Alright everyone...here it is the continuation of this crazy engagement party. Hold on tight, it's all happening. It's a nice long chapter, ENJOY and thank you all for the amazing positive reviews. I literally live for them. Check them every time I get an alert. You are the BEST!

Chapter 10

Holding Back The Storm

Brenda

Sometime in the late afternoon, I open my eyes to see Austin sitting beside me on the bed. I let out an involuntary groan before sitting up, only for the room to spin and my stomach recoil.

"Austin?" I barely mumble, my throat incredibly dry. "What time is it?"

"Almost tea time."

"I slept that long?"

He nods, but notably, his stare is fixated directly in front of him, avoiding me.

"Tell me I'm crazy, Brenda?"

I rub my eyes in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

"Tell me I have nothing to worry about. That you love me, and someday, we'll get married."

"I said yes to marrying you." I keep my voice low, wanting to avoid an argument but also because my head is throbbing. How much did I drink? Too much because I feel like absolute trash.

"That was before." He deadpans, "But now Dylan is back in the picture…"

"Dylan is not back in the picture." I state, trying to control my frustration. "He is here this weekend along with everyone else that's here. And in case you didn't notice today, he was busy with someone else."

Austin turns to face me, his stare anything but inviting. "I did notice, and it's fucking obvious you did too. Why else did you get completely pissed today?"

"Because Valerie poured? You know she is notorious for her imbalance ratio of vodka and mixer. Plus the heat today was ridiculous."

"That's what your mum said." He mumbles, lowering his head. "I don't want you to be friends with him."

I place my hand on his. "You have nothing to worry about. Come on let's get cleaned up because they're having a big engagement dinner and they're bringing out some expensive cake for us."

"Brenda." His face is serious, it causes me to swallow hard, "I mean it. I don't want you friends with your ex."

I clear my throat, "I don't spend a lot of time here in the states. I haven't been back here for six years. Things are kind of awkward with Dylan…but you will not tell me who I can and can't be friends with."

"Is that so?"

I cross my arms over my chest, "Yeah…it is so." He squares off, matching my demeanor.

"I don't know what has come over you. You're different here."

"Why…because I speak up for myself? This is who I am Austin, who I've always been."

He tilts his head and sighs, "Come on, let's get changed, you can shower here, I'll use Valerie's."

He nods, but deep inside, his vulnerability is still eating away at him.

I move towards the closet. Hanging on my wardrobe is a silk ivory dress Valerie insisted I wear. According to her it looked bride like and would look fantastic in photos.

I linger at the door, then turn to face him. "Austin, are you okay?"

He releases a breath, running his face in his hands. I know it's not just us he is worried about. There was the pressure of his medical degree looming over head as well.

"If we are good." He tells me softly, "I will be just fine."

Outside on the patio, a large dining table is set up a few feet away from the pool. Above it, festive lights hung in a diagonal pattern perfect for alfresco dining underneath the stars.

The table is decorated in a rose and gold theme, put together nicely to mark the special occasion of my engagement. The table scape elements are all the same color scheme and looks elegant. Bottles of wine sit in chillers. Rows of glasses, china, and cutlery, are positioned to accommodate everyone dining. Running down the center is a gold table runner with pillar candles sitting inside lanterns.

"This is gorgeous." Donna praises, taking a seat a couple chairs down from where I stand. She looks absolutely stunning tonight in a black cocktail dress which is tailored perfectly to her tiny frame. Her hair is down, medium length blonde curls cascading down her back. "Your mother is the queen of hosting."

I grin at her, "It does look phenomenal." I agree. Looking down the table to the end at my mom. She smiles at me and I nod a thank you. She blows me a kiss which causes my smile to widen.

Everyone made an effort to dress up tonight. All the men look dapper in their suits, and the women are just as beautiful in the dresses they're wearing. Of course Valerie, looks like sex on a stick in a fitted midnight blue dress and amazing red lips.

