Page 92 of Be Your Forever
“I wouldn’t say that, but thanks, man. I’m glad I have you as a brother. Even though I didn’t get a choice.”
“Yeah, I begged Mom and Dad to return your ass, but I’m glad they didn’t. Life without you is pretty dull. Oh, hey, speaking of life. Amber and I are trying.” I almost burn my hand on the stove at the news.
“Trying? As in trying for a family?”
“No, trying to win the lottery. Of course for a family, dumbass. It’s been a little challenging so far with my fertility issues. Had I known my alcoholism could affect my chances of starting a family, I’d never pick up the damn bottle. Had I known that someone like Amber was somewhere out there waiting for me, I’d have never let drinking overcome me like it did. It’s a struggle I’m having a hard time overcoming. We’re gonna give it a year before we seek out a specialist. Meanwhile, I’m back in therapy to work through some of my regret and guilt. If I can’t give my wife a family…” Xander’s words come out shaky. This isn’t easy for him, and while he’s the reason for this issue now, he doesn’t deserve to be struggling like this.
“I’m sorry, man. I know that’s not enough, but I am. You’ll get your family. I just know it.”
Bri walks down the stairs in a hunter green sweater dress that falls just below her knees. Her hair is tied up in a messy bun and the expression on her face is pure bliss. God, I love this woman.
Bri claps her hands together before walking to the table. “I’m ready to see the designs, Xander. Asher, will you bring the food to the table when it’s ready? I’m too excited to wait.”
“Of course, bear. I’m flipping the last pancake as we speak. Go sit down, I’m right behind you.” I smack her ass when she walks past me, ignoring the smirk on my brother's face.
I’m carrying our breakfast over bit by bit, and I just watch as Bri dances in her chair, sipping her iced coffee. I put the plate down, yank her head back by her bun, and kiss her senseless. Xander be damned. My girl looks hot, and any chance I get to kiss her, I’ll take it.
“What was that for?” Bri asks, chest heaving.
“You’re too sexy to resist.” I turn and walk back to the kitchen to grab the remaining plates and dishes. The table is decked out buffet style, with turkey bacon and sausage, a huge stack of pancakes, butter, syrup, and a bowl of mixed berries.
We spend a moment putting food onto our plates and passing dishes to each other. We sit in silence; the only sounds are utensils scraping plates and chewing. Bri is bouncing with so much excited energy, she’s practically inhaling her food.
“Okay, I can’t take it anymore. Let's see the drawings.” Bri has her arms out in a gimme gesture that has both Xander and myself chuckling.
Xander pulls out the folder and Bri all but snatches it out of his hand like a toddler receiving a sucker from a grocery store. I scoot closer to her so that we can look at the sketches together. I’m completely blown away by my brother's talent. Who knew he could draw this well? We flip through sketch after sketch, and when we reach the fifth drawing, our eyes lock together, and we know. This is it. This is our future store. I have the biggest grin on my face while Bri’s eyes shine with emotion. Hell, even my throat feels tight.
“Xander, I can’t thank you enough for doing this. These sketches? They’re incredible. Your talent is out of this world.” Bri wipes her tears while I rub her back. She picks up the drawing we both have fallen in love with to show Xander.
“This is the one. I can feel it in my bones.” Xander takes a sip from his coffee before taking a closer look at the paper in her hand, a smile slowly spreading across his face.
“I was hoping you’d pick that one. It’s my favorite. I’m glad you asked me to do this. And I can’t wait to work with you guys on bringing your baby to life.”
“Seriously, thanks, man. This is just incredible.” This piece of paper right here makes everything that more real.
We finish eating breakfast, talking about this and that. Xander opens up to Bri about him and his wife’s struggles with getting pregnant. Bri, being the wonderful human that she is, gets up from her chair to hug him. The way she cares for people, listens to them. She’s astounding.
Xander has long since left, leaving Bri and I to clean up our meal. We’ve gotten into a routine of I wash the dishes and she dries. Then Bri says something that has my heart doing somersaults in my chest.
“I’m ready to talk to my brother now.” The resilience of this woman. I reassure her that I’ll still come if she wants me to, which she says yes to. My little warrior is about to tackle her biggest demon, and I won’t be anywhere else than next to her, holding her hand.
Brianna
The blue was my guiding light, my savior
Mybodyisdrowningin a sea of panic. My screams fall silent, and I’m so paralyzed with fear that I can’t seem to move.
It’s just your brother, Bri. Try and relax. You have nothing to worry about.
But I do. I do have things to worry about. I’ve been putting this off for months, involved in a toxic relationship with shame and guilt. If I thought talking to my parents was anxiety inducing, it’s nothing compared to talking to my brother. He was in the car with me that night, they weren’t. I’ve grown so much in the last few months, but of course my brain loves to be a bitch…fucking Patricia. I’m suddenly pulled back to the scene of the accident.
So many cop cars, bathing the scene in blue and red. Blood and glass cover every inch of the scene. I know I’m being harassed with a million and one questions, but I cannot seem to speak. My mind and body are still inmy now totaled car, the sound of squealing threatening to burst my ear drums. My heart beats manically inside my chest and my breath comes in quick, frantic pants.
Breathe. I. Can’t. Breathe.
A deep, smooth voice whispers in the distance. I know this voice, but as I search the scene, I can’t seem to find where it’s coming from. Tears blur my vision, and my head feels dizzy and light. I press my hands to my head, and a loud, shrill sound pierces the air.
Where is that coming from?
