Hello again! Hope you like this chap!
Brax watched as his wife hugged this beautiful dark haired woman. She looked about the same age as Alyssa and somehow she knew him.
"Is this Brax?" Alyssa nodded a smile on her face. "Oh you weren't exaggerating. He is gorgeous." She commented. Brax could feel his cheeks heating up and looked at Alyssa expectantly.
"Oh right. Yeah. Brax this is Megan. She's a friend of mine from the city. You know from the Witness Protection programme." She said under her breath and Brax nodded holding out his hand which Megan shook. Then she turned to Alyssa.
"So what are you doing here?" Alyssa asked her looking so happy Brax wondered how well they had known each other.
"Well they decided I was safe so they moved me to give my place to someone else. They sent me to Perth but I was like, why don't I head down to Alyssa instead? And here I am." She explained.
"That's great. Where are you staying?" she asked.
"Uh the Sands I think it's called." Megan replied.
"Cancel it. Come stay with us. We have the room, right Brax?" Alyssa said glancing at him. Before he could say anything though Alyssa was leading Megan away in the direction of the Ute. He followed them, pressing the button on his keys to unlock it as they reached it. He hopped in after them and drove towards the house while Alyssa and Megan chattered on.
Brax didn't know what it was. Maybe it was her dark brunette hair which was tied back in a perfect bun, not a hair out of place. Maybe it was the way she kept sneaking glances at him. Or the way Alyssa seemed so comfortable with her. But something about this woman made Brax want to turn the car around and drive her to the Sands instead.
But instead he kept on driving.
x x x x x
When they reached the house Megan was introduced to Ruby who was sitting on the sofa, reading a magazine. Brax could see by the look on her face she felt the same way he did. Like you couldn't trust Megan as far as you could throw her. Still Alyssa seemed thrilled to have her around and Brax sighed knowing that was all that really mattered.
x x x x x
JJ sighed, pulling up in front of his girlfriend and ex-fiancée's home. He hopped out of the Ute which Heath had leant to him in the pouring rain. They used to be best friends but somewhere along the line something had changed. JJ guessed it was when Vic died. Or maybe it was when Kate fell for Heath. Either way he had lost three sisters to the charms of Braxton's and he knew the friendship they had once had was long gone.
He could hear Irene laughing inside and wondered if it was too late to turn around and go back to Kate's. He could call and say he was sick maybe. But just at that moment the door was flung open and Irene came out.
"Ah JJ! You're here! Great. Come inside, it's pouring!" she cried grabbing his arm and pulling him inside. As he entered he shifted slightly noticing his red checked shirt and jeans were soaking. He shook the rain out of his hair as Bianca came down the stairs. When he glanced up he felt his breath catch in his throat. She looked amazing. Her red silken dress clung to her making her look gorgeous. Her hair was tied in tight pony tail making her cheekbones stand out and her make up was perfect. JJ couldn't take his eyes off her.
Bianca smiled to herself when she saw JJ staring at her, his mouth slightly a gap. The dress had had the intended effect on her ex. She knew him better than anyone. Even April. She was about to say something when her sister appeared.
"JJ! You're here." she cried flinging her arms around her boyfriend, making him tear his eyes away from Bianca.
"Hey. You look great. I didn't realise this was supposed to be formal…" he said glancing at April's silver mini dress.
"It's not." Irene told him. "These two just like dressing up." She said laughing. "Would you like something to drink?" She asked.
"Uh… sure." He said.
"Let's see we've got wine, Heineken or-" Bianca appeared behind her holding a bottle.
"Carlsberg." She said holding the bottle out to him. He accepted it wondering how she remembered it was his favourite. He noticed April watching this exchange and felt the need to reassure her that nothing was going on but he couldn't say it out loud with Bianca and Irene there. Instead he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close. April smiled at him. He could feel Bianca's hurt gaze on them.
x x x x x
Irene tried for the umpteenth time to create conversation but no one seemed willing to talk. Eventually they all lapsed into a tension filled silence. Suddenly Bianca spoke.
"You know JJ's done time" She told April. She saw JJ's eyes widen with shock and April's with fear. Not of JJ though. Of what her sister might know.
"What for?" April asked her voice barely above a whisper. JJ put his hand to his face to cover it. He couldn't believe Bianca would bring it up now. When JJ didn't tell her April turned to her sister. She hated hearing it from her but she had to know.
"GBH. He nearly killed the guy." Irene gasped but Bianca went on. "And who was waiting for him when he got out?" she asked, the answer evident to April.
"Wait you and JJ…" Irene asked Bianca staring at the sisters in surprise but she was ignored. April was suddenly furious.
"Was that before or after you slept with his brother?" April asked and Bianca glared at her as she noticed a pained look pass through JJ's eyes at the mention of her betrayal.
"I think we're all finished. April could you wash up please?" Irene asked picking up the plates. She glanced around, hoping to diffuse the tension.
"Actually I have to get ready. Me and JJ are going out. JJ can wash up instead of me." she said standing up and stalking off into her room. JJ stood up and took the plates from Irene, bringing them over to the sink. He heard Irene head upstairs. It was just him and Bianca alone. He heard her walk up behind him but he focused on the plates he was supposed to be washing.
"Why did you do that?" he asked as soon as she was beside him. She grabbed a cloth and started drying the plates he was washing.
"She deserved to know." Bianca replied simply.
"I could have told her myself." JJ replied.
"Were you going to?" Bianca asked. JJ didn't reply. "I didn't think so. Look if you love her…" Bianca drifted off and JJ glanced at her for a moment. Their eyes met.
The next thing they knew his hands were on her waist, her hands behind his neck, their tongues in each other's mouths. It was like the moments before the earthquake except more passionate. Bianca knew in that instant that her feelings had never changed. Except maybe stronger. JJ was confused. After a moment he realised what he was doing and pulled away.
"I…" he stuttered unable to believe what had just happened. Just at that moment April walked out of her room. JJ remembered what he was supposed to be doing and handed Bianca the last dish to dry.
"You ready to go?" he asked, anxious to be as far away from Bianca as possible. April nodded and he led her out to the Ute. As they drove away his eyes met Bianca's again and he felt a tug at his heart. So confused now he pulled away from the house.
Please review! Thanks for reading!
Next time
Megan makes herself at home, annoying Brax. Will he say anything?
Casey arrives back in the bay. Will Kate tell him he's going to be a dad?
REVIEW! Or it'll be a week before I update!
