Chapter Fifteen

Bradin stared at her, his eyes boring into hers with a look of hurt and betrayal so deep that it seared Marie's soul. She felt as if the earth was falling out from beneath her feet; her world crashing down around her. He shook his head sadly, dropping his gaze from hers with the most pained expression Marie had ever seen. Tears pricked at her eyes and fell like a flood down her face. Her heart was breaking. She could feel the pieces shattering within her chest.

"No," she cried as Bradin turned and began to walk away, "no, please. Don't go, please don't go." The strength sapped from her body, Marie sunk to the ground crying and screaming for him to stay with her.

"Marie," someone was shaking her, urgency in their voice. "Marie, wake up." Her eyes fluttered open and she stared up into Kyle's concerned face. "Are you alright?"

"I…" she sat up, a hand to her forehead, trying to recall the dream. Had it really been only a dream? It had felt so real. The pain and lose had seemed to really be happening.

"You were having a nightmare." Kyle sat on the bed beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and holding her tight against him.

"It seemed so real." She whispered. Kyle's chin rested on the top of her head and his hand traces soothing circles across her back.

"Well it wasn't." He said, "it was just a dream."

Marie couldn't help but thinking, was that really all it was? Was it really just a dream?

Orange and pink light cast over the water as the sun rose above the horizon. Bradin tilted his head back, drinking in the sight and smell of the sunrise. His mind moved to the night when he and Marie had first said that they loved each other. They had stayed out all night that night, wrapped in each other's arms and watching the sun come up. Had it really been so long ago? It seemed like only yesterday to Bradin that he had first whispered the words that he had never uttered to a girl before.

Shaking his head, he tried to clear it of all thought- Marie and otherwise. It was over. She had chosen, and he had lost. There was no point in lingering on what had been. No point in wishing and hoping that he could have her back.

Anger simmered within his veins. It wasn't the fact that he had lost Marie that caused the rage to build within him. No, it was the fact that he had lost to Kyle. The guy was no good, Bradin could feel it deep within him. There was some underlying agenda with him. Something hidden and menacing. Nikki would say that it was just Bradin's jealousy saying this. But Bradin knew differently. His gut had never proved him wrong before, so why would it start now.

His thoughts consumed him. Every time he closed his eyes Marie's face floated just behind his eyelids. This wasn't healthy. Bradin knew it wasn't, and yet he continued to allow thoughts of Marie to penetrate his mind. Standing quickly, he made his way back towards the beach house, or anywhere that he could keep Marie from his thoughts. He simply needed to get away from anyplace that reminded him of her, it was the only way to keep him sane. But there was one flaw in his plan. Everywhere reminded him of Marie. Every place he went held some semblance of their time together; of the love they had shared. It was hell to the worst extent. There was no escape from the memories and the pain.

He ran across the sand, not knowing where he was going, simply running. Maybe he could outrun his hurt. It was wishful thinking, but Bradin needed some kind of hope that he could get over Marie.

The sand flew out behind him as his feet moved swiftly down the beach. He ran and ran. His side began to hurt and his breathing was soon ragged; his lungs burning. But still he ran. The bottoms of his bare feet stung from the coarseness of the sand and felt as if they were on fire. And still he ran. People passed in a blur, their curious expressions following him. His heart felt as if it would burst from his chest it beat so fast, pumping blood to his limbs as he raced along the sandy stretch. He felt lightheaded and weightless as he desperately tried to outrun his troubles. Finally, he collapsed.

The sand rubbed roughly against the palms of his hands as he fell to the ground. Sweat drenched his body, causing the sand to stick to every inch of skin that touched against the beach. His breath came in short, ragged gasps as he fought to gain control of his racing heart.

"Damn it." Bradin whispered hoarsely, his hand clenching into a fist and hitting against the sand. "Damn it, damn it, damn it." With each cry, his voice got stronger, louder; his fist beating roughly against the earth.

