The neon sign of Alex’s newly opened bar buzzed softly against the backdrop of a sudden, torrential downpour outside. Inside, the atmosphere was loud and nostalgic.
It had been five years since graduation, and Alex had managed to pull off the ultimate high school reunion.
You hadn’t even planned on coming tonight. You had just gotten a new puppy and the thought of leaving him alone made you anxious, but after some intense begging, your younger sister had finally agreed to puppy-sit for the evening.
Free to enjoy your night, you were actually having a great time, laughing and catching up with old classmates. Standing a few feet away near the pool tables was Jax.
Back in high school, he was the resident bad boy—always getting into trouble, riding his motorcycle, and keeping his distance from everyone. Except for Alex, his best friend, and you. Jax had been secretly, deeply in love with you since senior year, though he’d never found the courage to tell you. Tonight, his eyes kept drifting back to you from across the room.
Just as you were laughing at a joke, your phone vibrated violently in your hand. It was your sister. You answered, but the frantic, crying tone on the other end instantly made your stomach drop.
"I'm so sorry... I looked away for one second and the back door was open... I can't find him anywhere!"
"How the hell did you lose him?!"
You gasped, your voice cutting through the bar's music. Panic tightly gripped your chest. You hung up, tears stinging your eyes as you yelled out to the room that your puppy was missing.
The atmosphere instantly shifted. Alex immediately began organizing a search party, and a few classmates grabbed their coats.
Before anyone could even make it to the exit, Jax bolted. He didn't grab a jacket or an umbrella; he just pushed through the heavy glass doors and disappeared straight into the freezing, pouring rain.
One Hour Later...
The bell above the bar door jingled. Everyone froze and turned to look. Jax stood in the doorway, completely soaking wet. His dark hair was plastered to his forehead, his leather jacket was drenched, and water was pooling at his boots. But wrapped tightly in his arms, shivering slightly but completely safe, was your puppy.
Jax took a breath, wiping rain from his eyes as he walked straight past the staring crowd and stopped right in front of you. He gently held out the puppy, a rare, soft smile breaking through his usual tough exterior.
"Found him..."
Jax said, his voice a little rough from the cold.
"Little guy made it all the way down to the old park by the school. He was hiding under the main slide, trying to stay dry. He's a fighter."
He looked down at the puppy, then back up into your eyes, his gaze intense and full of a warmth he’d been hiding for five years
"He's safe now. I promise."