The third day Chloe and Brady were still unable to get a flight to Puerto Rico to visit Belle so they went back to Salem. Belle would be home in a week anyway. Brady had never felt this happy in his life. This worried him. Something was going to happen. He could feel it.

Brady and Chloe walked hand in hand in Salem place. They were shopping. Chloe needed new clothes for school which was less than a week away.

Chloe was laughing at some cheesy joke Brady had just made when she looked up to see Philip. She immediately dropped Brady's hand.

He knew in that moment that he had lost her.

She stared at Philip. It was the first time she had seen him since the dance. He looks good, she thought. Past feelings rushed through her. She couldn't comprehend what was going on. She was with Brady now. So why was she so drawn to Philip.

Brady was crushed. He always knew there was a possibility that Chloe and Philip would get back together. However, after the intensity that he had shared with Chloe after the summer he hoped she would choose him over Philip.

Realizing they were both staring Philip finally spoke "Brady, Chloe how was your summer?"

Brady knew the question was not directed to him. He looked at Chloe who seemed to be mesmerized by Philip. He was so hurt. He could not take it any longer he had to get out of there. He felt like he was being suffocated. Everything good in his life had always been taken away why should this be any different.

"This was the best summer of my life" Brady said still eyeing Chloe "I'll always remember it but I guess it's over now" he said feeling himself getting choked up.

Chloe turned to meet his gaze. She saw hurt in his eyes. She knew she felt so strongly for the man before her but she owed it to herself to try to work things out with Philip or at least that is how she tried to rationalize it.

"Brady I..."

Brady put his fingers to her lips. "Shh, I understand"

He walked away. Away from the girl he loved. He would do anything to make her happy and if that meant letting her go then that was the price he would pay. He walked off, giving one last look, remembering the happiness that he had just felt before Philip came along. It had seemed like an eternity since he had held her but it had only been a matter of minutes. How was he going to live without her?

Chloe listened to Philip as he apologized. He shared stories of his summer. Chloe told some of her own stories but never mentioning the summer she had spent with Brady. She could not bear to let anyone know the secrets they shared. Her mind went back to a time when Brady had held her the entire night on the dock after a fight with Nancy.

FLASHBACK

He held her close. As she unravelled events of the past. She told him things she had never told anyone and he inturn did the same. He stroked her hair putting her at ease like no one else could. One simple action brought her so much comfort.

She took his hand in hers. She traced the lines of his palm and fingers. She gently brought it up to her lips and gave him a small kiss. She held his hand close to her face. She let her hands fall down to her side and then wrapped them around his strong torso. His hand remained on her cheek, wiping away her tears. He pulled her closer as she shook. Lightly brushing his lips against her temple.

She cried on his shoulder until she had no tears left. She looked deep into his eyes. They remained silent not having to speak to express their many emotions. He understood her.

They held each other until the sun came up that morning.

END OF FLASHBACK

"So anyway how about tomorrow?" Philip asked.

"What?"

"Tomorrow, should we go out tomorrow"

"Sure Philip" she said as he wrapped her into a hug. She could not help but think about Brady. 'No' she thought. She could not do this to herself. She would give Philip another chance after all he loved her. He had told her so many times. She felt strongly for Philip but did she love him? Even if she did feel a certain way about Brady she did not know how he felt about her. At least with Philip she knew where she stood. There was no risk involved. Everything was so new with Brady. It was frightening that she could let parts of herself go that she had never shared with anyone except Brady.

Chloe sighed to herself realizing how weak she really was. She was too scared to allow herself to attempt to build a relationship with Brady. She had risked too much already.

To be continued......

(Don't worry this is a Broe fic)