“I know. You take care of my girl,” Heather said as she turned to Brice, who was standing right beside Shay.
“I promise I’ll take care of her. I’d never let anything happen to her,” Brice said with pride.
“I was wrong,” Heather said as she continued to look at Brice.
“About what?” Shay asked, not sure of exactly where this conversation was headed.
“Him.” She pointed at Brice. And she was being truthful; she had treated Brice so horribly because she felt like Shay was choosing him over her. It was Heather who had been the selfish person all along. She was glad that Shay finally found someone who she cared about just as much as he cared about her. “I treated you so horribly, Brice, and I just want to apologize. I just didn’t want to lose my best friend. You’re good for her though. You bring her something that I haven’t seen in such a long time. Her smile.”
“What can I say? I love her smile.” Brice said, gazing into Shay’s eyes. He could look into those baby blues for a lifetime, and it never would be enough.
“I love yours too, Mr. Hotshot.” Shay smirked.
“Oh, get a room,” Chris called from the doorway. “Actually, don’t.”
“Anyways, I’m glad you’re here for her. Truce?” Heather asked as she extended a hand to Brice.
“Truce,” he told her with a smile. To be honest, he still thought she was vindictive and mean, but she was Shay’s friend and the last thing Shay needed was for Brice and Heather to be at each other’s throats all the time.
“See, you two can get along after all.” Shay cheered, happy that the two people that meant the most to her were able to look past their differences and get along for her sake. It brought some peace to her mind. It was one less thing she had to worry about.
“Only for you, love,” Brice told her with a smile.
“Anyways, we should get going,” Heather said. “But before we do, you should probably say goodbye to him.” Heather said, nodding towards David who put the last of the bags in the trunk.
Walking over to David, Shay felt a sense of sadness. She knew that he was still in love with her, but she was grateful that he finally realized he needed to move on. David had been her best friend almost as long as Heather had. They shared so many amazing memories together, and the truth was she couldn’t imagine her life without him, only in a different sense than he did. She saw him as her best friend, a brother even; nothing more, nothing less.
“Hey,” Shay said, tapping him on the shoulder.
“Hey, there,” David replied, turning around.
“Are we going to be alright?” Shay asked, worried that once he left, their friendship would slowly start to drift away.
“Of course. Listen, I meant every word I said to you. I love you, no denying that, but maybe I can start to love you the way you love me, just as a best friend. He makes you happy, and I’m grateful to see that beautiful smile back on your face,” David assured her for what felt like the millionth time.
“I just don’t want to lose you,” she said again.
“And you won’t. Now, I have a long ride ahead of me, and you have a boyfriend to attend to. Go,” David encouraged her.
Pulling him into a hug, Shay held on for dear life. Heather was a great girlfriend, but David had something she didn’t, compassion. Shay could sit and pour her heart out to David forever, and he’d never get bored or try to change the subject. It was something that Shay loved about him very much. No matter what happened, she knew she always had a friend in him, a shoulder to cry on. David would always be there for her, just as much as she’d always be there for him.
Chapter Fourteen
“I think we should go on a date,” Brice said out of the blue a week after her friends left. They’d been dating for a couple weeks now, yet they still hadn’t gone out.
“That was random,” Shay told him as she tossed her copy of “Safe Haven” By Nicholas sparks aside.
“I know, but it just dawned on me that I haven’t treated you like girlfriend very well. I should have taken you out weeks ago,” Brice admitted as he traced the outline of her face with his index finger, sending chills through her body.
“We don’t have to go out on a date, Brandon. I know how I feel about you, and you know how you feel about me. That’s what Davids.”
“My mother taught me to treat a girl like a princess, and that’s just what you are, so we’re going on a date,” Brice demanded, not taking no for an answer.
“Brice, I don’t need a date¸” Shay told him in a calm voice. She didn’t need a date to make her believe what he felt was real. She knew in her heart already. The way he touched her and kissed her told her everything she needed to know.
