The texting stopped because Brynley was trying to make her way to the park. She never tried to text and drive.
Chapter Nine:
Brynley pulled up next to Reed’s car. When she got out, she saw Reed smiling from ear to ear. He walked over to her and started the conversation. “Looks like rain may come our way soon; so, we better skedaddle and start jogging before we need to get a Bumbershoot. If you keep lollygagging around, we’re going to get caught in the rain for sure! Now, don’t give me any malarkey, because I’m not going to put up with it! Now, let’s go get this brouhaha over with; so I can claim my victory.” Poor Reed couldn’t finish his eloquent speech without interruption. The more he spoke, the more Brynley laughed! He was so freaking adorable!
“Now, quit your hullaballoo, and let’s start jogging.” When he finished his statement, he turned and started jogging out to the soccer fields. She followed willingly. It felt so good to be with Reed again. She was truly enjoying his company!
They were jogging side by side, both sporting smiles on their face. “Where in the world did you come up with all of those crazy words?” Brynley’s smile melted Reed’s heart. She was so endearing and charming. No girl has ever made him feel this relaxed and playful; he liked it!
“I googled every one of them.” She laughed again.
“How do you remember them?” She looked earnestly at him for his answer.
“I stayed up studying them last night; so, I could regale you of my intellectual verbiage.” He wiggled his eyebrows for special effects. She chuckled again.
“You stayed up studying to impress me, huh? It sounds to me that you might like me just a little. I wouldn’t mind if that were true.” Brynley loved flirting with Reed. She was wearing the Chest-shire cat grin!
Reed quirked a lovely, dark brow at her. “Well, I must say that you’re the only girl to flummox me. I’ve always been somewhat of a maverick. Since I have met you, I seem to have become quite the pettifogger. I have also realized, that I have developed quite a fancy for you and that callipygian that you possess.” Brynley was able to understand and keep up with Reed, until he used the word callipygian.
“Ok, I was able to keep up with you, until that last word was used. What does it mean?” She gazed curiously at Reed awaiting an answer.
He smiled naughtily at her, and wiggled those brows again. “It means, cute derriere.” Brynley laughed hysterically this time, because he was just being ornery! She liked it! He had such a boyish charm, when he was happy and relaxed; but a roguish and aggressive demeanor, when he was serious. He could discombobulate her at times, when he was in a portentous mood.
The wind started picking up, forewarning that at a storm was going to come soon. Brynley and Reed were about twenty minutes into their run; when precipitately, light showers started drumming the earth, with its own cadence. Reed looked over to Brynley, who started squeaking her protest, of the cold and wet rain. “Shoot, I knew I should have brought my bumbershoot! Looks like we’re going to have to make a run for it, to my car.” He grabbed Brynley’s hand and started sprinting back to his vehicle. The rain was merciless; it continued to intensify the amount that was battering them, while they ran for shelter. By the time that they had reached Reed’s car, they were both drenched! Reed open the door for Brynley, and she quickly climbed inside his car. He stopped to open his trunk and pulled out a towel, before he climbed in beside of her. “Here, try to dry off with this.” Brynley laughed.
“My clothes and hair are saturated with water. I’m not sure, that this little towel is going to do much.” She took the towel and started drying Reed’s face, first. He sat very still, and allowed her to gently pat the water from his face and hair. When she finished with him, she patted herself dry, too. Reed sat appreciating how naturally beautiful Brynley was. She didn’t have any makeup on, and she was gorgeous! She didn’t whine about her hair being wet. He watched her take the clip out of her hair and scrunched it a few times. Natural waves started forming, as she squeezed some of the moisture from her hair. Brynley’s white-blonde hair swirling against her skin, just made her look more bronzed and those eyes sparkle. Her loveliness, beckoned him for a kiss. His eyes dropped, to watch her generous lips quirk at the ends, into a smile. He realized that his hand slid behind her head and he leaned into a kiss. She was submissive, and eagerly met his demand, for intimate contact. Kissing her seemed to be the most honest and pure response, that he has ever felt. When he finally broke the kiss, he had a few seconds before she opened her eyes, to gaze upon her face, to see desire and pleasure there. Had he have been standing, that look would have rendered him to his knees. He felt his jaw tighten, trying hard to reel in the dominating need, that was surging through him at this moment, to have her.