Austin pulls out my chair, I sit and he sits beside me. He takes my napkin and places it on my lap like a perfect gentleman. That's the difference between American boys and British ones. Chivalry is not completely dead. Well except Dylan, he was a gentleman too. I place my hand on his arm and smile at him. Things got a little heated earlier, I feel like I should assure him that we are okay. My attention is diverted to an annoying giggle. Shifting my glance, Gia is standing across the table wearing a low cut yellow dress with a crisscross pattern across her chest, barely covering her perky tits. The dress itself catches the attention of all the men, including Austin. For someone with a supposed migraine, she looks awfully chirpy while taking a seat directly across from me. Great, why do I have to look at her all night?

Valerie comes to my rescue, suggesting she move a few spots down. Thank fuck. The last thing I want is to have to converse with a liar dressed like a god damn whore.

Jesus, I'm slut shaming now. I need to control myself.

Deep breaths.

All I need to do is keep my opinions to myself and expressions to a bare minimum. Brandon sits next to Kelly she smiles a friendly smile at him as he kisses her on the cheek. He leans in and whispers something to her, and by her extended thank you, I would assume he told her she looked beautiful. Their interaction reminds me I haven't chatted with my brother about his ex.

I bow my head, ignoring my pulsating throb from today's misfortunate drinking, wishing I had taken some Advil. I was too busy trying to reassure Austin, forgetting to take care of myself.

As I do my best to control the throbbing in my head, my eyes glance towards Dylan, who is standing beside where Gia sits. He is wearing a dark blue suit, though no tie, and beneath a white shirt. I plead with myself to turn away, ignoring how devastatingly handsome he looks dressed up. Suit Dylan is equally if not more hot than t-shirt and jeans Dylan.

My eyes are a moth drawn to a fame. The more I admire how sexy he looks, the more my body craves to touch him. I can almost smell his scent from across the table, masculine and alluring, igniting all my senses. Biting down on my lip, I lower my gaze and take a deep breath, reminding myself of Austin beside me.

Like an annoying child, Gia begs Dylan to sit next to her, which he does, placing him directly across from me. He gives me a quick glance only to turn to the right moments later. I stare at him wiling him to look at me. Just to make a connection, but my wishing doesn't come true.

When everyone is seated, the waiters serve the starters as everyone speaks among themselves. A few jokes are thrown around and then the women shift to their love or hate relationship with bangs. It starts a small friendly debate amongst the women of the group, but I choose to keep quiet even when Donna announces how Kelly and I rocked phenomenal bangs in high school, we really fucking did.

My eyes keep unwillingly moving towards Dylan. He appears unaffected by my sitting with Austin, busy whispering something in Gia's ear, which makes her laugh.

I bury my jealousy by distracting myself with others, but its lingering presence is unavoidable. Did he sleep with her today? And how many times did they have sex? These questions are like poison running through my veins, and I beg myself to stop the vicious cycle I'm caught in.

The waiter serves the main course, and when the chicken is placed in front of me, I stab my fork into it, ignoring the burning sensation consuming me. My stomach begins to harden, forcing me to drink the wine in front of me, which is the last thing in the world I want after today. It doesn't seem to work, making my stomach even more unsettled. Champagne is being passed out as well at that moment.

There is a tap on the glass as my father stands up. Silence falls over the table. Dylan finally looks at me, swallowing hard before looking towards my dad. His expression knowing what this little speech will be about.

My father holds up his champagne glass, "First of all, I want to thank my beautiful wife for putting together this amazing dinner tonight to celebrate the engagement of my only daughter." My father smiles at me, I smile back and make eyes with my mom again. I mouth thank you to her and she winks. I look at Dylan, his pained expression stabs me in the chest and I take a deep breath feeling like I need it. His eyes are on me for just a second before his attention is back on my father.

"Let me be the first to welcome you Austin, into this crazy, fun, amazing extended family we have here in Beverly Hills. We might not all get together like this but when we do, it's like no time has past at all. I've watched you all grow into incredible men and women, doting fathers." He smiles at Steve. "And amazing husbands or wives. There was a time my family and I didn't know if we would make it in this town, and all of you have contributed to this being home in some way or another. It's not everyday I have both my kids here." He raises his glass, "Brandon and Brenda, you make me proud everyday and I'm honored to be your father. To the couple of the hour, congratulations on your engagement, may your life be filled with as much happiness and love as your mother and I have for each other. Cheers too many years together."

"Chin chin." Brandon calls out and everyone drinks their champagne, after the clear sound dings sound off.

