Don't Let Go

by Michelle Lynn

“Take her, Brady, we’ll take care of this,” I hear Grant’s voice tell him.

  “Thanks, Grant. I owe you…like a million,” Brady says sincerely and carries me to the car.

  “I’m sorry, Sadie. I should have taken him away sooner.” Jeff comes to our side, but I keep my face buried into Brady’s chest.

  “Just go get your friend and get the fuck out of Western,” Brady spats at him. “It’s alright baby, I have you,” he whispers before kissing my head.

  Chapter 26

  My body is warm and at peace. If it weren’t for my itchy eyes and my dry, raw nose, I wouldn’t remember that I’d cried most of the night in Brady’s arms. Sitting up, I notice I’m not in Brady’s bed but in the king-size one on the third floor. Brady’s blood- stained t-shirt is draped over the chair and a bag of thawed frozen vegetables now rests on the nightstand next to Brady. His hands are raw, red, and swollen. As he lies there peacefully, I recall last night. It hurt so much watching someone I love fight again. I understand why Brady did what he did because Miles’ words hurt, and the fact that they were said in front of Brady kills me even more.

  He had to stand next to me while another man told him what a great fuck I am. Another guy who I had been intimate with, who had kissed the body that Brady now desires. Just as I was forgetting who I was at Drayton, Miles Jacobs comes and throws it in my face again, reminding me of my past. I worry this won’t be the last run-in with someone and I can’t do it to Brady again. He shouldn’t have to hear the words that were so carelessly conveyed last night. His hands shouldn’t be swollen and red from fighting a battle to defend the weak person I had been. God, I wish I would have met Brady two years ago; then all these issues would be non-existent.

  I get up and look over at him sleeping. A tear falls down my cheek, but I know this is for the best. He deserves much better than me. I take one last look around the room that should have been ours. Last night, I was ready to tell Brady that I would move in with him. It seems so sudden, but I feel like I’ve known him forever. My decision made, I quietly walk down the stairs, out the front door, and out of Brady Carsen’s life.

  Walking the two miles to my dorm sucks, especially with the cold front coming in, but I had to get out fast. I know that when Brady wakes up, he will be calling me, wondering where I went. My mom’s visit couldn’t have come at a better time. I will stay at the hotel with her tonight. I know he will fight to try and change my mind because I would do the same for him.

  Thankfully, Jessa is at the dorm when I get there. To buy myself some time, I text the following message to Brady:

  Me: Jessa came and got me. I have my mom coming in around 2.

  When I get no response, I figure he is still sleeping so I crawl into bed, hoping to get a couple more hours of sleep before dealing with the drama of my mom. I wake up to a text from Brady.

  B: Don’t ever do that again.. I would have driven you back. You scared the shit out of me. What? No ‘love you’?

  Me:Sorry! After last night, I wanted you to sleep. Love you…so much.

  B: You sure you don’t want me to come with you and your mom?

  Me: No, I have it handled.

  B:I know that but I could be moral support.

  Me: That’s ok but thank you. I love you, Brady!

  B: I love you beautiful! Call me when you’re done.

  I leave it at that. I don’t want to give him any ideas regarding what I’m about to do. I shower and get ready, and at around two my mom texts me, saying she’s outside.

  I walk to the entrance of the dorm to let her in and she’s smiling through the window at me. When I open the door, I can’t believe it.

  “Grandma Ida!” I exclaim and give her a hug. The tears start flowing down my face and she slowly runs her hand over my hair, asking what’s wrong.

  My mom comes over, embracing both of us. “What’s wrong, Sadie?” she asks and it’s all I can do to breathe, much less talk. “Did you and Brady break up?” my mom questions and I break down into sobs.

  “Let’s get you to your room, darling.” My grandma keeps an arm around me while I open the door to my dorm. My breathing becomes calmer as we walk down the hall. Concerned girls ask if I’m okay and my mom assures them that she will make sure of it.

  “Sadie!” Jessa yells down from her loft as we enter the room and starts to climb down. “What’s wrong?” She comes over to my side, leading me to my chair.

  “I’m her mom, Maggie, and this is her grandma, Ida,” my mom informs Jessa. “She became hysterical when she saw us.”

