Mending the Blur (a Forever & Always novel) Page 6

  “Would you mind booking me a hotel room? I don’t want to impose. Just give me the amount, and I’ll give you the cash when I get there.”

  “You can stay at the house, Madi will be there.”

  “We’ll discuss it later; I need to concentrate on driving.” Conversation diversion… check.

  “Okie dokie, see ya in a few hours.”

  After a few more exchanges and a quick goodbye, I end the call and jam out to Cassadee Pope for the remainder of my trip to the airport, pushing all the stress of my meeting with the lawyer to the back of my mind.

  Jesus Murphy, I need a drink.

  Braydon

  RADIO SILENCE. NO PHONE calls. No returned text messages. No Skype or FaceTime. Nope, she cut me off–cold fucking turkey, except in my dreams and hallucinations I seem to suffer occasionally on campus at work. I know it’s pathetic, but it’s not like I’ve calculated the actual amount of days passed, well, maybe I have. But what else are you supposed to do when the love of your life doesn’t reopen a door that you so stupidly allowed to close. I was working on myself, but that’s a shitty ass reason to close down the way I did. I did the one thing I promised I wouldn’t, I walked away. She promised the only way I’d be rid of her was if I walked out, and I had technically done that.

  Scrolling through my phone, I can’t help but shake my head at the message attempts, even for small talk. Checking in to see how she is. Telling her I’m sorry and I miss her. Nothing… nothing except the little notification that tells me she “read” the message with the time stamp. I never noticed her having the receipt feature on her phone until around Christmas the same year my mom passed, the same year Keelie passed and Isaac was born.

  I hold tight to that notification, it tells me she hasn’t closed down completely, and she still thinks of me, she still knows I’m reaching out. Yet at the same time it annoys the shit out of me; I really want to see the little bubble with three dots appear. So I continue to send at least one message each month since the last message I received from her: “She claimed up until her dying day you were the father…” Braxton got a similar message that read: “I need to focus on my job and every time I talk to you, I think of the loss that happened on my watch.”

  Adalyn isn’t one who shuts down. She takes the bull by its horns and deals with shit, so what the hell changed is beyond me. Braxton had told me about Keelie, a friend to everyone in the house, or was, I guess, until shit went sideways. She had been on campus setting up living arrangements for the upcoming semester; she was going to be a senior and was continuing her education despite the pregnancy. She was determined, I’ll give her that. She’d always set her mind to what she wanted. She began having excruciating pains in her back, and Braxton urged her to go to the hospital after they had chatted a bit in the housing department. Unfortunately for Keelie, due to some massive complications, she didn’t survive the birth of her little boy.

  Braxton, Brenton, and I went to the funeral, and as expected it was devastating. No matter she irritated us, stalked us, or just annoyed the hell out of us, she was a friend… well, not to Ads, but that’s not Adalyn’s fault. Keelie was difficult to get along with especially for other females, or maybe it’s Adalyn that’s difficult. Women… they make me crazy, and the fact that they cannot let crap go and move forward makes me even crazier. But one thing that seemed to always remain was the bond of brothers.

  I’m officially being a chick. Standing in the aisle of the 747 I’m about to deplane, I resituate my jewels–yep still a dude, I haven’t grown a vagina… not yet at least. Within ten minutes I have made it down the corridor and plucked my suitcase from the baggage claim area.

  “Bray!” I hear Braxton and Brenton before I see them, standing to the side by the exit.

  “Hey, douchebags, thanks for waiting for me,” I laugh as we bro-hug it out. “Damn, it’s been forever.”

  “No shit, but let’s gossip in the car, we have dinner reservations after the game,” Brenton announces, and Braxton and I just gawk at his comment. “What? Let’s go.”

  “Wow, and here I was worried my overthinking and overanalyzing had made me grow the vag; clearly it’s you that needs to check your mini me to make sure it’s not been replaced.”

  “Dick is secure and far from mini, my friend.”

  Walking side by side, we make our way to the arrivals lot, and pile into Brenton’s new baby, aka his hot, just out of the factory BMW 7 Series. I’m a smidgen jealous, just a little. After a quick drive through the city, Brenton pulls into a gated community full of very high-end looking houses and drives around to the west side pulling into a townhome type building.

