I disclaim!!!! I got another chapter out really fast. WooHoo! Maybe it'll
disappoint you, maybe not but I had to get this chapter out so I could get
the next one out which I will finish pretty soon. I've always wondered
about the choppy flow of this story and this chapter is a perfect example
of it. But I can't help but want to speed things up at some points LOL Oh
LOL @ Kal for animal cruelty. I know you dress up your pets in freaky
clothes! Don't deny it LOL And Sue this is my first time taking all online
classes. So far, so good. Even though I end up writing fics instead of
doing my work :-\
Chapter 15: On The Road Again
"Brady, where are you?" Chloe plopped down on a bench at Salem Place. She'd just spent the last twenty minutes scouring the streets of Salem in search of him. She'd even asked random people if they'd seen a tall, attractive blonde haired, blue-eyed man carrying a baby bulldog in a bib and bonnet to no avail. "Damn him," she muttered. Excitement had turned into anticipation, anticipation into nervousness, nervousness into fear and fear into anger. So now she was pissed.
"Uh Chloe?" Belle approached her friend and joined her on the bench.
"Belle."
"No luck, huh?"
"Nope," she sighed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "But I've been thinking."
"About?"
"Your pain in the ass brother and his continuous habit of overreacting to and assuming things. How dare he think Philip and I were somehow involved? We were just drinking coffee and I will drink coffee with whoever the hell I want to!" She stood, shopping bags in hand, and began pacing. "If he loves me so damn much, why doesn't he trust me!?"
"But-"
"But nothing! I am sick of Brady Black! Sick of him! I am sick of this emotional tug of war he seems to be playing. One day he wants me, the next he doesn't. He doesn't call me for two weeks and then just shows up one afternoon and berates me in public!?"
"But-"
"I was the most emotionally stable person I knew before he came into my life and now I'm some kind of basket case, some kind of freak all of a sudden!?"
"Love changes people?" Belle offered.
"You know what, Belle? The sooner you figure out love sucks, the better!"
"But-"
"No! Love sucks! It really does. It rips into your heart and buries itself there, eating away at you, consuming you until there's nothing left but a pitiful piece of. . . crap." She felt herself tear up and her voice lose some of its strength. "I hate him. I really do. I hate his eyes and his lips and how his hair does that stupid cowlick thing at the front. I hate him and I never want to see him again." The shopping bags fell from her hands, as she began sobbing.
"Oh, Chloe," Belle gathered her friend in a hug. "I'm sure things'll work out."
Chloe pulled out of her grasp, roughly wiping the tears from her face. "But you don't seem to get it, Belle. I don't want to work things out. Not anymore."
"But-"
"No. I have had it. If I never see Brady Victor Black again, it'll be too soon!"
****************
That Evening. . .
"Dammit!" Brady paced around his apartment. Today had been a nightmare. An absolute nightmare. "This is a nightmare, a fucking nightmare, Fred." He peered at his puppy, who yawned loudly before turning away from him. "Yeah, yeah go to sleep, you punk. Bury your head in the sand." He collapsed onto the couch.
"Though I think you may have the right idea. Maybe if I wish really hard and go to sleep, I'll wake up and will have never met Chloe. Never will have looked into her stupid, huge. . . gorgeous eyes, never run my hands through her amazing hair, never touched her soft skin, never kissed her tender lips. Arghhh. . . I sound like a fucking wuss, don't I? And I'm talking to a sleeping dog. I need help." He used his remote to flip on the radio. "Greeeeeat," Brady muttered when he heard a nocturne from Chopin softly filter into the room. "Let me guess, God. Could this be another one of your signs," he sneered bitterly.
Blowing out a calming breath, he reluctantly let the music settle him. It was warm and comforting and sad all at the same time. But it was also very familiar. It reminded him of his time in the hospital in Salem and the first time he'd laid eyes on Chloe. Part of him had fallen in love with her the minute he set eyes on her.
*Flashback*
"That's not funny, Belle!" Brady glared at his sister and ran his hand through his hair. And that's when his eyes landed on a beautiful, blue- eyed brunette standing timidly at his door dressed adorably in Marvin the Martian scrubs, her hair up in a high ponytail. "Who the hell are you?" He spat, uncomfortable with the shocked way she was looking at him.