  “When she left the room, she was okay,” Jessa tells them. I hear them talking but I can’t say anything yet. “Let me call Brady,” she says.

  “NO!” I scream.

  “Why?” she asks, concerned. “Did something happen? Is this about last night?” she questions me.

  “What happened last night?” my grandma asks, taking Jessa’s chair while my mom kneels on the ground next to me.

  Jessa looks at me, silently asking permission to tell them and I nod my head. “Well, Brady’s band was playing at a fraternity house. At the end of the night, a fight broke out between Brady and a guy from Drayton,” she informs them.

  “Sadie,” my mom sighs. “Who was it?”

  “Mi..Mi..Miles Jacobs,” I stutter.

  “From Theo’s fraternity, right?” she clarifies and I nod.

  “That boy and his father are jackasses. Do we even want to know what he said?” she asks and I shake my head no.

  “So, Brady was right to kick his ass,” Jessa confirms.

  “Darling, I assume Sadie knows that. Does this have to do with Theo?” my grandma asks.

  “Yes…no,” I manage to get out.

  “Does Brady know?” my grandma asks.

  “Yes, he knows everything that happened to Sadie. I do, too. He loves her besides all that, probably more for having gone through it.” Jessa stands up and gets bottles of water for everyone.

  “I know how crazy that boy is over my granddaughter. That’s why I’m so confused. Why is she crying just because some dipshit from Drayton started crap at a party and Brady protected her, kicking his well-deserved ass?” All three of them turn to me for an answer.

  “Because…I can’t have him,” I admit.

  “Nonsense,” my grandma says.

  “I love him too much to put him through it. I thought I could move on, but Miles reminded me who I really am.” I undo the cap to my water bottle, taking a few sips.

  “Who you really are?” Jessa sarcastically asks. “I can tell you who he is…a self-centered, egotistical asshole,” she spouts.

  “I like you,” my grandma says to her. “I like her,” she then informs me as though I didn’t hear her.

  “Don’t do this, Sadie.” Jessa kneels in front of me. “Don’t doubt this,” she begs me, placing her hands on my legs. “That guy last night is a piece of shit. Don’t let him ruin what you and Brady have. Don’t let him win,” Her voice becomes increasingly angrier.

  “Jessa, I don’t want Brady to have to deal with guys telling him how I was or filling his head with thoughts of me sleeping with others. Jesus, look what happened last night because of me. I put Theo in bad situations, making him protect me. I won’t do the same with Brady,” I argue.

  “Sweetie, what happened to Theo wasn’t your fault. Theo was always a fighter, you didn’t make him into one. It was a horrible thing with Theo…but it wasn’t your fault. Brady isn’t Theo and Miles isn’t Craig. Brady only fought to protect your honor, that’s it,” my mom says, grabbing my hand in hers.

  “But…what if,” I start to speak but can’t even complete the sentence.

  “What if, nothing,” my grandma chimes in. “Sadie, I refuse to let you do this to yourself. You are too smart of a girl not to know how much Brady cares for you. I’m pretty sure he would beat up a line of guys for you to prove how worthy you are.”

  “Damn right I would, Ida,” Brady’s voice calls out from across the room.
How did he get in without me hearing him? I glance at Jessa and she smiles.

  “Oh thank god. Talk some sense into my granddaughter, Hot Stuff,” she says and Brady nods, coming directly to me.

  Bending down on his knees between my legs, he grabs my hands, clasping our fingers. I cringe when I see his swollen knuckles. “I knew something was wrong when I woke up this morning and you weren’t there.” He looks at my mom and grandma, an apology written across his face for this confession that we were sleeping together. I will have to tell him that they know I’m not a saint. Then he turns back to me. “I don’t give a shit about that douche last night. Your grandma’s right. I will be happy to beat the shit out of every guy who says anything disrespectful to you, but at the same time, I shouldn’t have done it. I’m sorry, Sadie. I should have known to walk away with you. Please forgive me.” He stares up at me and my eyes fixate on his soft brown eyes.

