My body is warm and serene. If it weren’t for my itchy eyes and my dry, raw nose, I wouldn’t remember that I’d cried most of the night in Brady’s arms. Sitting up, I notice I’m not in Brady’s bed but in the king-size one on the third floor.

Brady’s bloodstained T-shirt is draped over the chair, and a bag of thawed frozen vegetables now rests on the nightstand next to Brady. His hands are scrapped, red, and swollen.

As he peacefully lies there, I recall last night. It hurt so much, watching someone I love fight again. I understand why Brady did what he did because Miles’s words hurt, and the fact that they were said in front of Brady cuts even deeper.

He had to stand next to me while another man told him what a great fuck I was—another guy who I had been intimate with, who had kissed the body that Brady now desires. Just as I had started to forget who I was at Drayton, Miles Jacobs came here and threw it in my face again, reminding me of my past.

I worry this won’t be the last run-in with someone from my past, and I can’t do it to Brady again. He shouldn’t have to hear the words that were so carelessly conveyed last night. His hands shouldn’t be swollen and red from fighting a battle to defend the weak person I had been.

God, I wish I had met Brady two years ago. Then, all these issues would be nonexistent.

I get up and glance over at him sleeping. A tear falls down my cheek, but I know this is for the best. He deserves much better than me. I take one last look around the room that could have been ours.

Last night, I was ready to tell Brady that I would move in with him. It seemed so sudden, but I felt like I had known him forever.

After quietly reminiscing, I tiptoe down the stairs, out the front door, and out of Brady Carsen’s life.

Walking the two miles to my dorm sucks, especially with the cold front coming in, but I had to get out of there fast. I know that, when Brady wakes up, he’ll be calling me, wondering where I went. My mom’s visit couldn’t have come at a better time. I can stay with her at the hotel tonight. It’s for the best if he doesn’t know where I am. I know he’ll fight to try and change my mind because I would do the same for him.

Thankfully, Jessa is at the dorm when I walk in.

To buy myself some time, I text Brady.

When I get no response, I release a breath, knowing that he’s still sleeping, so I crawl into bed, hoping to get a couple more hours of sleep before dealing with the drama of my mom.

I wake up to a text from Brady.

I leave it at that. I don’t want to give him any ideas regarding what I’m about to do.

I shower and get ready, and at around two, my mom texts me, saying she’s outside.

I walk to the entrance of the dorm to let her in, and she’s smiling through the small window at me. When I open the door, I’m more surprised.

“Grandma Ida!” I exclaim as my arms wrap tight around her.

All the emotions of last night and this morning surface, resulting in tears free-falling down my face, and she slowly runs her hand over my hair, asking what’s wrong.

My mom embraces both of us. “Sadie?” she asks.

It’s all I can do to breathe, much less talk.

“Did you and Brady break up?” my mom questions.

I start gasping for breath with the mention of his name.

“Let’s get you to your room, darling.” My grandma keeps an arm around me while I open the door to my dorm.

My breathing becomes calmer as we walk down the hall. Concerned girls ask if I’m okay, and my mom assures them that she will make sure of it.

“Sadie!” Jessa yells down from her loft as we enter the room. She hurriedly climbs down. “What’s wrong?” She comes over to my side, leading me to my chair.

“I’m her mom, Maggie, and this is her grandma, Ida,” my mom informs Jessa. “She became hysterical when she saw us.”

“When she left the room, she was okay,” Jessa tells them.

I hear them talking, but I can’t say anything yet.

“Let me call Brady,” she says.

“No!” I scream.

“Why?” she asks, concerned. “Did something happen? Is this about last night?” she questions me.

“What happened last night?” my grandma asks, taking Jessa’s chair, while my mom kneels on the ground next to me.

Jessa looks at me, silently asking permission to tell them. I nod my head.

“Well, Brady’s band was playing at a fraternity house. At the end of the night, a fight broke out between Brady and a guy from Drayton,” she informs them.

“Sadie,” my mom sighs. “Who was it?”

“Mi-Mi-Miles Jacobs,” I stutter.

“From Theo’s fraternity, right?” she clarifies.

I nod.

“That boy and his father are jackasses. Do we even want to know what he said?” she asks.

I shake my head.

“So, Brady was right to kick his ass,” Jessa confirms.

“Darling, I assume Sadie knows that. Does this have to do with Theo?” my grandma asks.

“Yes…no,” I manage to get out.

“Does Brady know?” my grandma asks.

