Forgotten Sweethearts: A Romance Novel

by Bender, Melissa

  Was it bad that we’d both try to change for a few days before slipping back to our new routine of yelling and hating on each other? Of course, it was, but that’s how things were now. We weren’t the same Brody and Gabriella all those years ago. They were a distant shadow.

  I wondered just how long it would last for this time.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  “Sii può fare meglio, Grabriella!” she told me, scolding loudly and telling me that I could do much better than him.

  I refused to listen. He was the one for me. I knew it. Brody was perfection, and I didn’t want better. I just needed him. “Basta arrivare a conoscerlo, Mama, lui è incredibile.” I told my mama to get to know him, and she would agree that he was amazing. It didn’t go down so well.

  Her nostrils flared, and she pointed a perfectly manicured finger towards me. “Non è italiano!”

  “I don’t care that he isn’t Italian!” I yelled back at her and then realising my mistake as my papa raised an eyebrow. My parents didn’t like it when I spoke English to them. They always preferred Italian at home. It was confusing at times, hard to remember.

  “Grabriella , stai avendo rapporti sessuali con questo ragazzo?”

  My cheeks burned flamingo pink as my mama asked if Brody and I were having sexual intercourse. I could have died of embarrassment especially since we were all sitting at the family dining table and eating dinner. My papa’s nostrils flared, but he remained silent as mama awaited my answer.

  Shaking my head furiously. “Dio mio! No!” Staring at my papa for some help, “Per favore. Basta incontrarlo una volta, vedrete che non è una cattiva persona. Lui non è come gli altri ragazzi.” I may have told my papa that Brody wasn’t like all other boys, and if he would just meet him once, he would see that for himself.

  My papa set his fork down and rubbed his temples. He had always been handsome, extremely caring and kind but, one was to never cross him. He had a wild temper, and I always locked my bedroom door when he had been having a bad day. “Gabriella, si sposa quando si è eighteen anni si può rimanere amici con questo ragazzo, ma questo è tutto. Fine della discussion.”

  I stared in disbelief. How could he suggest that I just stay friends and marry someone else when I turn eighteen? I didn’t reply back, knowing it was the end of discussion. I sat and ate in silence.

  Dinner was extremely quiet after the embarrassing conversation. They assumed my little romance would be put to bed and ended in the morning. What they didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them. I wasn’t going to end things just because they were so against us.

  I was a typical sixteen-year-old girl with a massive crush on the popular boy. Rebellion was new to me, and he was definitely worth rebelling for.

  Facing Brody the next morning was extremely nerve-wracking. What if he broke up with me over it? I didn’t want to face him. Petty, I know. He waited for me each morning, my Mama would drop me off to school and leave right away. Today, I knew she was waiting until I walked inside, watching to see if I spoke to this boy she had banned me from seeing. Yes, this morning on the drive to school she laid down the law and banned me from dating. I was to remain pure for my husband on our wedding night… my Italian husband.

  My sisters had done that as my mama liked to remind me. Although, they were all married to older men. Brody and I were the same age, but I hadn’t even thought about sex yet. It was the furthest thing from my mind. I was only getting used to hand holding.

  Keeping my head down as I walked inside, I went to my locker, beginning to put away my books when I felt his arms wrap around my body from behind. It still felt surreal that this was happening. That he liked me back. “Hey you, I must have missed you this morning.”

  “No.” I groaned, blushing hard. “I was maybe avoiding you.” I said regretfully as I turned around to face him.

  Brody was in his usual T-shirt and shorts, always wearing running shoes. He was athletic to say the least, loved running around with a ball and kicking it on lunch break, in between talking to me. I’d sit and watch him with Cathy, who still couldn’t believe Brody and I were the schools new “it” couple.

  It wasn’t that big of deal. Yes, there were the snarky bitches who predicted he felt sorry for me. I knew better, though. If he was playing me, I’d know.

  His dark brows creased as he frowned. “You all right?”

