Times running out (a Bret Von Dehl love story)

Chapter 15

Still Bret's POV;

We pulled into the music studio parking lot and I opened the car door for Phoenix.

"Milady," I said, keeping up my shitty accent.

"So you're sticking with the accent, huh?" She giggled, side-hugging me.

"I think it suits me... you totally think it's hot, don't deny it babe."

She burst out laughing, clutching her stomach.

"YOU... SAID THAT... SO STUPIDLY IT WAS FUNNY!" She managed to say in between laughs.

"Oh whatever, you." I returned to my old voice and kissed the top of her head.

We walked into the studio, which was super cool, and got started with our first recording session/Studio update.

I was sad to see the Phoenix always stayed of the shot when we were filming.

A couple hours later we broke for lunch, we all sat on the floor and ate.

Phoenix joined the conversation and was smiling but she was scarcely picking at her food, she used to inhale it.

After everyone was finished eating I took Phoenix's hand and led her out of the room.

"Hey... Nix, are you okay? You weren't eating much and you're not talking a lot..."

She grimaced.

"Actually, Im not feeling great. I kinda just wanna go home and sleep, I feel pretty damn sick."

I smiled kindly and hugged her.

"I'll drive you home."

And that's exactly what I did.

I laid her on the couch, gave her some Tylenol and a blanket, switched Edward scissorhands on to the TV, and said goodbye before driving back to the studio.

Everybody wanted to know if she was doing okay and how sick she was but I assured them it wasn't that bad.

We had a good day of recording and then we all went to the girls house.

We walked through the door, and that's when I heard it.

The retching and gagging noises, and they were coming from the upstairs bathroom.

My first thoughts were:

"My poor Phoenix, she's so sick!"

So I wasn't at all prepared for what happened next.

I dashed up the stairs to rub her back, and hold back her hair or whatever and just make her feel okay, but I opened the door to see Phoenix with her fingers half way down her throat.

"Phoenix..." I whispered, my eyes widening and tearing up.

My little Phoenix, so insecure that she really felt the need to not eat, and keep the food out of her system.

She cleaned her hands off, and just started sobbing.

She collapsed into me, and I held her.

"After the things Naomi said... I felt like I needed to be prettier if I wanted to date you... thinner. Bret, I really don't deserve somebody like you..." she sobbed out.

I had closed the door so nobody could hear her, that was probably good.

"Please Phoenix, never say that. I think all the time about how beautiful you are and how lucky I am, you will always be good enough. You're more than good enough to me, you're perfect." I said in a quiet tone.

"Bret... I love you." she whispered simply.

"I love you too." I whispered back. "Now promise me, never ever again?"

She nodded.

"Good, now lets get some food into you, okay?" I smiled.

"That sounds great." she smiled back lightly.

We got up, and walked downstairs hand in hand, I knew then that I had to, wanted to, and needed to protect her.

And I swear to god that nothing was gonna stop me.