“Yes, he knows everything that happened to Sadie. I do, too. He loves her besides all that, probably more for having gone through it.” Jessa stands up and passes bottles of water to everyone.

“I know how crazy that boy is over my granddaughter. That’s why I’m so confused. Why is she crying just because some dipshit from Drayton started crap at a party, and Brady protected her, kicking his well-deserved ass?”

All three of them turn to me for an answer.

“Because…I can’t have him,” I admit.

“Nonsense,” my grandma says.

“I love him too much to put him through the drama of my life. I thought I could move on, but Miles reminded me of who I really am.” I undo the cap to my water bottle, taking a few sips.

“Who you really are?” Jessa sarcastically asks. “I can tell you who he is—a self-centered, egotistical asshole,” she spouts.

“I like you,” my grandma says to her. “I like her,” she then informs me, as though I didn’t hear her.

“Don’t do this, Sadie.” Jessa falls to her knees in front of me. “Don’t doubt what you have with Brady,” she begs me, placing her hands on my legs. “That guy last night is a piece of shit. Don’t let him ruin what you and Brady have. Don’t let him win.” Her voice becomes increasingly angrier.

“Jessa, I don’t want Brady to have to deal with guys telling him how I was or filling his head with thoughts of me sleeping with others. Jesus, look what happened last night because of me. I put Theo in bad situations. I won’t do the same with Brady,” I argue. “Theo died because he was protecting me.”

“Sweetie, what happened to Theo wasn’t your fault. Theo was always a fighter. You didn’t make him into one. It was a horrible thing with Theo…but it wasn’t your fault. Brady isn’t Theo, and Miles isn’t Craig. Brady only fought to protect your honor; that’s it,” my mom says, grabbing my hand in hers.

“But…what if…” I start to speak but can’t even complete the sentence.

“What if, nothing,” my grandma chimes in. “Sadie, I refuse to let you do this to yourself. You are too smart of a girl not to know how much Brady cares for you. I’m pretty sure he would beat up a line of guys for you to prove how worthy you are.”

“Damn right I would, Ida,” Brady’s voice calls out from across the room.

How did he get in without me hearing him?

I glance at Jessa, and she smiles.

“Oh, thank God. Talk some sense into my granddaughter, hot stuff,” she says.

Brady nods, coming directly to me.

Bending down on his knees between my legs, he grabs my hands, clasping our fingers together. I cringe at the sight of his swollen knuckles.

“I knew something was wrong when I woke up this morning, and you weren’t there.” He looks at my mom and grandma, an apology written across his face for this confession that we were sleeping together.

I will have to tell him that they know I’m not a saint.

Then, he turns back to me. “I don’t give a shit about that douche last night. Your grandma’s right. I’d be happy to beat the shit out of any guy who said anything disrespectful to you, but at the same time, I shouldn’t have done it. I’m sorry, Sadie. I should have known to walk away with you. Please forgive me.”

He stares up at me, and my eyes fixate on his soft light-brown eyes.

“How could you stand there and hear someone say things about me? I don’t like your hands like this.” My fingers graze over his swollen knuckles. “But I can’t expect you to stand by and do nothing. It’s a lose-lose situation, Brady. I love you too much to let anything happen to you, and if you stay with me, something bad will happen,” I admit with tears in my eyes.

“What happens to me if you leave me? I’ll beat the shit out of every guy who crosses me because I’ll be a miserable bastard without you.” He inches closer to me and ducks his head down to meet my face.

“Aw…” my mom, grandma, and Jessa say in unison.

“Please, Sadie. You told me last night that I was it for you, game over. Is that still true?”

“This was never about me wanting anyone else, Brady.” I rest my hands on his forearms. There is no way I can deny this. I knew I wouldn’t stand a chance if he fought for me.

“I can’t promise you that it won’t be a bumpy road for us, Sadie. But my love for you will never waver and will only become stronger each day. With you by my side, we will get through anything that’s thrown our way. But only on one condition,” he states, moving his hands to my cheeks.

“What?” I whisper.

“You never let me go because I’ll never let you go,” he says.

I melt instantly.

“Promise me?” he insists.

“I promise,” I respond.

He leans forward, and his lips capture mine. Keeping my face in his hands to hold me in place, he explores my mouth.

“Please never leave me again. I hated waking up with you missing this morning.” He kisses me again and pulls my hands until we are both standing.

We hug tightly for a few minutes, and my mind surrenders. Brady once said he was selfish in pursuing me, and I guess I’m selfish for keeping him.

