Chapter 7
Brenda
Too Much
My dad was not exaggerating when he said this house was big and would fit everyone.
It's HUGE.
As I walk through the double front doors, my mouth fell open as I took in all the surroundings. The white porcelain tiles are perfectly polished without a single footprint on the expensive floor. As for styling, it is just like out of a magazine. Everything is purposely placed and matched to the theme of the room.
Beside me Brandon lets out a long whistle.
"Damn…this place is awesome."
"I know right? It makes the Beverly Hills homes we grew up around look small."
Brandon laughs, "Totally. For christ sake Bren, it has a helipad. Who the hell has a helipad?"
"Someone I should marry." Valerie walks in behind us. "Fuck me." She looks around. "This place is next level."
"Holy Shit!" A familiar voice instantly brings a smile to my face.
"Steve…language." A pretty woman says holding the hand of an equally gorgeous little girl.
"Steve!" I grin, throwing my arms around him.
"Brenda! My god it's been way too long." He picks me up spins and I can't help but giggle. When he finally lets me to my feet again he brings out his hand to the pretty woman. "Bren…this is my better half, my wife Janet" We smile and say hello, "And this." He grunts a little picking up his daughter I have seen loads of pictures of but never have gotten the honor to meet in person, "This is my daughter Madelyn. Maddie this is auntie Bren."
"Hi sweetie." I smile and the girl smiles back, leaning her head shyly on her father's shoulder. "Guess what I have?" I knew Maddie was coming so I reach into my back pocket and pull out a lollipop. "If it's okay with your mom and dad?" I look at Steve and Janet blinking my lashes begging like a kid. They both nod an okay.
Maddie takes it, "Thank you! Daddy it's like uncle Dylan."
Um what?
Steve laughs and puts Maddie down, "Dylan…always bribes her with lollipop's. It's their thing." He says nonchalantly and it makes me smile. Thats right Dylan is her godfather. I remember Brandon telling me even though I knew he was a little hurt not to be included at the time. He would never admit that though.
"Brando!" Steve moves on from me and hugs my brother. Brandon laughs patting him on his back.
"Steve…I just saw you the other night."
"I know…but shit I miss you."
"Steve!" Janet gives him the look and her head tilts to Maddie.
"I'm sorry I'm sorry." He moves his arm around her waist and kisses her temple. She smiles and cuddles into him. My god who is this man? It definitely isn't Steve.
Steve moves to Valerie and he greets her spinning her around much like he did with me. We all make our way into the house and start picking rooms. Soon we are hanging out by the pool and Steve is proving he's still in there by making mucho marvelous mango margaritas.
Next to show up are Donna, David and Kelly. Donna shrieks so loud when she sees me I laugh until tears appear in my eyes. She hugs me so tight, also with tears and gushes over my engagement ring. David is fucking fine as hell but I try not to look surprised or breathe a word. DAMN he grew up. I look at Kelly, she smiles at me. It's guarded, I mean is she with Dylan, have they been until recently? All this stupid insecure Dylan and Kelly stuff flutters in my head.
"Hey Kel." I smile back.
"Hey Bren. Congratulations!" We don't hug and it's definitely weird. She takes my hand and looks at my ring, "Wow it's gorgeous Brenda."
"Thanks. How are you?" I ask nicely.
She nods, her eyes find my brother and suddenly I'm not so worried about her and Dylan anymore. "I'm okay."
My brother sees her and has the biggest smile I've ever seen, "Kelly Taylor! Get your ass over here." My brother calls out and we both laugh.
"Oh my lord." Kelly laughs, "Someone has gotten into the Mango margaritas. We'll talk later." I nod nicely as she moves toward Brandon. I sip my margarita and watch as my brother bear hugs her. He kisses her neck and I'm surprised by it. I wonder if they have met up since he's gotten into town, Note to self, have a chat with Brandon.
Andrea and her new boyfriend finally come and everyone is here. Well…everyone but Dylan. It's surreal and the feeling of being young, free and in LA is warm and nostalgic feeling. Greetings and hugs are exchanged with everyone and I can't help but smile. I didn't know how much I missed it here until now. It seems we all just drift back into a groove. Like myself and my brother never left. It's comforting.
