Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 31942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 160(@200wpm)___ 128(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 160(@200wpm)___ 128(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
The words have their intended effect and I smile at the image. I wish I could go back to an easy friendship with him. I wish I could rewind all those kisses, even the very first one. I’d rather have never tasted his lips than live with this pain. “Brody—”
“I love you, lamb. I know this sure as hell isn’t the right place or right time. I’d do it right if you’d give me a chance, but I’m not about to lose you just because I don’t have enough spleen to get down on one knee.”
I swallow as his words register. I want to believe him. I want what he’s saying to be true. “Elliott said this is trauma between us, and I don’t want you to make a huge mistake because—”
“Fuck that guy. You’re my world. You have been for three damn years and I was the coward who ran away, the one who couldn’t face his feelings. If I could go back in time and kick my own ass for breaking your heart then I would. I’d deserve it too. Because you are amazing. You’re the only woman for me.”
Tears stream down my face as I step closer. “You wanted me too?”
“I’ve wanted you since I first tasted those sweet lips. Don’t tell me it’s too late.” He takes my hand and tugs me down. I sit next to him and he pulls me closer. A pained expression crosses his face. I try to move but he stops me. “It hurts less when you’re with me.”
“What the fuck is this?” Elliott’s voice is filled with outrage. I didn’t even hear him come into the hospital room. “Are you screwing my sister?”
“He’s not screwing me,” I answer, my voice shaking with anger. I’m not letting my big brother come in here and ruin everything good between me and Brody. What we have is beautiful and amazing and he doesn’t get to twist it into some type of trauma thing just because he’s not happy for me.
“I love her, Ell,” Brody’s voice is calm though I can hear the pain he’s trying to mask. That only adds to my anger. He was willing to sacrifice himself for me. He charged into the room the moment the bullets started flying without thinking about his own life. Now he’s lying in a hospital bed for it.
The pure fury on Elliott’s face is something I’ve never seen directed at his best friend. “You fucker, you’re going to—”
I push from the bed, moving quickly so Brody can’t anchor me. I shove against my brother’s chest. The big soldier doesn’t even move. He’s like a rock wall. “No! You listen to me. Brody was here for me. He took a bullet for me. He lost an organ. The doctors are still worried about a life-threatening infection and you’re being an asshole. So either you need to get happy for us right now or you leave this hospital room.”
For a moment, there’s only silence other than the steady hum from the machines that Brody is attached to.
Elliott opens and closes his mouth for a long moment. The finally he snaps his gaze back to my boyfriend. Or fiancé. “You’ll take care of her?”
“With my life,” he says the words solemnly, like he’s making a vow he intends to honor for the rest of his life. Knowing Brody, that’s exactly what he plans to do.
He drags his attention back to me, but he still doesn’t look all that happy. Well, he’ll just have to get used to the idea. Brody and I are together now, and he’ll learn to respect that. “Are you happy?”
I nod, sensing his grudging acceptance. I don’t want to mess it up by saying the wrong thing.
He rubs the back of his neck. “Fine. But if he ever breaks your heart—”
“He won’t,” I answer with complete confidence. We’ve found each other again and things are different now. I’m not the same girl I once was. Brody understands that I love him, no matter his past. Together, we’re going to be unstoppable.
I don’t want Elliott saying anything else and ruining this moment, so I fold my arms over my chest. “Brody needs his rest now.”
The ghost of a smile forms on my brother’s lips like he wants to laugh but he doesn’t. Instead, he wraps me in a quick, unexpected hug. I don’t think he’s hugged me since I was a kid and he went off to training.
“I’m glad your alive, kid.” When he steps away, there’s a sheen of tears in his eyes and he turns to the bed. He salutes Brody before leaving the room.
The moment he’s gone, I feel a rush of victory. I think that’s the first time I’ve ever stood up to my brother and gotten my way. Normally, I give him whatever he wants because it’s easier. But I couldn’t give him this because what Brody and I have is worth fighting for.