(In the last chapter, Bray and Eliza went for a ride on his motorcycle, they ended up going on a dinner date. It was late when they got home, even Becky fell asleep before they got there. Eliza usually stayed with Noah, but didn't really have a choice, but to take Bray's room. Bray was willing to respect her privacy, but Eliza made it clear to him that she was perfectly fine sharing the room with him. Eliza did something she never thought she would do, they ended the night sleeping in each other's arms. I hope everyone enjoys this chapter.)
Between Enemy Lines
Chapter Twenty Eight
Bray woke up early the next day. He smiled as he looked down to see that Eliza was still sleeping peacefully on his chest. There was a lot that he wanted to say to her. He wanted to tell her the truth about his past, and he wanted to tell her that he loved her. He was worried about scaring her away and that she would only think he loved her because she had sex with him. He shook those thought from his head and enjoyed the moment with her. He was slightly worried about waking her up, but he started talking quietly to her.
"We've come a long way... You were terrified of me when we first met. This was never the end goal... you're not just another girl to sleep with. You're special. You care and work so hard for Noah, and that's just one thing I love about you... There it is... I love you, and I've come to love Noah as well. If I tell you the truth about my past, will you still stay?"
Bray stopped talking and kissed her forehead. He wished that he could hold her forever. He smiled and said one more thing.
"One day... I'm going to marry you Eliza."
Bray stopped and thought about this. He would love nothing more than to marry Eliza and be able to call Noah his son, but his past was holding him back. The last time he wanted to start a family, things didn't end well for him. The pain was still there, but he was trying so hard to move on. He didn't know if Eliza had heard anything he said, but he wanted to get up. He gently kissed her lips now and she smiled as he said her name.
"Eliza..."
Eliza smiled and slowly opened her eyes. The memory of the night before was still in her mind. She moved slightly under the covers and realized that they were both still naked underneath. She blushed a little as she looked at him.
"So... last night really happened."
"Yeah... how do you feel about that?"
"I still can't believe we did that... or that I enjoyed doing that. I feel closer to you now."
Bray smiled slightly changing the subject.
"How did you sleep?"
"You know... at first I was a little uncomfortable being away from Noah, but honestly, it was the best sleep I've had in a long time. I fell asleep with you beside me... and you were still here when I woke up."
"I would love for this to happen more often... you falling asleep and waking up in my arms."
Eliza smiled, but didn't know what to say about it, so she kissed him. Bray would love to just hold her in his arms, but he knew they needed to get up.
"I would love to just lay here with you, but we need to get up, and get things packed so we can get to the show tonight."
Eliza agreed.
"Yeah... and I guess I better go check up on Noah."
Bray grabbed a change of clothes, and wrapped a towel around himself as he left the room and headed for the bathroom. Eliza would take a shower later. She didn't have any other clothes in the room with them since she slept in Bray's room so she just slipped on what she had on the day before. She would change as soon as she got the chance to. She quietly left Bray's room and went to hers and Noah's room. She opened the door only to find the room empty. She walked into the kitchen and saw Noah eating breakfast. Noah smiled when he saw her.
"Morning Momma... Noah eat cereal."
Becky turned and gave her a smirk.
"So... I bet you and Bray slept good after the long night you had."
Eliza's face turned red and she pulled Becky aside out of the room.
"Shh... Becky... not in front of Noah."
"Oh come on... he doesn't know what's going on... he's only two. But yes or no... did you and Bray... you know... do it?"
Eliza blushed and shook her head.
"We did... but you have to promise me you won't tell any of the girls... you know how fast things like that goes around."
"Why? Are you regretting it now? Was he bad... did he not use protection?... details girl."
"I don't know if I regret it yet... see this is why I don't want people to know... what goes on between me and Bray is our business."
"Ok... I promise I want tell anyone, but I still want to know..."
Eliza smiled and blushed.
"Well... he didn't use protection. It didn't cross our minds... but honestly... I was kind of the one that started it."
"Really... wow. I wouldn't think so after... Well you know."
"Maybe it was the motorcycle ride? I don't know, but something made me want him. Bray didn't pressure me at all. It was the first time I've ever willingly done it... and enjoyed it. He let me be in control since technically... it was my first time willingly... It was pretty amazing. Then I fell asleep in his arms. I feel closer to him than I've ever felt with any guy.
"So you would do it again?"
"Maybe not right away... I mean sex isn't the most important thing in a relationship... but yes... I would do it again."
"You said that you feel closer to him... do you think that you could be in love with him?"
"I don't know honestly... I've never really willingly been with a guy before except Dean. That didn't end well. I think he still might be trying to get back together with me. I think it's just jealousy, but now all of a sudden he's acting like he cares and he keeps trying to tell me that Bray is dangerous. Bray hasn't done anything to make me not trust him. Unless Dean gives me a reason or Bray does something I really don't think I have anything to worry about. I really want things to work out between me and Bray. He means a lot to me."
"Just go ahead and say it... you love him."
"I think I do... but I can't tell him that. It's too soon isn't it?"
"Hey... that's up for you to decide. But I think he loves you too."
"You think so? Not just because we had sex?"