  “How could you stand there and hear someone say things about me and not do anything about it? I don’t like your hands like this, but I can’t expect you to stand by and do nothing. It’s a lose-lose situation, Brady. I love you too much to let anything happen to you, and if you stay with me, something bad will happen,” I admit with tears in my eyes.

  “What happens to me if you leave me? I’ll beat the shit of every guy that crosses me the wrong way because I’ll be a miserable bastard without you.” He inches closer to me and ducks his head down to meet my face.

  “Aww…” my mom, grandma, and Jessa say in unison.

  “Please, Sadie. You told me last night that I was it for you, game over. Is that still true?”

  “This was never about me wanting anyone else, Brady.” I rest my hands on his forearms. There is no way I can deny this. I knew I didn’t stand a chance if he fought for me.

  “I can’t promise you it won’t be a bumpy road for us, Sadie. But my love for you will never waver and will only become stronger each day. With you by my side, we will get through anything that’s thrown our way. But only on one condition,” he states, moving his hands to my cheeks.

  “What?” I whisper.

  “You never let me go, because I’ll never let you go,” he says and I melt instantly. “Promise me?” he insists.

  “I promise,” I respond and his lips capture mine. He leans forward, keeping my face in his hands to hold me in place while he explores my mouth.

  “Please never leave me again. I hated waking up with you missing this morning.” He kisses me again and grabs my hands to stand up. “Now that our drama is over ladies, let me take you all to lunch,” Brady jokes and my grandma comes over to give him a hug, followed by my mom.

  Brady drives my mom’s rental car so we can all fit, even though I would have been happy to drive with him alone. I happily instruct my grandma to sit up front, leaving me in the back with Jessa on one side and my mom on the other. Brady’s eyes keep finding mine through the rearview mirror. He still doesn’t seem completely himself. I can’t help but think he is upset with me for leaving this morning, not that I blame him. I meant what I said; I will never walk away from him again. I’m going to follow my heart and pray like hell it doesn’t get broken.

  We enter a small Italian restaurant and when we get up to the hostess station, Brady asks to speak to a guy named Tony. The young lady excuses herself and walks through the back doors. A couple minutes later, a tall, larger man comes through the doors. He has a head of salt and pepper hair and is dressed in a silk shirt and black dress pants. When he walks over, I can’t help but notice what a strong presence he has.

  “Brady!” he exclaims and places his hand out to him.

  “Tony, how’s it going?” Brady shakes his hand back.

  “Can’t complain. Business has been good. How is everything with you?” he asks while glancing over to the four of us questioningly.

  “I can’t complain either. Tony, this is my girlfriend, Sadie Miller,” he introduces me, gently pulling me forward to his side.

  “I wouldn’t be complaining either.” He smirks at Brady. “It’s nice to meet you, Sadie,” he says, shaking my hand.

  “And this is her roommate Jessa, her grandma Ida, and her mom, Maggie,” Brady says, completing the introductions.

  Tony politely shakes everyone’s hands, telling them it is nice to meet them, until he reaches my mom. “I can see where your daughter gets her looks from,” he compliments her and she turns a nice shade of pink.

  “Oh. Thank you,” my mom flirts back, making me raise my eyebrows.

  “So, Tony,” Brady tries to grab his attention away from my mom. Tony slowly turns away from my mom to look at Brady. “Can we borrow the back table?” he asks.

  “Of course, I don’t have any reservations until this evening.” He shuffles over to the hostess stand and grabs the menus. “Follow me.”

  We file in a line through the restaurant filled with families and couples enjoying their food. “Here you go,” Tony says, walking through a curtained-off room. A large chandelier hangs above a round table for eight, and there are dark red curtains that hang from the ceiling to the floor, making the room private and elegant. Brady always knows what we need.

  “Thanks, Tony. I wouldn’t ask but we need some privacy,” Brady says, placing his hand on Tony’s back.

  “Anything for you, Brady, you know that,” he says, winking at him. Tony bows slightly at the waist, saying how nice it was to meet us and he hopes we enjoy our meals. We all thank him in return, but I’m not ignorant to his lingering eyes toward my mom.

  “I’m sorry for that episode at the dorms,” I apologize after we all take our seats. Brady grabs my hand under the table and squeezes it.

