh. "Yeah, really, you two should just get a room already."

"Shut up, Hangman," Coyote said, shaking his head, but even he was smiling a little at the absurdity of it all.

Gretsky was still grinning, but even he seemed to sense the weight of the moment. "Listen, I don't know what happened back then, but I know damn well you two don't need to keep doing this. Just... talk. Please. For the sake of the rest of us."

For a second, no one said anything. It felt like a battle of wills, with Alexa and Bradley standing at opposite ends of the ring, each waiting for the other to make the first move.

But then, Alexa looked at Bradley—really looked at him—and something in her chest twisted. There was no satisfaction in seeing him look so distant, so closed off. He had changed. She had changed. They both had.

But maybe... maybe it was time to admit that neither of them could keep pretending they didn't matter to each other anymore.

With a sigh, Alexa turned away, her jaw clenched. She wasn't ready to forgive. She wasn't ready to forget. But at least, for tonight, she didn't have to face him alone.

"I'm out," she muttered, grabbing Phoenix's arm and pulling her toward the door, not bothering to look back.

"Don't walk away again, Alexa," Bradley called after her, his voice low but urgent. She didn't answer. She couldn't. She wasn't ready.

Alexa barely made it a few steps out of the bar before the sound of the door swinging open behind her cut through the tension like a knife. Her heart sank before she even had time to think. She didn't need to look over her shoulder to know who it was. She knew it was Bradley.

Of course, he couldn't just let it go, could he?

Her feet kept moving, determined to keep the space between them, but before she could take another step, he was there—right in front of her, blocking her path. The sharp edge of frustration was visible in the way he stood—feet planted wide, shoulders tense, jaw clenched. He was practically vibrating with anger, though his eyes—those eyes—betrayed him. There was something else behind them. Something darker. Something painful. But Alexa wasn't in the mood to care about that.

Her breath hitched when she saw him, and she had to fight the urge to snap at him, to let her frustration take control. He opened his mouth first, his voice low but firm. "Alexa."

She couldn't stop the dry laugh that escaped her lips. It was too much. This—all of this—was too much. After everything, he was standing here, in front of her, like nothing had ever happened between them.

"I told you, Bradley," she muttered, brushing past him, trying to avoid the inevitable confrontation. "I'm done with this. Done with you."

But he didn't let her walk away. Instead, he stepped into her path again, his presence even more imposing this time. "We need to talk."

"Talk?" Her laugh was bitter this time, and she crossed her arms defensively. "You think we can just talk like everything is fine? Like nothing's happened? You disappeared, Bradley. For ten years. And now you're just gonna waltz back in and expect me to act like it's nothing?"

He was quiet for a moment, and for a brief second, Alexa thought maybe, just maybe, he would finally see it from her side. But no, when he spoke again, his voice was laced with the same old defensiveness she'd come to expect from him. "I didn't disappear. I made a choice," he said, his words clipped, like he was still trying to justify the unexplainable. "Because of you."

She blinked, the words stinging more than she anticipated. Because of me? What the hell was he talking about?

"Because of me?" Her voice was shaking now. She didn't know why, but the hurt ran deeper than she was ready to admit. "You disappeared because of me? You really think I was the problem here? I wasn't the one who—" she cut herself off, trying to keep her voice steady. "I wasn't the one who walked away."

"Of course you weren't," Bradley shot back immediately. "You think I didn't want to talk to you? You think I wanted to leave you behind? I didn't want to drag you into all of this." He gestured to the air around them like it could explain everything. His hands were shaking now, but his eyes—those eyes—were intense. Angry. "I tried to keep you out of it."

"Out of it?" Alexa repeated, incredulous. "I was already in it, Bradley. I never asked for you to protect me from your mess. You think I couldn't handle it? I could have handled it. I would have handled it. But you? You made the choice for me. You didn't give me the chance."

Bradley's expression shifted slightly, his jaw tightening. "I couldn't risk you getting dragged down with me, Alexa. I saw the way things were going. You were getting too close to the edge, and I couldn't stand to see it."

Alexa shook her head, her chest tightening in frustration. "You don't get it, do you? You never gave me the chance. You pushed me away before I could even ask how you were doing. Before I could even try to be there for you. And now you want to act like this is my fault?"

His eyes softened for just a moment, like there was something real there beneath the anger. But before she could even process it, he spoke again, his voice rougher. "You couldn't handle the life I was living, Alexa. I knew you wouldn't want to be a part of it."

The words hit her like a slap. "I could've handled it," she said, her voice trembling now. "I could've been with you through all of it. But you didn't trust me enough to even try. You just made up your mind that I couldn't take it."

