the neon from the bars flickering sign cast streaks of red and blue across the asphalt, painting renees face in shifting shadows. the night air was sharp with the hum of nearby traffic underscoring the pulse of your anger

you stood in the middle of the mostly empty parking lot. renees leather jacket was slung over one shoulder like she had been planning to leave but clearly couldnt resist getting the last word in

"oh dont look at me like im the bad guy here" she snapped, a humorless laugh slipping out "you werent some perfect girlfriend. you think you can just walk around acting like you didnt screw this up too?"

you took a step towards her with your jaw tight "renee stop rewriting history. youre twisting things you know arent true"

her eyebrows arched with that cruel little smirk playing on her lips, the same one that used to make you melt hut now it was just making you burn "not true? you didnt check out the second things got hard? you didnt start pulling away months before the fight?"

"youre making it sound like i didnt care about us" you shot back, your voice sharper than you intended "i was going to propose to you renee. propose. i had the ring. i was ready to spend the rest of my life with you but you-"

she cut you off, stepping in close "but i what? told you the truth? stopped pretending? at least i was honest."

"honest?" you laughed bitterly "youre calling it honesty when youre standing here throwing crap at me you know is a lie? youre saying things you dont even believe just to hurt me."

her jaw clenched but she didnt deny it which only made your chest ache more "you always have to be the one in control dont you?" she said, her voice almost mocking now "you cant stand that i walked away first"

you shook your head, your hands balling into fists at your sides "you didnt walk away renee. you ran and now youre trying to convince yourself it was the right choice by making me the villain"

her eyes shifted in the dim light, the tension between you stretching tighter with every second "maybe you are the villain."

that was it, the final push. you didnt think or plan, you just moved. in one swift motion you stepped forward, your hand sliding to the side of her neck as your fingers curl against her skin. before she could get out another word your mouth crashed against hers

her sharp inhale was muffled against your lips but she didnt pull away. both of her hands flew up to your shoulders, gripping hard like she couldnt decide if she wanted to shove you back or pull you closer

the kiss wasnt gentle. it was all teeth, heat, and years of love and fury tangled together. the taste of whiskey still lingered on her lips, mixed with that familiar sweetness that made your knees weak despite everything

her nails lightly dug into your jacket, grounding you and daring you all at once. you angled her head slightly with your hand, deepening the kiss until the air around you felt charged and dangerous

when you finally pulled back both of you were breathing hard as you kept your hand where it was, your thumb brushing over the quickening pulse in her neck

“you dont get to walk away after saying that. not after this. not tonight.” you muttered