*End of Flashback*
Brady frowned. "I was such an ass. But she sure put me in my place. She was wonderful, absolutely stunning. An angel," he whispered to no one. His brow furrowed as he came to a realization just as the music swelled to a fantastic crescendo. "An angel." He shook his head as if he couldn't believe what he'd just grasped.
Brady bolted off of the couch with a renewed energy, heading straight to his bedroom. "Pack your things, Fred! We're going to take a little road trip tonight." He pulled down a duffle bag from his closet and began shoving in some clothes. "Salem U.S.A. here I come." He paused in the midst of his task, suddenly feeling very weary. "I just hope I'm not too late."
*****************
Meanwhile. . .
"And I know it was fruitless now. All my efforts were fruitless. But I know that this will just make me a stronger person," Chloe finished and took a generous sip of her peppermint tea.
Chloe, Mimi and Belle had all adjourned on the floor in front of the fireplace of Belle's family room for another bonding session. "Oh Chloe," Belle sighed.
Mimi cut in. "Chloe, I know you don't want to hear this but I'm your friend and I love you. So I'm just going to be straight with you whether you want to hear it or not. I don't feel sorry for you one bit."
"Meems," Belle began.
"No, Belle. She has to hear this," Mimi turned her attention back to an offended Chloe. "You love each other. You're both connected, always have been, tarot cards or not. Now I know you're feeling hurt for whatever reason but you're both being really silly. You could be together right now, in each other's arms, enjoying each other's company. But instead, because you two are so very stubborn and infuriating, you're sitting here alone."
"But I'm not alone," Chloe pouted. "I have you two."
"You know what I mean by that, Chloe."
"Well, what do you expect me to do!? Drive to Chicago and bring him home with me!? He's not a child, Mimi. He can make his own decisions." She stood, pacing. "I mean he's always been a pretty independent guy so long as I've known him. He never needs anyone. . . or so he says," she paused, staring into the flames burning brightly in the fireplace, the shadows dancing across her face. "But I do know better. He hates admitting he's wrong about anything. He hates asking for help. I mean once he offered to put a bookcase together for me and not once did he look at the instructions sheet. Needless to say, I had to kick him out so I could do it myself." She chuckled. "He loves when it rains like I do. And we have this fantasy where we dress in yellow rain slickers and yellow boots and hats like the Morton salt girl and just start playing in puddles. . . Don't ask," Chloe grinned at the befuddled looks on Mimi and Belle's faces. "He drinks warm milk and sugar before he goes to bed each night. He likes to jog every morning and take walks every evening. And he loves 'I Love Lucy' and is a closet 'Survivor' fanatic." She sobered. "And he loves me. And a part of me has always known that." She paused. "I have to go."
"What? Where?" Mimi asked, shocked.
"To Chicago," Chloe answered simply, gathering her things.
"But," Belle began. "It's snowing like crazy. It'll take you at least three hours to get over there."
"If that means I get to see Brady Black at the end of those three hours, then it's worth it," Chloe grinned. "Bye ladies. Wish me luck!" And with that she was out the door.
"Good Luck!" Belle and Mimi yelled simultaneously, giggling. If any one of them had thought to turn on the radio, they would've heard the warning: Severe snowstorm headed their way.
******************
The weather had just gotten worse on the ride over. It had taken him two hours; twice the usual time it would have taken him to arrive in Salem. But apparently, there was a pretty nasty storm raging around the state. It was eleven o' clock at night when he'd figured Chloe was probably sleeping in her bed. After all, she probably just wanted to sleep, go to work in the morning and forget about this afternoon when he slated her in public. He flushed, embarrassed as he recalled the memory. He'd stood before Chloe's door and knocked a few times before considering coming back in the morning. But a gut feeling had him heading over to his sister's house to see what was up. Not that he thought anything could be really wrong. Truth was, he couldn't wait any longer. Screw his pride. He had to see her tonight, apologize and then convince her they were destined for a life together. He just had to find her first.
"Brady?" A sleepy-eyed Belle answered her door. "What-- what are you doing here? You're supposed to be in Chicago."
"Can you invite me in before you begin your interrogation, please? It's absolutely freezing out here."
"Of course," Belle stepped backed, letting her brother inside.
"Thank you," he breathed out, rubbing his hands together. "You wouldn't happen to know where Chloe is would you?"