“It’s not about what you need or don’t, baby, it’s about what I want to give you and that’s the world. A date would be good for us. Don’t say no, please. Anyway, you should feel honored to be able to go on a date with your hot, irresistible, wonderful boyfriend,” Brice smirked.
“Now, aren’t we full of ourselves?” Shay laughed “Why in the world should I feel honored?”
“Because I’ve never taken a girl out before.”
“I thought you said you dated a lot of girls.”
“I wouldn’t use the word date, honestly, Shay. I slept around. I didn’t care about those girls, and they didn’t care about me. They were easy; end of story. The only exception was Marissa,” Brice said, with no remorse.
“How was she an exception?” Shay asked.
“I don’t mean that I ever had feelings for her. I didn’t. Things with her were complicated. She lied about a lot of things. I think I told you about the story when she claimed to be pregnant. She also claimed to love me, and I thought she was crazy. I almost wanted to laugh, because I didn’t believe in love. She doesn’t David though. My point to all of this is that I’ve never felt for anyone the way I feel for you. It’s like you’ve changed the part in me that never wanted to feel.”
“How come you never wanted to feel Brice? Even with all my baggage, I hoped that one day I’d be able to feel. I didn’t believe I ever would, but I still hoped.”
“My dad left a long time ago, and that took a toll on my life. It was when he left that I started to act out. I was so hurt and confused. I just didn’t want to feel any kind of emotions.”
“Do you talk to him at all?” Shay asked in wonder. Sure, she had a secret that she kept buried deep inside her, but her parents – especially her dad – were always there for her. She couldn’t imagine a life without her dad being by her side.
“No, I don’t,” he said in a voice that appeared to be regretful.
“You should contact him,” Shay said.
Brice felt his eyes widen and he took in her last statement. You should try to contact him? Did she not hear what he told her? Why the hell would he even think about trying to contact him? He left him and Brice didn’t need that lowlife of a man in his life. He didn’t need him at all. Brice was a child when he left, and he’d had to grow up fast.
“Not a chance in hell,” Brice said angrily, rising from the bed to put distance between them.
“Brice, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I just thought maybe you could get closure. I mean, the fact that he’s not around seems to bother you and I don’t want you to hurt,” Shay explained, following him as he began to pace the room.
“It’s not you, Shay. I just don’t like to talk about it. So can we just drop it?” Brice asked.
“Of course.” She knew exactly how it felt to have something you didn’t want to talk about, and she wouldn’t push him.
“Now, about that date,” Brice reminded her, closing the distance between them as he wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her close.
“I’ll make you a deal, as long as you don’t spend any money on me, you can take me on a date,” Shay challenged.
“No deal. How about if I spent very little money? That’s my best offer,” Brice negotiated, putting his lips to her skin.<
br />
“Fine,” She whispered, feeling the weakness that overcame her every time Brice kissed her.
“I’ll pick you up at seven. I have to work in an hour, so I’ll call you when I’m finished, okay?” Brice asked, glancing at the digital clock that sat on her nightstand. It was going on noon.
“Okay, I’ll miss you,” she said.
“I’ll miss you too. Surely we can find ways to make up for our time apart.” Brice winked at her before kissing her goodbye. “I’ll see you tonight.”
***
Dear Diary,
Everything is different when I’m with Brice. He makes me feel something I’ve never felt before. He makes me happy. And I know that may sound stupid, but the truth is I’ve never felt safer than I do in his arms.
The memories of the locker room haunt me every day, but when I’m with Brice, it’s like they disappear. Even if it’s only for a moment.
He’s taking me out on a date, and the truth is I’m not afraid. For the first time I feel like I can breathe again. I don’t feel alone anymore. Brice saved me from the darkness that consumed me. I’m not saying that I’m better, because the truth is I’m far from it. I’m still broken, but he lessens the pain that was caused that night.