Dylan downs his in one gulp. Tilting his head back in the process.

"Thank you Mr. Walsh, this has been lovely." Austin says beside me. His hand covers mine as he squeezes. I smile at him as he leans in kissing my lips quickly.

My attention goes to my parents that kiss softly as my father sits down again. As applause rounds out around the table. Everyone smiling and clapping, well except Dylan, he stares at his empty champagne glass.

My parents met in college and are just as in love as always. I can't help but wonder if I would feel equal in love with Austin after years of marriage. He really is one of my best friends, he has always been there for me. Surely, friendship must account for something in a marriage.

But the moment my thoughts begin to think about the future, I am drawn back to Dylan. There is no denying my feelings towards him haven't disappeared. My love for Austin seems comfortable but you can't compare that to the feelings I have for the man across me. I can't ignore how erratic my heart beats when my eyes feast upon the man who once consumed me whole. The pull, unexplainable with its force, wreaks havoc on my soul. My feelings for Dylan are far from comfortable, they're all consuming and overwhelming. Even though I am comfortable with Dylan, but they are intense and ignite you. It's just more. These feelings beg to be touched again, to be ignited by the person who started the flame when I was only sixteen years old. But all these feelings, the emotions, all of them are forbidden when they should be directed to the man sitting beside me.

The chatter fills the space again, as people get into their own conversations. More laughter continues as the bottles of wine empty and the cake comes out. The waiters waste no time in cutting it and serving it to each guest.

"So Austin, how's med school?" Kelly from our right asks, she smiles nicely at Austin.

"Difficult, but it's good. Hopefully, it will settle down when we get married soon."

My eyes blink slowly while trying to grasp what Austin just said. We hadn't actually discussed the getting married part, so when did it suddenly become soon?

"Oh, I didn't realize you were getting married soon?" Kelly questions with a flat gaze.

"Yes we want to get married as soon as possible." The loud clank of Dylan's glass hitting the cake plate rings out. He nervously grabs it righting it. It had been empty so nothing spilled yet the noise seemed deafening.

"Sorry." He says lowly clearing his throat. The gang notices but they pretend it wasn't just an obvious disruption.

"Well…that's great. Everyone loves a wedding." Kelly says uncomfortably but gives him a kind smile.

Why I feel the need to speak up is beyond me, maybe it's Dylan's lack of comfort with the topic or maybe my own, "Not as soon as possible." I tell the surrounding part of the gang in this conversation with slight annoyance. "I'm trying out for a new play next mouth. It will keep me really busy, right now that's my priority."

Austin places his fist on the table. It's curled into a ball and almost stark white. What did he expect me to say? Lie to everyone about us planning a wedding? We hadn't discussed a single thing except for the fact that we had planned to wait.

"Maybe your play can wait." He contests, his voice hard.

Kelly drinks her wine, her glance going to Brandon, her expression uncomfortable she even started this conversation.

Across the table, Dylan purses his lips with an angered expression staring at me. Gia moves to his side suddenly, curling into him and whispers in his ear. He keeps his eyes on me, anger radiating off him. His attention turns to her as he nods at whatever she said. His arm moves around her chair, he leans in and whispers something into her ear back. My frustration with Austin disappears as my anger at him and Gia, take over. The nerve of him. I bet he spent all day fucking her brains out just to get me back.

Austin's hand comes to my leg and squeezes. It makes me flinch, my head snapping to his.

He grits his teeth, "We were having a conversation about our wedding."

I shake my head, I'm going crazy. "Right…um yeah, the play can wait."

Dylan huffs angrily from across the table. My eyes snap back to him. I'm not sure why I lied or why I felt compelled to end an argument with Austin when in fact, he putting me on the spot and telling everyone we are getting married soon is downright disrespectful and not truthful.

Austin takes my hands kissing my ringed finger happy with my words. Dylan's eyes glare at him, his hand still around the back of Gia's chair, his finger teasing the strap of her dress on her shoulder. My eyes snap to his, an angered stare coming at me from the man who is playing this game tonight. His expression is anything but forgiving, bitter with tightness in his eyes while his jaw clenches. Gia whispers into his ear again, only for a smirk to play on his lips.

The asshole!

