Jodie Holmes sat on the worn leather couch of her small, cozy apartment, staring blankly at the TV in front of her. The flickering images of a romantic comedy played in the background, but her mind was a million miles away. She absentmindedly twisted a strand of her dark hair around her finger, lost in thoughts about everything that had happened over the past few years. Her life had been anything but normal, and now, for the first time in what felt like forever, she was trying to piece it back together.
The lyrics from Taylor Swift's "long story short" played softly in the back of her mind: "Long story short, it was a bad time..." That was putting it lightly. Jodie's life had been a whirlwind of chaos, from her time with the CIA, to the years of running, to the battle with entities from the Infraworld. She had been through hell and back, and now, she was trying to figure out what came next.
A knock on the door jolted her out of her thoughts. She glanced at the clock—7:30 p.m. She wasn't expecting anyone, but a small smile crept across her face as she guessed who it might be. Pushing herself off the couch, Jodie walked to the door and pulled it open.
Ryan Clayton stood there, his usual confident smirk in place, though there was a softness in his eyes when he looked at her. He was dressed casually—jeans and a jacket—but he still had that air of professionalism about him, the kind that never seemed to go away.
"Hey, Jodie," he said, his voice warm. "I brought dinner. Hope you're hungry."
Jodie smiled, stepping aside to let him in. "You're saving me from another night of cereal for dinner, so yeah, I'm starving."
Ryan chuckled, setting the takeout bags on the small kitchen table. "I figured you could use a proper meal. How've you been holding up?"
She shrugged, walking over to the table and helping him unpack the food. "You know, just trying to figure things out. Being normal is... weird."
Ryan raised an eyebrow, giving her a knowing look. "Yeah, well, after everything you've been through, I'd say you've earned a little weird."
Jodie smiled, though there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Yeah, I guess."
They sat down together, the warm glow of the kitchen light making the apartment feel a little less lonely. The two of them had come a long way since the days of their complicated, often strained relationship during Jodie's time with the CIA. Ryan had hurt her in the past, there was no denying that. But after everything they'd been through—after he'd risked his life to help her, after they'd faced the end of the world together—things had changed. She still had her guard up, but she was starting to let him back in.
As they ate, the conversation flowed easily, though there was always an undercurrent of unspoken emotions between them.
"So, any job offers yet?" Ryan asked, his tone casual but clearly curious.
Jodie shrugged, picking at her food. "Nothing that interests me. I mean, what am I supposed to do? I've lived such a weird life, I don't exactly have a normal résumé."
Ryan smiled, but there was a seriousness in his eyes. "You could do anything you want, Jodie. You're capable of more than anyone I've ever met."
Jodie glanced at him, her heart fluttering at his words. She wasn't used to people believing in her like that—not after everything she'd been through. But Ryan had always seen her potential, even when she couldn't see it herself.
"Thanks," she said softly. "But I don't even know what I want right now. I just... I want to live."
Ryan nodded, understanding. "Well, whatever you decide to do, I'll be here to help. You know that, right?"
Jodie looked at him, her eyes softening. "Yeah. I know."
Later that evening, after they had finished dinner and cleaned up, they sat on the couch together, the TV playing quietly in the background. Jodie leaned back, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle over her. Ryan glanced at her, his expression unreadable for a moment before he spoke.
"You know, I've been thinking... about us."
Jodie's heart skipped a beat, but she tried to keep her voice steady. "Oh?"
Ryan ran a hand through his hair, his usual confidence wavering. "I know I screwed things up before. I know I hurt you. And I've spent a long time regretting that. But I care about you, Jodie. I always have."
Jodie looked down at her hands, her heart pounding in her chest. She had been waiting for this conversation, but now that it was happening, she didn't know what to say. The truth was, she had feelings for Ryan, feelings she had been trying to bury for a long time. But after everything they'd been through—the betrayal, the pain—could she really let herself trust him again?