"What time is it?" Belle scratched her head, part of her wondering if this was some kind of freaky dream.
"Sorry, I know it's late. I just need to know where she is."
"Who?"
"Chloe."
"She's in Chicago with you, right?"
Brady shook his head. "Maybe I should give you a few minutes to wake up or something."
"No, no. I'm up. But what are you doing here?"
"Looking for Chloe," Brady finished, exasperated.
"She's in Chicago," Belle paused. "Or at least she's driving there but she should be there by now."
"Whoa, whoa whoa, what are you saying? Chloe's on her way to Chicago right now."
"Yes, so what are you doing here?"
"I'm here for her. I love her. I was trying to find her to tell her so."
"Oh my God," Belle cooed. "That's so amazingly sweet. This is totally like that O'Henry story where the lady cuts off all of her hair to buy her husband something he needs for. . . something. I think his watch. But she doesn't know he's sold his watch and bought her a hair clip. It's really very sweet."
Brady ignored his sister's babbling. "Look Belle, can I use your phone. I want to try Chloe's cell."
"Sure," Belle sobered, finally realizing the gravity of the situation. The storm outside seemed pretty strong and Chloe was out there in the midst of it. Chloe hated driving period. There was no telling what could happen to her in a snowstorm.
"She's not picking up. Could be the storm. Maybe the signal's out." Brady let out a calming breath and replaced the receiver. "I'm going to go find her."
"You think she's okay Brady, don't you? I mean nothing can happen to Chloe, right?" Belle pulled at her brother's jacket, preventing him from leaving just yet. "Right, Brady?"
"I don't know. But I love her, Belle. And if I can help it, I won't let anything happen to Chloe ever again."
******************
"On the road again. Something, something. On the road again," Chloe sang loudly and clearly to keep herself alert in the slowly moving car. The streets were a virtual wasteland. Visibility was poor at best and the wind kept swerving her car from side to side. For the first time in a long time, Chloe felt real fear bury itself deeply in her gut. The only thing keeping her going was the thought of Brady's face when she showed up on his doorstep.
"But I can't see anything. . ." she trailed off, peering outside her windshield. She gasped as she spotted the large oak branch blocking her way. She tried to avoid it, but it was too late. Apart from her terrified scream, the resonance of screeching tires and the inevitable crash of twisting metal, the only sound to be heard was the howling wind.
TBC. . . This chapter was kinda short. Hopefully, I can make it up for the next chapter. Thanks for reading!
Chapter 15: On The Road Again
"Brady, where are you?" Chloe plopped down on a bench at Salem Place. She'd just spent the last twenty minutes scouring the streets of Salem in search of him. She'd even asked random people if they'd seen a tall, attractive blonde haired, blue-eyed man carrying a baby bulldog in a bib and bonnet to no avail. "Damn him," she muttered. Excitement had turned into anticipation, anticipation into nervousness, nervousness into fear and fear into anger. So now she was pissed.
"Uh Chloe?" Belle approached her friend and joined her on the bench.
"Belle."
"No luck, huh?"
"Nope," she sighed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "But I've been thinking."
"About?"
"Your pain in the ass brother and his continuous habit of overreacting to and assuming things. How dare he think Philip and I were somehow involved? We were just drinking coffee and I will drink coffee with whoever the hell I want to!" She stood, shopping bags in hand, and began pacing. "If he loves me so damn much, why doesn't he trust me!?"
"But-"
"But nothing! I am sick of Brady Black! Sick of him! I am sick of this emotional tug of war he seems to be playing. One day he wants me, the next he doesn't. He doesn't call me for two weeks and then just shows up one afternoon and berates me in public!?"
"But-"
"I was the most emotionally stable person I knew before he came into my life and now I'm some kind of basket case, some kind of freak all of a sudden!?"
"Love changes people?" Belle offered.
"You know what, Belle? The sooner you figure out love sucks, the better!"
"But-"
"No! Love sucks! It really does. It rips into your heart and buries itself there, eating away at you, consuming you until there's nothing left but a pitiful piece of. . . crap." She felt herself tear up and her voice lose some of its strength. "I hate him. I really do. I hate his eyes and his lips and how his hair does that stupid cowlick thing at the front. I hate him and I never want to see him again." The shopping bags fell from her hands, as she began sobbing.
