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CHAPTER 10

NATALIE'S POV:

"Come on let's go for a run." I said to Zac, as I put my running shoes on.

"Are you sure you're up to it?" he asked looking at me worriedly.

"I'm fine. Besides, I can't spend all day hiding inside the house." I replied putting my arms around his neck.

"I guess not." he smiled, "But you take it easy."

"I will." I assured him, smiling as I took a step away. He gently pulled me back to him and placed a brief kiss on my lips.

"Let's go." I smiled again. He matched my smile and followed me out the door.

We jogged along the board walk for a few minutes then continued walking along the beach.

"Hey watch it!" Zac called out as Heath ran past us nearly knocking me over, "What's the rush?"

"Someone's been shot at the restaurant." Heath replied looking over his shoulder as he continued to run.

I glanced at Zac then took off running after Heath. I raced up the stairs to the restaurant and stopped in the doorway taking in what I saw. A few police were collecting evidence while another spoke to the paramedics. A pool of blood covered part of the floor near where a body lay with a sheet draped over it. A wave of fear and panic washed over me. I glanced around the room again, sighing with relief when I spotted Brax leaning against one of the tables. "What happened?" I asked having made my way over to him.

"You were right. Adam did come after me again. I knew he would too so I called the cops. They shot him. He's dead." Brax said numbly, staring at the ground.

"Are you okay?" I asked, lightly placing my hand on his.

"It's over, Nat. It's finally over." he said wrapping his arms around me and holding me tightly.

"Mr Braxton?" an officer said as he approached us, "We'll need you to come down to the station to give a formal statement."

Brax nodded and followed the officer out. Zac came over to me and put his arms around me, "Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, I will be." I replied resting my head on his chest as I glanced around the restaurant again, "Let's go home."

Later that night Zac and I sat watching TV. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, "You've been a bit quiet tonight."

"I'm fine. Just a bit worried about Brax." I admitted.

"Yeah well the poor guy can't seem to catch a break, can he?" Zac said.

"What do you mean?" I asked a little puzzled.

"Well it's just with everything you've told me he's been through lately it just seems that there is always going to be something from his past that comes back to haunt him. And I'm sure he's made a few more enemies other than Adam during his life."

"Yeah you're probably right." I sighed.

"I'm worried about you, Nat. I mean, getting involved with a guy like Brax is only asking for trouble." he paused taking my hand in his, "The whole situation could have ended a lot worse."

I sighed and rested my head on his shoulder. Zac had a point but I couldn't help but worry about Brax.

BRAX'S POV:

"Hi, come in." I greeted Natalie as I opened the door the following day.

"Hi," she smiled, walking through to the lounge room, "I just wanted to drop by to see how you were."

"Yeah I'm fine." I grinned.

"You know when Heath said someone had been shot I really thought..." her voice broke as she trailed off weakly.

"Hey, it's okay." I soothed, wrapping my arms around her and wiping away a tear that had rolled down her cheek. "He can't hurt us any more."

"Yeah, I know." she nodded, pulling away smiling, "I should probably head home. I just wanted to make sure you were alright."

"Is that the only reason you came over?" I asked, locking eyes with her. I lowered my gaze to her lips then leaned down kissing her softly.

"Brax, I should go." she whispered.

"No. You should stay." I breathed against her lips before capturing them in a passionate kiss.

"I can't do this, Brax." she said, pulling away breathless, "I'm with Zac now."

"You should be with me." I replied, looking at her almost desperately.

"I don't know, Brax" she sighed, shaking her head, "You ended our relationship once before to protect me and with what happened the other day I realise that you were right in doing so. I think Zac might be right too." she stated taking a step away from me, "There could always be something from your past that comes back to hurt us. Next time we might not be so lucky."

I sighed. I knew she was right.

NATALIE'S POV:

A few days later I saw Brax standing outside the Surf Club staring out at the ocean. "Hi." I greeted as I made my way over to him.

"Hey." he smiled then looked back towards the sea.

I looked at him puzzled for a moment. I couldn't read him. Like usual he was like a closed book. "Brax I don't want things to be awkward between us." I stated, briefly placing my hand on his arm, "I'd really like us to still be friends."

He sighed and smiled at me, "Yeah I think we've been through too much not to be."

I matched his smile then asked, "What's wrong?"

"What makes you think there's something wrong?" he asked.

"I know you Brax. That look on your face says that something is troubling you." I stated.

"You know me too well." he laughed before sighing, "Adam's funeral is tomorrow."

"Are you going?" I asked.

"I don't know. I'm kind of in two minds about it." he admitted, "I mean, when we were younger Adam was always there for us. He would always bail us out of situations and we could always go to him if we needed something." he paused and looked at me, "But I hate him for what he did to us."

I nodded, "Maybe you should go. It might give you some closure."

"Yeah maybe." he said gazing back at the ocean.

"I could go with you, if you like?" I offered.

"Yeah that would be good, thanks." he smiled, "It's on at 11.30am."

"Hmm, I'll have to meet you there. I have a meeting with Gina about a student at 9am." I explained.

"That's okay." he nodded, "I better get back to the restaurant. I'll see you tomorrow." he said heading inside.

"So what are your plans for tomorrow?" Zac asked wrapping his arms around my waist later that night.

"I have a meeting with Gina then I'm going to Adam's funeral." I replied.

"Seriously Nat? After what we talked about the other night I really hoped you would stay away from Brax. He's bad news." Zac said dropping his arms.

"It's not about Brax." I stated, "Not completely. I think it will be good for me to go too."

Zac sighed and wrapped his arms around me again, "I'm sorry. I know you're still dealing with everything that happened too."

I nodded and rested my head on his shoulder.

Arriving at the cemetery the next day I made may way over to Brax. A small group of people had gathered around the grave site "Hi." I smiled, "So do you know any of these people?"

"I recognise a couple of faces but none that I know personally." he replied.

We joined the group of people and chatted for a few minutes before a young blonde woman made her way over to us.

"Hey Brax." she greeted, smiling warmly at him.

"Ricky!" he beamed, giving her a quick hug, " What are you doing here?"

"I'm here for my uncle's funeral, of course." she laughed.

"Right, of course. Sorry." he said awkwardly, "Nat this is Ricky. Adam's niece." Brax introduced us, "Ricky this is Natalie, my...friend."

"Nice to meet you." I smiled, shaking her hand, before turning my attention to the Minister as he started the service.

"Thanks for coming today. Are you right to get home?" Brax asked me after the service had finished.

"Yeah. I've got my car here. It sounds like you two have a lot of catching up to do anyway." I replied saying goodbye to Ricky as I headed back to my car. I looked in the rear view mirror and sighed as I saw her flirting playfully with Brax. Pulling out of the car park I turned onto the road and headed back towards the Bay. As I crossed an intersection I remember seeing a car speeding towards me then hearing a loud bang before everything went black.