Heather

I’m waiting for Lucy, at her favorite coffee shop. I feel terrible about what happened last night. I think I owe her an explanation. I called her, asking her to meet me here.

I look around and lick my lips. My mouth feels so dry. Lucy’s a friend. I don’t want to lose that. She’s become a big part of my life.

Last night, I just freaked. It was the way she touched me. I was thrown back in time. I thought about it, I think it’s because I wasn’t really comfortable in the first place.

It’s the only excuse I could come up with. I had no trouble falling right to sleep in Brax’s arms. I woke this morning, in my bed, wrapped in his warmth. He stayed the entire night with me.

I’ve tried not to look at that too closely. When I asked him to stay, I don’t know if I meant for the night or if I actually meant forever. My heart and my body wanted it to be the latter. Being in his arms just felt right. I never knew you could miss someone you see almost every day.

“Hey,” Lucy’s voice snaps me out of my reverie.

I look up at her and my heart squeezes. Lucy’s eyes are red rimmed, as if she’s been crying all night. I’m sure I look pretty similar. I take note of her messy bun and the all black outfit she has on. It’s a post makeover ensemble.

I give her a weak smile, pointing to the seat across from me, with the ice coffee sitting in front of it. Lucy slowly eases down into the chair. I press my lips and rub between my brows.

“I’m sorry,” we say in unison, causing us both to release a small laugh.

“I think I should explain what happened,” I say, picking at imaginary chips in my mug.

“Don’t worry about it. I think I had too much to drink,” she replies, her cheeks flaming red.

I shake my head. Locking eyes with Lucy, I see the hurt in hers staring back at me. I did that. I have to fix it. I bite my lip, then decide to just go for it.

“When I was younger, some bad things happened to me. I still haven’t really dealt with it all. I sort of freaked out when you groped me last night. It took me some place dark,” I whisper.

All the blood drains from her face, causing me to instantly feel like I just made this worse. I reach for my ear and give it a tug, pressing my lips. It seems like hours pass before she responds.

“Heather, I’m so sorry. I never would have—” she starts.

“You didn’t know. No one really knows. I need you to promise never to say anything to anyone,” I rush out.

“I would never,” Lucy says, reaching for my hand to cover with hers.

I look down at her hand covering mine. I feel bad, I wish I felt something, anything, but I don’t. Nothing more than love for a really good friend. Lucy will always have my loyalty for what she’s done for me. I just don’t think I can give her more than that.

“Listen,” Lucy sighs. “You’re my best friend. That’s so important to me. I don’t want to ruin that.”

“Which is why I think maybe we should call this all off. I feel like I’ve been using you and not considering your feelings.”

“You didn’t make me do this. I want to help. I understand so much more why you need my help. I thought I understood before, but it’s so much clearer now,” she insists.

“Yeah, but I still feel terrible. When was the last time you went out on a real date? I want to see you happy. It’s not just you, Lucy. I don’t think I can be in a relationship with anyone,” I admit.

Lucy gingerly pulls her hand back. She begins to play with the straw in her cup. Turning to look out of the window, she’s silent for a few moments.

Her phone rings, grabbing her attention from wherever she’s disappeared to. Reaching in her pocket, she pulls it out and looks at the screen. A frown mars her face.

Releasing a heavy breath, she tucks the phone back in her pocket. “I have to go. I need to get back to the shop. Maybe we can hang sometime or something,” she says sadly.

“Hey, Lucy,” I reach for her hand. “I’m not saying I don’t want to be friends anymore. If you’re not uncomfortable now, we still have our weekly shoots. I just…I thought you might want to date or something.”

“Yeah, I think that might be a good idea. I’ll call you later about the shoots. I was thinking about changing it up a bit anyway.”

Lucy pulls her hand away and is off before I can say anything else. I still feel terrible. There’s only one person that I want to talk to right now.

* * *

Braxton

* * *

I can’t tell you how glad I am to see Heather. I didn’t want to leave her side this morning. A call from Dad put an end to my plans to spend the day with her. I was annoyed, but I’m always there when Dad calls.