  “Nice place.” I whistle.

  “Thanks, it’s a condo – don’t worry I haven’t been suckered into a full-size house, yet.”

  “Suckered? Full-size house? Has someone finally melted that ice heart of yours, darlin’?” I coo.

  “Fuck off, y’all will actually see Madi tonight, she’ll be up in the box. Don’t be dicks either,” Brenton says pointing at both of us before he grabs three bottles of water from the kitchen. Just as my cap joins the other two onto the counter, his phone rings. “Shit, y’all shut the hell up, it’s Addy.”

  Well, that got my attention. I haven’t heard her sweet voice in what seems like decades, although I still replay a saved voicemail when I’m really missing her. Shit, I am a freakin’ girl. Punching his arm as he answers, I mouth the word speakerphone, and then punch him again when he shakes his head no. After his eyes bug out he hits the button and Adalyn’s voice fills the room.

  “Hey, Bubs!” she says happily. “The pilot apparently has a hot date so we made exceptionally great time, so I’m going to grab a burger and then my connecting flight should be ready. Is my driver, Doug, picking me up?”

  “Yep, sure is. So, I should probably tell ya something,” Brenton begins before Braxton and I both punch him and mouth no as if we were mock screaming.

  “What’s up?” she asks as if this is normal conversation; does Brenton always have to tell her everything… What the hell? “I can stay at a hotel; I don’t want to interfere with you, Madi, and your friends that came in to visit.”

  “Yeah, okay. You’re never interfering. She loves you, but I’ll book ya a room just in case because you’ve now mentioned it twice and the text.”

  “So… what did you need to tell me?” she asks.

  “Oh um, I don’t remember,” he says, half shrugging as he downs his water.

  “Weirdo, but no biggie, I’m still sitting courtside, so tell your friends they’ll have to watch from up top!” Adalyn laughs before a mass of jumbled noise comes through the speaker. “Dammit, Bobby. Gotta go, flight’s ready.”

  “Love you, Addy,” he adds before she says the same ending the call.

  “Dude, does your girlfriend know you tell my girl you love her?” I ask as we all collapse onto the leather recliners in the living room. “Also, why do you have four recliners… it’s weird.”

  “Not weird, they’re comfy as shit. And yes, my woman knows such.” Brenton laughs and Braxton clears his throat.

  “Madi doesn’t care because Adalyn is a married woman,” Braxton deadpans, and I choke on my last swig of water, my heart racing.

  “What the hell, dude?” Brenton exclaims pinning Braxton with a look.

  “No, really, what the fuck!”

  “Chill, its fine. Y’all can apparently hash it out later.” Braxton laughs taking another pull from his water. “I mean, if I were you, I’d really not be too jealous, Green Giant.”

  “What in the hell does that mean?” I bellow. “Brenton, spill it!” I demand.

  I had hoped for so long for something to develop between us, more than what it had. I mean, I could imagine our forever. Yeah, it’s cheesy, but when you have a woman like Adalyn, it’s easy to get lost in thinking of the future. Never wanting the morning to come so I could keep her wrapped in my arms, the feel of her body pressed against me, the feel of her lips… a
nywhere, everywhere. Letting out a loud sigh, I look back to Brenton. “Dude, give me something, anything?”

  “Man, that dumbass shouldn’t have even said anything,” Brenton says throwing his thumb in Braxton's direction. “It’s not my place or his to air Addy’s personal life. I’m sorry.”

  She’s supposed to be mine. Yes, I blew that up more than once, hell it was my fault we never fully developed our relationship. But what in tarnation does any of the last five-minute conversation even mean? Pinching the bridge of my nose, I will myself to still be asleep on the airplane, I will this to be a dream, but upon opening my eyes seeing both of my best guy friends having a friggin’ conversation without words has me about ready to flip my shit.