Throwing my napkin into the table, I rise from my chair. Austin getting up too.

"I'm going to the loo." I tell him. He grabs my arm roughly, mad at my outburst.

I look at him, "What the fuck is going on?" He whispers harshly and I can only imagine what this scene looks like to him. Dylan and myself staring daggers at one another from across the table.

"Take your hands off her." I hear Dylan and my eyes close.

Austin looks at Dylan, "I beg your pardon."

The entire table is silent then. "I said take…your hands…off her." I look in Dylan's direction, he's glaring and standing now, not caring about the audience he now has.

"I don't believe this is any of your business."

"It is my business, Bren's my business and your hurting her."

It's too much, red flags being waved everywhere and sirens. My mind screaming run away run away. Austin lets go of my arm turning towards Dylan. I'm thankful there is a table between them.

"She is not your concern, she is my fiancé."

Dylan rolls his eyes, "I don't give a fuck, you're a disrespectful little shit and if you touch her like that again, you'll have to answer to me."

My hand comes to my mouth for a brief second to compose myself, "It's okay." I say calm when my insides are in total chaos. "Excuse me I'm going to the restroom." My hand comes out to Dylan, "It's okay."

"It's not fucking okay." Dylan stares at me. His eyes demanding.

I turn to leave the vicinity, I feel Austin following me, I turn, "Don't follow me." I point to him as he freezes. I look at Valerie and she gets up and nods. Moving in front of Austin. "Come on." She tells him, "Let's give her some space, you look like you could use a drink." She ushers him to the bar.

I hear the hush of conversation as I make my way inside the house away from the backyard. I walk towards the foyer, going outsize for air.

Out the front door, are parked cars. There is a private car port off to the side. I notice Valerie's BMW rent a car, Steve'e Range Rover and my dad's S-class Mercedes…his 3rd child. With every footstep I take, my shoes crunch against the gravel. Given I'm wearing heels, it becomes increasingly difficult with every step.

A noise behind me stills my movements. I take a deep breath, praying to God it's a wild animal and not who I think it is.

Slowly, I turn around to Dylan standing in the shadows. His arms are crossed beneath his chest as he stares at me.

"Leave me alone." I warn him, crossing my own arms. "I've got nothing to say to you." Remembering him whisper and touch Gia's dress strap.

"Right. You've got nothing to say. Too busy planning your wedding." Bitterness in his voice.

I stare at him silently as he walk towards me. He stops a few feet away from me, "You're different. My Brenda would never let some asshole treat her like that. She wouldn't give up a play or lie about giving it up just to calm a fight. The Brenda I fell in love with when I was a 16 year old boy, was tough, strong willed, loyal to a fault, hard headed and stubborn." His voice raises, anger radiating off him. "Why do you let him treat you like that? Like you aren't important, like your dreams are less than his?" He yells.

"What do you care, Dylan." I yell back, unable to control myself. "Clearly living the best life of a single man! What was Gia giving you a hand job under the table?" I says disgusted.

He steps closer to me, "You have no right to be angry at me tonight!"

"I have no right to be angry?" I question its a sick laugh. "You spent the whole day with Gia, doing god knows what."

"Are you kidding me? I just attended YOUR engagement dinner. I had to sit there and watch the smiles and kisses and your fucking father's toast!" He takes a deep breath calming himself. "What does it matter, Brenda?" He moves towards me again, grabbing my hand to raise the ring between us. "You chose him! How dare you think you have any say as to what I do with my life, including who I fuck."

I remove my hand from him, dropping my head to still the pain spreading throughout me. "That's right. You just want to hurt me." I say low.

"And are you hurt?" He asks bitterly. "Does it hurt to know that another woman is in my bed? Laying beneath me while I kiss every inch of her body, then watching her face as I make her cum."

"You bastard." I growl, raising my hand before he grabs my wrist tightly.

Dylan's eyes are on fire, burning so bright and torturing me with their violent flames. "That's how I feel. When I see that prick with his hands on you."

His nostrils are flaring, rage consuming his entire being until I push myself forward and force my lips onto him. My heart is pumping so hard, remembering the ache which has longed for him since the day he left London.

I pull away, catching my breath with a pained stare. I'm unable to turn away then he grabs my face, pressing his lips against mine.

