by Smith, T. L
“I’m sure it will be great. This is beautiful. How did you manage this on such short notice?”
“Well, I own this boat, and I figured maybe you would like to see the opera house at night and up close.”
“I haven’t really had time to see it, but I hear it’s lovely.”
“Yes, very lovely,” he says while staring at me.
The meal is delicious and the view is breathtaking. It has been a perfect night.
“Would you like to come into the cocktail bar and have a drink with me?”
I agree and follow him inside the cabin. Once we have our drinks, he starts to tell me how he got into the business of music and how the guys, who are in his band, are his best mates. They love travelling the world together and enjoy what they do. The only downfall is not seeing their loved ones and friends as much as they would like.
He proceeds to ask me if I’m seeing anyone and when my last serious relationship was. I tell him about Josh, but not everything, just that we separated on bad terms and I moved here for a fresh start. It’s not like I haven’t seen anyone since Josh, but I always make sure it stays only friends with benefits. I haven’t wanted anything serious for a while, but Brax is making me rethink things. I’m not sure if that is a bad idea or a good idea.
We finish up the night, and Brax drives me back to my apartment and walks me to the door. I’m not sure if I should invite him in or not because he hasn’t made any moves towards me all night. He has been the perfect gentleman.
“Do you have to work tomorrow?” he asks me, sounding hopeful
“No, I have the day off.”
“Would you mind if I came over to see you?” I’m a bit surprised by this; he has been giving me mixed signals. At the bar, he seemed angry when he thought I was with Brandon, but he hasn’t made any moves toward me all night.
“Not at all,” I answer with a smile.
He leans in, kisses me on the cheek and tells me he will see me tomorrow. I can’t help but feel disappointed that he didn’t at least kiss me goodnight.
I hear my phone beep just as I climb into bed. Reluctantly, I jump out of bed to get it.
Brax:
Thank you for tonight.
You looked gorgeous
and can’t wait to see you
tomorrow. Sweet dreams.
Me:
It was a great night.
Looking forward to
tomorrow.
I put my phone away and go to sleep with a smile on my face.
Chapter 19
I wake up to someone knocking on my door. My mouth drops open when I find Brax standing at my door looking gorgeous in his faded denim jeans and plain black tee that has his band’s logo on it. His hair is cut short and he is cleanly shaven, which brings out his square-cut jaw and his perfect face. It makes his eyes pop even more.
“I brought you breakfast. I hope you haven’t eaten,” he says while eyeing me up and down. I remember I only have a on a baggy shirt with boy shorts underneath.
“Sorry, come in and let me get changed,” I say, my face heats with embarrassment.
“You don’t need to do that. I’m liking the view.” I blush at his words and shut the door once he is inside. I quickly make my way to the bedroom to throw on a pair of shorts and a tank top. I find Brax in the kitchen setting up our meal.
“I brought some muffins and coffee from Starbucks. I hope that’s okay.”
“Yeah, that’s lovely, but you didn’t have to do that.”
“So what are your plans for today?” he asks me while handing me the coffee.
“Was just going to have a lazy day and watch some movies.”
“Do you mind if I join you? I don’t have anything on today. I usually just chill with the guys, but I would like to spend the day with you again.”
“Yeah, sure,” I say while taking the first sip of my coffee. It’s so good, I can’t hold back a moan. When I look back up, Brax’s eyes almost look completely grey. He is watching me intently with a look that says either ‘I want to devour you’ or maybe ’Why did you do that?’. I’m not sure.
While we eat, I ask him about his family. He tells me they are a really close -knit family. His mum constantly rings him to check up on him. He explains that his dad is Australian and his mum is African American. He has two older brothers who are both married and have kids, which is why his mother is always ringing him to check up on him.
We’re halfway through the movie when I can feel Brax staring at me. I turn my head towards his and give him a questioning look. He scoots closer to me so we are face to face. He softly runs a hand down my cheek, and I instantly feel alive. He leans in and starts trailing soft kisses from my cheek to my nose, and then to the corner of my mouth. He grabs my bottom lip between his teeth and licks it.
I can’t stand the torture anymore. I reach up, grab his face and kiss him hard. He tastes so sweet, I don’t want to stop. Quickly, he reaches around and lifts me up so I’m sitting on his lap and straddling him. We lose ourselves in the kiss for what feels like hours.
“Sash, where you at?” I hear and instantly pull away and scramble to sit back on the couch.
“Sasha, what’s for lunch? I’m starving.” I look at Brax and give him my best ‘I’m sorry’ look. I get up to head towards the kitchen, but Brax pulls me back down and kisses me again. I finally break away and he follows me to find Brandon.
“I seriously want my key, Brandon.”
“Oh, come on, cuz, you know you love my visits.” He turns and sees Brax walking in behind me. Brandon gives me a questioning look, and I just shrug my shoulders. The guys give each other their manly hug and a tap on the back. When finished, Brandon immediately starts questioning him why he is here.
“Well, I came to spend the day with Sasha.”
“Don’t think about hurting her Brax. We have been friends for ages but she is family,” he says sternly. He then faces me and gives me a kiss on the cheek, and inside I’m fuming. “Okay. Well, I’ll let you to get back to that, but Sasha, make sure you ring me tomorrow.”