Reed had to pull away. She looked befuddled and disarrayed. It was an adorable look; but he didn’t want her to be confused, whether he liked her or not. “Brynley, I want to talk to you about something important.” Before Reed could tell her how he felt and what he wanted, her phone rang. She looked slightly embarrassed, and asked Reed to be patient for a moment. Brynley answered her phone. Reed listened to the conversation. He heard Brynley say ‘hi’ to Jamison. Jamison must have got her phone number the other day, for the party. Reed instantly was hit internally, with a storm of frenzied anger. He started taking deep breaths, to calm himself down; so, he wouldn’t scream. He knew that Jamison was asking her on a date. Reed could feel his expression turn stone cold, with irritation. He felt his respirations increase, with his chest surging up and down; trying to get enough air to keep his composure. His jaw was clamping so tight, his teeth started to hurt. Reed listened, as Brynley was telling Jamison that she wasn’t sure what she was doing yet. She would have to talk to Kendra, to see what she had planned for the day.
Reed could feel his heart hammering in his chest! He felt like punching every window out of his car! No; he felt like punching Jamison right in the face! He was furious, that Brynley was even entertaining the thought of going out with him! He would look like a jealous fool, if he told Brynley how much he wanted to be with her now! His pride would not let him beg her not to go out with Jamison. He was going to have to win her over, and make her choose him over Jamison instead. Reed simply couldn’t have it any other way!
Brynley hung her phone up and apologized to Reed for the interruption. She did tell Reed, that it was Jamison. He was so annoyed with Brynley, that he had a difficult time responding to her. When he did, he lost his composure. “What did he want?”
Brynley noticed the bite to Reed’s words. She was trying to respond with caution. She didn’t want to upset him, more than what he already seemed to be. She was going to be honest with Reed; she didn’t want to lie to him and lose his trust. “He was just telling me, that Kendra and Skylar were going on a date tonight, to a fair. He wanted to know if I was to go too, and if he could go.” Brynley looked as if she was going to say something else, but stopped. Good, because he couldn’t stomach another word! Reed’s guts were inflamed with rage! Jamison just asked her on a date and she admitted it to him! It was like she was taunting him! He wanted her, but he was desperate for no girl! He did not like it when a girl tried to make him jealous, and he wasn’t going to play this game again! He had his fill with Rebecca, when they were dating. She loved to torture him, with jealousy! Reed was sure that Brynley knew he liked her. My gosh, he kissed her with passion whenever he could, without scaring her away! She had to be doing this on purpose, because Reed was sure she knew what she was doing!
His ire was so great, that he could not tame his acerbic tongue! “You are so good at your craft!’ Reed was caustic and bitter to Brynley, and Brynley was completely shocked and way- laid by Reed’s change in demeanor. She didn’t even know how to respond to him. Her silence allowed him to continue his hurtful and cruel insults. “You’re nothing but a pathetic tease, just like every other girl I have ever known. There is nothing unique about you, like I was hoping for. I can’t even begin to tell you what
a disappointment you are to me! I want you to stay as far away from me as possible! I do not want to see your face around me again; now get out of my car!” Reed was seething with rage by the time he was done speaking to her. He actually growled out the words, for her to get out of his car. He looked down at his hands, which were balled into tight fists. Before he looked back up at her, he heard the car door slam shut. He watched her get into Kendra’s car, start it, and slammed it into first gear. She spun the gravel, as she hastily sped away!
Reed’s head fell into his hands, as he was thinking, ‘what have I just done’? He felt like he was going to be sick! He suddenly became love-sick over Brynley. This pain he felt, was so much more different, than what he had felt with Rebecca. He couldn’t believe he let his jealousy and pain spill over in a punishing and malicious conversation with her! He was remembering the tears in her eyes, as he ruthlessly subjugated her to his spiteful words. ‘Why would she kiss me; and then tell me that Jamison was asking her on a date, unless she was trying to make me jealous?’ He never thought that would be a possibility in Brynley; and yet, this is what she did. Reed took his frustration out on his steering wheel. He took his fist and just kept beating it! After twenty minutes of relentlessly beating his steering wheel, Reed decided to drive home. The storm was befitting of his mood now.