The force is so strong, crippling any emotion but the one which makes me focus on how perfect his lips taste. His tongue entangles with mine, the familiarity clouding any rational thought which wants to push him away.

My hands move toward his chest as I let out a small moan, dragging my lips away to break free as guilt consumes me whole. As if he knows the anguish he's putting me through, he locks me into an embrace, trapping me while sucking hard on my lips.

The pain turns me on, traveling to places which only exist when we were together. From the moment he left, I wondered what it would be like to taste his lips again, and no matter how much I thought about it, the reality is far off.

I missed how he tasted.

How he would kiss me passionately, every time like it was our first kiss.

My head is screaming for him to let me go, But my heart can't stop as he presses my body against my fathers car. Everything begins to tremble as he stiffens even harder against my stomach.

I shouldn't let this go on any further but I'm terrified by how much I want him and how easily my heart has forgotten the past.

Or maybe it's the opposite, my heart remembers just how perfect it once felt. How secure and loved, how we thought nothing in the world could ever come between us again.

"I didn't touch Gia." He breathes looking directly into my eyes.

"You didn't?" My voice soft, he shakes his head. Truth in his eyes.

My lips crash into his. A feverish kiss knocking the wind out of me. His tongue battles recklessly with mine, wanting more and unable to get enough in this stolen moment of ours.

"If you want to be a good girl." He begs, with pleading eyes as his thumb runs along my bottom lip. "Tell me to stop. Cause there is no way I could."

I can't tell him to stop. I never could.

And that's the trouble with us, we both had the ability to destroy each other. We did it years ago, and right now, we are following the same destructive path as before even though the circumstances are different.

Yet no matter how bad I knew this was, how morally wrong of me it is to kiss Dylan while engaged to another man, it didn't stop me.

I'm under his spell, his touch, and there is no breaking free. He is part of me.

Dylan McKay still owns me, and finally, I need to stop fighting the truth.

Dylan

Resistance is futile. Staring into her eyes, the flame is burning bright, reflecting my own desperate need to have her once again. Her breathing is heavy, the rise and fall of her chest visible. I'm drawn to the beat of her heart, placing my palm down against her chest to wish it to only beat for me.

My desperation is sending my thoughts into a crazy mind fuck because nothing in the world matters besides her right now. Not the billion-dollar deal waiting to be signed, nor anyone at the dinner party tonight. I don't care if we're caught, unapologetic with my intent to fuck her, right here, right now up against her fathers car.

The heat radiates off her skin, and slowly, I run my palm down the middle of her chest. Every inch hardens my dick, making me ready to blow in my god damn pants. I bite down, clenching my jaw, willing my urges to sllow down enough so I can savor the moment.

I need her now.

And I'm a selfish man.

My fingers tug on the strap of the ivory silk dress she wears, a dress which has teased me all night long since the moment I laid eyes on her. When the fabrics falls a little, her chest is exposed in all it's glory. She is bra-less and I groan, my thumbs graze her nipples, admiring how beautiful her breasts appear under the moonlight.

Letting out a gasp, she tilts her head back, allowing me to bury my face into her neck as I run my tongue along her collarbone, desperate to taste every inch of her again.

"I don't want to stop," she murmurs. "I want you."

My hands grip her face, pinning her down against Jim's satin Mercedes. A nice fucking car but the bastard deserves it.

I'm no longer able to resist. My desire to be inside her is beyond anything I can control anymore. I greedily suck her lips while tugging on her hair, then continue kissing down her neck until my mouth is on her breast.

Fuck, I missed this. I fucking missed these.

A groan escapes Brenda's beautiful lips as I suck the left one hard while pinching the right one, then quickly alternating. Her hands are running through my hair, guiding my mouth back to hers to kiss me deeply.

"I'm taking back what's mine." I breathe, lifting her body against the car as she wraps her legs around my waist. Fumbling with my belt, my cock springs free, flicking between her legs. "This is going to be hard and fast. Can you handle that?"

Her eyes widen with a silent nod, and the desperation on her face only drives me to take her now. My hands clasp around her panties, pushing them aside as I slide myself in. The warm sensation wraps around my member, a deep moan involuntarily escapes me at how wet she is.

