Heather

With Nellie out, after going into labor, we’re short staffed again. I spend longer hours at work to help out. When I’m not at the office, I like to go by to help Nellie, with little Nora. Then, there’s been the secret planning for Toby’s wedding.

This weekend is going to be crazy, the engagement party and the wedding in Ireland. I’m already exhausted. However, I need to get to the bottom of all of this.

Brax sends one word replies to my texts. That’s not going to cut it. He never mentioned a thing about Lucy moving in with me, after the baby shower. We haven’t talked about much since then.

I know he was pissed. I guess, now, I just need to know where we stand. If he wants to break up, I need him to tell me to my face, not avoid me.

With my heart in my throat, I ring the bell to Brax and Ry’s apartment. I tug at the front of my t-shirt, straightening it. My heels shift on the carpeted floor. I can hear movement inside, it just takes a moment for someone to get closer to the door.

When the door opens its Ry that’s smiling back at me. My heart sinks. I was hoping Brax would be the one to answer. I was also kind of hoping he would be home alone.

“Heather,” Ry croons, opening the door wide, along with his arms.

“Hey, Ry,” I chuckle.

I step inside, into his embrace. When I pull back, Ryan closes the door, slinging an arm over my shoulder. I look around at all of the boxes, as Ry leads me into the living room.

“What brings you over?” Ry asks.

“I…I was hoping to find Brax,” I reply nervously.

“Well, you’re just in time,” Ry waves an arm around.

I stop when I find a shirtless, sweaty Brax in the living room, taping a box shut. My brows drawing together, I look at the boxes around the apartment again. When I look back to Brax, his eyes are on me. He stands to his full height, placing his hands on his hips. I look up at him in confusion.

“What’s going on?” I say through now dry lips.

“He’s leaving me,” Ry pouts, falling against me like he needs to be held up. “I’ve never lived on my own. It’s a bit sudden and I don’t know what to do.”

“Get lost,” Brax growls at Ry.

“But I thought you wanted my help moving,” Ry frowns.

“Dude, just take a fucking walk. I still have a few more boxes, before I’m ready anyway. If you run into John and Felix, take them with you,” Brax bites out.

“Grumpy ass,” Ry flips Brax the bird.

“Whatever,” Brax hisses.

I watch Ry leave out the front door, before I turn back to Brax. His gaze is locked on me. I lick my lips, my feet carrying me forward to him of their own accord. I place my hands on his waist, when I’m in front of him.

“You’re moving?” I ask with my brows furrowed.

He shrugs. “Yeah.”

I sigh in frustration. “Brax, can you please stop, with the one word answers. It’s been more than two months. If you don’t want to be together any more just say so.”

Brax gives a hard laugh, before cupping my face and kissing me hard. My arms go around his neck, holding him tightly. His hands go to cup my ass, drawing me into him. I can fill him rock hard against me through his sweats.

He breaks the kiss, breathing roughly. “Does that say that I don’t want us to be together?” he rasps.

I bite my lip, shaking my head. He presses his forehead to mine. I play with the hair at the nape of his neck, relishing in the feel of his hands on me.

“Where are you going,” I say looking around, yet again.

“I bought a place of my own,” he says tightly, releasing me.

“Brax, why do you sound so angry with me?”

“Maybe because I am,” he replies harshly. “Baby, I warned you about your friend and you move her in. Did you think about us? Did you think of how that would affect our relationship?”

“Brax, I’m sorry. I planned to tell you. It was at the last minute. I didn’t want to see her end up out on the street,” I argue.

“Yeah, sure, whatever you say,” Brax huffs, turning back to his boxes.

“Wow, Brax, really? You’re just going to throw a tantrum,” I huff.

He turns on me so sharply, I take a step back. “No, I’m not going to throw a tantrum. That’s the problem. I let you treat me like some little boy, with a crush. You don’t take shit about me seriously,” he bellows.

“That’s not true,” I gasp.

“It’s not? Why have we been together for two years and yet, no one knows? I used to tell myself this was about what you needed. I was doing this for you. Yeah, I’m twenty-four, but I’m still a man and I have feelings. I can’t do this shit anymore,” he shakes his head.

“Babe, I’m sorry. I never meant for you to feel like that,” I say, my throat thick with emotions.

Braxton releases a frustrated breath, moving to cup the back of my neck. “Fuck,” he kisses my forehead, placing his chin on top of my head. “I need to get my shit together. I can’t live with my baby brother forever. I just needed my own place.”

