Brady had drunk himself into mind numbing oblivion. Simply the thought of Chloe and Philip in a room alone drove him insane. He still could not comprehend how he could feel so close to someone and not be apart of their life. He had isolated himself from Chloe, it was too painful to even look at her. Despite her absence in his life lately he felt himself loving her more and more. They had been falling in love he knew it and then one day she just ended it and along with it their friendship was gone. 'Get over it Brady. Philip makes her happy in a way you never can. So stop feeling sorry for yourself' Brady thought all night while he drowned his sorrows in tequila, straight up.

Realizing he was too intoxicated to drive home, he gave Shawn his keys and told him to make sure Belle got home okay. Everyone that had attended the party had left. He had passed out hours ago on one of the couches in the living room. Someone had kindly thrown a blanket over him before they staggered out. He awoke feeling choked. His body was soaked in sweat. He sat up taking off his shirt. He removed his khaki pants and laid back down trying to find sleep again.

He tossed and turned.

Chloe watched Brady tossing and turning from the landing on the stairs. She could not help but feel drawn to him. She steadily made her way down the stairs, careful not to wake him. She sat on the couch next to him. Softly she brushed his cheek with the back of her hand.

He replayed it over and over again in his mind.

The joy he had felt what now seemed a lifetime ago. The way she had moulded his body in her hands. The way she had manipulated his body under hers. Then suddenly she is ripped out of his arms. He is thrown against the wall. He feels an immense pain in his chest. Forcing himself to stand up he notices the dark figure looming before him.

"You didn't actually think that I would allow you this did you? You don't deserve her. She makes you happy and happiness is not in the cards for you" The masked male voice belted out thunderously.

Suddenly bars came up through the floorboards and down through the ceiling. He stood in the center of a cage. The room grew dark. A fire rolled through the enclosure. Blazing at his feet. Smoke clouded his vision and choked his throat. He dropped to his knees trying desperately to wave away the smoke. His eyes strained to see. It was useless. The dark clouds took him over. He had almost succumbed to the darkness. Then a spotlight flashed into his eyes blinding him. The smoke cleared and the bars disappeared. He put his hand up to try to block out some of the rays. He could barely make out two figures that stood behind the bright light.

"There. There is where you belong, your own private hell. No love. You're not good enough for her." The voice commanded. " Well, I think we have finished this game don't you babe?"

"You didn't actually think I cared did you? You fool! You were just a pawn...." It was Chloe's voice he heard. The lights came up and filled the room allowing Brady to see her. Chloe spat at his feet. She clutched onto Philip's arm and together they laughed.

"Just a pawn....... just a pawn....... just a pawn....." It echoed through his head.

He awoke with deafening clarity. "I was just a pawn"

"A pawn?"

Brady was startled by the presence of another person. In a sick twist of fate he looked into her eyes, the eyes that had just condemned him in his dream. Although he knew Chloe was not nearly that sinister, he still could not help feeling betrayed.

"I was dreaming" he muttered.

"About what?"

"It doesn't matter." Brady said harshly. Then he noticed she was not the same audacious girl he had fell in love with over the summer and maybe even before that. Yes, definitely before that. He had always been in love with Chloe Lane but he was just now realizing it. No something was definitely wrong. He sensed it in her eyes. Instead of being assertive, she looked confused and unsure of herself. He softened his tone fear growing inside of him. "Chloe, what's wrong?"

The tears began to form, she knew she could do nothing to hold them back.

Brady's fear grew to anger "What did he do to you? Are you hurt?......Chloe, answer me"

"No, calm down Brady" she said attempting to restrain him. "I'm fine...."

"Well then what is it?"

"I don't even know...I just came down to get a glass of water when I saw you here..." She paused catching her breathe that was strained due to her sobs "...and you were mumbling something..... so I came closer....and, and that's when you woke up" She looked at him apologetically.

"I was having a nightmare, and when I saw you there I was just a bit confused I didn't mean to yell at you....I'm sorry" Brady said bowing his eyes to her.

"It's okay" She sighed. Decisively she asked "Brady?"

"Mmm Hmm?"

"Could I,...I mean could I just lay here with you for a while?" She needed to be close to him, especially tonight.

Bradys heart was in his throat. He would never refuse her. However, he knew it was not a good idea. As much as he had tried to forget about her he knew he was growing deeper in love with her than ever before.

She knew the answer before he gave it and so she climbed onto the narrow couch next to him.

That's when he noticed. She was only wearing a sheet. He was not sure before, but now he had no doubt. She had slept with Philip. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. Her scent was intoxicating him.

"Brady?.... Would you hold me please? I need you"

How did she do that? How could she make him so weak? He would do anything for her. A glutton for punishment, he needed to hear her say it. He wanted to be mad at her but it was not in him. After all, she had chosen Philip over him. He could not understand why. Over the summer he thought she had realized what she meant to him and he had thought she felt the same. Brady had to know the truth. He had to hear the words from her mouth.

"Chloe...Did you and Philip...did you sleep with him?"

She closed her eyes and clasped his hand that he had just rested over her. She knew how much it would hurt him but she also knew that he wanted the truth.

"Yes"

Brady closed his eyes and returned the squeeze. He let a single tear escape his eyes.

To be continued......

********

Author's note

Finally this site is up again! Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter. Still taking suggestions on how you would like Brady and Chloe to become a couple.

Thanks for the support as always, kat :)