Roman walked towards the room in the back where the loud music was coming from. Metal music wasn't his thing but he was there for another reason. Someone had spotted Cheyenne. She was back in town, and he figured this was the reason why. She worked for a record company and would usually be sent out to scout out new metal bands for them to sign. When he heard she was in town and he learned there was a concert taking place, he chose to buy a ticket and go there.
He entered the room and scanned through the people headbanging. He found her a few seconds later. She was standing up against the wall close to the stage. Her arms were crossed but her head was bobbing to the music. He could already tell that she liked the band and there was a possibility of her making them an offer afterwards.
He walked over to the bar and ordered a soda. He stood back and watched her watching the band. This was her work. He wasn't going to interfere with it. Instead he took in her beauty from afar. She hadn't changed despite him not having seen her in a year.
Her medium brown hair was still long and wavy. She wore a pair of black leather pants and a black t-shirt. He was sure there would be a picture of a band in front of the t-shirt. That would be her thing.
He drank his soda while the concert continued. One way or another, he was going to talk to her tonight. He was going to look into those hazel eyes of hers and get lost again. There was a time he thought they would end up together. All the flirting had to lead to a relationship. It just never did. Suddenly he had been too late. She moved out of town and they lost contact.
She came back every so often. Last time he saw her was a year ago. She was back for a party. Her cousin Elias' birthday. The same cousin Roman was still friends with so he was at the party too. She wasn't alone though. She was dating this big man Braun. Something Roman didn't figure out until it was too late. Roman had flirted but Cheyenne hadn't taken the bait like she used to. It didn't stop Braun from telling Roman what would happen to his body if he continued down that path. Something about Braun make Roman want to beat up the big man. Not because Braun was with Cheyenne. There was just something about Braun that didn't sit well with Roman. Something Roman couldn't put his finger on.
"Thank you all for coming. Stay heavy!" The singer said.
Roman looked up at stage to see the band walking off it. The concert was over. He moved his eyes over to Cheyenne again. She was staring directly at him. He smiled and walked towards her. She walked towards him too. They met in the middle and he pulled her in for a hug.
"You look great," he said.
"So do you," she said.
"Can we go somewhere to talk?" He asked.
"I gotta talk with the band," she said.
"I knew you would sign them," he smirked. "How long will it take?"
"I have no idea," she said.
"I'll wait outside," he said.
He walked outside and waited for nearly 30 minutes before she finally showed up.
"Were they happy?" He asked.
"Of course," she answered. "Who wouldn't be happy getting a record deal offer?"
He eyed her up and down and smirked.
"You're still my dream woman," he said.
"Not tonight. I'm tired," she said.
"You're still with Braun, I take it," he said.
"It's complicated," she sighed. "I'm not exactly with him."
"Do tell," he said.
"Like I said, not tonight. I just wanna go home and sleep," she said.
"Where are you staying?" He asked.
"With Elias. I'm in town for a few more days so I can celebrate his birthday with him," she said.
He grinned at that information. He was going to that party too. This wouldn't be the last time he saw her so he would get some answers out of her soon enough.
"I'll drive you there," he said.
"Thanks," she said.
They walked to his car and drove the short distance to Elias' house. The house was dark so he couldn't exactly ask to go with her in to greet Elias.
"Looks like he's asleep," he said.
"It's late," she said.
"I know," he said. "God damn it, Cheyenne, this always happens when you come back."
"What does?" She asked.
"This!" He said frustrated. "All these feelings bubble up inside me and I just wanna... I wanna... I just wanna..."
He moved towards her fast and kissed her. So many times throughout the years he had dreamed of feeling her lips against his. It was finally happening but the moment was anything but romantic. He felt like a creep forcing himself on her despite her kissing him back. She broke the kiss way too soon for his liking and pulled back.
"We can't," she said.
"I'm sorry. I overstepped. I just thought if you aren't exactly with him anymore that I had to shoot my shot. I've waited years to do so," he said.
"You're too late, Roman," she sighed. "I wish you had done that before I met him. Things would have been different."
He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel before reaching over to grab her hand.
"Would we have been together?" He asked.
"Probably," she answered. "I always felt like you were the one that got away."
"So what's stopping you now if you're not exactly with him anymore?" He asked.
"Like I said, it's complicated," she said. "I gotta go. I'll see you around."
She left the car and ran to the front door. She unlocked it and went inside without looking back at him. She locked the door, leaned her back against it and closed her eyes.
"I see you met Roman," Elias said.
She jumped as he startled her. Her eyes flew open and she sighed at him.
"Why are you spying on us like a creep?" She asked.
"I heard a car stop. I got curious," he shrugged. "And you're trying to talk your way out of the kiss I also saw happen."
"Nothing happened," she said.
"It sure didn't look like nothing," he grinned. "Come on, we both know how you used to be in love with him."
"Used to be," she said.
"You never stopped," he said. "Even though Braun happened, you never got over Roman. Just do it already, Cheyenne. What the hell is stopping you this time around?"
"You know fucking well what!" She snarled.
She pushed herself off the door and started walking towards him. She was angry and just wanted to get away from him so she could cry to herself in the guest room. As she passed him, he gently grabbed her arm. She stopped and looked at him with tears in her eyes.
"He already ruined so much for you. Don't let him ruin anymore of your life," he said.
"It's hard, Elias," she almost whispered.
"I know," he said. "Do you wanna talk about it?"
"No, I just wanna sleep," she said.
"Alright," he let go of her arm. "Get some sleep. We'll talk tomorrow. Maybe everything feels better once the sun rises."