Chapter 9

Chapter Theme Song: Lana Del Rey - Burning Desire (Can you make me feel like home, if I tell you your mine.)

He was right, I did know. I let out a breath before I spoke.

"Who cares about all the guys in the past, Tommy. It doesn't mean anything now. You're who I want to be with." I couldn't believe what just came out of my mouth. Did I really just put it all out there like that? So soon? Oh crap, what was I thinking? After all these years, was I finally admitting how I felt? Was he?

Danielle's POV

After I spoke, he just stared at me with those hard eyes. Finally, he turned and furiously headed towards the door. I sighed. Great, he's leaving.

Then, he made a u-turn and grabbed my face so I was looking into his eyes. I didn't move. I couldn't. He began to brush his thumb along my jaw line. I shivered. I felt as though I couldn't breathe.

He pulled his face closer to mine and I could feel his warm breath on my face. Finally, he crushed his lips to mine in a fast and quick movement. I responded immediately and deepened the kiss. My heart was racing. The kiss felt amazing. His lips were just as soft as I remembered and I could feel his desperation with every motion. He moved his hands to my waist and pulled me closer. I placed my hands on his shoulders for support. I didn't want it to end.

Then, the phone rang. He slowly pulled away and went to answer it.

"Hello?" He said, clearly annoyed. I grinned and looked down.

"Hey, Tommy. It's Brendan."

"Hey, how's it going?"

"Good. So how do you like the place?"

"It's nice. I really appreciate it."

"I'm glad - So,Tess and I were wondering if you wanted to meet up for breakfast."

He turned to look at me. Why not, I mouthed to him. He smiled. "Sure, why not?"

After I had gotten out of the shower, I grabbed a towel and went to Tommy's room to get grab some of his clothes. I would have to stop by my sister's on the way. That's where my stuff were.

I saw that Tommy unpacked some of his clothes, so I opened the closest drawer to me to find something. There wasn't much, so I just reached for the second top I saw and stopped when I felt something. I took the shirt off of it and saw two orange pill bottles. The one that had no label on it was practically half empty. The other read Prazosin. It was close to full.

Just then. I heard a knock on the door that startled me. I closed the drawer as fast as I could.

"You ready to go?"

"Yeah one minute." I called out.

Tommy and I walked into the café to see that Tess and Brendan were already waiting near the back of the restaurant. Tommy walked in first and I followed behind him. Brendan was distracted so Tess nudged his leg slightly when she saw me.

"Over here." She called out as they both stood up.

"Morning." I said cheerfully.

"Hi, how are you guys?" Tess approached me with a hug. "It's nice to see you again, Danielle."

"You too." I replied, while Tommy greeted his brother and then, sister-in-law.

"Danielle." Brendan, said my name, then hugged me as well.

We ordered our food and we ate silently for the most part, except for the occasional small talk here and there. It was mostly between Tess and I or Brendan and I or Brendan and Tess. Tommy stayed quiet and no one seemed to mind. That's how he was.

Brendan gestured that Tommy follow him outside. "Ladies - can you excuse us for a moment." Tommy squeezed my thigh before he got up.

"Have fun." I joked.

They both leaned against the window of the café and Tommy flicked the toothpick in mouth back and forth.

"What is it?" Tommy asked.

"I know it's kinda early, but I was wondering what your plans are - for the future. Are you planning to go back to school or -?"

Tommy didn't say anything.

"It's - well, I got you a car, but I need to know that you'll be able to keep up with the payments."

No reply.

"What are you going to do about work, rent - ?"

Still nothing.

"Come on, Tommy. You gotta give me something."

"I'll figure something out. You don't have to worry about me."

Brendan sighed. "Good. Good. That's all I wanted to hear."

Inside the Cafe

"I was wondering - um did you spend the night at Tommy's place?" Tess asked me as soon as they were gone.

I nodded. "Nothing happened, if that's what you're thinking."

She laughed. "I soooo was not thinking that."

"It was pretty late, so that's why I stayed - in case you were wondering." I said.

"Oh, you don't have to explain it to me, hun. It's really not my business. Just curious that's all."

I nodded.

"I think it's great though." She added. "If you do decide to get together. I know I only just met you, but I think you could be good for him."

I smiled. "Thanks."

Outside

"So - Is Dani heading back to New York soon?"

"New York? Why would she be going there?"

"Yeah, when we met she told me she worked for the Times."

"She told me it was the Philly Inquirer."

"Oh, well I guess it's the inquirer now. She told me that months ago, anyway."

"Six - it was six months ago, wasn't it?"

"Yeah..." Brendan replied confused.

He nodded. "Are we finished?"

"Yeah, let's head back."

Tommy and Brendan came back and took their seats. Tommy seemed a bit agitated. "Dani, you ready to go? I wanna head out for a run soon."

I nodded. "Yeah, I'm done. Let's go."

"You know you can work out at my gym, Tommy. I mean, if you want. Frank would be happy to have you." Brendan suggested.

"I'm good," was all Tommy said.

"You sure?"

"I'm fine with running."

I turned to Tommy, trying to change the subject. "Well, I was gonna ask you if he could help me move some things from my sister's place -"

"To your new place?" Tommy asked.

"Yeah I got it two months ago - but since you're busy - maybe Brendan...?"

"Yeah, sure."

"Can you help? That would be so amazing. I was thinking around 3 PM, today."

"Today?" Tommy seemed surprised.

"Yeah, why?" I whispered to him.

"No problem. Tess and I can drop by then." Brendan agreed.

We all got up to leave, then Brendan stopped me, while Tess and Tommy waited outside.

"Yeah, Brendan. What's up?"

"There's something I wanted to ask -"

"Go, ahead." I replied, knowing exactly what he was getting at.

"Are you and Tommy - you know, together?"

I blushed. "The answer is yes, well sort of - I think. I mean we kissed." I said embarrassed. "Kinda fast, right?"

"Ah...To each their own, I guess." He began to smile.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing. It's just that I think you'll be good for him. You're exactly what he needs right now." I laughed, realizing that Brendan and Tess had probably already discussed Tommy and I's relationship before.

"You can't know that. You barely even know me and the last time you saw me I was fourteen. I could be a psycho now, for all you know." I teased.

He laughed. "Ah. Then I guess it won't be that different from twelve years ago -"

"Whatever." I said grinning.

There was a pause.

"You don't think I was too late, do you?" I asked, hoping he knew that I was referring to Tommy.

Brendan shook his head. "No, I think you're right on time."

A/N: Edited.