“Yes, father, now goodbye,” I say while walking him to the door.
“I see the way he looks at you, Sasha. You sure you’re ready for a relationship?” he asks in a concerned whisper.
“I don’t know, but I’ll see where it goes,” I say with false confidence.
“Okay, I’m always here for you. Call if you need me.” He leans in, kisses me on my forehead and walks out the door.
“They’re very protective of you,” Brax observes.
“Yeah, they’re a great bunch of guys. I would be lost without them.”
The rest of the day goes very smoothly. Although, he hasn’t attempted to kiss me again, we have been cuddling on the couch all day, pigging out on junk food, and talking a lot. I’ve already told him briefly about my relationship with Josh, and he has mentioned that the longest relationship he has had was in high school. It had lasted a year out of school, but then they discovered they wanted different things out of life and went their separate ways.
At the end of the evening, we part on good terms, but again there is no kissing. Once again I’m left a bit disappointed, but he tells me he will call me soon.
The next day, I’m so ready to finish my shift. It’s been a busy day and everyone has been snappy. I just want to leave, go home and curl up on my couch with my kindle. When it’s finally time to head out to catch the train back home, I spot a familiar sports car at the entrance. The scrumptious owner is leaning on it, smiling at me.
“Well, hello there, stranger,” I greet him.
“Hello yourself, Sasha. Would you like a ride?”
“Oh, I don’t want to impose.”
“You’re not. Brandon told me when you finish and I’ve been waiting for you.”
“Okay, sure.” I agree to the ride as he has gone out of his way to see me today, and that instantly puts a smile on my face. I’m not quite sure how to take him in; he gives me mixed emotions. Plus
I haven’t felt such a strong attraction to anyone this strong since Josh.
He helps me in the car and I place my hand in his. It’s a weird sensation when we’re holding hands. I feel like he isn’t just touching my hand, rather he is touching deeper. On the drive back to my apartment, I can tell he has a lot on his mind. When I ask, he explains that his manager has been riding him all week to do more promotions and get his head back in the game. The problem is he just wants to take a break and cool off for a while, but he has a contract to uphold and can’t break it. I’m glad he’s sharing his worries with me, but I’m just not sure what to say.
I invite him in for dinner, and we talk some more while I cook pasta and chicken. He tells me how he has been waiting to see me since yesterday, and couldn’t stay away any longer. At that, I’m blushing like crazy and try to turn my head away so he doesn’t notice, but I feel a hand on my cheek turning me around. His eyes are smouldering and he is looking at me like he might want me for dinner instead of what I’m making. I don’t blame him for that because I’m still a shit cook.
“I really want to kiss you right now,” he says, his breath is hot on my neck.
“Do it then,” I whisper in encouragement.
“We don’t want the same things, Sash, but I can’t seem to stay away.”
I can’t even make out what he is talking about. All I want is to kiss him, yet he is taking this way too slowly. I lean in and give him some of my own torture. I start kissing his neck and I’m rewarded when I hear him suck in a sharp breath. Soon, he takes control and kisses me senseless until we both are forced to come up for breath. With foreheads touching and breathing heavily, we stand quietly for the longest time. I finally pull away and finish up dinner. As we sit at the benches in the kitchen to eat, I ask him what he had meant.
“I can see you have been hurt, and you’re guarded. Plus, I think you still feel deeply for that person.”
“I don’t. Why would you say that?” Yet, it’s the truth. How could someone I know for such a short time know that about me with just a look.
“I hope that’s true because I’m not in the market to get my heart broken and I don’t want to be with someone who has feelings for someone else.”
“Okay… what are you saying?” I ask nervously
“That if you’re one hundred percent sure you don’t have feeling for anyone but me, I would like to date you exclusive.”
As soon as those words leave his mouth, my phone starts ringing. Relieved, I excuse myself. I see Lola’s name on the screen and for a second I debate whether to answer.
“Hey, Lola.”
“Sis— sisss—” She is barely getting this much out without crying.
“Lola, what’s wrong? Please tell me.” I’m beginning to panic.
“It’s Brit. She was in an accident and they’re not sure if she is going to make it. You need to come,” she tells me through her tears.
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN?”
“Just come, Sasha. You should say goodbye.”
With that, she hangs up on me and I’m left staring at the phone, wondering what is going on. I just spoke to Brit last week about helping plan Kasey’s second birthday.
“Sasha, are you okay? I heard you screaming.”
I didn’t even realise I was screaming. I look up at him and try to force myself not to cry.
“Yes, but I need to get to Brisbane right now. So sorry to do this to you.”
“Sasha, its fine, don’t even worry about it. I have a private plane. I can take you if you like,” he offers kindly.
“No, it’s okay. I’m just going to go straight to the airport and get on the next available flight they have.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind taking you.”
“It’s fine. I think I need to be alone right now. Can I call you later?”
“Of course you can. I’ll drive you there.”