"Oh, Chloe," Belle gathered her friend in a hug. "I'm sure things'll work out."
Chloe pulled out of her grasp, roughly wiping the tears from her face. "But you don't seem to get it, Belle. I don't want to work things out. Not anymore."
"But-"
"No. I have had it. If I never see Brady Victor Black again, it'll be too soon!"
****************
That Evening. . .
"Dammit!" Brady paced around his apartment. Today had been a nightmare. An absolute nightmare. "This is a nightmare, a fucking nightmare, Fred." He peered at his puppy, who yawned loudly before turning away from him. "Yeah, yeah go to sleep, you punk. Bury your head in the sand." He collapsed onto the couch.
"Though I think you may have the right idea. Maybe if I wish really hard and go to sleep, I'll wake up and will have never met Chloe. Never will have looked into her stupid, huge. . . gorgeous eyes, never run my hands through her amazing hair, never touched her soft skin, never kissed her tender lips. Arghhh. . . I sound like a fucking wuss, don't I? And I'm talking to a sleeping dog. I need help." He used his remote to flip on the radio. "Greeeeeat," Brady muttered when he heard a nocturne from Chopin softly filter into the room. "Let me guess, God. Could this be another one of your signs," he sneered bitterly.
Blowing out a calming breath, he reluctantly let the music settle him. It was warm and comforting and sad all at the same time. But it was also very familiar. It reminded him of his time in the hospital in Salem and the first time he'd laid eyes on Chloe. Part of him had fallen in love with her the minute he set eyes on her.
*Flashback*
"That's not funny, Belle!" Brady glared at his sister and ran his hand through his hair. And that's when his eyes landed on a beautiful, blue- eyed brunette standing timidly at his door dressed adorably in Marvin the Martian scrubs, her hair up in a high ponytail. "Who the hell are you?" He spat, uncomfortable with the shocked way she was looking at him.
*End of Flashback*
Brady frowned. "I was such an ass. But she sure put me in my place. She was wonderful, absolutely stunning. An angel," he whispered to no one. His brow furrowed as he came to a realization just as the music swelled to a fantastic crescendo. "An angel." He shook his head as if he couldn't believe what he'd just grasped.
Brady bolted off of the couch with a renewed energy, heading straight to his bedroom. "Pack your things, Fred! We're going to take a little road trip tonight." He pulled down a duffle bag from his closet and began shoving in some clothes. "Salem U.S.A. here I come." He paused in the midst of his task, suddenly feeling very weary. "I just hope I'm not too late."
*****************
Meanwhile. . .
"And I know it was fruitless now. All my efforts were fruitless. But I know that this will just make me a stronger person," Chloe finished and took a generous sip of her peppermint tea.
Chloe, Mimi and Belle had all adjourned on the floor in front of the fireplace of Belle's family room for another bonding session. "Oh Chloe," Belle sighed.
Mimi cut in. "Chloe, I know you don't want to hear this but I'm your friend and I love you. So I'm just going to be straight with you whether you want to hear it or not. I don't feel sorry for you one bit."
"Meems," Belle began.
"No, Belle. She has to hear this," Mimi turned her attention back to an offended Chloe. "You love each other. You're both connected, always have been, tarot cards or not. Now I know you're feeling hurt for whatever reason but you're both being really silly. You could be together right now, in each other's arms, enjoying each other's company. But instead, because you two are so very stubborn and infuriating, you're sitting here alone."
"But I'm not alone," Chloe pouted. "I have you two."
"You know what I mean by that, Chloe."
"Well, what do you expect me to do!? Drive to Chicago and bring him home with me!? He's not a child, Mimi. He can make his own decisions." She stood, pacing. "I mean he's always been a pretty independent guy so long as I've known him. He never needs anyone. . . or so he says," she paused, staring into the flames burning brightly in the fireplace, the shadows dancing across her face. "But I do know better. He hates admitting he's wrong about anything. He hates asking for help. I mean once he offered to put a bookcase together for me and not once did he look at the instructions sheet. Needless to say, I had to kick him out so I could do it myself." She chuckled. "He loves when it rains like I do. And we have this fantasy where we dress in yellow rain slickers and yellow boots and hats like the Morton salt girl and just start playing in puddles. . . Don't ask," Chloe grinned at the befuddled looks on Mimi and Belle's faces. "He drinks warm milk and sugar before he goes to bed each night. He likes to jog every morning and take walks every evening. And he loves 'I Love Lucy' and is a closet 'Survivor' fanatic." She sobered. "And he loves me. And a part of me has always known that." She paused. "I have to go."