I meet my dad's important client and their daughter Gia. She is a beautiful blonde and is in the bombshell category. Being a good daughter, I introduce her to the gang so she doesn't feel left out.
Of course the boys gravitate towards her, and it makes Janet, Kelly, Donna and even Valerie a little uneasy. I roll my eyes at their jealousy and lay on a lounge chair. Soon Donna joins me and we spend the next hour catching up.
"Bren, do you mind passing me the tanning lotion." Donna looks amazing in her floral string bikini. She hasn't changed much from high school and I seriously envy her small frame.
"Jesus…look at them." Valerie comes over sipping her Margarita, Kelly then to refill her drink. "It's like a bunch of lost puppies drooling over Gia. Looks like she is enjoying the attention as well."
"Val…be nice." Donna says comfortably. "It's not going to end well for her, none of them are single…except maybe Brandon." Kelly growls. Interesting!
"My dad would kill him." I say thinking about my father kissing ass to this client. The girls laugh.
"Where's your man Bren?" Donna asks me as she rubs the tanning lotion on her already tan legs.
"You mean, Austin?"
Donna looks at Kelly, then they are both staring at me with curiosity, Beside me, Valerie snickers, "Who else would it be?" She adds.
"Sorry, I'm just tired from these drinks and the sun." I try to down play my paranoia. "He's in London, he can't make it, he has a huge interview for his residency. It's just me." I shrug with a smile.
Valerie clears her throat next to me, I consider throwing her in the pool. Ruining her perfect styled hair but remember it's Valerie and she is my friend. I have to keep reminding myself that.
"Who needs guys anyway, this is going to be such a fun weekend. Brenda…you should visit more." Donna pouts.
"I know…you guys can visit to you know." I add.
"You're right…two way street, I know I know. We love you though and I'm so happy your here."
I smile and watch Kelly and Donna join the boys in the pool.
"Hmmm no Austin this weekend. And here I thought I missed the love triangle of the century."
"What are you talking about?" I stand close to Valerie.
"It's like de ja vu. It's the Dylan, Brenda, Kelly Bermuda triangle all over again but this time there is no Kelly and someone new in the mix."
"I will push you in the pool."
Valerie laughs, "I'm just saying," she sips her cocktail and I sigh.
"I have no idea what you're talking about?"
"Right okay, we're in the denial phase."
"I'm not in the denial phase, Austin is in London and Dylan is on some business trip. They are not here for two very different reasons. As for your love triangle assumption, you must be in love with two men for it to be a love triangle. I'm marrying one man, end of story."
"Which one?" Valerie eyes me and I roll my eyes with a smirk.
"You are suppose to be my friend. What's with the bullshit?"
"I'm your best friend, listen Bren, you know I love you. You can fight it and tell yourself it's nothing, but in the end, the heart only wants what it wants. And no person will ever fill the shoes of the man you're in love with." She eyes me sadly, then looks over at David. He smiles at her and looks away. Our eyes meet, "Believe me Bren…I know."
I forgive Valerie for her love triangle bullshit and drop it because I have sympathy over the David situation. The rest of the afternoon is spent by the pool drinking mimosas and mango margaritas, courtesy of Steve. My dad hired chefs to serves us food, which of course taste amazing.
The music is cranked up, the vibe mellow and chill. The boys are hovered still around Gia. The jar of mojitos is empty, so I offer to grab more from the kitchen. Unable to juggle my towel, I throw it back on the lounge and grab the jug along with the empty bowl of crisps…chips whatever. I walk inside while humming the tune to the song which last played. I turn the hallway only to crash into a body, hands gripping my practically naked hips as the shock stills me.
Before I can even comprehend anything, the electric current runs through every part of my body, forcing me to breathe and glance upwards.
The warm brown eyes are staring back at me, deep and climbing into my soul where it once called home. Every nerve is firing all at once, unable to calm down amongst the frenzy riding within me.