It’s a funny thing… I closed myself off so long ago to emotion, yet a month with Brice and I just want to tell him everything. I don’t come anywhere close, but I always find myself wanting to tell him about that night. About Heather, Chelsea, Maxie, and David’s hand in it. I want to tell him all of it. I guess hand would be the wrong word for it, it’s not like they knew what was going to happen, but they did have everything to do with that awful night. I remember when I used to blame them. I thought I may have even hated them.
It was the whole reason I never told them I was moving. I couldn’t let go of my anger. With Brice, I feel like anything is possible. He gets me in a way that no one else does. He doesn’t try to change me and I admire him for that. It’s amazing just how hard I’m falling for him. He’s given me a light and now I just have to find my way from there.
***
After hearing a knock on the door, Shay put her pen down and shoved her journal into one of her desk drawers. Her parents opened the door and stood in the doorway.
“Hey there baby girl,” her father said as he walked into her room and sat on the bed.
“Hi Daddy,” she responded. She was happy they were home. After everything she learned about Brice, she knew to never take her parents for granted.
“So, your mom and I were thinking that we could all go out for dinner tonight. We’ve missed you. And we’ve heard you’re making some improvements in your behavior, minus your mirror incident, which we’ll talk about later,” Nicholas told her, happiness rising in his voice.
“I can’t, Daddy. I already have plans,” she said, trying to keep her smile to a minimum, but failing.
“Oh? And what might these plans be?” Nicholas asked, shocked. Through all the months they lived here, Shay always kept to herself; she wouldn’t even go out to meet new people.
“I have plans with Brice,” she explained.
“That boy who has been hanging around here? Shay, I’m not sure you should be hanging around with a boy like that,” Nicholas said.
“A boy like what?”
“Well, for starters, he drives that dangerous bike, he wears that leather jacket all the time, and he’s a bit rough around the edges. I don’t think an innocent girl like you needs to be hanging around him.”
“You don’t even know him!”
“Nicholas, stop this nonsense. That boy obviously puts a smile on our girl’s face. There’s no way you’re going to take that away from her,” Jennifer cut in before her husband could speak again. She’d die before she let anyone take away the little happiness that Brice brought to her daughter.
“Daddy, I like him. I like him a lot, and he likes me too. You can’t take that away from me. For the first time in a long time I feel like someone doesn’t see me as a problem that needs to be fixed. He just gets me in a way that no one else does. And you can’t tell me who I can and can’t date. I’m eighteen,” Shay explained in a calm and rational voice.
“Baby, I just want to protect you. Brice is just the type of guy who just doesn’t care about anyone but himself. I don’t say that to make you angry, but it’s the truth. I’ve seen guys like him.”
“No you haven’t. Brice isn’t like any other guys. Trust me when I say I didn’t just go googly-eyed over our first conversation. Daddy, he’s been so good to me and whether you support me or not, I’m going to be with him. And tonight I’m going out with him.”
“Shay, don’t be like that,” Nicholas told her, knowing that she was starting to push him away. Just like before. “I love you so much and I just want to protect you.”
“Well you can’t, Dad. You can’t protect me from every bad thing that happens. You can’t protect me from all the bad stuff in life. God knows we all wish you could, but you can’t. And Brice isn’t a bad thing, he’s a very good thing. Until you take the time to get to know him, don’t judge him,” Shay chided her father. It was the first time they’d ever really disagreed. She and her father were always pretty close. She could talk to him about anything, and he always picked her up when she was falling, but now he was just overreacting.
“Nicholas, I’m not going to tell you again. Our daughter is growing up and we have to let her make her own choices. Brice makes her happy and if you care about her happiness at all, then you’ll support her. Whether you agree with it or not,” Jennifer scolded her husband with an icy glare.
“I guess you’re right. Look Shay, my warning against Brice still stands, but if you’re happy then I’ll support that. But I swear to God, if he ever hurts you I’ll break his neck,” he told her.
