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"𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐢𝐚𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝." -𝐓𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐟𝐭
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Everyone was asleep when they stumbled into the house. They had spent the evening at the Hard Deck dancing and playing darts. By the time 10:30 rolled around Bradley was itching to leave. Leaning over Brandi who was resting on the bar counter, he whispered in her ear: "Is it 'later' yet?" That seemed to get her, because the next moment he was in her car, racing to her family's home.
Now, it was nearly two hours later. Clothes were strewn all over Brandi's room, not knowing where his ended and hers began. He was grateful her room was on the other side of the house, away from her parents. They hadn't exactly been quiet, the years of separation adding to their desperation. Were they moving too fast? Probably. But then again, he didn't want to waste any more time.
Her hand was on his chest, finger tracing shapes across his skin. It rose with each steady breath he took and he hummed in content. Shifting from his back to his side, he draped a leg over hers and rubbed her side, sending a shiver down her spine. He chuckled and brushed her hair away from her face, kissing her temple.
"I love you," he whispered. He didn't register what he said until Brandi froze. "Shit. Sorry, I didn't mean-"
With a finger pressed to his lips, she shushed him. "I love you too, Bradshaw. Always have."
"What did I do to deserve you?"
"You came back," she muttered and then kissed him, and he felt the love she had for him in it.
He broke it off before things got too heated, much to both their disappointment. Untangling himself from her, he sat up and unclasped the chain around his neck.
She watched him, curious, and then propped herself up on an arm.
"Turn around," he told her gently.
She raised a brow but did as he directed, clutching the bedsheets to her as if he hadn't just witnessed her breathtakingly beautiful form crumble under him.
Moving her hair over her shoulder, he dropped the necklace around her neck and clasped it. Brandi told him it was okay to let go, this was him letting go.
Tentatively touching the ring, she faced him. "Bradley . . ."
"It's yours, Bre. I have no use for it anymore. I've just got one request: don't let this be a one-time thing, don't let me regret another thing between us."
She grasped his face, no longer caring about decency. "Oh, babe-" The old nickname caught him off-guard, he missed the warmth that flooded him when she called him that. "I want this to be an everyday thing. But I'm only in for the long haul if you're willing to stick around."
"I don't plan on ever leaving you again. Promise." He meant it. Giving her another quick kiss, he slipped from the bed.
"Where are you going?" Brandi frowned, falling back onto her pillow.
"Just going to the kitchen," he said, pulling on a pair of boxers. "You want anything, baby?"
"No, I'm fine."
He knew she wasn't, he could tell she wanted something. But he didn't push and nodded instead. "All right, I'll be back before you start to miss me." Stepping out into the hall, he shut the door gently and made his way downstairs.
He rummaged a bit through the cabinets, trying to find the snack for Brandi. Finally, he landed on a package of Oreos. Even after all this time, he remembered where everything was. Light flooded the kitchen when he opened the fridge and fished out two bottles of water.
Footsteps were heard and from around the corner came Iceman. Bradley winced, had he disturbed him? "Ice, sorry, did I wake you?"
The man waved him off, shaking his head. Sitting at the large island that sat ten, he scanned the boy, brow quirking.
Bradley was now flustered, he couldn't meet his eye. "Please don't be mad-"
"Is she happy?" he asked hoarsely.
"Yes. I fully believe she is."
"Then I have no reason to be upset."
"But I-"
Ice held up a hand. "Go to her, son. Love her well. She'll need someone like you when I . . . When I go."
Bradley knew of the man's worsening health but to hear such an ominous remark made him uneasy. He didn't want to leave Ice alone but the look he was given told him not to push it. "I will, sir. I don't plan on ever letting her go." He collected his things and headed for the stairs. "Good night, Ice."
Back in Brandi's room, he handed her the half-empty tray of cookies. "Here you go, sweetheart."
"Thanks." She sat up and smiled, but as she noticed his mood, the smile faded. "Hey, what's wrong?"
He shook his head and smiled softly. "Nothing." He knew she wouldn't want his pity, that bringing up Iceman's illness would make her shut down and end the night too early. He knew what it was like to lose not one but both parents. If the time came when she needed him, he'd be there.
Crawling into bed, he pulled the sheets up and wrapped an arm around the blonde. "I love you."
"Love you," she mumbled, face stuffed with Oreos.
He chuckled and brought her closer. How could he have been so stupid as to throw something as amazing as Brandi away? He would keep his promise to Ice: he would love her best he can, and he would fix every last piece of her heart he and that damned ex broke.