"Bren." Dylan murmurs, his voice so deep and etched in my memory, "Are you okay?"
I shake my head while swallowing the lump which formed inside my throat. My heart is racing like a pack of animals released into the wild, but I beg of myself to compose my actions in front of the man I never expected to see at this moment.
"I'm fine, just surprised to run into someone," I say, trying to even my tone and appear unaffected. "And that someone being you. What are you doing here? I thought you had some meeting in Hong Kong?"
Dylan lets go of my hips, and instantly I feel the loss. He takes the bowl from my arms, until his eyes fall towards my chest. I'm unsure what to say, given I'm wearing a bikini and suddenly feel very exposed. Dylan's eyebrows pull together as he struggles to keep his expression hidden. The torment is evident in his eyes, but I cant blame him. I would be the same if he walked out almost naked in front of me.
And then just like that, the memory of just how delicious this man looks naked comes rushing to my mind. My body begins to react, but I'm unable to cover my chest as my nipples harden. I raise the jug to cover myself, the irony not lost on me.
Dylan clears his throat, breaking his gaze, "Plans changed.'
"Well good." I smile. "Glad you can make it."
"Look I don't want this to be weird for you."
"Why would it be weird? In fact everyone is out back, come hang by the pool with us."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure, Dylan your part of the original gang. I'm glad you're here, it wouldn't have been the same without you."
"If you say so." He smiles a gorgeous smile at me. I stare at his lips. I can't seem to pull myself away, drawn to the memory of them kissing every inch of my body. "I'm going to get changed."
I nod, trying to keep my cool, "I'm going to grab more drinks. I'll see you by the pool."
He disappears down the corridor as I continue to stand frozen on the spot. I didn't plan for Dylan to be here this weekend, we had a great time at the beach, just us but now everyone was here. Including my dad. Being friends with him is not as easy as I play it out in my head. But just because feelings still linger, it doesn't make it a love triangle as Valerie so eloquently put it. The feelings are resurfacing because once upon a time, we shared our lives with one another and with that, we created untouchable memories.
We built a special type of bond, we've known each other for years, we were each others first love and our friendship grew with it.
So yes…I miss Dylan.
I miss the friendship we once had. And there's nothing wrong with that, I shouldn't I feel guilty. My relationship with Austin is not in jeopardy.
Yet even I knew deep down inside if I allowed myself a moment of truth, part of what Valerie said is right.
Denial is a curse in itself.
How long I am able to keep lying to myself, I am yet to find out.
I refill the pitcher and he bowl of chips and walk back outside. The music gets louder as I walk closer to the large glass doors. Everyone is in he pool, laughing and playing around in the afternoon sun. But my eyes gravitate toward the cabana where Dylan is standing with Gia. He is wearing board shorts and sunglasses, his torso is completely exposed. I forgot just how sexy he is, every part of him is lean and hot damn he has abs.
Maybe I didn't forget, I purposely buried my memory.
Gia is staying beside him, laughing, only to touch his arm. A slight growl escapes my throat as a burning sensation spreads throughout me. Why is she even talking to him? Didn't they just meet like a minute ago? I sudden don't like Gia very much, my dads client be damned.
I put the jug down and pour myself a drink only for Valerie to yell out for one. Dylan turns his glance toward where I stand, but I ignore him. Valerie hops out of the pool and takes the drink from me.
'Why the face?"
"What face?" I ask, looking into the sky. "It's hot out here."
"Uh-huh." She says, placing the straw in her mouth and taking a long sip. "You pissed he came? He text me not that long ago and said he was coming."
"No it's fine. I just don't understand why Gia is all over him."
Valerie turns to where they stand as Dylan gives us another side glance. Gia is still touching him, making it so obvious, thrusting her perky tits into his face.
"That seems to be her MO."
"MO? Why don't you say something?" I contest, folding my arms.
Valerie turns to face me, "And what exactly would you like me to say? Dylan is single. Seems like Gia is on the prowl. As far as I am concerned, no one is crossing any boundaries. As for you, if you have a problem, then you say something."
