Infinite Summer

Promise

Belly's POV

Steven rushed to him in no time and threw a punch across Conrad's face making blood spit out of his mouth.
"Steven, No!" Mom yelled. I stared in shock not knowing what to do. Steven grabbed him by the collar and pushed him against the wall completely ignoring mom.
"What do you want? Huh? Are you back to break my sister's heart? Or are you back to ruin her happiness?" Steven hissed at his face. Watching this I was frozen, I was numb, I didn't know what to think about this. About him coming, about Steven beating him up. So all I could do was stand in shock. Conrad has always been Steven's role model, but now all he felt was hatred towards Conrad.
"I just wanna talk to her." He replied weakly. Steven moved his fist to get ready for another punch.

"Steven stop!" Mom said firmly as she went next to them.
"It's okay Laurel I deserve this." He said looking at me. He looked emotionless as he looked at me, but I knew there was something I couldn't see.
"Finally you're right about something." Steven said sourly. He put his arms up to get ready for another swing. Until mom grabbed Steven's fist and gave him a dead stare.
"He's my kid too, I am not letting you hurt him. Or letting you two fight. Just calm down Steven" Mom said putting Steven's hand down slowly. "If he wants to talk to her, it's her choice. You don't get a say in it"
"I'm protecting her!" Steven said.
"I know. But no, this isn't right" Mom said. Steven stepped away from him and looked at me.

Conrad's Pov

I felt my ears ringing from the punch Steven gave me. He sure knows how to throw a punch. I'm sure it would bruise so bad the next day. It did hurt, but I didn't care. All I wanted was to see Belly, to talk to her. Steven hates me now, and I know he's sick of me treating his sister like that. He was always the overprotective brother. I really need to talk to him and fix things up. With Mom gone, I can't lose anybody else. Especially now that everybody hates me. Who would I have? Dad? I hated Dad. The only person who'd still love me was Laurel. Always. Steven finally stepped away from me and looked at Belly for answers. Would she let me talk to her?

"It's okay, Steven. I can talk to him." She said firmly. Then she turned to me. "We'll talk in the backyard"
Steven let me go still giving me the glare. Belly lead me to the backyard and I follow her. I knew the way, but she still showed me the way anyways. I sat on the footsteps watching the trees dance in the wind. Belly went back inside to get something and minutes later she came back with a first aid kit.
"Stay still" she said to me and dabbed the corner of my mouth with some antibacterial ointment gently.

I watched her carefully as her eyes focus on my wound. We were close that I could feel her breath on my neck, but not close enough that I couldn't just lean in to kiss her. Even though it's killing me that I couldn't. Her soft breath make me shiver. I bit my lip holding on to the urge to kiss her.
"Belly, It's okay. I'm fine." I said to her.
"Just a sec" She said. She put a band aid over the wound, then she grabbed an ice pack, wrapped it in cloth and she press it on my cheek gently. She was so gentle but it still hurts. I hissed in pain as the cold touches my face.

"Sorry." She said and leaned her hand back.
"It's okay." I said staring at her. This reminds me of that day I just came back from surfing. She took care of me. In that moment I can't help but think about our future, if she would take care of me like that, and if we'd take care of each other. At that brief moment, I almost forgot that at that time she was marrying my little brother.

"How's your cut? From surfing?" She asked still pressing the cold ice on my cheek. Ì shivered thinking how she was exactly thinking the same thing as me.
"It's better." I said.
"I like your new tattoo. It's pretty" I said. She stopped pressing the cloth on my cheek and I grabbed her hand to put it down. She puts her hand on her lap and looked down.
"Belly, I wanna say, I'm sorry. For wrecking your wedding. I never meant to do that." I said.
"You never meant to do that?" She asked as her face reddens.
"No, I didn't want to." I said.
"So coming to me confessing your undying love a day before my wedding? Begging me to be with you? And you never meant to wreck my wedding?" She asked her face flushed in anger. She clasp her hands and stood up. "You know what? I'm not doing this with you." She said.

"Belly please just wait." I said grabbing her hand standing up.
"What? Conrad?" She yelled.
"Look, if you asked me if I plan to wreck your wedding then no. I didn't mean to and I didn't want to. But could I ever let you go, without giving a shot at us? Could I just let you be with him, knowing that he didn't treat you right?" I asked.
"Oh, And you treated me right?" She asked with tears forming in her eyes.
"No-."
"Exactly" she replied waking away.

I grabbed her hand and turned her around to face me.
"Fuck Belly, it's fucking different. Yes I messed up. Bad. I didn't treat you right. But I never ever cheat on you. Or touch another girl. I never ever for a second think about any other girl than you. I loved you. There was only you then, after that and probably for the rest of my life. Yes I didn't treat you right, back then Belly, but hell, I have never or even want to betray you with somebody else. Never. I have never loved anyone the way I loved you." I said not letting go of her hand. She looked at me, and I believe she believes me. She should believe me. She knows I wasn't the type to tell her any sweet lies.
"Belly, when I heard you guys were engaged, of course my whole world flipped. I was never getting over you. Ever. But when I see you with him and see how happy you are, I had to let you go. I thought he would be the person that could make you happier than I ever could. I thought you were in good hands. No matter how much it hurts, It was fine to see you happy with someone else even if it's not with me. Because he could treat me way better than I ever could. But when I find out what he did. There was no way in hell, I am letting you go without taking the last chance." I said.

Without thinking I move my hand up to cup her cheek softly. It still felt warm and soft. "Please, Belly. Just give me a chance? I can't stop thinking that I wrecked your wedding just for me to blow my chance with you again. I love you. I have never loved anybody but you. Belly I promise to love you, to take care of you, to make you happy. Just please give me a chance." I said softly caressing her cheek. She moved her hand up and placed her hand on top of mine that was on her cheek. She took a deep breath and pulled my hand away from her.
"Conrad you had a chance, and you let me go." She said. "I'm not giving you anymore chances. I'm done with you." She said and walked away, ignoring me. Leaving me alone, and cold.

I wanted to call her back. I wanted to tell her giving up is not an option. I'm still taking my chances whether she lets me or not.
I am still fighting for her and I'm not taking her for granted. Ever. I stayed there. Thinking about our conversation. After a while, I realized I needed to give her time. I can't force her into anything. But I'll always try for her to love me again. I went back inside the house, and she was nowhere to be seen.

"She went up stairs" Steven said from the living room. He was watching a show on the tv. He turned to me. "Look, Conrad. I think it'd be best if you just let her go. Her life's up to no good when you're with her. Just, let her go. And don't go near her. Ever."
"I'm not letting her go" I said.
"For fucks sake. Aren't you tired of messing up her life? You got her in a chain by the collar. She's always stuck with you. If you love her then let her go." He said.
"I fucking love her. And I'm gonna do all it takes to be with her. I know you're always Jere's support. But I'm sorry. I'm fighting for her, always." I said walking away leaving Steven standing alone.

I don't care how long it takes. I'll be with her. I'll wait for her until she's ready. And I'm gonna love her for the rest of my life. I promise to never break her heart ever again. Like what I did last time.