The Secret (Book 2 in The Deception Series)

Chapter 14: happiness and something

Jules

~~~~~

"Risk" - Gracie Abrams

I chug down a beer as I listen to the blasting music. Brennen and his friends decided to throw a small little hangout with everyone in the backyard. It was pretty fun. I liked his friends; they were fun and nice. Better than his high school friends.

I kick my feet in the water as everyone laughs and talks.

"Cannonball!" Chris screams as he jumps into the pool.

I laugh as water splashes into my face. I looked at Brenne,n who was sitting on a chair, while Garrett stood next to him talking. They laughed together, and I smiled at him. He was so cute.

"Let's play chicken!" Chris cheers.

"Yes!" Taylor smiles.

"I wanna be on a team with Tay-Tay." Chris says as he swims over to her.

"Hell nah, she's my teammate." Garrett says as he gets into the water.

"You're so annoying." Chris complains.

"I'll be your teammate, Chris." I say as I get in.

"Yay!" He cheers.

Taylor and I get on the guy's shoulders, and Jake counts down for us.

"Go!" He yells.

We move closer to each other and start pushing each other. I grip onto Chris as I start laughing. I get one really good push at Taylor and she squeals as she falls into the water.

"Yes!" I cheer.

"Let's go!" Chris yells before he flips me back into the water.

I swim back up and laugh as I watch Taylor and Garrett bickering.

"You have the worst balance." Garrett says.

"And you couldn't hold me up right." She snaps.

He glares at her before tackling her under water.

I look at Brennen and watch him look at them. He sighs before grabbing his crutches and getting up. He walks back into the house and I frown. I quickly get up and follow him inside.

He stands at the fridge and I watch as he struggles to grab a beer. I begin to walk over to him but he grabs the beer and it slips from his hand and breaks on the floor.

"Fuck." He groans as he looks down at the mess he made.

I sigh and walk over to him, "Here, I can clean it." I offer.

"No, I can do it myself, Julianna." He tells me.

"Just let me-" He cuts me off by saying, "I can do it." He snaps.

"Fine. Jeez, do it." I say as I put my hands up in surrender and take a step back away from him.

He looks at me before he goes to bend down but drops one of his crutches. He loses his balance and almost falls but I quickly hold him up. He sighs as I look at him. He looks at me and I smile, "Can you let me do it?" I ask.

He nods before I reach down and grab his crutch. I hand it to him and grab paper towels and begin cleaning up.

"I'm sorry for snapping at you." He voices.

I look up at him and smile, "It's okay."

He smiles and I admire him. I always knew that I'd love him for the rest of my life. You never get over your first love. A part of your heart will always belong to them. Doesn't mean that you guys will end up together but they'll always be a part of you.

Once I finish cleaning everything up, I throw the glass away and turn to Brennen.

"You okay?" I ask.

He shrugs, "I just hate to not be able to do simple things like grab a beer from the fridge."

"I get it. But it's okay for you to ask for help, Brennen. Especially from me. I always got your back." I remind him.

He nods, "I know you do."

I smile and he smiles back at me. I could feel the tension between us but I knew we were both trying to fight it. Giving into the tension wouldn't end well and we both knew that.

"You happy, Julianna?" He asks.

I frown, "What do you mean?"

"Are you getting everything you've ever wanted?" He questions.

If only he knew that he was everything I ever wanted. But I knew I couldn't say that so instead I said, "Not yet. But maybe one day."

He smiles and nods, "Okay."

I smile and nod before the back door opens. I look over and see Norah frowning at us.

"What's going on?" She asks.

"I broke a beer bottle so Jules was helping clean up." Brennen explains.

She looks back at me and then at Brennen.

"That's it?" She asks.

Brennen rolls his eyes.

"Nothing is going on, Norah. Chill." He says.

I look at him and suck in my breath. Because I thought there was a moment between us just a few seconds ago. I thought he sensed it too, but maybe it was just me.

"Yeah, okay, fine." she says.