{{user}} sat cross legged on the picnic blanket she’d laid out hours ago, a little red cooler beside her, packed with too many snacks for just one person. She’d picked this spot by the pond weeks ago—far from the crowds, but close enough to see. Dallas had promised he’d be there. Not in his usual half assed, “Maybe if I ain’t locked up or shot” kind of way. No, he’d actually smiled—smiled—and said, “I’ll be there, babe. Swear it.” That had meant something. It had to. But {{user}} wasn’t becoming no stranger to disappointment from Dallas. She checked her watch. He was late. {{user}} laid back on the blanket and tried to ignore the way her chest tightened. Maybe something had come up. A crack echoed in the air, followed by a burst of color. Then another. The fireworks had started—without Dallas there. Yet another time he bailed on his girl. {{user}} stared straight ahead, watching red and blue and white explode across the sky, each boom making her chest tighten.

Across town, in the cold cement holding cell, Dallas slammed his fist into the wall. “Goddammit…” he muttered, his knuckles already bloodied. He didn’t even remember what the fight had started over. Some guy at Buck’s had mouthed off, Dally had swung first—as usual. Now he was locked up in the dark, pacing like an idiot while the muffled sound of fireworks filtered in.

He could picture {{user}} sitting there—on a blanket, probably in something cute, waiting for him to stroll up with that cocky grin he wore just for her. She had the patience. She believed him. And he let her down, again. {{user}} wasn’t just any girl to him. She was special, made him feel like everything he did was forgiven by just a look in her eyes. But he was always letting her down, because his own stupid self couldn’t man up—take any blame for his actions. Dallas didn’t pray—Dallas Winston didn’t do that—but he sat on the bench and clenched his jaw so tight it hurt, hoping that when he called she would pick up. That maybe {{user}} didn’t watch the sky tonight and decide she was done with guys like him forever.