Every thrust is bringing me closer, with Brenda's moans expelling at a fast pace. I cover her mouth with my own, swallowing the noises as she rides me. My hard and quick thrusts meeting her own. It's primal, cardinal and wild. I keep my thrusts hard and deep, kissing her senselessly so no one will hear her moans.

My lips graze her ear. "I want you to come with me."

I drop my hands to cup her ass while her hands grip onto my shirt, pulling me into a deep kiss. She sucks on my bottom lip, driving me wild. Her hands fly to my hair, she pulls hard and I groan into her mouth.

The grip of my hands tighten at the roundness under my fingers and with one last hard thrust, I spill inside her. My eyes shut tightly to catch my breath from the stars I'm seeing. I can feel her convulse around me, so I continue driving into her as she rides her release. Her pants heavy as she throws her head back, willing her breathing to slow down. She looks at me. Love shining back at me.

My forehead rests against hers. Heavy breathing surrounding us. I open my eyes and kiss her shoulder, her neck, her lips.

She slides down off me and I help her until her feet touch the ground. Unable to look at me, Brenda's gaze falls to her feet while adjusting her dress, and bringing the straps back on to her shoulders.

My fingers reach out, lifting her chin so our gaze meets. Undeniably, guilt laces her stare until she turns away and out of my touch, wounding me. This moment is supposed to define us, not be overshadowed by remorse. I don't care if she has that ring on her fucking finger. I will never regret what just happened between us.

"I should go back in." Brenda says faintly.

"Can we talk please? If not now, later tonight when everyone has gone to bed?"

Her eyes plead with me to understand, but the more I fall prey to those blue eyes, the less patient I become. What the hell are we waiting for? After tonight, why can't we pick up from where we left off all those years ago.

"Give me time, please."

"Time for what?" I rush, running my hand through my hair. "For you to convince yourself this was a mistake?"

Brenda dips her chin to her chest, her posture slumping. "It was only a mistake because I betrayed Austin." She confesses, crossing her arms. "I need to sort myself out."

"And what do you expect me to do while you sort yourself out?"

Tears glisten in her eyes, "I don't know. I'm just asking you to give me time to fix my mistakes."

"I'm not perfect either Bren. So, we both made mistakes. Why can't we just move forward?" I demand, losing my patience.

"Because you don't have a fiancé inside that you made a commitment too. I love him Dylan. He's my friend, he deserves an apology from me. That's the least I can give him."

Her words cut me. He means something to her. I mean it should be obvious, since she accepted his proposal but hearing it still hurts. Especially after what we just shared.

Brenda walks towards me, she places a gentle kiss on my lips. My eyes close treasuring it. She leans away, her hand comes to my cheek gently, her loving gaze swallowing me whole. She walks past me towards the house. I turn and call her name, prompting her to turn around.

"I love you." I realized in all this crazy I never told her, "I still love you so much I can't even breath. I never stopped loving you."

She stares at me, a tear sliding down her cheek, "I love you too." She gives me a nod, before disappearing inside. I stay back, not wanting to cause a scene by walking in at the same time as her. What happened tonight is no mistake. It felt so right it terrified me. I've gotten a taste of her, and there is no chance I can let her go again. I'm confident in all my being that we are meant to be together. We were given a bumpy path, a path full of sticks and stones, but ultimately, it's tested the love between us and nothings changed it.

My phone buzzes inside my pocket. I pull it out, Anna's name flashes on my screen. Confused I hit the button to answer it and bring it to my ear.

"Anna?"

"Oh my god Dylan. Is Brenda there, I've been trying to call her."

"Yeah…she isn't next to me, but she's in the house, what's going on?"

"Dylan. I'm going to text you something. This is literally the hardest call I ever had to make, and I wish I wasn't in bloody London right now. It's something that should be done in person but I heard from a mutual friend that Austin did indeed fly out to LA. Is that true?"

"Yeah…he's here. What's going on?"

"Hold on." 3 pings sound out in my ear, letting me know there is a text message. I pull my phone from my ear looking down to an unopened text from Anna. My finger hits it and it opens. My mouth drops open, there is three separate pictures of Austin with some blonde girl. In one they are kissing, another he is hugging her tightly. And the last one, it appears they are about to walk in separate directions, as they hold hands.

