Chris Evans Imagines

Better Man (Part 2 to All Too Well)

Author's Note: A LOT of y'all requested a part two to "All Too Well". I'm not sorry I took long because I needed to get it perfect for y'all. Enjoy.

Warning: Heartbreak.

***

Andy walked into his favorite local coffee shop and waited in line. When the owner called next, she immediately smiled as Andy walked to the front counter. "Mr. Barber! We haven't seen you in a very long time."

Andy gave her a small smile. She noticed there was some pain behind it. It wasn't his usual wide smile that showed off his perfect white teeth. She wondered what happened to the Andy Barber she remembers, the one who was happy despite the stress load his work gave him. He seemed content and happy at that point in his life. He was the furthest thing from it. He even lost a lot of weight. She hoped he wasn't sick and everything was okay.

Andy swallowed hard, fighting back the tightness. "Yeah, just life, ya know?"

She nodded in agreement even though she didn't know the truth behind his statement. "I know it's been a while but the usual?"

"Large black coffee with 2 espresso shots and an egg and ham sandwich," they both said in unison.

Andy gave her a wry smile as he gave her his card. "Thanks, Linda."

Andy stood off to the side as he waited for his order. He looked around the coffee shop and noticed nothing had changed. He was torn. A part of him wished things had been different instead of feeling a pang of pain in his heart as the memories flooded back into his mind.

This was the coffee shop he met Y/N. Just a young girl rushing out of the place like there was a fire behind her ass, missing a step, and spilling her coffee all over his white cable knit sweater. She felt guilty for ruining his favorite sweater, but he didn't mind. It wasn't something worth worrying about. He could live without the sweater. It was her that he hated losing and currently living without.

"Dad?"

Andy snapped out of his memories and turned around to see Jacob and his girlfriend sitting in a booth nearby. He smiled, "hey guys, what are y'all doing here?"

"Just eating some breakfast before our exam," Jacob's girlfriend answered.

"And quizzing each other," Jacob sighed. "I'm really worried about this exam."

Before Andy could give some words of encouragement, Jacob's girlfriend stepped in immediately. Andy's heart was full as he watched a girl head over heels in love with his son. The way Jacob looked at her, with so much awe and love in his eyes, made Andy's heart ache. He hoped they would make it through the end together because heartbreak is a bitch.

The song playing over the speakers changed to the next song. Andy froze in place as he recognized the first few notes immediately. It was Little Big Town's "Better Man" that was originally written by Y/N. Since it wasn't her song - aka her singing it - no one seemed to ask her who had inspired her to write it. Andy didn't need to ask. He knew.

He always wondered how it would sound if she didn't sell the song. If it would be a pop song or a ballad. Although they weren't together anymore, he never once stopped supporting her. He had a thing - a problem some might say - of buying her albums anytime he saw one. He didn't care how many copies he already previously owned and were hidden in the back of his closet.

Little Big Town started singing, their singing voices echoed throughout the coffee shop.

I know
I'm probably better off on my own
Than lovin' a man who
Didn't know what he had when he had it.