Brynley was in agony and baffled by Reed’s change in his behavior. She thought that they were starting to grow close. She loved being around him. He made her laugh; and when he kissed her, she melted into him! She thought he was interested in her; all of those times kissing her the way he did. Was he just using her, for a good time? Was he just testing the new girl, seeing if he could have another Tabitha; and she didn’t pass the test? Brynley’s heart felt stripped of pleasure and jollity. Reed took it from her; and she vowed, that she would never give him another chance to ridicule or hurt her again! Her pride and heart would never allow him another chance.
She arrived back to her aunt’s house and ran blindly up the stairs. Her tears overcame her sight. She slammed her door and threw her disillusioned and weary body on her bed. The tears flowed unceasingly. She could hear her door open. “Oh my gosh! Brynley, what’s wrong?” She felt Kendra’s hand rub her back. Brynley refused to turn around; so, her friend could see her grief-stricken face. “Brynley, what’s wrong? I thought you went to go see Reed this morning? Did something happen? Did he hurt you? Talk to me Brynley, I can’t stand this!”
It took some time, but Brynley eventually turned over. Kendra saw the anguished expression on Brynley’s face. She immediately cradled Brynley in her arms and tried to soothe her tears. Kendra became instantly angry, at who or what she didn’t know, but she would find out and take care of the situation for sure! Kendra rocked Brynley slowly, until Brynley’s tears started slowing down. When Brynley’s breathing came under control, Kendra asked her again what had happened.
Brynley recanted every moment of her being with Reed, and every word he said to her. She couldn’t help but cry; remembering how angry and disgusted he looked at her, when he said the cruel things that he did. Kendra was furious with Reed! How dare he hurt Brynley? How dare he lead her on, like he was interested in her, just to turn around and crush her for his demented pleasure! She would not let him get by with this! She would find a way to revenge her sweet and innocent friend!
Kendra tried to talk Brynley into going to the fair with her and Skylar. Brynley said that she was in no mood to go, and would only spoil the night for them. She was hoping that Reed was going to take her to the fair, but he devastated her with his sharp tongue! Besides, she would be a third wheel tonight. No, she would stay home and lick her wounds!
Jamison had called Brynley early that morning, to ask Reed if it would be ok for him to go with the gang to the fair, of course he would bring a girl. Skylar talked to Jamison and had explained to him that Reed was crazy about Brynley, and she seemed to feel the same for him. Jamison didn’t want Reed to think that he was encroaching on his territory. They were friends, and it had been a long time, since Reed wanted a girl. Jamison liked Brynley too, but he could see that she was more attracted to Reed; and he wasn’t going to subject himself to heartache or hurt Reed. Brynley never called him back. Was Reed mad, that he wanted to go as friends? Was he that jealous over Brynley, all ready? They had been friends a long time; surely, he wouldn’t sever their friendship like that. Jamison drove over to Skylar’s house. Skylar seemed a little agitated. “What’s up?” Skylar gave Jamison an exasperated look.
“I’m trying to get a hold of Kendra, but she’s not answering her phone. She said she would call me back, but it’s been almost an hour.” Jamison wanted to laugh. Skylar was obsessed over Kendra already! That boy fell fast and hard!
“Maybe, she’s in the shower and she can’t hear her phone ring.” Jamison thought that was probably the answer, and Skylar was getting anxious for no reason.
Skylar shook his head, “Yeah, you’re probably right. I’ll give her about thirty minutes more. If she doesn’t call me, I’ll drive over and check on her.” Jamison laughed; his friend was possessed with this girl. Skylar never kept calling a girl, or ever go checking on her, if she hadn’t called him back. He would just simply pick up the phone and call another girl.
Reed couldn’t drive home. He decided to go over to Skylar’s house and talk to him about what had happened. Skylar could help him understand what was going on. As Reed was driving up, he spotted Jamison’s car. Pure anger exploded inside him! He pulled behind Jamison’s car blocking him in; this way he couldn’t escape Reed, and what he was going to do to him. Reed stormed into Skylar’s house screaming Jamison’s name.