How can I even argue this? I have no right to be upset, the ring on my finger contradicts my misplaced emotions. I'm a hypocrite for even feeing remotely jealous. Valerie nudges me as Dylan begins walking over to us. My gaze falls onto the ground, not wanting to unleash my anger onto him and trying to ignore how his shirtless torso is cut to perfection.
"Why the long face Bren?" Dylan mocks , standing in front of me. "Are you sad your fiancé isn't here to whisper sweet nothings into your ear?"
My gaze flicks upwards, straight at his arrogant smirk. What a dick thing to say? This is so Dylan. Aways pushing my buttons and goading some reaction from me.
"Don't you have somewhere else to be? Like Gia's vagina." Yep I said it. Fuck me.
Dylan places his hand on his heart with a coy and insincere smile. "Ouch, sounds like you're jealous."
Valerie lowers her head, jumping in the pool with a smirk on her face.
"To be jealous, I would have to actually care," I tell him, placing my hands on my hips. "A leopard doesn't change it's spots. Still as flirtatious as ever."
"You know, I'd be careful with that mouth of yours especially since you're standing so close to the edge of the pool."
My eyes fall upon the water. "You wouldn't dare."
"Hmmmm, I remember saying the same thing to you when we were kids and then…" his hands wrap around my waist until I'm thrown into the air and straight into the water. I gulp for air, trying to catch my breath though swallowing some water before I come up to the surface annoyed as hell.
"You dick!"
Dylan leans forward as I swim to the edge. When I'm close enough, he cups my chin and murmurs, "Nice and wet. Just how I like you."
I pull on his arm, forcing him into the pool, laughing when he comes up for air. "Don't mess with the messy."
Dylan pulls my bikini bottoms to bring me closer and that move shoots right to my core. "Is that a challenge, Miss Walsh?"
I shake my head with a grin. "It's like you don't remember just how bad I can be."
Our gaze falls upon each other, my heart racing just like it used to every time we were within reach of each other. A stolen glance, while momentary, runs deep into my core again, exposing feelings I've long buried.
"Oh, I remember." He replies with a cocky grin. "Impossible to forget."
Brandon yells at Dylan to join him and Steve at other end of the pool where there is a pool basketball net set up. That breaks our tense exchange. I purposely dunk myself under water to distract myself and willing my heart to sow down.
I move toward the edge, and look up to see my father. He is all alone sitting in a lounger. I climb out of the pool and grab a towel, sitting beside him.
Even though he is wearing sunglasses, his expression remains blank. His focus is on Dylan, but there is nothing to indicate or tell me how he feels.
"Are you upset Dylan is here? He said his plans changed for his trip to Hong Kong."
"Yes he was suppose to be there as we speak."
"Dad he's more than welcome here. He was part of our family for a long time. It okay you know. I'm okay."
My father looks at me and exhales. "I understand you were in love with him. I understand you have a lot of history. You might have forgiven him, I'm not one to forgive and forget so easily."
I place my hand on his arm, "Dad life is too short. Don't let my past with Dylan get in the way of your relationship with him."
My fathers phone rings from his pocket. He answers the call.
"Daniel, is it true?"
Dad pinches the bridge of his nose, keeping quiet as the person on the other line speaks. I continue o sit here unsure if I should leave him be.
"I'm back in the office on Monday afternoon. Lau can wait. We'll talk about it then."
My dad hangs up agitated.
"Everything okay?"
"Yes, no. It's nothing for you to worry about honey. Business. You sure you are okay with him being here?"
"Dad…Dylan and I were friends, of course Im okay."
"Be careful Brenda. I know you think Dylan has only good intentions but he has a ton of responsibility on his shoulders now. The last thing he needs is to be pulled into a different direction."
"Wait a minute, a moment ago I thought I had to be carful not to get hurt? Are you saying that I'm the problem now?"
"I'm saying people in love do crazy things. Like bail out of an important meeting in Hong Kong, despite it being a very critical business matter, which needed attention."
"Dylan is not in love with me." I say, lowering my gaze.
