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Love Heals All (Once Broken Book 2) by Alison Mello (13)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brooke

 

I pull up to my parents’ house and cringe when I find Remy’s car in the driveway. That means I have to face him about what happened with Vaughn. I was freaking out at the beach and didn’t know what to do. Remy was the first person I called. I grab my bag from the backseat and head into the house. I try hurrying up the stairs to avoid my brother, but I’m not fast enough.

“Freeze.” He stops me dead in my tracks.

“Rem, I really don’t feel like doing this right now.” I turn to look at him from halfway up.

“I get you don’t want to discuss it, but I need to know that both my sister and my friend are okay.” His expression is serious. I can tell he’s not going to let up.

I take a few steps down. “I’m fine. He scared me and I needed to know what to do.”

“If you’re fine, why are you here without him? I thought you two were going to get ready at his place and then come here together.”

I lick my lips, trying to figure out what to say. “I needed a little space. He scared me, and not just because he had a flashback or whatever he called it, but because he won’t talk to me.” I look down to the ground. “I’m falling for him, and I want to help him, but he won’t let me.”

“Wait, he admitted to having a flashback?” His voice is now laced with concern.

“Yeah, why?”

He shakes his head. “I’ll talk to him. You go get in the shower.”

“Remy, I think he’s already afraid you’re going to be pissed at him. He was concerned you wouldn’t want him here.”

My brother nods, but says nothing else. “Go.” I run the remainder of the way up the stairs to my room. I go straight to my closet to pull out a sundress for the party. I want to look good for my man tonight. I need to show him that I lo—I stop my thoughts. “Do I love him?” I whisper. I thought I was falling for my ex and he was a total ass. He didn’t treat me nearly as good as Vaughn does and our chemistry was all off. I shake off my thoughts. Either way I need to show him I still want to be with him despite the fact he’s broken, as he calls it.

I jump into the shower, and as I wash my body I think about his hands on me. He’s so strong, yet so gentle, and then I see the look he had on his face just before I left. It said so many things, but most of all I saw fear, that is until I turned back to pull the door shut. His shoulders were slumped over and he looked so defeated, so broken. My tears well yet again for the man I want to help fix. I take a deep breath and decide I need to pull myself together. I’m a mess and we have people coming over shortly. I step out of the shower, dry off, and slip on my robe. It takes me about forty-five minutes before I’m ready and feeling a bit more confident than earlier.

I run downstairs to find Mama in the kitchen, busy getting things ready. “Hey, Mama.” I kiss her on the cheek. “What can I do to help?”

“Can you finish making the potato salad?” She nods toward the cooked potatoes. I nod and get busy adding ingredients to a bowl. We’re both incredibly quiet and the silence is killing me, but Mama finally breaks it.

“You got a phone call yesterday that I forgot to tell you about.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, it was a guy about a house you wanted to rent.”

Shit. I hope she’s not mad. “Yeah, I called to inquire about it. I want to buy a house, but I thought about renting for a little bit first. I need to get a place of my own and I’m not sure where I want to start.”

“I don’t think renting is a bad idea, Brooke. As a matter of fact, I think it’s smart.”

I smile at my mom, feeling good about my decision. “I keep looking at the pictures. It’s really cute and it’s not far from home, work, or Vaughn. I can’t wait to see it.”

“Do me a favor. Be sure you take one of your brothers to look at it with you.” Mama gives me a stern look.

“Look at what?” Remy asks walking into the kitchen.

“A house I want to rent.”

Remy’s expression changes to one of concern. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? I mean, you living by yourself?”  

I put my hands on my hips. “Not too long ago you wanted Daddy to kick me out. Now you’re worried about me living on my own? I’m a grown woman, Remy, and I’m going to look at this house with or without you.”

His brows shoot up. “Okay. I’m sorry.” He puts his hands up in a defensive manner. “Keaton and I will both go. I’ll make sure it’s safe and he’ll make sure the house is in good condition. Let us know when.” He starts back out the door but turns back. “Just so you know, I’ll always worry about my baby sister.” I shake my head as he joins my father back on the deck with a fresh round of beers.

My two other brothers have both arrived and are sitting on the back patio with my father. Kenzie comes in from the yard and offers to help Mama, while Kayla keeps track of the kids. “Why don’t you two go relax outside? I’ve got this.” Mom gives us a warm smile. I walk out to the back deck and take a seat next to Remy, and Kenzie greets Lilly, who walks into the backyard. I can’t help but watch for Vaughn, who should be here any minute now.

“When do you want to go look at that place, sis?” Remy bumps my shoulder.

“As soon as I can. I’ll call the guy tomorrow and set up a time. Maybe he can let us see it one night this week.” I take a pull from my beer.

“My big girl is moving out.” My dad shakes his head. “What’s the place look like?”

“It’s a two bedroom house with two baths. It has a nice size eat-in-kitchen and a small living room. The place isn’t huge, but it’s big enough for me, and the rent is reasonable. I’ll be able to continue saving to buy a house when I’m ready.”

“It sounds nice.” Remy smiles at me.

“It looks it, and what’s better is it comes partially furnished, so I won’t need to get a ton of stuff to start out with. There’s a sectional sofa, TV stand, coffee table, and end tables in the living room. There’s also a small table in the kitchen. I just need to get a bedroom set.”

“Even better.” My dad looks proud. I clap my hands, excited to see the place.

“Excuse me, I have to check on the food.” My father gets up from his spot on the bench. Kenzie and Lilly jump in it.

“Is your dress all set?” Kenzie’s face lights up when she asks about the wedding.

I smile. “It sure is. It’s hanging in my closet, all ready to go.” I’m in the wedding, and I’m happy to talk about it. It’s a nice distraction from the issue I’m having with my boyfriend.