Bradley's lips pressed into a thin line. He wanted to argue—she could see it in the way his hands were clenched at his sides. But then, almost reluctantly, he let out a slow breath. "I was trying to protect you," he muttered, like it was some kind of excuse.

"By pushing me away? By leaving me to figure it out on my own?" Alexa's laugh was bitter again. "Do you think I needed protection, Bradley? Do you really think I was that fragile?"

"You were the last thing I wanted to ruin," he said, his voice lower now, quieter, as if the anger had drained out of him. "You had a life to live, Alexa. A life without all the shit I was caught up in. I couldn't pull you into it."

Alexa's chest tightened at the thought of the past. She could still remember it so clearly—the nights spent lying under the stars in his backyard, talking about everything and nothing. The sound of laughter as they chased each other through the streets of their neighborhood, pushing each other into puddles, until they were both too soaked to care. The way he'd always been the first to reach out when she was upset, the way he'd known exactly how to make her smile even when the world felt like it was falling apart. But those memories—those pieces of her childhood—felt distant now, lost somewhere in the wake of everything that had gone wrong.

She could still hear his voice calling her name, his hand reaching out to pull her into his arms after her parents' fight. She remembered the way he'd calmed her down, the way he'd told her everything would be okay. But it wasn't okay. None of it had been okay. And now, here they were, standing in the same place, but everything had changed. It wasn't just the years apart. It was the silence, the way he'd just disappeared without so much as a word, as if she meant nothing.

"Well, guess what, Bradley?" she said, her voice shaking. "You didn't just pull me into your mess. You pulled me out of it. You left me with nothing. You took us away and left me here to figure it out alone. And now you're acting like I owe you something."

He flinched at her words, his face contorting like he'd been struck. But Alexa wasn't finished. The years of hurt, the anger, the loneliness—it all rushed forward, pouring out before she could stop it.

"I waited for you," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I waited for a damn letter, for a damn call. But you left me. You left me behind and didn't even look back. And now, you want to stand here and act like I'm the one who's wrong?"

Bradley stared at her, his eyes wide with something like shock, or maybe guilt. He wanted to say something—anything—but the words wouldn't come. All he could do was stand there, staring at her with that same look on his face that had always haunted her: a mix of confusion, regret, and something she couldn't even name.

She took a step back, shaking her head as tears burned in her eyes, threatening to spill over. But she refused to let them. She wouldn't give him that. Not now. Not after all these years.

"You should have trusted me, Bradley," she said, her voice steadying. "But you didn't. You didn't trust me with anything."

The silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating. And in that silence, Alexa knew there was no going back. Not now. Not after everything. She didn't know what was left of them anymore. The past felt like a distant memory—one she wasn't sure she could ever return to.

And without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving Bradley standing there in the dark, staring after her.

The night air was cool, the stars barely visible behind the haze of city lights, but Alexa didn't care. She kept walking, her footsteps echoing softly against the pavement as she made her way down the familiar street. Every turn, every corner, was etched into her memory. The faded green of the old streetlamp, the cracked sidewalks that had been a part of her childhood, the trees lining the road that seemed to stretch higher now, though they were still the same.

She could almost hear her mom's voice, teasing her about the branches that always seemed to reach out like they were trying to stop her from running off to some new adventure. She could still smell the pine trees in the air and feel the weight of the summer sun on her skin, like it had been only yesterday. But all that was gone now—those easy days were a lifetime ago.

When she reached the familiar gate, her heart skipped a beat. The house stood just as it always had, nestled in the quiet corner of the neighborhood, with its warm brick façade and the large oak tree in the front yard that had been a silent witness to so many of her childhood memories. She paused at the steps, fingers running over the familiar wrought-iron railing, before pushing the gate open. It creaked, just like it used to.

She stepped onto the porch, the wooden boards creaking under her weight, and knocked on the door. The sound of movement inside reached her ears before the door swung open. Maverick stood in the doorway, a sleepy, surprised expression on his face, though the warm smile that followed was genuine.

"Alexa," he said, his voice gruff with sleep but full of welcome. "What's going on? Everything alright?"

She nodded, but it was a half-hearted motion, and he immediately noticed the weariness in her eyes, the slight tremor in her posture.

"I didn't know where else to go," she said quietly, her voice unsteady. The walls she'd been trying to hold up all night started to crumble as she spoke. "Can I stay here tonight?"

Without hesitation, Maverick stepped aside, holding the door open wide. "Of course," he said simply, his eyes softening. "Come on in."