  Adalyn

  THANKFULLY, MY FLIGHT ARRIVED about twenty minutes ahead of schedule. I love when the terminal makes shit happen and we pull out early from the gate because everyone is accounted for. And my carry-on allows me to skip the baggage claim process… victory! Slipping into the restroom away from the crowd that surrounds me from my flight, I set up shop in front of the mirrored bay. I hate winter in Oklahoma; well, technically Brenton claims it’s not the dead of winter, but if I need Uggs, boot socks, and a sweater, that means it’s colder than a witch’s tit and definitely winter. Pulling my makeup bag from my backpack, I freshen up my face. One last swipe of mascara and my charcoaled smoky eye makeup is on point, my cheeks are dusted with a soft pink, and my lips glossed with a clear shimmer gel that tastes like coconut.

  Packing my belongings away, I make my way out to the car that Bub always sends for me when he or his adorable girlfriend, Madi, can’t pick me up. Honestly, I never saw Brenton settling down, thinking about marriage and kids, but Madison–that girl is a keeper, and he knows it. I spot Doug immediately, the extraordinarily tall bald guy who is white as a sheet; yep he always sticks out like a sore thumb.

  “Hey, Doug,” I greet once I’m in earshot. “Good to see you’re using sunscreen year-round still.”

  “Ha! You think you’re so funny. It’s a good thing you’re beautiful, Ms. Adalyn,” Doug teases as he opens the rear door to the town car, taking my backpack and placing it in the trunk after ensuring I’m settled in the back seat. “Brenton has requested that I see you immediately to the suite.”

  “Sounds good.” I smile. Settling into my seat, I power on my cell phone and wait for any message notifications to populate. A single text appears–one that I receive every month on this day for longer than has been necessary, granted there are times when I receive random messages here and there, this one is always guaranteed. Although, I’m certain he could stop sending the same message each month, he’s never done it. A huge part of me feels terrible for reading and closing out the message without responding, but a bigger part of me feels ashamed. I’ve been so damn prideful, I just don’t even know what to say or do at this point. My heart hurts, but knowing he sees that I’ve read the message helps. It’s the only way to communicate at this point. I’m such a damn coward.

  Bray – I’m sorry, Ads, please just talk to me. I love you, always.

  Squeezing my eyes tightly closed, I will the tears to stay at bay. By the time Doug pulls into the VIP valet parking, my breathing has settled and a smile happily dances on my lips in anticipation of seeing my best friend kill it tonight against Phoenix. Pulling myself from the back seat after Doug opens my door, I laugh at his typical gesture–his giant arm, resting at his side as my escort, every time.

  “Doug, you know I can make my way around? We’ve been doing this for two seasons.”

  “Ms. Adalyn, while you have the access passes to wherever you want in the arena, I will always ensure you arrive at your first destination. So, we can have this conversation every visit, but it won’t change,” Doug deadpans before tilting his head to the side as he appraises me then gives me a great big grin.

  Hooking my arm tighter through his forearm and bicep, I laugh loudly. “You are incorrigible.”

  “So, I’ve been told.” He laughs back as we make our way to Brenton’s suite. Madi is already inside sporting her OKC Thunder basketball stilettoes–whoever invented rhinestone-encrusted heels that support collegiate and professional sports has got to be a bookoo billionaire. I’d wear them, but not in the middle of freaking winter. “Have a great night, ladies.” Doug smiles before heading back to wherever he goes while he’s waiting out the game.

  “Seriously, I hate you!” I laugh hugging Madison. “It’s a million below zero and you’re all cutesy in Bub’s jersey, crop skinny jeans, and those killer shoes. How aren’t you freezing?”

  “Aww, you know, Addy,” she begins trying to hold back her laughter, “one would think you’d acclimate. How long have you been in Missouri?”

  “Um, like four months, at most. It’s even colder there. I shit you not, I never in a million years thought I would live somewhere with actual winter, but I really couldn’t leave Dr. Watret.”

  “Yeah, she’s pretty awesome.” Madi giggles. “I still remember her giving me the ‘just because you’re a free bird in college, doesn’t mean you need to sow every oat God gave ya’ speech.”

  “Freshman year clinics for volleyball, best chat ever to overhear, really ever!” We laugh for what seems like forever rehashing the same memories we do each visit. Madi was the all-star volleyball captain recruited in on a full scholarship. I met her my sophomore year when I played a season. I was good, but I was out to have fun, and boy did we have fun. Madi and I have stayed friends since the first summer practice. Although I never thought she and Brenton were a match, but they are practically perfect!

