Page 10 of Waiting for Her

I walk over and wrap her in my arms, my breathing still heavy as my chest heaves up and down. But holding her does something to me. Having her in my arms fills me with a sense of peace I can’t get anywhere else. She’s my perfect fit, my other half. I can’t imagine a life without her by my side. She’s so tiny I have to lift her in order for her arms to be able to go around my neck. Her fingers go to the back of my head and thread through my hair, and it’s like a thousand-pound weight has been lifted off me.

I want to tell her I’ve been in love with her for longer than I can remember. That when I think of a future, I see her face. She’s everything to me.

“Are you…” I croak, not being able to finish speaking.

I set her down on her feet but don’t release my hold. She leans back from me so I can get a better look at her. “Grady. I’m okay.” Her voice is soft and still scared, but her bright green eyes are shining with unshed tears. It makes me want to punch the living shit out of him all over again. The muscles in my arms strain against my shirt and my neck is coiled tight. My nostrils flare as my eyes track over her reddening cheek. I hear Dawson moan and I look in his direction, feeling like he still didn’t receive enough from me for what he tried to do to her. She raises up on her tiptoes and lifts her small hands to turn my head so I’m facing her once again. “Listen to me. That’s done. Blake… he got here. And I did what you and your brother have always taught me.”

“That why his nose looked busted up before I started in on him?” I ask her, smirking a little bit, despite the fury still coiling in my gut.

She nods and I lean my forehead on hers, running my hands up and down her arms. She’s shivering and I don’t know if it’s from what happened or the chill in the air.

“B, I can’t think of what could have happened.”

“I know. I know, Grady. But I’m okay.”

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t there.”

I keep repeating sorrys until my throat is scratchy. I tuck my head against her neck and actually feel tears prick my damn eyes.

“I’m sorry I’ve been an idiot so much lately. I can’t lose you. I can’t. You mean everything to me. I can’t lose you,” I kiss her cheek, hoping she understands. Because I finally truly understand what’s been bothering her.

We both want more, but I’m the one terrified to take the next step. I can’t lose her. What would happen to our friendship if it didn’t work out between us as more?

She sniffles and it’s all I can do not to spin around and start pounding on Dawson again.

Dawson, who’s currently lying on the ground, hopefully in a lot of pain, with our friends standing around him like prison guards.

“I’m sorry I scared you,” I tell her.

“You could never scare me.”

“Fuck, Bri. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

They’re words we’ve shared before, but she’s not getting it. I’ve waited far too long to tell her my true feelings.

“No, I’m in…” but what I’m about to say is cut off by the sounds of sirens along with dozens of our high school classmates scattering, not wanting to get caught drinking because of the fight.

But I don’t move.

For one, I wasn’t drinking.

And two, I’m not going to hide from what just happened.

But the next thing I know, I’m placed somewhere I never expected to be in my life. The back of a police car.

Under arrest.

For assault.

I gasp awake, a dream I’m all too familiar with taking over my night once again.

Though, it’s been a few years since this particular dream plagued my sleep.

When I accepted the job, the board told me I needed to prepare myself for a firestorm of media wanting to get the story. I expected that. Their answer to the inevitable was to offer an exclusive toSports Illuminated. Not a bad idea.

I knew Bri was working for them, obviously. I may not be in her life anymore, but our families are close, and, admittedly, I’ve paid attention.

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