My dad laughs, it's not a haha laugh, it's a don't be dumb laugh, "Brenda…I know you are smart. Maybe a little in denial with this subject but that man…is so in love with you he can barely see straight." I look towards Dylan. He laughs as he blocks Brandon's shot into the basket. His eyes glance to me. Our eyes meet, the stare he is given me warms my whole entire body. It's intense and piercing.
"Brenda." My head shoots to my father that is looking at me and I know her saw our exchange, "Promise me you'll do the right thing."
"I will dad." I say to appease him but I'm not exactly sure what he meant. As far as I'm concerned, I had been doing the right thing. Dylan is here, we are getting along. I've done nothing to compromise my relationship with Austin.
Shit. Austin.
My dad excuses himself getting another call and I take the opportunity to head in the house to call Austin. It rings and rings and goes to voicemail. I leave a message.
I walk back past the gate and back to the pool area to see Dylan laying on a lounge chair and Gia sitting beside him. The two of them laughing, and the more I watch on, the more I realize my feelings for Dylan haven't disappeared. Not even a little.
They are climbing to the surface demanding attention.
And jealousy is an ugly disease, it's intent to cause only harm and no good. The toxicity is running through my veins, dragging my insecurities along with it. I begin to question my actions, reverting back to Austin's proposal, where I said yes to marrying one of my best friends.
Then I'm riddled with guilt, my thoughts alone are unfair to Austin.
But as I glance one more time at the man who once consumed me whole, there is no denying that my heart misses him. The wound which I thought healed, leaving a scar behind begins to tear at the corners.
No matter how hard I try to deny it, seeing him with someone else has exposed the truth.
I'm falling for him again.
Or maybe, I never stopped falling at all.
Dylan
Seeing Jim this weekend is the last thing I wanted even though I knew he'd be here. Brandon said the place was massive and he wasn't wrong. The problem is everyone is hanging out at the pool which means he is there too. After his blatant warning to leave Bren alone at that meeting, I avoided him at all costs even though Lau had placed an enormous amount of pressure on my shoulders regarding the stipulations of the takeover.
We don't need additional capital, and I firmly believe we can grow the platform beyond Lau's expectations. The difficulty is trying to convince him. A man who owns a decent chunk of Hong Kong and Singapore will not give up easily.
Brenda left the pool area after our intense exchange. I watched as she talked to her father and I didn't like it. Was he talking about me to her? Was he warning her about me? Telling her to stay away from me too? I knew Brenda had her own mind. That was one of the things I loved about her. She was strong willed, stood up for herself and anyone she cared about. She never held back…she was a fighter. If she didn't agree with her father, she would have never left me. I know that and Jim knows that. So when I watch her walk away I worry. Did he get into her head?
The weather is still warm, after staying in the water for a little while. I retreat to a lounge chair to check some emails. Anything to get my mind off following her or going to find her. There are emails from my lawyers, our finance team and many of my executives. Some suggest throwing more money at Lau, but when the man is of such wealth, I don't think money is his concern. Our conversations turn heated through email and I put my phone down to gain some patience only to find Gia standing beside me.
I know the Fleetwood's, not personally but I know the client is important to Jim or he wouldn't have invited them to this little gathering.
"All work, no play?" She says with a smile sitting in the chair next to me.
I half smile a her comment, "Something like that."
Gia is gorgeous, sexy as hell. I won't deny that. I'm not blind. And perhaps in another life, I would have had my way with her. But my head is less than interested. I'm being polite, entertaining her flirtatious behavior because deep down I'm a little immature and it's giving me some sort of reaction from Brenda. It's petty and honestly it isn't me to play games but desperate times calls for desperate measures. Plus it's not like I'm doing anything with her. Just smiling, talking to her, I'm being nice. Jim would have my left nut sack if I even entertained the idea of doing anything with this girl. And I am NOT entertaining the idea.
Gia is anything but subtle with her intentions, inviting me back to her room. But I refuse, letting her down gently. With Brenda no where to be seen, I laugh with Gia as she mentions Steve making a crude comment and then excuse myself when the curiosity to know where Brenda disappeared too is too much to take. I'm not an idiot. To laugh with the girl is one thing, sitting here with Gia will accomplish absolutely nothing.