Both boys heard Reed screaming. They walked out of the study and into the living room, to see what was going on. Reed looked repulsed and hostile towards Jamison. In seconds, Reed had struck Jamison in the face and Jamison fell hard. Reed was screaming at Jamison to get up; but Jamison was struggling to rise off the floor, much less stand. Skylar was trying to back Reed away from Jamison, but Reed kept pushing Skylar off the side of him. Reed was solid muscle and powerful! He had boxed for many years, which made him fearsome to fight. He was dangerous, because he was a black belt in combat Shuai Chiao. Skylar was actually afraid, that Reed was going to hurt Jamison!
“Dude, what’s wrong with you?” Skylar couldn’t understand why Reed would just attack Jamison the way he did. Reed looked to Skylar and gave him a disgusted glare.
“Jamison called Brynley this morning. I had just finished kissing her, and thinking to myself how much I truly wanted her for myself. She was perfect for me! Then Brynley answered his phone call, and he asked her out and she said ‘yes’. I wanted her, Skylar! I haven’t wanted anyone in a long time; but I wanted her, and Jamison took her from me!” Reed’s throat was burning, from screaming so much. He wanted to cry, but his anger held his tears back. He turned his sadness, into fury for Jamison!
Jamison was sitting up; blood pouring from his nose, and his eyes were starting to swell. Somehow, through the pain, Jamison replied to Reed. “I didn’t ask her out. You wouldn’t answer your phone; so, I called Brynley to see if she would ask you, if you mind if I came to the fair too. I was going to bring Chantelle. Call her, I had already asked her out.” Reed was frozen with guilt and idiocy.
Reed groaned as he hung his head, heavy with the realization of the huge mistake he had made, out of his jealousy. Reed offered his hand to help Jamison up off the floor. Jamison accepted. He teetered when he stood, still dizzy from the hit he took. Reed’s fist was like getting hit with a concrete block. Reed and Skylar helped him to the couch. Skylar made Jamison lay his head on the pillow. He went and got a towel with ice, to help the swelling and blood flow. Reed felt terrible!
“Jamison, I’m so sorry. It sounded like you asked her out and she wanted to go with you. I thought you did it on purpose, to make me mad and take her away from me.” Reed started thinking about that scenario again. When she replied ‘ok’ to Jamison, it could have bee
n about asking Reed, if he could come and not that she would go out with him. Reed could feel the bile lurch into his throat. It burned to hold it down. He remembered how unkind and hurtful he was to her. He thought she was playing with him; and he felt a pain, that he had never known before, not even with Rebecca. He had to fix this. How was he going to fix this? He remembered the pain in her eyes, as he verbally tore her to pieces. It haunted him. Knowing now that he made such a foolish mistake, made him feel nauseous. He vomited right there, on the carpet beside Skylar’s foot.
“Oh man! What the freak, man! You vomited on my mom’s carpet. She’s going to kill me! You’re cleaning it up! I ain’t touching that!” Reed was oblivious to Skylar’s rant. All he could think about, was how horrible he was to Brynley. She didn’t deserve any of it! He hurt her; and he knew she would not forgive him easily, if at all. That thought, made him vomit again. “Reed, go to the bathroom! Stop vomiting on my mom’s carpet, dude!” Skylar was completely distraught. He had one friend bleeding on his mom’s pillow and couch, the other one was vomiting on the carpet. He was a dead man to him mom, when she got home.
Reed vomited three more times and then dry heaved several more. The more he thought about how badly he screwed up, the sicker he became. He would throw himself at Brynley’s mercy. He would beg for her forgiveness; and swear, that he would never make such a mistake like that again! He would swear to devote every waking moment to making her happy, every single day! He would make her the envy of every girl. He would worship her like she deserved! He would praise her, adore her, and respect her; every woman would beg to be her. He was going to show her, what he could be to her; and he wouldn’t stop, until she accepted him and forgave him. First, he needed to go and apologize to Jamison again. He needed to have his friend’s forgiveness.
Pride and Passion Page 10
