More than friends

Chapter 25

KADE

The rest of the evening ended with Brie and me having three games of Cluedo, which resulted in me winning at least one and Brie winning two.

Watching her face as she won made it even more special. I could tell she wasn't thinking about what happened with her family.

Over the years, when we were younger, I would always know when she was upset or even having an off day. Back then, I would try everything I could to get her to come around or even take her mind off everything.

But it all changed when I had a girlfriend. I was more for her, and Brie seemed to have found a way to get over everything.

After playing the game, we watched a movie, which ended with Brie falling asleep and resting her head on my arm. I didn't move, but I fell asleep with her, too.

We woke up all stiff, but we carried on for the next few days, just it being us. I texted my mother a few times to tell her we were fine. The entire few days I was with her, I made sure that she was never thinking about anything or even being alone when she was in the bathroom. I didn't want her upset, but I knew she would have to deal with what was right before her. However, for now, I need her to have a clearer head. There was no need for any rash decisions.

Over those days together, it felt like we were returning to how we were as children. Talking more, laughing, and even reminiscing about some of our days back in school. I could tell she mainly avoided certain topics—ex-girlfriends, and I didn't care.

Letting out a sigh while the movie we were watching ended. Brie moved up and looked at me. "Shall we put on the third one?" she asked.

I gave her a nod, not caring.

She wanted to do a Harry Potter marathon, and I agreed. The films were not my cup of tea, but I didn't care. I would have watched paint dry if Brie asked me too.

Brie got up and went to swap the films over when her phone beeped.

Over the last few days, while I was in the shower, I know she has been on the phone with her friend since the other day. I didn't know until I heard her laugh. Staying away but outside the door, I listened to the one-sided conversation. Brie mentioned some parts about what happened over the last few days. She was clearly broken when she mentioned it during the phone call.

Every part of me wanted to improve, but it wasn't my doing. It had to come from her, not me.

Brie returned to the couch and sat, moving closer to me, but stopped when her phone lit up again. She quickly grabbed it and read over the messages, which made her bolt upright. "Shit!" she shouted.

I moved slightly and stared, trying to understand what was happening when she moved from the couch and paced back and forth.

"This can't be happening," she muttered. "The son of a bitch can't do this."

Looking at her, I moved until I stood beside her and frowned.

"Brie," I said, making her halt and look at me. "What's going on?"

Brie stared at me and shook her head. "This has nothing to do with you," she said and started pacing.

Like hell, it didn't.

I moved toward her, gripped her arms, and turned her to face me. Her eyes widened when they met mine. "Tell me!" I asked, searching her eyes. "What's going on?"

Brie gave me nothing, but I continued.

"Is it to do with what happened with—" I asked, but Brie pulled a face and shook her head.

"God, no."

Brie stared at me and let out a sigh. "I—" she said, but her phone beeped again, which made her look at it and groaned. "This can't be happening."

"Brie," I said, making her look at me. "What is it? Let me help or try to, at least."

Brie stared at me as her eyes softened. "I can't do that," she said, looking at the ground. "You've already done so much for me. I can't expect you to do anymore."

I frowned and stepped closer toward her, ensuring I was close enough to place my finger under her chin. I lifted her face up to look at me while I searched her face once more. "Tell me."

Brie stared at me, but I wasn't done. "Let me help," I said, while the corners of my lips curled up into a smirk. "What body do I have to hide for you?"

Brie burst out laughing, which was the most hypnotic thing I had ever heard in a long time.

Once she calmed down, I looked at her and smiled.

"Nobody," she said, moving her head to the side and studying me till she moved back up and straightened herself while she sighed. "Not yet, at least."

That part had my back up but soon calmed when she looked at me.

"I was in a relationship," she said, which made me tense. "We broke up about two weeks ago."

I stilled. She was recently single. Why didn't Larissa mention this? But then Brie continued. "He cheated on me with a yoga instructor," she said, which made my anger rise.

Who the hell would cheat on my girl?

Fuck. I needed to stop acting like this.

"I moved out when I found out," she said, pulling me from my thoughts. "But I could only take what I could with me. When he realized I was gone, he changed the locks on the house so I couldn't get in. I tried to retrieve my things, but he blocked me. But one of his friends had the audacity to tag me in a photo on Facebook of a party he hosted where he and the girl were visible together."

Dick move on his part. I wanted to rip his head from his shoulders.

Keeping my eyes on her, I sighed. "So, what has gotten you all eaten up?" I asked, but knowing that she would want all her stuff back, I was forming a plan to help her. Knowing some of my work friends wouldn't mind helping, I knew who to call.

"He has placed the house up for sale," she said, which made me arch my eyebrows. "He told the person all can go since it was tacky."

"Fucking dick," I murmured and looked at her while she gave me a wry smile.

"He thinks I don't know," she said, which made me wonder why he would think that. Brie must have seen the look on my face. "He blocked me on everything, but that didn't stop his friends. They all hated me."

Anger swirled around.

After everything Brie has been through, I wanted nothing more than to take care of the problem.

"Kade," she said, placing her hand on my arm. I looked at her. "There is nothing I can do."

I shook my head and moved my arm away.

"There is," I said, smiling at her. "Give me twenty minutes, and I can tell you what I can come up with. Phone Alex, talk to him. I need to arrange something."

Brie looked at me confused, but I moved toward her, pulling her to me, which made her eyes widen suddenly. I pressed a kiss to her forehead and moved back. "Until you want to talk about what happened the other day," I said faintly. "I can't help you. But this issue I can sort out. Let me ring around, and we will take a brief trip when I am done."

Brie still looked at me, confused, but I shook my head.

"Don't worry your pretty little head about anything," I said. "All I need is your address and some information about the ex, and I can get started. I will also need your phone. You can use my phone to phone Alex."

Brie was stunned but stayed silent and tried to process everything I had said.

There were friends I had all over that I trusted. I had a plan forming, and once I was done, Brie would get her things back and more. I just needed her to trust me like she did in school.

"Trust me," I said, which made her look at me oddly, but she stayed quiet.