Rewind It Back (Windy City, #5)

by Liz Tomforde

I’ve looked nonstop for years, ever since I moved to Chicago, and I’m starting to believe the real thing doesn’t exist anymore.

My heart flutters like it used to before I remember everything that happened. Because I may have loved Rio DeLuca once, but I don’t anymore.

“August third.”

“I pick a song when something cool or important happens so I can remember it. Then when I want to relive a moment, I rewind it back and start the song from the beginning.”

SHE SAID THE THING

Oh, it’s her all right because I’ll never forget the way my heart used to skip a beat when she’d say my name.

Hallie is a soft soul with a tough shell, and that exterior seems harder than it used to be.

She used to steal all my thoughts. She used to occupy my entire existence.

That thing I’ve been looking for since I moved to Chicago? That connection? That one person some search their entire lives to find? I had already found her when I was twelve years old. At least, I thought I had. I know what I’m looking for because I had it once, and now the only girl I’ve ever loved is moving into the house next to mine. Again.

He lives next door…again.

I’ve always been attracted to Rio DeLuca, and it pisses me off that nothing has changed.

And the guys can give me shit for it all they want, but I’m the only one on the team with good taste in music.”

She once told me that style didn’t have rules, and she’s lived by that motto ever since.

“I’ll be honest here. I’m being nosy.” Miller hops onto the kitchen counter, taking a seat. “Spill it. Who’s the girl?” That pulls a laugh out of me. There’s something about my friendships with women, especially these women, that I value in a way that’s different from my male friendships.

He's a fellow girlypop :D

He also got me a new cassette tape for my birthday, and if it were anyone else, they would’ve bought me a CD because they’re way more popular now, but I still think tapes are better. That’s how I know Rio picked out my presents himself.

I take my time choosing a song from the track list because I know this is a moment I’ll want to remember, and whichever song I choose is going to be one I put on next year’s mixtape because I’ll want to rewind it back and play it on repeat for a long time to come.

He unzips his hoodie, slipping his arms out. I catch sight of the friendship bracelet I made tied around his wrist. He was trying to make one for me too, but he had a hard time figuring out the knots and only got a couple of inches finished.

“Well, maybe that was the first time you were told, but I know for a fact it wasn’t the first time someone liked you.”

“I don’t hate you. Hurt, yes. But I could never hate you, Hallie.”

One of his best characteristics is making those around him comfortable and welcomed, so a fully stocked coffee station for friends who are visiting makes perfect sense to me.

He could be a joke to everyone else, but he was never a joke to me.

“Yeah,” Rio agrees. “You should cancel those plans and hang with the girls.”

RIO

“Yeah, Hal. I still know you. And you still know me. Better than anyone.”

“You sure look good in my shirt for not being mine.” “Get fucked, DeLuca.” I smile as I open the door. “Would love to. You just let me know when and where, Hart.”

RIO OMG

I take note of the song that’s playing and keep on driving.

“Nice game, eighty-three.”

Hallie will cancel plans if her dad wants to spend time with her.

“Rio, if you had ‘I’m in love with Hallie Hart’ tattooed across your forehead, it might be a little more subtle.” “Okay,” I say with a rising inflection. “It’s clearly past your bedtime, Mother.”

“Well, I was ten years old when I got to choose my number for the first time, and I didn’t know what to choose, so I picked my favorite day. I thought I was so cool picking my birthday. Eighty-three. August third. It’s stuck ever since. Can’t imagine having a different number now.”

As she does every year, she describes what was happening when she listened to it that made her want to rewind it back and relive that moment. That continues for the entire CD, and no, I don’t love the song choices, but I do love hearing about all the big, important moments she had this year.

“It was the first time I realized that you may feel the same way about me as I’ve always felt about you.” It may be her birthday, but I swear, with that single sentence, she just made all my wishes come true.

Some snacks, including little crustless PB&Js that I’m for sure going to eat myself.

“Ariel!” Taylor supplies as she and Max join the other two on the couch. “Absolutely not, Tay.” Rio’s brows are pinched. “Spoiler alert, but she gives up her voice because she thought some random dude was hot. We’re strong independent women here. The only princess movies we’re going to watch are the ones where they realize they don’t need a man.”

“Because I’m going to kiss you and when we listen to next year’s playlist, I want this song to be on there so we can rewind it back however many times we want to and remember this.”

“Nice game tonight, thirty-eight,”

She’s staring straight ahead, chin tipped up. “And who says he doesn’t?” I whip my head in her direction. “Hallie. That’s not funny.”

“Are you out of your mind? Just because I need you to be mine before I fuck you doesn’t mean I don’t want to cuddle.” He tucks one arm under me, allowing me to use his bicep as a pillow, while the other one curls around my middle, his hand slipped under my sweatshirt and his palm pressed against my skin. “But I call little spoon next time.”

I love this man guys

“Hallie, do you know why I’m not scared?” He holds up the mix CD. “It’s because I know I’ve got a lifetime of getting these from you. We’ve got a lifetime of best moments ahead of us.”

Sad...

Because there’s music playing throughout my whole house. Music that Hallie put on. I feel the smile begin to lift on my lips because the first day Hallie came to work on my house, she said she didn’t do that anymore. But clearly, things have changed since then.

“No, I mean you’re both very lucky. To have found each other again. Don’t throw it away this time.”

“Well, I know that technically, these are your best memories, but they’re mine too. Meeting on that roof, listening to music. Getting the opportunity to fall in love with you is my best memory, and all I can do is hope that one day you’ll let me do it again.”

He looks like he loves me and has since the first day he saw me. I understand that sentiment all too well.

“It’s always been you, Hallie.”

“I’ve got to go. I have to tell her.” “Hell yeah, you do!” Miller cheers. “Good luck!” Kennedy chimes in. Stevie holds a hand over her heart. “They grow up so fast.” Lastly, I look to Indy, who is fucking crying…again. “Ind, really?” “I’m not crying! I’m fine. I’m just really happy that you’re happy.” She cleans up under her eyes. “You deserve to be happy, Rio. You both do.” I offer her a coy smile before I’m out the door and racing to my truck. Because she’s right. We both deserve to be happy.

Rio absolutely deserves these girls nights ngl

I’m not going to run away because where could I go? Hallie, you’re in here.” I tap my chest. “Regardless of the years we spent apart, you’re still in here.” She’s trying to hold back her smile, which seems like a good sign. “Are you sure that’s not just a first-love thing?” “No, baby. It’s a last-love thing.”

“Rio.” Her eyes bounce between mine. “You should know. It’s always been you too.”

They all turn to face me as I stand in the doorway, but I’m not as nervous as I was downstairs. Because these people I’ve all met at one point or another. Ryan and Indy are here, as are Miller, Kai, Kennedy, and Isaiah. I lift my hand in a wave. “Hi.” “Hell yes!” Miller cheers. “Finally,” Kennedy says with a smile. “I am so glad you’re here!” Indy tacks on, rushing me with a hug.

I understand that sentiment all too well.

“That boy is so in love with you,” Indy states. Spoken or unspoken, I feel the exact same way.

“It is so good to have you here, Hallie. You’re the final piece, even though I guess you were technically the first piece, knowing him as long as you have.”

“When I got to training camp in Chicago, they asked me if I wanted to keep eighty-three, but I decided it was time to change it to my actual favorite day.” My birthday. March eighth. Thirty-eight. He’s been wearing my birthdate on his jersey for six years and I had no idea.