  “Yeah, my mother is driving me crazy today.” I said, trying not to call her mama. I’d been teased for that last week. Brody punched the boy in the face for it, making him apologise. That was one of his friends. He was extremely protective of me, and I loved it.

  He nodded in realisation, “Come in here,” he said, cocking his head towards an empty classroom door. He pulled me inside, then closed the door behind us. My back leaning against the wall, he stood in front of me. “You told her?”

  I nodded, a growing smile as well as a blush coming over my face. “I did. She’s not happy. She was asking questions about you all night. It was awful.”

  “Like what kind of questions?” he asked, smirking. He knew exactly what.

  “If we’re having sex, have we kissed and do you have any Italian in you at all?”

  He laughed and stepped closer. His fingers were gently placed on my hips and his hold growing stronger. “Hmmm, well that’s kind of disappointing. None of those are a yes.”

  “I’m sorry,” I murmured, looking down to the print on his t-shirt.

  “It’s okay, Gabby. My parents want to meet you. My brother keeps giving me shit about you, though,” he admitted, looking quite embarrassed himself as I looked up and stared into his blue eyes as our gazes were locked.

  He told his parents about me. I smiled. “I want to meet your parents if you want me to?”

  His smile widened. “I want you to.”

  I caught him off guard by throwing my arms around his neck and hugging him tightly. When we first began dating, there was no way I was game enough to do this. I would wait until he touched me first, made the first move, and we’d only ever gone to first base, holding hands.

  We were about to go to second.

  His lips were coming closer to mine and hands sliding up the white fabric of my school top. I felt his fingertips graze over my lower back as he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me in and claiming my lips with his.

  It was my first kiss, a kiss which I would always remember.

  My heart came to life. Endorphins spread like wildfire throughout my body as I began to kiss him back. He tasted like an orange-flavoured chewing gum as his tongue slid in, slowly but taking control of this kiss. I could feel he was just as nervous as I was. My back was now completely pressed to the wall. His body was against mine and a hardness pressed against the lower of my belly. He made no intention of grinding against me or pushing my hands down. That’s how I knew that he wasn’t playing me for sex.

  Our mouths parted. A part of me was relieved I could now breathe. My heart raced, still holding him closely as my eyes began to open.

  Instead of saying something sweet, he went for the cheesy line. “You can tell your mama that I just had some Italian in me.” He wiggled his brows as he went to come in for another kiss.

  Flicking his arm in mock horror, I busted out laughing as he nuzzled his face in the crevice of my neck. “Brody, that’s disgusting. She’d literally boil me on the stove or have me sent off to some boarding school.”

  He laughed, looking back towards me. His words a hopeful whisper. “Come, meet them on Saturday, can you get away?”

  “I can say I’m with Cathy. They love her.” I had it all planned out in my head. Nothing was going to stop us from being together, not even the threats my parents had made.

  One last deep kiss, he cupped my cheek with his hands gently and rested his forehead on mine. “You taste like sugar,” he smiled. “I could kiss you for days.”

  “How about years?” I asked, pecking him quickly as the morning music began to play, signalling the start of homeroom class. I didn’t want t
o leave. I wanted to stay in here with him.

  With a smile, he leaned back in and whispered against my mouth, “I want to kiss you forever.”

  Those were the days, the days I longed for again; to be innocent and completely in love with someone where it came naturally. There was no forcing our feelings. They were just there. Back then, I had been so wildly in love with Brody, not listening to anybody but my heart. I had to wonder if my papa had been right. He wasn’t the man for me.

  Joining the conversation once again, I smiled listening to Brody’s mother talking to us. “What do you think, babe?” Brody asked, his arm half around the lower of my back as he held me closely against his side.

  I smiled, looking up at him and could see the hidden anger. His grip tightened on my hip as I took my time in replying and drawing it out just to purposely piss him off. “Sounds good to me. The kids would love it. Brody can take the day off. I’m sure he’d like to take his family to the zoo.”