Chapter 20
I arrive at the hospital a few hours later. I was lucky enough to get on a flight straight away. I walk in looking for Lola and find Adam hunched on the floor outside her room. I drop to the floor with him, lean in, and cuddle.
“Adam, how is she?” I whisper.
“Not good. They say her brain has too much swelling and it doesn’t look good.”
I’m not sure what to say, so I just sit with him giving the comfort he needs. We sit on the floor for a good twenty minutes until Lola comes out of the room.
“Sasha, you made it.”
I give my sister a cuddle. “He isn’t coping at all. I don’t know what to do,” she whispers in my ear.
I pull away and decide it’s time to go in and see Brit. When I walk into the room, I couldn’t have prepared myself mentally for what I see and how I feel. I completely understand dropping to the floor and going into my own world like Adam has. I think that would be easier than having to deal with this. Brit has tubes coming out of everywhere and her face is badly bruised and swollen. I’m afraid to touch her. I pull a chair over and sit close.
“I hope you can hear me, Brit. Please don’t leave us. We would be lost without you, especially Adam.
“I remember the day you walked down the aisle. You were the prettiest woman I have ever seen. I know you are meant to watch the bride, but I watched Adam. And let me tell you, there is not a man out there who is capable of loving the way he has loved you.”
I feel a hand rest on my shoulder and turn around to see Lola with tears in her eyes. I get up and hug her. We stand holding each other when suddenly there is a loud beeping noise. We pull apart and look at Brit when we realise it’s her machines. The doctors come in and push us out of the way to get to her. We’re asked to leave the room. Adam is still sitting in the same spot as we left him and he hasn’t moved an inch. All we can do is stand around helplessly, waiting for the doctors to come out and tell us something. When one finally does, it doesn’t look good.
“Hi, I’m Brittany’s doctor. Are you all family?”
We all nod our head in union.
“I’m sorry. We tried everything we could, but the swelling was too severe. There was nothing else we could have done. I’m so sorry for your loss. You are welcome to go and say your final goodbyes.”
As soon as he walks away, we’re all too shocked and hurt to say anything at all. We stand like we are statues, not moving. I have no idea what to say or do, but I don’t think my words would comfort anyone anyway.
We all take turns visiting Brit one last time. Adam still hasn’t moved from the position he was in when I got here. I try to tell him it’s best if he says goodbye now; otherwise, he might regret it.
He looks at me like I’ve lost my mind, but his next words to me make me think he might be the one with the issue.
“I’m going to kill him if I can get to him.”
He is pulling at his hair like a madman and I have no idea what he’s talking about.
“Who Adam?”
“That scumbag Koby. He did this! He’s going to rot in hell after I’ve had my way with him,” Adam promises in a scary tone.
“Adam, I’m not sure what happened but you have to think of Kasey. She needs you now more than ever. The police will handle Koby. Don’t do anything you will regret later on.”
Adam finally goes in to the room and we leave him be, but Lola and I stand out in the hallway waiting for him, unsure of what to do and how to comfort someone who has just lost his wife, and the mother to his child.
It’s been two painful days since Brit has left us, and today is her funeral. It’s going to be a hard day. I’ve been helping out as much as I can with looking after Kasey and helping with the funeral preparations, but it isn’t easy seeing how hurt Adam is. He is so lost. He just doesn’t do anything, but drink until he passes out. It’s especially hard when Kasey is crying for her mom. How do I tell a two year old that mummy isn’t coming home?
The funeral home is packed with so many people here to show how much Brit was loved. Adam just walks straight past all of them and
goes inside. Lola and I try to greet the people we know.
I’m surprised when a pair of arms wrap around me. I turn around to find Brandon standing behind me.
“You came!” I say, cuddling up to him.
“Of course, Sasha. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me when it first happened. I would have come with you.”
“None of that matters. You’re here now.”
“I’ll always be here for you, cuz. You know that. The boys send their love and all wanted to come, but Dad needs them, so we all thought it would be best if I came.”
“I’m glad you did. I need someone here for me. It’s been so hard, and all I want to do is hide away in a corner.”
He leans in and wraps me in a big bear hug. I feel like I might actually cry for the first time in a very long time. Before the dam breaks, I step out of his hug and grab his hand. I can feel a set of eyes on me. Then that beautiful smell of leather and musk reaches me, bringing back so many memories, good and bad. I turn around to see Blake and Josh staring at me. I can’t stand looking at him. He holds too much emotion and I have enough of that to deal with today to last me a lifetime. I tug Brandon’s hand and follow Lola inside.
The service was beautiful and the slide show had everyone in tears. Seeing that Brit’s life was cut so short just after having her happy ending is the hardest part to deal with. We all head back to Blake’s bar. He’s shut it down for Brit for the wake. I haven’t really spoken to many people since I’ve been back. I’ve been too busy and it’s easier not dealing with people’s sympathy. Today, everyone has been coming up saying how sorry they are and what a lovely girl she was. And I’m about ready to tell them all politely to fuck off. Brandon pulls me away in the nick of time.
“Let’s grab a drink before you lose your temper, hey?”
“I knew I loved you for a reason,” I say, grabbing his hand. That’s when I hear a drink get spilt and is goes all over my feet.