The house felt like home the second she stepped inside. The familiar warmth, the quiet hum of the refrigerator, the old wooden floors that creaked with every step—it was a comfort she hadn't realized she'd been missing until now. Maverick's house had always been a safe place for her, a place where she could drop the weight of the world at the door and just be. When her own house had been filled with the chaos of her parents' fights, Maverick's was always the sanctuary.

He led her to the kitchen, where a pot of coffee was still brewing on the stove, and poured her a cup, the steam rising in delicate spirals. As he handed it to her, he studied her for a moment, looking like he wanted to say something more, but held back.

"Thanks," she said, taking the mug, but not drinking from it. Instead, she let her fingers curl around it for the warmth.

"You know you're always welcome here," Maverick said after a long silence. His voice was gentle, but there was an underlying strength to it, the kind that had always been there for her. Even now, standing in his kitchen, his presence still had the same soothing effect.

"I know," she replied quietly, but her voice cracked despite herself.

Maverick gave a small, knowing nod. He didn't ask, didn't push. He never had. He'd always been the kind of person who let her come to him when she was ready, and for that, she was grateful.

"Why don't you go ahead and get some sleep?" he suggested, motioning to the staircase. "I'll be right here if you need anything."

Alexa gave him a small, appreciative smile before heading upstairs. She couldn't help but notice how everything in the house was exactly as it had always been, despite the years that had passed. The walls were the same faded cream, dotted with pictures of Maverick's career and a few framed photographs of her from back in the day. One picture, in particular, caught her eye as she passed by it—a picture of her and Bradley, the two of them grinning like fools at some Fourth of July picnic years ago. She stopped for a moment, staring at it before quickly looking away. It felt like a lifetime ago.

The staircase creaked under her feet as she made her way up to her old bedroom, a room that had remained untouched for as long as she could remember. The door opened with a soft click, and she stepped inside. The room was just as she remembered it—almost eerily so. The walls were still a soft shade of blue, the curtains drawn back to let the moonlight spill in. The bed was exactly where she'd left it, and on the nightstand sat a framed picture of her and Maverick, one of the countless times they'd spent together.

But it was the little things that really hit her. The old stuffed bear on her pillow that she'd had since she was five, the stack of books still sitting on her desk, the posters on the wall—one of a fighter jet, another of a beach at sunset. Everything was in its place. Everything felt like it was waiting for her to return.

Her fingers brushed over the edge of the desk, lingering over a few old trinkets. Her heart squeezed in her chest as she allowed herself a moment to breathe in the space, the memories.

"Still got all your old junk?" Maverick's voice broke through the silence, and she turned to find him leaning against the doorframe.

A small chuckle escaped her lips. "I guess some things never change."

Maverick smiled, his eyes softening. "You're always welcome here, kid," he said again, his voice low, reassuring.

Alexa didn't know why, but hearing those words felt like a balm to the wounds she'd been carrying all these years. "Thanks," she whispered, suddenly feeling exhausted in a way she hadn't before.

He lingered for a moment longer before turning to leave. "Sleep well," he called over his shoulder. "I'll be down the hall if you need anything."

And with that, the door gently clicked shut behind him.

Alexa sat on the edge of the bed, taking a deep breath. For the first time all night, she felt her muscles relax, the tension easing from her shoulders. She pulled the old stuffed bear into her lap, holding it like a lifeline as she sank back into the bed. Her eyes fluttered closed, but even in the quiet comfort of her old room, she couldn't shake the feeling that everything had changed—and that it might never be the same again.

But at least, for tonight, she was safe. She was home.

🛩️🛩️🛩️

AUTHORS NOTE !

hey guys, so this chapter was definitely a heavy one. we're really diving deep into alexa's emotions and the tension between her and bradley. the talk on the tarmac earlier in the day has definitely left a mark, and while neither of them are ready to really open up, i think it's clear there's a lot of unresolved history between them. it's not just about the fights or the anger, it's about the memories, the childhood they shared, and the way things changed. this chapter is a mix of their past coming up in little ways and alexa trying to find some kind of peace, even if it's just for a night.

maverick's house is always a safe place for alexa, and it feels like a small haven for her, a place where she can at least breathe for a moment. i wanted to show that connection she has with him, the way he's always been there for her—no questions asked. i also wanted to make sure that the little details were there, like her childhood room and the photos that still hang on the walls. those small things are a reminder of who she was before everything got so complicated.

anyway, hope you guys enjoy this one. there's a lot more coming, and the tension between alexa and bradley is far from over. let me know what you think! much love, as always.