  “Wonderful, I would love to see photos.” Loraine, Brody’s mother, beamed as she started to stand and clear up the dining table. I was about to stand also to help her, but she shook her head, waving me away. “No, dear, you sit and rest.” She reached, taking my half-eaten plate with a worried look. “Are you not feeling okay, dear? You’ve barely eaten anything.”

  Brody glanced over, noticing as well. “Just tired, that’s all,” I lied, brushing the questions away.

  I had eaten, just not as much as I usually would. The shakes were going strong, refusing to slack off even for one night. I was on the treadmill once I dropped the kids at school and then again after lunch. No one would see me, which was the way I liked it.

  Fred, my father-in-law, reached over and took the garlic bread from my plate with a wink. “Too good to waste.” Softly laughing in agreement, I just nodded.

  We were at his parent’s home having dinner. They called during another fight. Brody, in the heat of the moment, barked a yes down the phone, seconds before he hung up and flung the receiver across the room. So now, our home phone was not working and broken.

  Noah had been doing some drawing, and of course, it was my fault for not watching him closely enough. I had turned my back when he had decided to take his dad’s contract paperwork to do a picture on them. He placed them back, and of course, Brody had no idea until he was in the meeting, finding them covered in superheroes and villains. Livid didn’t describe his attitude when he came home. He was ballistic, not at Noah, but at me.

  I felt Brody’s warm breath against my ear. “Why aren’t you eating?”

  I turned, leaning in and whispering back. Ignoring his question, I wanted him away from me. “Get your hands off of me.”

  “Not a chance in hell,” he growled back, smiling still but glaring like mad.

  Acting, we were almost professionals. No one here had a clue. His sister nor his brother and their families didn’t pick up on any of our hidden jabs. Noah and Lila were off playing with their other cousin. Brody’s older brother, Scott, was married to Rose, and they had a seven-year-old daughter, Tulip. She was a spoiled pain, and I know I spoil my children, but she was on a whole other level of annoying. She always got her own way. With a mother like hers, it was no wonder. Rose loved to live beyond her means and was very high maintenance.

  His sister, Jessie, was the eldest out of the three. She was married to Leon. They had no children. Both workaholics had decided the family life wasn’t for them. They were happy to travel and live in the life of luxury. I envied them at times to go off and visit a new part of the world. It was always a dream of mine to travel and see the world.

  The conversation soon turned into work, and I sat there silently as each one discussed their achievements. I hated that they couldn’t leave the office talk behind. Instead, it was like a competition to see who was earning the most and higher up the rankings.

  “Boring you, Gabby?” Rose smiled sweetly. “You wouldn’t know what we’re talking about, would you?” She was edging me on. I wasn’t in the mood, though. “Being home all day, oh, you really do have the life.”

  I shook my head, smiling back. “Not at all. My days are busy, but I do love being home for my children.”

  It wasn’t a dig. It was just how I felt.

  “Oh, bro, you’ll have to start cutting back your hours soon, then,” Scott added in. His brows gave me a wiggle. “That was aimed at you.”

  Brody shrugged, leaning in as his lips pressed to the side of my cheek. “I think as long as I bring home the cheque, Gabby is perfectly okay with my hours.”

  “Yes, because it’s all about the money,” I mumbled underneath my breath. My husband was the only one to hear me.

  Jessie leaned in and laughed. “Gabby, don’t be too harsh on him. You have it too good at home. Once Noah and Lila are off at school, you can do as you please.”

  Oh, yes because I don’t do anything at all except sit on my ass and watch TV or eat. I hated that, which is what everyone thought I done. No one ever asks about my day or offers to come help do my housework. No, they all employ cleaners because they’re too busy working to do it and then spent their free time shopping, travelling or dining out.

  I sounded like a bitter housewife. It wasn’t who I wanted to be.

  Glancing up at Brody, I waited for him to defend me, to say that he knew I had done more at home than they assumed. He said nothing, simply picking up his drink, taking a mouthful and finally downing the lot.

