The Secret (Book 2 in The Deception Series)

Chapter 4: looks and tension

Jules

~~~~~

"Ceilings"- Lizzy McAlpine

I'm still in love with him. Holy fucking shit. I stared at him, and as he smiled at me, something was pulling me to him. The tension between us was noticeable. It was there and it was heavy and strong. It was like a force pulling us together and I couldn't fight it.

He sighs and looks away, back up at the night sky. But I keep my eyes on him, studying him.

"What's new with you, Jules?" He asks, looking back at me.

I smile, "Nothing. I'm the same old Jules."

He gives me a pointed look, "No, you aren't."
I shrug, "Why do you think I've changed?"

"Because you seem happier." He says.

I sigh and look away from him because I knew what he was talking about. I was hoping he wouldn't bring it up but I guess it will always be a part of my life.

"I am. I've healed from it." I tell him.

"Promise?" He asks.

I look at him and smile, "I promise, Brennen. I'm much better."

He nods, "Good."

"What about you? Are doing better?" I question.

"I'm not taking meds anymore. So I'm definitely better." He smiles.

"Good." I reply.

He stares at me and I stare at him. I wondered if he felt the same tension I was feeling. Did he feel that strange pull? I felt like I could feel it through every bone in my body.

I glance at his lips, wondering if they tasted the same. I look back at his eyes before he sighs and looks away, "I'm gonna go to bed." He announces as he stands up.

I feel a rush of disappointment fill my body as I watch him, "Okay." I reply.

"Night, Julianna." He smiles at me.

"Good night, Brennen." I manage to say as I watch him make his way back to the house.

Yup. I still love him. I'm so fucked.

~~~~~~~~~~

All the guys went to practice and me and Norah decided to come to The Grill, where the one and only Taylor Perez works. The girl that Brennen is in love with. I didn't tell Norah about what Brennen told me, it wasn't my secret to tell. But god, was I jealous of Taylor. I watched her as she served her customers with a smile on her face. I get why he was obsessed with her, she was gorgeous. How could she not like Brennen? He was funny, attractive and sweet. I would kill to have Brennen love me.

"Are you listening?" I hear Norah's voice.

I push my thoughts away and look at her, "What?" I ask.

She sighs, "I was saying how we should get jobs or something and save up some money to get an apartment." She explains.

"Oh yeah, that's smart." I smile.

She nods before eating her fries. I look back at Taylor, she carries a bunch of empty plates in her hand and takes them to the kitchen.

"Did you know Taylor's Garrett's first girlfriend?" I ask Norah.

She nods, "Yeah, she changed him a lot."

"Really? How?" I ask, intrigued.

"He used to be a fucking whore, he'd hookup with so many girls. It was crazy, he tried to hookup with me the first time we met but Brennen told him to fuck off." She explains.

I stare at Taylor as she starts wiping the bar counters.

"But how'd she change him?" I ask.

Norah shrugs.

"Did you know she was a bet?" I ask Norah.

She nods, "Garrett told me."

"And he just fell in love with her?" I ask.

"Well, from what he told me, the first time they kissed, he fell for her. But he didn't want to lose the bet so he didn't tell Brennen." She tells me.

"So he hasn't hooked up with any other girl since Tay-Tay?" I ask.

She nods.

"Wow." I say.

"Why are you so interested in their relationship? Do you like Garrett or something?" She asks.

"What? No. I just thought it was an interesting story." I tell her.

She frowns.

"Seriously, Norah. I would never crush on another girl's man." I say.

"Okay, I believe you." She says.

We get back to eating before I hear a loud voice from the entrance. I turn and see almost the entire hockey team walk in, laughing and talking.

I spot Brennen laughing with Chris and I smile. I always loved his laugh, it was so contagious.

Chris spots us and he smiles.

"Heyyy!!" He cheers as he and Brennen walk over to us.

"Hi, Chris." Norah says.

"What are you guys doing here?" Brennen asks as he slides into the booth next to me.

I try my best to stay calm. Chris sits next to Norah and starts eating her fries.

"We came for dinner." I tell Brennen.

He nods.

"How was practice?" Norah asks.

"Hell, Coach was in a shitty mood today." Chris says.

"He's always in a shitty mood." Brennen says.

I chuckle.

Chris starts talking about potatoes for some reason and Norah was really into the conversation for some odd reason.

I look over at Brennen and see him staring across the restaurant. I follow his gaze and see Taylor and Garrett at the bar. He was sitting on the bar stool talking to her as she organized glass cups. She looked at him and gave him a sad smile before she walked around the bar. She walked up to him as he turned to her, I watched as she brushed his hair out of his face. He looked upset, she pulled him into a hug and he rested his cheek on her shoulder.

"What's up with him?" I ask Brennen.

He shrugs.

"He was quiet all through practice too." He says.

I stared at Brennen's face, he looked so hurt watching their interaction. I felt bad, I looked back at Taylor and Garrett. He was smiling at her as she talked to him. Now I get why she didn't love Brennen. She was in love with Garrett, she wanted to be by his side. I mean, I get that, if someone looks at you with such love and care, you never want to leave their side.

I looked at Brennen who was staring down at our table, zoned out. If only he knew that I looked at him the way Garrett looked at Taylor.