"What? Where?" Mimi asked, shocked.
"To Chicago," Chloe answered simply, gathering her things.
"But," Belle began. "It's snowing like crazy. It'll take you at least three hours to get over there."
"If that means I get to see Brady Black at the end of those three hours, then it's worth it," Chloe grinned. "Bye ladies. Wish me luck!" And with that she was out the door.
"Good Luck!" Belle and Mimi yelled simultaneously, giggling. If any one of them had thought to turn on the radio, they would've heard the warning: Severe snowstorm headed their way.
******************
The weather had just gotten worse on the ride over. It had taken him two hours; twice the usual time it would have taken him to arrive in Salem. But apparently, there was a pretty nasty storm raging around the state. It was eleven o' clock at night when he'd figured Chloe was probably sleeping in her bed. After all, she probably just wanted to sleep, go to work in the morning and forget about this afternoon when he slated her in public. He flushed, embarrassed as he recalled the memory. He'd stood before Chloe's door and knocked a few times before considering coming back in the morning. But a gut feeling had him heading over to his sister's house to see what was up. Not that he thought anything could be really wrong. Truth was, he couldn't wait any longer. Screw his pride. He had to see her tonight, apologize and then convince her they were destined for a life together. He just had to find her first.
"Brady?" A sleepy-eyed Belle answered her door. "What-- what are you doing here? You're supposed to be in Chicago."
"Can you invite me in before you begin your interrogation, please? It's absolutely freezing out here."
"Of course," Belle stepped backed, letting her brother inside.
"Thank you," he breathed out, rubbing his hands together. "You wouldn't happen to know where Chloe is would you?"
"What time is it?" Belle scratched her head, part of her wondering if this was some kind of freaky dream.
"Sorry, I know it's late. I just need to know where she is."
"Who?"
"Chloe."
"She's in Chicago with you, right?"
Brady shook his head. "Maybe I should give you a few minutes to wake up or something."
"No, no. I'm up. But what are you doing here?"
"Looking for Chloe," Brady finished, exasperated.
"She's in Chicago," Belle paused. "Or at least she's driving there but she should be there by now."
"Whoa, whoa whoa, what are you saying? Chloe's on her way to Chicago right now."
"Yes, so what are you doing here?"
"I'm here for her. I love her. I was trying to find her to tell her so."
"Oh my God," Belle cooed. "That's so amazingly sweet. This is totally like that O'Henry story where the lady cuts off all of her hair to buy her husband something he needs for. . . something. I think his watch. But she doesn't know he's sold his watch and bought her a hair clip. It's really very sweet."
Brady ignored his sister's babbling. "Look Belle, can I use your phone. I want to try Chloe's cell."
"Sure," Belle sobered, finally realizing the gravity of the situation. The storm outside seemed pretty strong and Chloe was out there in the midst of it. Chloe hated driving period. There was no telling what could happen to her in a snowstorm.
"She's not picking up. Could be the storm. Maybe the signal's out." Brady let out a calming breath and replaced the receiver. "I'm going to go find her."
"You think she's okay Brady, don't you? I mean nothing can happen to Chloe, right?" Belle pulled at her brother's jacket, preventing him from leaving just yet. "Right, Brady?"
"I don't know. But I love her, Belle. And if I can help it, I won't let anything happen to Chloe ever again."
******************
"On the road again. Something, something. On the road again," Chloe sang loudly and clearly to keep herself alert in the slowly moving car. The streets were a virtual wasteland. Visibility was poor at best and the wind kept swerving her car from side to side. For the first time in a long time, Chloe felt real fear bury itself deeply in her gut. The only thing keeping her going was the thought of Brady's face when she showed up on his doorstep.
"But I can't see anything. . ." she trailed off, peering outside her windshield. She gasped as she spotted the large oak branch blocking her way. She tried to avoid it, but it was too late. Apart from her terrified scream, the resonance of screeching tires and the inevitable crash of twisting metal, the only sound to be heard was the howling wind.
TBC. . . This chapter was kinda short. Hopefully, I can make it up for the next chapter. Thanks for reading!