  “It’s alright, sweetie. I’m just glad it all worked out,” my mom says, smiling at Brady.

  “Thank god you picked a hottie with a brain,” my grandma says and we laugh.

  “I hope you aren’t mad at me, Sadie, but I knew the only one who could talk some sense into you was Brady,” Jessa sheepishly says.

  “She texted you?” I ask Brady and he nods his head in confirmation.

  “Thank you, Jessa,” I graciously say.

  A young waiter comes into the room with a busboy who fills our water glasses.

  “Hello, my name is Jimmy and I will be your waiter this afternoon. Can I get you anything to drink?” he asks. He explains the daily specials and then retreats from the room, leaving an uncomfortable silence behind him.

  Jimmy returns a few minutes later with our drinks and bread. We give him our orders and after he leaves, I figure this is the time to find out why my mother and grandmother are here.

  “So Mom, why did you and grandma make the trip here?” I ask and Brady moves his arm around the back of my chair, almost as though he is preparing to comfort me.

  She looks at Jessa and then back at me. “Jessa knows everything, you can talk in front of her,” I say and my mom nods her head.

  “I’m leaving your father,” she reveals and I almost spit my water out.

  “Why? Mom, if this is about me, it’s okay. I’m okay.”

  “Oh sweetie, that didn’t help but it has been in the works for a while now.” She takes my hand in hers. “If I’m being honest, we haven’t been happy for some time.”

  “Just tell her Maggie. She’s an adult, she can handle it,” my grandma chimes in.

  “Ida,” my mom sighs, staring over at her.

  “I love your father. He’s my only son, but he’s been cheating on your mom for years. And as much as he is my son, I equally consider your mom to be my daughter.” Grandma places her hand on top of ours.

  “Oh Mom, I’m so sorry.”

  “Aren’t guys just a bunch of jackasses?” Jessa speaks up and we giggle. I stare at her, suddenly wondering why she was home this morning and not with Rob.

  “I’m moving in with your grandma until I can figure something out,” my mom says before I have any more time to consider that thought. “That’s not the only reason your grandma and I are here thoug
h.”

  “Why then?” I ask curiously.

  “Your father might have cut you off but I didn’t,” she admits. Then, looking at Brady she says, “I think you are a wonderful man and my Sadie is lucky to have found you. On behalf of my husband, I apologize.”

  “No need, Maggie,” Brady responds.

  “I don’t need your money, Mom. I already have my plan,” I tell her. I know first-hand what my dad will do when she leaves. He will fight her for everything, leaving her with nothing. His vengeance will never let up.

  “My dad was a smart businessman. He might have left your dad his company, but he left me other things. I’ll be just fine.”

  “Like what, Mom?” I ask.

  “He left me a trust that only I can access. It’s money I had originally planned to leave you and Theo after I died. Your father signed papers when my dad gave him the company, stating that the money was mine and it was my choice what happens to it.”

  I remember overhearing my mom in my dad’s office that morning, telling a man to put a trust in my name only.

  “Still, Mom. You will need that to live off of now. I know Dad won’t give you anything,” I admit.

  “Believe me, Sadie, it’s more than enough for me to live off of and still leave you plenty when I die,” she says and I sigh, not wanting to think about that. “I want to give you some now. We might not be able to live like we did with your father, but I can pay for your last semester, get you a car, and pay for your dorm.”

  Brady squeezes my shoulder and draws me into him, kissing my head. “Mom,” I sigh.

  “It’s the end of the discussion, Sadie. I have already paid the university for your tuition,” she admits and I stand up, giving her a huge hug.

  “Thank you, Mom…thank you so much,” I say with tears flowing from my eyes.

  “I’m your mother, Sadie. This is what we do.” She squeezes me hard, crying as well.

  I eventually go back to my seat and cuddle up to Brady. After such a horrible night, I’m ecstatic to have the worry of paying tuition off my plate. But I think I’m still in shock over my mom leaving my dad and his extracurricular activities. I never thought my dad was cheating on my mom. She had been changing ever since Theo died, but I thought it was just because she had lost a child, causing her to cling closer to her last living one. Looking at her now, she does seem more carefree, smiling and laughing more than I have seen her in awhile.