"I can't say for sure, but feelings are definitely there I can tell when he looks at you. He's done things for Noah too. I think you and Noah are wrapped around his finger... like you're all he thinks about."
"Maybe... but I guess all I can really do is wait and see what happens. But thanks again for watching Noah last night."
"Sure anytime... and I mean... it's not like you and Bray didn't come back... you two were just... a little busy last night."
Eliza laughed and punched her arm playfully.
"Oh my God!... Becky! I swear you better not tell any of the girls."
"I won't I'm just messing with you. I'll see you guys later on, I have to hit the road to get to the next town."
"Ok... see you later Becky."
Eliza walked back into the kitchen and fixed her a bowl of cereal. Bray came in a few minutes after Becky had left. Eliza looked at him and smiled.
"Hey... I fixed me and Noah a bowl of cereal. I hope that's ok."
"Of course it is... this is your home now. Do what you want. But why cereal? I could have cooked us all a big breakfast."
"Oh that's ok... Cereal is quick and easy. Plus, you said we needed to get packed and get going."
"Yeah I suppose, but next time we come back, I'll cook us all a big breakfast."
Bray poured a bowl of cereal for himself and sat down to join them. Noah smiled and looked at both of them, but spoke to Bray.
"Fight tonight?"
"Oh... yeah. I have a match. You want to watch?"
"Yeah... fight and win?"
"We'll see."
Once Eliza, Bray and Noah had their stuff packed, they spent several hours on the road. Bray helped set up Eliza's work station while Eliza set up Noah a play area. Eliza didn't have to start work right away. Noah liked racing his cars. Eliza and Bray decided to play along and race cars with Noah for a little while. When Eliza did have to start work, she would occasionally look over at Bray who was still playing with Noah, Bray's eyes met hers and he smiled at her. He told Noah that he would be back to play later and that he needed to get ready for his match. He made his way over to Eliza and carefully wrapped his arms around her from behind. She tilted her head back to look up at him and smiled. He leaned down to kiss her, she smiled against his lips as his beard tickled her.
"I have to get going Eliza. I have to get ready for my match."
"Ok... good luck."
Bray started to walk off, but he thought about something and turned back around to face her before he left.
"Eliza... I need to talk to you about something important when I get back."
Eliza looked at him somewhat concerned as his tone was more serious now.
"Ok... I'll be here."
Several minutes had gone by and Eliza was hard at work. Once Dean knew Bray was gone, he came up to Eliza.
"Hey..."
Eliza sighed kind of annoyed when she saw him.
"Dean... what are you doing here?"
"Relax... I'm just here to talk."
"I don't want to talk. Every time I do, you're always trying to tell me that Bray is dangerous. He has never given me a reason not to trust him."
"Yeah... but there are things that he's not telling you. What if I told you that I have proof?"
Eliza rolled her eyes now getting slightly annoyed with Dean.
"What could you possibly know about Bray that I don't know."
Bray seemed to show up at the worst possible time. At first he felt jealousy seeing them together, but started to panic when he heard what Dean was talking about. How did he know?
"Well... has he told you that he's killed a man?"
Eliza was somewhat shocked by this, but didn't really believe him and thought about how sweet he's always been to her and Noah and thought that Dean would say anything to get her to leave him.
"There's no way... you will say anything to get me to leave him. Bray isn't the kind of guy that would kill someone."
"But he did! I have proof because I overheard him talking to Luke Harper about how he slit a man's throat open with a knife, then stabbed him in the chest. He's killed before, who is to say that he hasn't killed again since then, or that he won't kill again?I know it sounds bad and you don't want to believe me... but why don't you ask Bray yourself?"
Dean pointed over to Bray and the look on Bray's face seemed to tell it all, but Eliza still didn't want to believe him.
"Tell me he's lying Bray... there's no way you killed a man."
Bray only looked down in shame.
"You weren't supposed to find out this way."
Eliza was surprised, and even a bit upset now.
"You're not denying it... Is Dean right? You killed a man?"
"I have..."
"Oh my God! I've trusted you... I trusted you around Noah. We've been staying with you."
Bray was starting to get upset now.
"This is exactly why I didn't want you to find out... because you would freak out like you are now. Please Eliza... understand that I would never do anything to hurt you, or Noah."
"Well you did Bray. I deserved to know this Bray! I've trusted you with my secrets, why couldn't you trust me?"
Eliza picked up Noah and started walking away with Dean. What bothered Bray most was that he was going to tell Eliza this after his match, but Dean beat him to it. What hurt the most was seeing her walk away with Dean.
"No... Please! There's more to it than that... Come back! Please! Eliza!"
Eliza held Noah in her arms and kept walking with Dean, but looked back at Bray and noticed that he was on his knees begging and crying for her. Eliza didn't really want to follow Dean either, but needed time away from Bray to think about everything she had just heard. She didn't expect to find out that Bray had killed a man, and she especially didn't expect to find out from Dean.
(To be continued. The truth is out, Bray killed a man! But Bray says there is more to it than that. How long ago was it and why did it happen? For the moment Eliza isn't trusting Bray, but is it really a good idea to be with Dean again? Bray is really upset emotionally, but he's not about to let Eliza go with Dean, especially not without a fight. I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. Thanks for reading. Let me know what you think will happen next. Review.)
