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“Give it a rest, Fish. She’s not fucking coming,” Ben angrily hisses as he takes a swig of his beer. Frankie shoots him an irritated look as he turns from looking at the large plate glass window of the bar.
It’s been their tradition these past ten years – December 18th, one week before Christmas, the whole team meets at this bar for a few drinks. Except, you haven’t shown your face for the past three. You haven’t had any communication with any of them for the past three.
Santi side-eyes the youngest Miller as he sips his scotch and shares a look with Will. Taking the cue, the blonde rubs his brother’s shoulder, “You never know, Benny.”
Benny shakes his head, “Yeah, I fucking do! She married that prick and then abandoned us.”
Frankie closes his eyes and takes a breath. He hated that fact. There had always been something there between you and him all the years you worked together. There had even been a kiss late one night after a few drinks and feelings had almost been confessed. He hated himself for never telling you, but in a twisted way he realized it was probably better he never had. A one-night stand told him she was pregnant with his child and if the hurt that danced across your face wasn’t painful enough as just a friend, he could only imagine how much worse it would have been if you had been together. That was three and a half years ago. It wasn’t soon after that you started dating your now husband. Frankie always wondered if his own messy situation is what pushed you into the arms of a guy who was so clearly not good enough for you.
Santi shakes his head, “She’s got to have a reason. We’ve been through too much together; she wouldn’t just fuck off without a good reason.”
Frankie sips his beer and glances at the window again. Each year you don’t show, this little get-together gets more depressing.
Will glances at the fallen faces of his brothers and clears his throat, “I might know the reason.”
All three men turn their heads to stare at him.
“I don’t know if it’s even true, but I heard that prick’s been…he’s been beating her,” Will finishes with a bitter taste in his mouth.
The bar is filled with the jovial voices of friends and family hanging out and catching up before the chaos of the holidays truly begins. But in this little circle of four friends, it couldn’t have been quieter.
Will glances at their faces, watches the different emotions sweep over their features. Their attentions next turn to the beer bottle being slammed on the bar top as Frankie abandons it to curl his fists into Will’s shirt.
“Why the fuck wouldn’t you tell us that until now?” He menacingly growls, eyes darkened with a simmering violence.
Benny pounds his fist on the bar with a shouted, “FUCK!” that has some heads turning. Santi’s standing up and hurriedly pulling out his cell phone, “Has anyone tried her again recently?”
Never one to be rattled easily, Will stays calm as he looks into Frankie’s eyes, “I only just heard it last night and like I said, I don’t know how true it is. Heard it from a friend of a friend. Figured I’d tell you all now and we’d figure out how to find out if it’s the fucking disgusting truth.”
Frankie keeps his eyes on Will’s for a beat for letting him go and turning to Santi, “I tried calling her this morning but it went to voicemail as usual.”
Santi glances at all of them as he puts his phone to his ear. It’s not a long wait before his eyes are closing in defeat, “Yeah, well, now it’s disconnected.”
“Goddamn it!” Frankie shoves the bar stool hard as he rubs a hand down his face.
Benny’s voice cracks with emotion, “I never liked that fucking asshole! Why didn’t she listen to us?!” He looks desperately at his brother.
Mind racing with thoughts on how to get to you as the other three are rapidly talking about contacts and strategies, Frankie’s eyes draw back to that window where he feels the wind get knocked out of him.
The snow is blowing around in little wisps and whirls as you stand there wrapped up in a heavy coat with a backpack on. He watches as your eyes scan around the people inside, the eyes that have dark bruises nearby.
Without a word, Frankie frantically shoves his way through the crowd until he’s practically stumbling out of the door making you quickly turn towards the noise.
The two of you can’t help but stare at one another in shock. Frankie instantly can tell you’re not the same woman he knew three years ago. That light in your eyes is dimmed and you don’t hold yourself the same. But even through that, his heart will always recognize you in every form.
The steely resolve you had hoped to keep up as a soldier would crumbles as soon as Frankie takes that tiny step closer.
Tears well up in your eyes and your bottom lip quivers as you sob out his name, “Frankie…”
The man that’s always had your heart surges forward, engulfing you in the biggest hug. His heartbeat stutters as he feels you cling onto him as you bury your face in his shoulder, the sound of your cries muffled.
Frankie’s hand cups the back of your head, his lips pressing desperately along the side of your face, “I’ve got you now. Okay?” his voice shakes slightly, “I’ve fucking got you and I’m not letting you go. You’re safe, sweetheart.”
Nodding against him, you hug him tighter, “I missed you so much,” you whimper.
“You have no idea how much I missed you, too,” he answers.
It’s then that the other three come barreling outside, forming a semi-circle at the reunion in front of them. They’re the only reason you and Frankie let go of one another, though his arm stays strong around your waist as you take a look at the rest of the faces you’ve been missing.
A hiccupping sob escapes you as you swipe at the tears rolling down your bruised face. “I’m so sorry I haven’t been around,” you start, “…but, I could really use your help,” your emotions continuing to rock you as you finally say the words you should have said so long ago.
The start of your new life began when you were in the center of the greatest group hug.