Damn my past. I need to focus on the future, and that’s Brady.

“Now that our drama is over, ladies, let me take you all to lunch,” Brady jokes.

My mom comes over to give him a hug, followed by my grandma. Soon, I’m pushed aside while my grandma’s arms tighten around his waist. He cocks his eyebrows to me, and I laugh.

---

Brady drives my mom’s rental car, so we can all fit even though I would have been happy to drive with him alone. After the melodrama I caused, it’d be nice to have some private time. I happily instruct my grandma to sit up front, leaving me in the back with Jessa on one side and my mom on the other.

Brady’s eyes find mine through the rearview mirror. He still doesn’t seem completely himself. I can’t help but think he’s upset with me for leaving this morning. I don’t blame him. I meant what I said; I’ll never walk away from him again. I’m going to follow my heart and pray like hell it doesn’t get broken.

We enter a small Italian restaurant, and when we stop at the hostess station, Brady asks to speak to a guy named Tony. The young lady excuses herself and disappears through the back doors. A couple of minutes later, a tall, large man comes through the doors. He has a head of salt-and-pepper hair and is dressed in a silk shirt and black dress pants. When he walks over, I can’t help but notice what a strong and intimidating presence he has.

“Brady!” he exclaims as he places his hand out to him.

“Tony, how’s it going?” Brady shakes his hand back.

“Can’t complain. Business has been good. How is everything with you?” he asks while questioningly glancing over to the four of us.

“I can’t complain either. Tony, this is my girlfriend, Sadie Miller,” he introduces me, gently pulling me forward to his side.

“I wouldn’t be complaining either.” He smirks at Brady. “It’s nice to meet you, Sadie,” he says, shaking my hand.

“And this is her roommate, Jessa; her grandma Ida; and her mom, Maggie,” Brady says, pointing at each one.

Tony politely shakes everyone’s hands, telling them it is nice to meet them, until he reaches my mom. “I can see where your daughter’s good looks come from,” he compliments her.

She turns a nice shade of pink.

“Oh, thank you,” my mom flirts back, making me raise my eyebrows.

“So, Tony,” Brady says, trying to grab his attention away from my mom.

Tony slowly turns away from my mom to look at Brady.

“Can we borrow the back table?” he asks.

“Of course. I don’t have any reservations until this evening.” He shuffles over to the hostess stand and grabs the menus. “Follow me.”

We file in a line through the restaurant filled with families and couples enjoying their food.

“Here you go,” Tony says, walking through a curtained-off room.

A large chandelier hangs above a round table for eight, and there are dark red curtains that hang from the ceiling to the floor, making the room private and elegant. Brady always knows what I need.

“Thanks, Tony. I normally wouldn’t ask, but we need some privacy,” Brady says, placing his hand on Tony’s shoulder.

“Anything for you, Brady. You know that,” he says, winking at him.

Tony bows slightly at the waist, saying how nice it was to meet us and he hopes we enjoy our meals. We all thank him in return, but I’m not ignorant to his lingering eyes toward my mom.

“I’m sorry for that episode at the dorm,” I apologize after we all take our seats.

Brady grabs my hand under the table and squeezes it.

“It’s all right, sweetie. I’m just glad it all worked out,” my mom says, smiling at Brady.

“Thank God you picked a hottie with a brain,” my grandma says.

We laugh.

“I hope you aren’t mad at me, Sadie, but I knew the only one who could talk some sense into you was Brady,” Jessa sheepishly says.

“She texted you?” I ask Brady.

He nods his head in confirmation.

“Thank you, Jessa,” I graciously say.

She’s a true friend.

A young waiter comes into the room with a busboy who fills our water glasses.

“Hello, my name is Jimmy, and I’ll be your waiter this afternoon. Can I get you anything else to drink?” he asks.

He explains the daily specials and then retreats from the room, leaving an uncomfortable silence behind him.

Jimmy returns a few minutes later with our drinks and bread. We give him our orders, and after he leaves, I figure this is the time to find out why my mother and grandmother are here.

“So, Mom, why did you and Grandma make the trip here?” I ask.

Brady moves his arm to the back of my chair, almost as though he’s preparing to comfort me.

She looks at Jessa and then back at me.

“Jessa knows everything, so you can talk in front of her,” I divulge.

My mom nods her head.

“I’m leaving your father,” she reveals.

I choke on my water. “Why? Mom, if this is about me, it’s okay. I’m okay.”