  “Anyway…” Madi stalls before looking me up and down, “who are you impressing tonight?”

  “No one?” I hesitate, but the inflection in my voice doesn’t go unnoticed.

  “Blasphemy!” she yells as Brenton stalks through the door. “Tell me!”

  “Tell you what?” he asks wrapping his arms around her shoulders staring at me just as intently as Madi is.

  “Your little wifey is questioning my appearance, when the truth of the matter is, I just want to look decent since I’m sitting courtside. Can’t look frumpy on camera,” I offer up with a sarcastic grin and shrug.

  After brief hesitation flickers in Brenton’s eyes, he blinks quickly before leaning down and kissing Madi’s cheek. “Hmm, kind of suspect, Addy, but then again, Mads, she doesn’t have a ring on.”

  “Oh shut up,” I retort as my cell phone pings again. Pulling it quickly from my pocket, hoping it will create some sort of break in this stupid conquest to figure out my “suspect” appearance. I read the message and laugh, loudly. “Speaking of suspect…” I trail off reading the message again, this time shaking my head. He never sends more than the one message a day… at least not this random.

  “Maybe he’s tired of the silent treatment,” Brenton quips, and I jerk my eyes to his. I really have to keep my thoughts quiet, but I thought I had. Why did I even think that? Why do I care? What does Brenton know new? “Just an assumption.” He shrugs.

  “If you didn’t have a game, I’d punch you so hard right now,” I growl before my cell phone pings again. Looking down I laugh harder than before and decide to read it aloud in its entirety. “’If you were a cupcake, I’d eat you up.’ Then it says, ‘But I’d feel guilty knowing I just gobbled up the most amazing and best cupcake in the world!’” I laugh again as a final message comes through, and I decide to keep reading after looking at my two friends waiting expectantly, “’And, obviously, I’d have just eaten my best friend! Although…’”

  “Well, if that isn’t a sexual innuendo, I don’t know what is!” Madi exclaims to Bub’s chuckle.

  “I talked to him earlier, he misses you, Addy.”

  “Yeah, that makes two of us, but that’s neither here nor there.” I shrug before turning to the mini bar and pulling out a water. “I’m going to go get settled for the game, you know I love the preshow shit.”

  “You do that,” they say in uniso
n. Weird.

  IT’S NEARING THE END of half-time, and I’ve almost considered going up to the box. I’ve seen the movement of people, but can’t make out the faces. After a quick run to the restroom, I settle back into my seat. Our boys are back on the court warming up, and the damn kiss cam is casing the arena for couples, young and old. I used to envy that kiss cam wishing I had him sitting here with me, then the more I think about it, who really wants their personal life aired on the Jumbotron.

  I focus back on the court before a large presence to my right distracts me. Starting from the ground up, I enjoy every aspect of his body. Huge feet cased in pristine white Nikes, perfect fitting jeans stretching in all the right places of his defined thighs, and I’m fairly certain that’s his dick. I’m going with he’s a show-er and possibly a grower at this point of inspection. What? I’m a nurse, I’m supposed to be observant. What appears to be a tailored button-down shirt resides under a casual sweater–holy Mary Saint Joseph… One last good look, I need to capture the face to go along with the wet dreams I’ll be having when recounting this sexiness later.

  “Oh shit,” I mumble, my eyes wide and my heart racing. On top of the fact that I am staring at Braydon Richard Gibson, the Jumbotron is set directly on us.

  “I’m glad I can impress you still.” He smirks before sitting beside me and looking up at the Jumbotron, taking in the masses shouting “kiss her!” Shrugging, he looks from the big screen to me, the sexiest of smiles pulling at the corners of his mouth. He leans in until his plump lips rest softly against mine, just like they used to. Instinctively, I press my hands against his chest to push him away, but when his hands thread through my hair, I sink into him, clinching his shirt in my fists as he deepens the kiss. The world just went silent.

  “I’d totally eat you,” he chuckles as he pulls away.

  Braydon