Ryan leaned forward, his voice soft. "I don't want to pressure you. I just... I needed you to know how I feel."
Jodie swallowed hard, her mind racing. She had spent so long running—from the CIA, from her past, from her feelings. But now, sitting here with Ryan, she realized she didn't want to run anymore.
"I care about you too, Ryan," she said quietly. "But I'm scared. I'm scared of getting hurt again."
Ryan's eyes softened, and he reached out, gently taking her hand. "I know. And I promise, I'm not going to hurt you again. I've learned from my mistakes. I'm not that guy anymore."
Jodie looked at him, searching his eyes for any sign of deception. But all she saw was sincerity. Slowly, she nodded, her heart aching with a mixture of hope and fear.
"Okay," she whispered. "Let's see where this goes."
The next few weeks were a whirlwind of emotions. Jodie and Ryan began spending more time together, slowly rebuilding the trust they had lost. They went on simple dates—walking around the city, grabbing coffee, watching movies at Jodie's apartment. It was nice, uncomplicated. For the first time in a long time, Jodie felt like she could breathe.
But as much as things were going well with Ryan, there was still a part of her that felt like something was missing. She had been through so much, and as much as she tried to move forward, the past still weighed heavily on her.
One afternoon, as she sat at a café with Ryan, her phone buzzed. She glanced down and saw a message from Cole Freeman—one of the few people who had always been there for her, no matter what.
Cole: "Hey, Jodie. I'm in town for a few days. Want to meet up?"
Jodie smiled to herself. She hadn't seen Cole in months, and the idea of catching up with him made her feel lighter. She quickly typed a reply.
Jodie: "Of course. Let's meet tomorrow. Same place?"
The next day, Jodie found herself sitting across from Cole at their usual diner, the two of them sipping coffee and catching up like old friends. Cole had always been a steady presence in her life, and being around him felt comfortable, easy.
"So," Cole said, leaning back in his chair with a grin. "How's life been treating you?"
Jodie smiled, though there was a hint of sarcasm in her tone. "You know, just trying to figure out how to be a normal person after everything. No big deal."
Cole chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, I don't think normal is in the cards for you, Jodie."
Jodie laughed, feeling the weight of the past few weeks start to lift. "Probably not. But things have been... good. I've been spending time with Ryan."
Cole raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "Ryan Clayton?"
Jodie nodded, though she could sense the tension in Cole's voice. "Yeah. We're... figuring things out."
Cole was quiet for a moment before he spoke. "Just be careful, Jodie. I know he cares about you, but he's hurt you before."
Jodie sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I know. But people change, right?"
Cole gave her a small smile, though there was a trace of worry in his eyes. "Yeah. People change."
As the months went on, Jodie's relationship with Ryan deepened. They had their ups and downs, but for the most part, things were good. Jodie felt like she was finally starting to rebuild her life, piece by piece.
But there were still moments when doubt crept in—moments when the weight of her past threatened to pull her under. One evening, as she and Ryan sat together on her couch, Jodie couldn't shake the feeling that something was still unresolved.
"Ryan," she said quietly, her voice filled with hesitation. "Do you ever think about what would've happened if we hadn't gone through all of that? If we'd never been involved with the CIA, with everything?"
Ryan looked at her, his brow furrowed in thought. "I think about it sometimes. But honestly? I think we're stronger because of it. We went through hell and came out the other side. That has to count for something."
Jodie nodded, though her heart still felt heavy. "Yeah. I guess so."
Ryan reached out, taking her hand in his. "Hey. We're okay, Jodie. We're going to be okay."
Jodie looked at him, her heart swelling with emotion. She didn't know what the future held, but for the first time in a long time, she felt like she could face it—whatever it brought.
"Long story short, it was the wrong guy..." The lyrics echoed in her mind, reminding her of the twists and turns her life had taken. But now, sitting here with Ryan, she knew she had finally found the right path.
Maybe the long story didn't have to be so complicated after all.