The property is large enough to be able to lose yourself in. I turn a corner of a large maple tree to see Brenda sitting at the wooden picnic table. Her head is bowed, buried between a book she appears to be engrossed in. My footsteps are soft against the lawn as I walk toward her.
On closer inspection, her head is resting in her hand while she reads quietly, and unbeknown to her, there is a small pout of her lips, something I remember fondly.
"Reading at your own party?" I question softly, not to startle her.
Brenda raises her eyes, yet her expression is unreadable. She has an open cover up on now, still wearing her bikini underneath. I beg my eyes to ignore her breasts and just how sexy her body is. Yet the fact it is exposed straight down the middle makes it hard to resist.
UGH Keep your dick in check McKay.
"Studying, actually. I needed to clear my head." The moment she says it, her brows draw together as if she regretted saying it. It appears, just like me, we were both struggling with today no matter how well we were getting along.
I raise the book to view the title, then place it down again. "Kiss me Kate."
She sighs, "Yeah…it's like a taming of the shrew. But maybe I can dig deep into my young Liz Taylor again."
"Give or a take a Richard Burton?" I smile, remembering college.
She smiles back but it doesn't reach her eyes. "Let me guess…are you my Richard Burton?"
I chuckle, "Something like that…you know that was the love of her life right?"
She clears her throat and looks down. "They divorced twice." Well shit she has a point.
I reach to hook my thumb under her chin so she can look at me, "Yes but she married him twice. That's got to mean something."
Her eyes stare intensely into mine, "Dylan." She whispers. I can see something else is bothering her as she is unusually quiet.
"Is this a new play your going to audition for?" I decide to change the subject.
Brenda exhales, "Yeah, next month. We'll see, it could be big for me."
"You'll nail it…you always do." She smiles a real smile this time.
"You always did know just the right thing to say." She looks at into the property.
"Something on your mind Bren?" I lean in a little, I get a whiff of her. It isn't her perfume she has been swimming on and off all day, it's just her and I want to breathe it in.
"Is this about Austin not being here?" I hate saying it, but if Brenda is to know that I care about her and were friends I have to bring the asshole up.
She shakes her head, "No…Austin is studying medicine, its busy for him. I don't have any experience with that kind of pressure and amount of studies. I get it. It's important."
"More important than you?"
She looks at me, I see her swallow. "It's not my business but an engagement party seems a little weird without the fiancé. It's okay to be upset about it."
She shakes her head, "I was at first but this trip was last minute. It wasn't meant to be."
"I know for a fact if you were mine, I would never leave your side for a minute." I can't believe I said it. When her eyes snap to mine, I'm fully aware I've said it out loud. I don't think I meant too but it just slipped out.
She gets up and walks a few feet away from me. "Bren." I breathe. I regret making her feel uncomfortable. I walk up behind her. My hands find her arms as I gently caress them up and down. I don't miss the way she leans into me. My face finds the side of hers and I close my eyes taking in this closeness. It's been so long. "I'm sorry." I whisper in her ear. We stand close for what feels like several minutes. I take my hand and move her hair off her shoulder, my lips press into her ear, "Want to take a walk?"
She turns and nods, "Sure"
We walk along the garden and through the gate towards the sand. Beneath out feet, the sand is warm and soft between our toes. The sea breeze is cooler as the sun begins to set on the horizon.
As we walk we speak more about her play. Living on her own in "our apartment" and I'm happy she doesn't live with her fiancé. I enjoy listening to our small talk. The sound of her voice is like sunshine. I never realized how much I missed something so simple.
The sky becomes a shade of pink, prompting us to turn around and back towards the house. There are still a few people on the beach, mainly families with children. She stops and looks at a couple maybe ten feet away from us. The man is caressing the women's cheek. Then kisses her softly. They smile mid kiss, he grabs her left hand kissing the ring that sits there. It's a sweet scene and I even find myself smiling a little as he grabs her waist and flings her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. You hear her giggles as he lightly smacks her on her bottom.