“Oh, sweetie, that didn’t help, but it has been in the works for a while now.” She takes my hand in hers. “If I’m being honest, we haven’t been happy for some time.”

“Just tell her, Maggie. She’s an adult; she can handle it,” my grandma chimes in.

“Ida,” my mom sighs, staring over at her.

“I love your father. He’s my only son, but he’s been cheating on your mom for years. And, as much as he is my son, I equally consider your mom to be my daughter.” Grandma places her hand on top of ours.

“Oh, Mom, I’m so sorry.”

“Aren’t guys just a bunch of jackasses?” Jessa speaks up.

We giggle.

I stare at her, suddenly wondering why she was home this morning and not with Rob.

“I’m moving in with your grandma until I can figure something out,” my mom says before I have any more time to consider the last thought. “That’s not the only reason your grandma and I are here though.”

“Why then?” I ask curiously.

“Your father might have cut you off, but I didn’t,” she admits. Then, looking at Brady, she says, “I think you are a wonderful man, and my Sadie is lucky to have found you. On behalf of Sadie’s father, I apologize.”

“No need, Maggie,” Brady responds.

“I don’t need your money, Mom. I already have my plan,” I tell her.

I know firsthand what my dad will do when she leaves. He will fight her for everything, leaving her with nothing. His vengeance will never let up.

“My dad was a smart businessman. He might have left your dad his company, but he left me other things. I’ll be just fine.”

“Like what, Mom?” I tilt my head, confused.

“He left me a trust that only I can access. It’s money I originally planned to leave for you and Theo after I died. Your father signed papers when my dad gave him the company, stating that the money was mine and it was my choice what would happen to it.”

A memory comes to mind of me overhearing my mom in my dad’s office that morning, telling a man to put a trust in my name only.

“Still, Mom, you’ll need that money to live off of now. I know Dad won’t give you anything,” I admit.

“Believe me, Sadie, it’s more than enough for me to live off of and still leave you with plenty when I die,” she says.

I sigh, not wanting to think about that.

“I want to give you some now. We might not be able to live like we did with your father, but I can pay for your last semester, including the dorm, and also get you a car.”

Brady squeezes my shoulder and draws me into him, kissing my head.

“Mom,” I sigh.

“It’s the end of the discussion, Sadie. I have already paid the university for your tuition,” she admits.

An enormous weight lifts from my shoulders. I stand up, giving her a huge hug.

“Thank you, Mom. Thank you so much.” Tears flow from my eyes.

“I’m your mother, Sadie. This is what parents do.” She squeezes me hard, crying as well.

I eventually go back to my seat and cuddle up to Brady.

After such a horrible night, I’m ecstatic to have the worry of paying tuition off my shoulders. But I think I’m still in shock over my mom leaving my dad and his extracurricular activities. I never thought my dad was cheating on my mom. She has been changing ever since Theo died, but I thought it was just because she lost a child, causing her to cling closer to her last living one. Looking at her now, she does seem carefree, smiling and laughing more than I have seen in a while.

Tony comes in, insisting to Brady that he’s covering the bill. We thank him and make our way out of the restaurant, but when we get to the curb, I notice my mom isn’t with us. Turning around, I find her in the doorway, talking with Tony. He raises her hand, kissing it, before she graciously thanks him again.

Brady drives us over to his house, and we sit in the living room, having coffee. Jessa disappears up to Rob’s room, and I don’t see her for the rest of the night. When everyone grows tired, my mom and grandma go back to their hotel, and Brady and I make our way up to his room.

He yawns and spoons up behind me.

“You’re tired?” I ask.

“Yeah, but I’m afraid to go to sleep,” he softly says in my ear.

I bolt up, and his head rears backward.

“Why?” I panic.

“I’m afraid you’re going to leave me, that I’ll wake up and you’ll be gone.” For the first time, he sits there and doesn’t even try to touch me.

“Oh, Brady. I’m sorry for this morning. It was a momentary relapse. I promise, I’ll try harder to keep those doubts at bay.”

“You’ll be here in the morning?” He cocks an eyebrow at me.

“Yes!”

“Promise?”

I inch forward, straddling his lap and winding my arms around his neck. Kissing his forehead, I peer into his eyes. “I promise.”

He smiles, and his lips find mine.

For once in my life, everything seems to be on track. I might not have my dad, but if I’m being honest with myself, he has never been a major part of my life. I have Brady, my mom, my grandma, and Jessa. As far as I’m concerned, that’s all I need.