It was a quick bounty that didn’t even allow me to blow off steam. That’s why I came home to get in a workout by myself. I was dripping with sweat, by the time Heather rang the doorbell. I didn’t miss the lust in her eyes, when I opened the door in just a pair of gym shorts and sneakers.

Her eyes are still on me now, as I stand chugging down a bottle of water. I watch her watch me, licking her lips and shifting in her seat. I grin behind the water bottle. Thinking of being inside her again causes my cock to jump, which serves to break her gaze.

Heather clears her throat, licking those full lips again. “Lucy and I had a misunderstanding. We’re going to take a break for a little while,” she breathes.

“Um,” I grunt. I saunter over to the sofa, taking a seat next to her. “Now tell me what really happened.”

Heather huffs, lifting her hands in the air and flapping them back down into her lap. I can see her struggling with her thoughts. I reach for her chin, turning her head to face me.

“Just talk to me. Neutral zone, I won’t press you. You won’t lie to me,” I coax.

She nods her head. “‘Kay,” she nods. “Lucy may have feelings for me,” she rushes out.

I don’t mean to laugh at her, but I can’t help it. “You think?” I chuckle out. “Dude, you’re seriously shocked by this?”

“Well, yeah,” Heather says, looking at me incredulously.

“Baby, you’re really going to have to pay more attention,” I lift a brow.

“To what? How was I supposed to see this coming?” Heather pouts.

“You’re fucking gorgeous that’s how. There’s nothing you can do to hide that. Once someone is under your spell, they’re trapped. There’s no getting free,” I reply, reaching to trace her jawline with my thumb.

Her eyes flutter closed. I’m so tempted to lean in and take her lips. I hold back, remembering my neutral promise. Her fingers come up to wrap around my hand.

When her eyes open, her lashes are wet. I just react, scooping her up, I pull her into my lap. I search her eyes, as she looks back at me. I can see the torture in her big brown depths.

“Talk to me, Heather,” I plead.

“You’re twenty-three, I’m twenty-seven,” she pushes out.

“What’s your point?”

“Don’t look at me like that, Brax,” she rubs her temples.

“Like what?”

“Like I’m the village idiot,” she grumbles.

I chuckle. “I don’t think you’re the village idiot. I just don’t get why our age is such a big deal for you,” I shrug.

“Fine, say age wasn’t an issue. I’m damaged, Brax. I have nothing to give you,” she has the nerve to spew.

“Wait a fucking minute,” I say harsher than I mean to. “If you gave into what’s in your heart, you’d be giving me everything. Damaged…that’s some bullshit.”

“Brax, I can’t bring myself to make love to you again because my mind is haunted. I had nightmares for months—,” her words cutoff, as the hurt registers on my face.

She cups my face, leaning in to place a soft kiss to my lips. “Not because of you. It’s because of what I told you. I’ll never get that back. I just keep having nightmares of my innocence being ripped away,” she gasps out her last words.

“Shh,” I kiss her forehead, drawing her into my chest. “You don’t know how bad I want to fix this for you. I’d do anything to fix this for you,” I murmur.

Heather wipes at her tears. “I wish I could fix it for me. I’m so tired of this,” she sniffles. “I want back what was stolen. I want that moment with you again, but I want it to feel right. I wanted you to be the one I gave my gift to, not learn that I had it taken away.”

I tighten my hold on her, gritting my teeth. Once again, I wonder what the fuck happened to her. How did she not know? I don’t ask though. I want her to tell me when she’s ready.

“Shh, Baby,” I say rubbing her back. “I’ll figure out a way. My life depends on it.”

“What?” Heather pulls away, blinking at me.

“My life depends on it. I can’t live without you,” I say simply.

Heather looks down into her lap. “Brax, you’d make some girl so happy.”

“Yeah, when you let me, I will.”

Heather sighs, not saying another word. She places her head on my shoulder, burying her face in my neck. I hold on for dear life. I feel like I’ve just been given a key somehow. I’ll figure this out. I have to.