Brenda is staring too, she is dead quiet. Is she thinking about Austin? Are they playful like that because her and I were. We were just like that. She begins to walk towards the property and I rush to catch up to her.
"What's wrong?" I pull her back.
"Nothing." She answers quickly.
"Well, it's not nothing, your quiet as hell."
Brenda stands with her head bowed. Slowly, she raises her gaze to meet mine, but her eyes have glassed over. There is definitely something bothering her, a sadness in her expression as her chin begins to tremble. She pulls the sleeves of her coverup over her hand and raises it to cover her mouth.
"I can't do this." Her voice trembles.
"Do what?" My voice soft.
She points to me then her. "This, us. I'm sorry, Dylan."
Without another word, she turns back around and begins to quicken her steps to escape me. I don't understand her sudden change of mood and run towards her to catch up, grabbing her arm to make her stop again. I turn her around to see tears have fallen down her face.
"Hey." I say softly, wiping the tear from her cheek. "What is it?"
She shakes her head, unable to speak. "I thought I was okay, but…"
I pull her into me, placing her head against my chest while I wrap my arms around her body to comfort her. "It's going to be okay, whatever is bothering you."
"You don't understand Dylan." She sobs out.
She pulls back slightly, but her eyes continue to haunt me. The color has drained from her face, and her teary eyes portraying her sadness. I feel utterly helpless, unsure how to act or what to say, consumed by the need to protect her, to rescue her.
I'm terrified of the truth unraveling, of being the cause of her pain or is it worse if it's Austin? I don't like either possibility.
"Help me understand." I whisper begging her to let me in.
She covers her face in her hands trying to shake out of this sadness. "I can't do this…I'm questioning everything. Why are you doing this?" I don't get it. What am I doing?
"Baby what?" I whisper, my heart breaking.
"Don't call me that!" She yells. "Me and you are over. It's been four years Dylan. I'm engaged to someone else. He's been there for me, with me in life, taking care of me." My hand goes to my chest like someone punched me there, "I love him!"
I feel my eyes tear, this was worse than I had feared. Fuck no, this is it she is going to end this for good. "You come back into my life and make me question everything." She cries and I straighten up. I don't want her to hurt but that is the best ting I've heard in a long time. "I can't do this with you again! I can't start this again with you!"
She turns again and this time I'm fast, I grab her hand and pull her to me, her grey blue eyes sinking into mine, "Don't you get it Bren…you know damn well that this…never ended."
She closes her eyes and I do something I know I shouldn't do. But it's like the universe is in charge and I have no control of it. My hands find her face and I smash my lips against hers. She whimpers but doesn't kiss back. My tongue runs between her pouty lips, she still doesn't respond. I give up and rest my forehead against hers. "Kiss me." I whisper.
"I can't" she whispers back. It's painful and I hear it in her voice she wants to. She's holding back. If she kisses me. It's over. All bets are off. I know and she knows it. She is committed to that fucker whether I like it or not. She won't cheat on him.
"You don't love him." I say calmly. She struggles to get free, I won't allow her to put space in between us just yet so I hold her closer to me, "Not like you should." She calms and lets out a struggled breathe. "Why are you marrying a man you don't love?" I pull her back so I can look at her, still holding her arms. I shake her a little, "Is it because of your father? Is that why? Is it because daddy approves?" I know my voice is rude. But Brenda marches to her own drum. Why is she listening to her father? She never used to. She was always the first one to lead the battle against her fathers disapproval of us. Why is she with this fucker that can't even make time to see where she grew up, meet her friends and celebrate this supposed engagement.
She brings both hands and pushes hard against my chest separating us. She brings up her hand and it glides effortless across my face. The slap makes my head turn in the opposite direction and it immediately stings. She sobs out loud and runs this time toward the property. I'm too shocked to move, to chase her this time. I only look toward the direction she disappears into, tears brim my eyes. I think I fucked up.
EEEK Hides with ending it there. Next up, Brenda's POV and a blow out in front of people and a surprise visit from Austin. Hit review my loves. Malibu BABY!