"Son of a bitch." I bring the phone to my ear, "Where did you get these?"

Anna is crying, "My friend Darren, saw them, he knows Brenda, their merely acquaintances but he's fond of her. He sent it to me asking, Isn't Austin and Brenda engaged now? I freaked out. I was going to wait until she came home but now knowing that fucker is there for his supposed engagement party. I had to call her. She didn't pick up. I've been trying all night. Dylan…help me, I'm so far, she'll need you."

"Brenda will be fine. I'll show her."

I say my goodbyes to her and run in the house. I have to show her before she confesses everything and he makes her feel like shit. I round the house. I don't see Austin, but Brenda is talking to Valerie. I rush them.

"Brenda…I need to talk to talk to you."

She looks at me, her eyes widening, "Later." She says lowly.

"No Bren…now…it's urgent."

Confusion mars her pretty face. I motion my head and she reluctantly follows me outside again.

"Dylan what?" She crosses her arms.

"Did you talk to Austin yet?"

She shakes her head, "No…he wasn't in there when I returned. Look Dylan, I know this is crazy but let me talk to him, break off this stupid engagement and then we'll talk okay?"

"I think you should see these first." I open my phone, bringing up the pictures, I look into her eyes as I hand her my phone.

She looks down at them. Bringing the phone loser to her face. Her expression unreadable as she swipes the screen."Bren." I whisper. I'm fully aware she had the intention of breaking it off with him, but this has to hurt I would imagine.

Her head pops up, "Anna sent these to you?"

"She's been trying to call you all day, trying to send them to you as well."

She looks down at them again, "It's Maggie." She looks up at me again.

"Who's Maggie?" I wrack my brain for an old London friend coming up short.

"Maggie is Austin's friend from med school, she is in his study group. I had no idea."

"Are you okay?"

She hands me back my phone, "Yeah…surprised but…I mean after what just happened with us, I don't really know what I'm feeling."

I wrap my arms around her and bring her flush against me. She rests her head on my chest, as I rub up and down her back. "That fucker." I whisper into her hair and she chuckles. I mean she doesn't seem very upset. She pulls back from me, a sad smile on her face. "This should be fan interesting conversation later."

I chuckle and nod. Then I hear it. The annoying familiar giggle that's jarred my nightmares. Gia. Brenda turns towards the sound, she looks back at me rolling her eyes.

"Shite…shhhh. Come here." Brenda's headd turns quickly. She starts to walk towards the clear British accent.

We are walking slowly, "Hush now, you've been gagging for it since I got here." I take Brenda's arm. She looks at me as I shake my head. I know what is around this corner, its Gia and it's Austin and my natural urge is to protect her from it.

Austin groans loudly, "Yes. Little bird. Fuck."

Brenda pulls her arm back and continues to look around the corner. I move next to her, there Austin has his back against the wall, his head down, his hand holding Gia's hair. She is kneeling in front of him, and he groans whenever she thrust her head forward. My eyes flicker to Brenda. She stands there, frozen in spot. Her face serious.

"Au…stin" she murmurs, and he pulls her head toward his crotch again, motioning her to be quiet.

"Fuck, ye,"he grunts, his eyes close as his head hits the wall behind him.

Brenda shakes her head and walks towards the house. I grip her hand, "Do you want me to punch him?"

She shakes her head, "No."

"Do you want to me to interrupt them? I can be Kurt Cockblocker?"

Brenda stops, and looks at me, "Why…are you mad about Gia?" Her face is hurt.

"Fuck no. I'd do it for you."

"No…let him get his stupid fucking blow job." She begins walking towards the house. I stop and stare at her back. I can't read her and it's driving me crazy. She just found out her fiancé was cheating with some mutual friend named Maggie, I don't know for sure but it looked comfortable in the photos so I doubt it was new, then she just found that same fiancé getting head from someone at her engagement party.

Brenda opens the front door and pauses, "You coming? I could use a drink."

I take a deep breath and follow her inside.