I cling to his back and nod. My throat is too clogged to say anything. His arms wrap around me tightly. We stand like that for I don’t know how long.

When he releases me and pulls away, I watch as he runs a hand through his hair. He pulls a face, while staring at something over my head. I watch, as he seems to chew on the words forming in his mouth.

“I’m sorry for blowing up on you. I just can’t keep going the way we’ve been going. I’ve always known what I want. Every part of me tells me you want it too. God, Heather, we’re in this together. You have to trust me to be your man.

“There’s a part of me that I only give you, but there’s another part of me I’ve been holding back. I can’t anymore. I’m not this guy,” he throws his arms up in exasperation. “All that romance shit, yeah, that’s me. Putting you first, that’s me all day, but I’m not some pussy you can hide under your bed. A dirty little secret that you can keep from everyone.

“I’m not even comfortable in my own skin anymore,” he presses his lips and cuts his hand across his throat. “I’m not doing it anymore. I’m a grown ass man, with a woman I love more than life. I want the world to know that.”

“Brax—,” he cuts me off.

“I need to finish. This isn’t all on you. I did this. I allowed this. I was so fucking happy you were giving us a shot, I let this happen. I never thought it would go on for this long and I sure as hell didn’t think it would get to this point,” he frowns, running a hand through his hair again.

“What are you saying?” I ask, searching his face.

“It’s time for you to make some decisions. You know how I feel. You know how much I love you. I bought a house for Christ sake,” he shakes his head. “I didn’t buy it to live there alone.”

I take a step back. My eyes widening. Brax scoffs and shakes his head. “Yeah…okay, listen, I have a lot to do before the weekend. We can talk in Ireland or something.”

I wince at the mention of Ireland. There’s something I haven’t told him yet. Brax catches it and narrows his eyes at me.

“What?” He asks.

“Nellie and Bean sort of invited Lucy to the wedding,” I rush out.

“Un-fucking-believable,” he growls.

“I didn’t know about it. I wasn’t there when they did,” I explain.

He tilts his head, lifting a brow. “So how are you sure that one of them did?”

My head whips back at his question. I think it over. Lucy said they did. I’ve been out of it with planning and things between me and Brax. I never got around to asking them.

“I’m not. She said they did,” I reply.

“What happened to her apartment, Heather?”

“Her landlord refused to renew her lease. He held out until the last minute, then put her out without offering a new lease. He had tenants that were willing to pay more or something,” I shrug.

He just stares at me. His lips tight. I wait, but he doesn’t say anything. When he walks closer to me, he places a kiss on my lips.

“Think hard, Heather. Come to me when you know what you want,” he whispers against my lips.

He steps back, apparently dismissing me. I blink, stunned. I feel like the ground beneath me is unsettled. Nothing makes sense anymore. I don’t know what just happened.

* * *

Braxton

It’s just time she sees that we can’t keep going like this. I walk over to my gym bag, by the door. Reaching inside, I pull out the small box. Opening the box I take a deep breath. I know what I’m doing. I’m taking control.

The diamond ring inside the box winks back at me. Heather needs to feel safe. I need to keep her safe. That’s what it boils down to.

I’m a Black, I got this shit.

Hearing keys in the door, I close the box and shove it into my pocket. Ry, John, and Felix come strolling into the apartment laughing. I try to wipe the somber look from my face.

“Here he is,” John booms out. “Our brother that just has to buy a fucking house and move, all while we’re planning a huge wedding and trip to Ireland.”

“Seriously, what’s the hurry?” Felix adds.

I shrug. “I need a change and I need it now.”

“I’m sorry for all the shit I did to you, when you were little. I truly think I contributed to fucking you up in the head,” Felix taunts.

I flip him off. “Whatever, you were dropped off by Fed Ex. I still remember begging mom to return your ass,” I toss back.

“Dude, I was here first, you little shit,” Felix grumbles.

“As you remember it. Those experiments really did a number on you,” I grin.

“Move your own shit,” Felix snaps, turning to leave.

“I have a bottle of whiskey for each of you. I also need someone to drive the Aston Martin and Maserati to the house,” I offer, stopping him in his tracks.

“Throw in a hundred bucks and I’m all yours,” Felix calls over his shoulder.

“I thought I was your little brother,” I huff.

“I was delivered by Fed Ex. I didn’t come with these emotions you’re trying to pull,” he teases.

“Fuck you, get your ass in here,” I laugh.

It’s the first time I’ve given a real laugh in months. My brothers are just what I need to keep me focused. Like I said, I know what I’m doing.