“I know, Daddy.”
Her parents left the room, and she turned back toward her desk.
“So, Dad doesn’t like Brice, huh?” Shay turned to see Chris standing in her doorway.
“It would appear that way,” she replied.
“Well, baby girl, he makes you happy, so don’t let Dad take that away from you,” he told her, plopping on the bed as she stared at the ceiling.
“Chris, why did you stay,” she finally asked after a moment of silence. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m glad you’re here. I’ve been wondering ever since you said you weren’t going back.”
“Shay, I’m here for you. After the mirror incident, you scared me half to death. I don’t want to see you hurt anymore. I don’t know what forced you to change, but I’m here to make sure it doesn’t hurt you anymore. I care about you more than anyone else in this world. The moment I laid eyes on you, I vowed to always protect you. I love you Shay. You’re my baby sister,” Chris told her.
“I love you too Ry. I’m glad you stayed.”
“Me too. Now let’s talk about Brice,” he said, a grin appearing on his face. “I hear he’s taking you on a date. Where might this be?”
“I don’t know. He said he’d pick me up after he gets off work.” Shay told him, smiling. She couldn’t contain the excitement that ran through her.
“Well, he’d better take you someplace nice. You really care about him, don’t you?” Chris asked, turning to face her, using his elbow to support him.
“I do. He just snuck up on me, I guess. I care about him a lot. More than I ever wanted to care about anyone,” she admitted.
“I’m happy for you. I’ve watched you fall apart, and now I’m watching you put the pieces back together and I have to say, no matter what Dad says, Brice is good for you. I see the way he looks at you. It’s like it’s just the two of you. He has this light in his eyes, something good.”
Shay was surprised how easy it was for her to talk about Brice. She’d been closed off for so long, but when it came to Brice, she could talk all day. There was just something about him that she couldn’t seem to forget. It was no secret that when they first met, she thought he was s
elf-centered and arrogant, but deep down, he was selfless, kind, and giving. He always found a way to make her laugh. It scared her to know just how strong the feelings were that she was developing for him.
Chapter Fifteen
“Wear something pretty,” Brice said through the phone. He was driving home. Shay could hear him start the engine of the car.
“Define pretty.” She challenged.
“No jeans, no shorts, and not that sweater you always wear. I know it’s sort of a comfort for you, but can I just have one night to look at your flawless skin,” he asked.
“Brice, I don’t know if I can,” she told him.
“Make a deal with me. You don’t wear that sweater and I’ll bring my leather jacket along. If you at any time feel uncomfortable, you put that on,” Brice suggested.
She thought about it for several moments as she listened to him breathe through the phone. The thought of not wearing her sweatshirt scared her. For months she’d worn it, except in the comfort of her own home. For Brice though, she would take a chance by not wearing it.
Then there was the matter of him saying no jeans or shorts. Walking to her closet, she only saw the dresses that she didn’t wear anymore. Could she wear a dress? No! It was too soon, she was barely comfortable in her own skin, let alone a dress. She’d take a chance by not wearing the sweatshirt, but the dress was a definite no.
“Okay, I can do that,” she finally spoke as she settled on a fancy, purple tank top.
“Good, I just got off work, but I’m going to go home and shower, then I’ll come get you. Would you prefer the car or the bike?” Brice asked, wanting to make tonight as perfect as he possibly could.
“The car. It’s kind of breezy out tonight,” she said.
“Okay, pretty girl, I’ll be there soon.”
“Okay.” She hung up.
Shay walked into her bathroom and stared into her newly repaired mirror. She looked like a completely different person. Brice’s presence in her life was definitely giving her a positive outlook on life. For the first time in a while she didn’t fear the touch of someone. She didn’t fear the closeness that came with him. She couldn’t deny how much she felt for him, and with that came the trust she put in him. Shay found it strange just how much she trusted Brice.
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