  I shrugged his arm from my back and stood up. He didn’t make an effort to keep me near. Walking down to the large living room to find the children, Noah was playing blocks, and Lila had her dolly with her, pretending it was a baby. Tulip was playing on an iPad and hitting her fingers hard against the screen.

  I felt a hand against my lower back. Instantly, I stilled. His touch still made me feel violently ill instantly. “Scott.” I couldn’t have moved aside any faster.

  “You seem upset. Is everything ok?” he asked, moving in closely again.

  Trying to force out a smile, I nodded and wrapping my arms around my chest. I was uncomfortable, wanting him to leave. “I’m okay, just tired.”

  It was a lie, but I just wanted to be far away from this man as possible. I hated Brody’s brother, and he never understood why. He’d call me silly and think that I imagined things. Maybe I was, but maybe I wasn’t.

  Scott went to say something else but stopped when he noticed Brody walking towards us. “Gabby, we should head off. The kids have school, and I’ve got another early morning.”

  This time, I was happy he was starting early. “Sure, sweetheart. I’ll just go and say goodbye to your parents.” I leaned in, meeting him halfway for a chaste kiss; something for the show because that’s how we rolled. Everything was for show. The touches, kisses and loved up names — they were all lies.

  Brody was in our room when I walked in taking my earrings out. I stood opposite as he sat on the bed looking at me. We had two good days since our talk in his office, but we were now back to the cold and distant fighting. Nothing lasted in this house. I needed to speak up and voice my opinions.

  Tonight, I would make a start on that too. “Your sister upset me tonight.”

  He looked up, unbuttoning his shirt. “She was teasing. It wasn’t an attack on you personally.”

  “Everyone thinks I do nothing,” I said, becoming defensive as I put my earrings on the dresser. “You think I do nothing.”

  “You take care of things here. Everyone knows that. You were rude to them by what you said. You were rude to me, and I didn’t even say anything,” he pointed out defensively. “We just happen to enjoy working. I won’t change that.”

  With a sigh, I sat on the side of the bed as he stood up and walked away to his dresser. “I want you to be home more, Brody. You’re always at work. You never defend me.”

  “I need to work, Gabby. I’m too busy to cut the hours back,” he sighed heavily, placing his black socks in the laundry basket. “I’ve been working th
e same for years. You can’t ask me to slack off now, not when I’m so close to landing a huge deal.”

  I nodded. There was no point arguing anymore over it. “Are you at least going to apologise for how you spoke to me earlier, blaming me over Noah’s pictures.”

  He scoffed and shook his head as he stood in a pair of tight-fitting cotton boxer shorts. “You’re kidding, right?”

  That was a definitive no. “Fine, I’m going to sleep, then.” I was exhausted, starving, and just wanted to sleep the hunger away.

  “You want to, you know?” he asked, leaning against the door frame as I slipped underneath the covers of the bed.

  My jaw practically dropped open. He was delusional if he thought I was anywhere close to being in the mood right now. “Are you serious?” I asked, dumbfounded. “Way to make an effort with the romance.”

  How can I want sex when that’s all he ever says? Was it too hard to just come over to me or even grab me, pin me against the wall and just kiss me… kiss me like it was his last breath. I wanted to be held, to be taken and grabbed without hesitation.

  He stared, looking lost as if he had no clue what that word even meant. For a minute, I thought he was going to try, put some moves on, but there was nothing and his wall went back up.

  “I’m going to bed. Goodnight. Try not to let Noah touch my work. That could have cost me our client,” he said with a final warning.

  Would it kill him to touch me or kiss me first? I know I could touch him, but I was too afraid of being rejected to put myself out there. I had done it once before, and it embarrassed me like no tomorrow. “I could use my hand?” I suggested, willing to please him and wanting to please him.

  Reaching up, his fingers hit the white switch and turned the light off as he began walking away. I didn’t hear the mumble. “Forget it. My hand responds more than you do.”