When Brenda and I get back to where the party is. Everyone seems to be having fun. There is laughter around our friends, Andrea, Brian, David and Donna are slowing dancing to a tune that's echoing across the yard. I see Jim look at us arriving together. He only looks a us for a moment before continuing whatever conversation he is having with Cindy, and the Fleetwood's. I follow Brenda to the bar, she orders an old fashioned from the man bartending this dinner.

She looks at me, "I'm good." I don't need to drink. The energy cracking around this yard has me on high alert. Nothing good can happen after what has happened.

Steve appears in front of me, Brenda smiles at him and goes to join Valerie, Brandon and Kelly at a near by table.

"Everything good?" Steve rocks back on his heels.

I shake my head, "I don't know." I say honestly.

"Well…I saw you and Bren walk in together so that's good right."

I scoff, "I guess Steve. Everything is weird."

He nods not having a clue at the severity of this fucking night. That's when I see him. Austin comes in. He leans down grabbing a beer from the cooler. He says something to Brandon and then takes a seat next to Brenda. A minute later, Gia comes in, acting like nothing and heading to the bar. My god it's about to go down. Something is about to go down. I can feel it in my veins.

My glance falls back on Brenda. She appears withdrawn, tracing the rim of her glass with a blank stare. Austin touches her gently, then lays a kiss on her shoulder in which she recoils.

The moment, though only a split second, is enough for it all to change.

Austin retracts from her, his face tightening instantly. He doesn't say a word, but slowly, his head twists toward my direction until his vicious stare is fixated on me.

Although it's dark out with only the party lights illuminating the space around us, his muted skin and flaring nostrils warn me of the raging storm about to hit. He knows very well his so called fiancé was touched my another man.

I'm counting down the seconds in my head, rolling my sleeves up because his desire to kill me mirrors exactly how I feel about him trying to marry my girl and him cheating on her. I remind myself Brenda didn't want me to punch him in the fucking face, glad I hadn't promised such a thing.

Then it happens in a fleeting moment. He slams his fist against the table, pushing his chair out forcefully, to run towards where I stand. I sidestep his punch but miss the second, when his fist connects with my jaw. The pain ricochets through my face, igniting my fury within me.

A growl escapes me as I throw a punch and hit his nose feeing it crunch under my knuckles. I rush him but feel Steve pull me back, Jim gets in between us, pushing me aside. I look over Jim's shoulder, Brandon is holding Austin back who is shouting a string of profanities.

Rage pulses through my veins, my heartbeat racing to the sound of a loud drum. Jim pushes my chest with his hands, creating a bigger distance between me and Austin. I taste the blood on my lips, willing the sharp pain to disappear. My nostrils flare, still on guard if the fucker comes at me again.

Then my eyes fall upon Brenda, standing in the middle of us. The disappointment is written all over her face, and I beg of her silently to understand this wasn't my fault. It was not my intent to humiliate her in front of our friends and her family, but Austin refuses to back down, unveiling the truth for everyone to hear. He is making damn sure I'm paired as the villain who destroyed them, little does everyone know, that dip shit was just getting a hummer from Gia.

I try to pull at Steve's arms around me, my need to protect Brenda from the shit he's saying in front of everyone. But him and Jim mistake my struggle for wanting to fight Austin.

"Let him go, son." Jim warns me, pressing his hands on my shoulders willing I calm down. "You've won. Game Over." I divert my eyes away from Brenda and onto Jim. His normally brown eyes, a darker shade, different in color but the same shape as Brenda's.

But instead of an unforgiving stare, I could have sworn to have seen empathy. Like he understood just what it feels like to fight a man for a woman you love.

To bleed from an open wound, in which a broken past is left behind.

And more poignant, to know the only reason she even let this other man in, is all because you walked away. Acted like a coward when it became too hard, suffocated by your own demons.

I may have won, according to Jim.

But one look at Brenda, and I know her wounds are far from healed.

So no, I haven't won. Not when the woman I love is still bleeding from my own mistakes.

PHEW! What a climax…of the story you dirty minds lol Well I guess that was quiet a climax too. Sooooo tell me everything. This was a very long chapter because I couldn't bare to split it up. Next up Brenda's point of view and we hear what Austin is saying that makes Dylan end this chapter in the tone he ended it on. Also if Austin is airing out her dirty laundry, then should Brenda air his? Please I want to know what you think!