“I’m so excited. Lilly is obviously walking with Dawson, since they are best man and maid of honor. Brooke, I have you walking with Vaughn.” She wiggles her eyebrows, not knowing what kind of day we’ve had. “And Kayla, you’ll walk with Keaton.” I give her a tight smile, not wanting to give any signs of our misunderstanding today. It’s a Fourth of July wedding, and this year the fourth is on a Saturday, so it worked out perfect. “The rehearsal dinner is Friday night, and you’ll all need to be here at six. We’ll do a quick walk through with the priest and then we’ll enjoy dinner.”

“I can’t wait.” Lilly claps her hands, full of excitement.

Aunt Kenderly and Uncle Jasper walk into the backyard. Kenzie jumps up to give them a hug. I sigh, forgetting Remy is beside me. “He’ll be here. If not, I’ll kick his ass,” he whispers in my ear.

I look up at him and I try to smile, but it doesn’t quite work. “I’m worried about him.”

“Let me go say hi to Kenzie’s aunt and uncle, and then I’ll text him if he’s not here.”

I bite the inside of my lip. “Maybe you shouldn’t.”

“Up to you.” He gets up to go say hi and he talks with them for a few minutes.

“Dinner is ready,” Mama calls out putting the remainder of the food on the table next to all the meat my father has pulled off the grill.

I stand up to get a bottle of water, and then get in line to make my plate. I’m not really hungry, but I don’t feel like spilling my guts, and if I don’t eat everyone is going to wonder why. This entire party is killing me, and it pisses me off because I should be happy for my brother and future sister-in-law. Instead I’m sad and depressed because the man I love is not here. I close my eyes and take in a breath as the ‘L’ word just flew through my mind yet again. “Auntie Brooke, will you eat with me?” Becky pulls on my dress.

“Sure, sweetie. Let me get my plate and I’ll go sit on the blanket with you.”

“Yay,” she cheers and runs off to sit on the blanket her mother set up. Becky always eats on a blanket when we eat in the yard. She loves sitting in the grass. Funny thing is I was the same way when I was her age. I never cared to sit at the table with the adults. I didn’t even care if I ate alone. As long as I had a soft blanket and grass to sit on, I was a happy little girl.

It’s finally my turn. I grab a plate and start picking at some of my favorites, making sure I don’t take too much. As soon as I’m done, I make my way over to the blanket where Becky is set up with her baby doll. She has her sitting and she’s pretending to feed her. “What’s the baby’s name?”

“Katrina,” she answers simply without even looking at me. “Auntie Brooke, are you sad?” Holy shit, even my little niece can tell I’m off.

“No, sweetie, Auntie is fine.”

She takes the spoon, brings it to the baby’s mouth, and then eats it herself. “My baby really likes the macaroni.”

“I bet she does. It’s good stuff.” I giggle at her innocence. I’m picking at my food and watching her play and eat.

I glance up to see Vaughn walking into the backyard. He looks good, but I can tell he’s still off from this afternoon. He’s wearing a nice pair of khaki shorts and a purple polo that shows off his muscular arms and chest. Remy gets up and walks straight up to him. They shake hands and man hug. Remy pats him on the back and I can see his mouth moving as he whispers something to him. Vaughn nods and slaps him on the back. They look at each other and silently exchange some words. Vaughn’s mask slips for just a second—I almost missed it, but it definitely slips. I can’t help but wonder if Remy caught it. Remy walks back to his table and Vaughn’s eyes scan the yard. He gives me a nod and I offer a small smile in return. He walks over to the food and makes a plate, but instead of sitting with me he sits with Remy and my parents. I won’t lie, I’m a bit crushed. I know he’s my brother’s friend and all, but I would think he would come sit with me for a bit.

“Becky, Auntie is going to clean up. You be a good girl.”

“I will, Auntie.” I get up from the blanket, grab my plate, and run into the house to throw it away. Then, I go out to the food table, grabbing the empty platters and bring them into the house to wash up. I can’t stand to be out there watching him laugh with my brother while he pretends like nothing happened between us. I dry the platters and put them away before going outside to see what else I can clean up. It’s warm out, so I grab the remainder of the salads, put them into smaller containers, and stack them in the fridge. I’ll do anything to avoid being out there right now.

I dry my hands, and when I turn around, I’m startled by Vaughn standing at the door. “Holy shit, you scared me!” I slap him on the chest.

“I didn’t mean to, but I wanted to check on you. I saw you run off and I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

I shake my head no. “You came in here pretending like I didn’t exist. What would make you think I’m all right?”

“Brooke. You ran out of my house telling me you needed space. I screwed up today, and I know I have to figure out how to fix it, but you can’t tell me you need space in one breath and then be mad at me when I give it to you in the next.”

My brows shoot up in shock. “That’s not what I meant, and I’m sorry if that’s what you thought. I just meant I didn’t want to argue with you, and I wanted time to pull myself together before the party.”

He nods, taking in my words. “Hey Vibe,” Remy calls out and Vaughn turns around.

“Vibe?” I question.

“Yeah, it’s my nickname from the service.”

I chuckle and shake my head. “Go. See what he wants. I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not. It appears we both have thoughts we need to square away.” He kisses me on the cheek and walks out. I gasp thinking about his words. The man I’ve wanted for years is finally mine and I can’t bring myself to tell him how I feel about him. Maybe that’s why he won’t open up. He’s afraid because he doesn’t realize what he means to me. I guess he’s right. I do have my own thoughts I need to square away, but I can’t do it down here. I grab my phone and run up to my room to send both Remy and Vaughn a text saying I’m sorry and that I’ve turned in for the night.

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