"You stupid bastard," he seethed, his brain bringing Kyle's face into his mind's eye. "You're not going to get away with this so easily. You hear me you son-of-a-bitch," he cried, tilting his head back and screaming at the sky, "you're not going to take her away from me without a fight."

Marie shifted in bed. Sleep would not return, yet she remained stubbornly in bed, not wanting to face the world. Kyle appeared in the doorway, knocking gently on the open door.

"Can I come in?" He asked. Marie nodded, unable to speak for the lump in her throat. Emotions surged through her, making it difficult to even think, much less speak. Kyle settled onto the bed beside her, much like he had only a few hours before. Unaware that she did it, Marie scooted away from Kyle. Not enough for either of them to notice, but enough to make a statement had they been paying attention.

Marie drew the covers up around her as she sat up, feeling suddenly very self-conscious around Kyle.

His fingers grazed lazy circles over her bare shoulder blade, sending shivers down her spine. Marie pulled the covers even tighter around her, trying to cover every inch of skin. He looked at her, confused. Marie felt awful for doing this to him. To kiss him one day and then to be utterly terrified of him the next. But hadn't her mother once said that the best men made you feel safe and loved and terrified all at the same time? But look where that way of thinking had gotten her mom. Years of abuse and brutality. But this wasn't about her mother, this was about Marie.

"I'm sorry." She whispered, lowering the blankets slightly. She needed to start trusting Kyle more. They had been friends for two years, it was about time she began to lower her guard around him. True, she had left her fear behind her when her stepfather had been arrested and she and her mother were free from him, but the sudden shift in her relationship with Kyle had caused that fear to return. She didn't want to get hurt again. With Bradin things had been different. He had been with her through the difficult time in her life. She knew where he stood, she knew he wouldn't take advantage of her. But Kyle…Marie knew that she should trust him, that she could trust him with her very life. But something kept her tentative around Kyle now that the kiss had happened. He had promised he wouldn't hurt her, but could she trust him to keep his wits about him now that they had laid their emotions out there?

Marie mentally berated herself. This was stupid. Of course she could trust Kyle. He had proved himself an invaluable friend over the past couple of years. How could she even question him? Her fears were unfounded and stupid.

Allowing the blankets to drop and pool in her lap, Marie took in a deep breath and rested her head on Kyle's shoulder.

"I'm sorry." She repeated.

"It's alright." He smiled down at her, laying her fears to rest. "We're going to have to go slow, I understand that. You're worth it, Marie. Even if I have to wait forever, you're worth it."

His fingers gently traced the contours of her face, sliding down her jaw line and hooking beneath her chin. He softly forced her head up so that her gaze met his. The sincerity in his eyes brought tears to Marie's own. She brushed her lips against his, tasting his toothpaste and her own tears on his lips. Kyle's hand moved to the back of her head, deepening the kiss. She tilted her head back, allowing him the access his tongue sought. His free hand moved over her shoulder and down her arm, raising goose bumps on her skin. His fingers wrapped around hers, and he brought her hand up to his shoulder where he let it set, releasing it from his own grip. Her hand slid up his shoulder, feeling the toned muscles there, and rested on his neck. His pulse throbbed beneath her hand and Marie felt her heart speed up to match his. There was a oneness between them, a feeling that Marie had only felt with Bradin. It startled her now to feel it with Kyle as well.

The chapters really seem to be getting a lot shorter lately, but I guess I can't really help that. I kinda like writing short chapters better, you can get a whole lot more out in a smaller amount of time. Anyways, please review and tell me what you thought of this chapter.

the different person: Kyle's fate is still undecided. I am not yet sure whether or not he's a bad guy, a good guy, or a misunderstood guy. I also do not have a firm grasp on his character yet, so, until I do, he's just going to simply be there in the story.

Saynt Jimmy: No need to get violent now. Lol.

Jmacsgurl15, Soxbabe, Dramagrl, beverleyd, kandykane33, and grullo-cowgirl: Thank you all so much for reviewing. You guys rock!