𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 |𝟏𝟖+|

28. Missed opportunities

Lennon's pov

"I left because-"

My heart had quickened as I anticipated the answer to the one question that had been burning with insecurities ever since that night.

But as Brooks gathered the admirable strength to confide in me, his phone rang.

He squinted his eyes, frustration and turmoil staining his features as we tried to ignore the vibration.

We were so close. So close to being 100% honest with each other. We both felt the switch, I knew it with everything I had and everything I was.

But our heads turned to his screen almost simultaneously and I watched the colour further drain from Brooks' face when I saw the caller ID.

His dad was ringing.

A shiver of cold ran through me when he said he left because of his dad. Why, I still don't know, only that he was about to tell me.

Brooks brought his hands to his face, violently rubbing his palms and down and releasing a distressed cry.

It killed me to see him like this.

"Hey, hey, hey. None of that." I reached for his wrists, slowly pulling them from his face as his breathing became unsteady. "Look at me gumpy. Look at me."

The phone stopped buzzing and he managed to meet my gaze.

I swear the world stopped when he did.

Brooks was the most beautiful human being in the entire universe.

Even with tears running down his face and his eyes darkened with bloodshot infused emotion, his beauty could rival the stars.

"I'm sorry Lenny." He forced his eyes shot as if he was in pain. I didn't have to see this injury to know it was his heart.

"Brooks, don't apologise. Just, let me see you. I want to see you." With his wrists still clamped beneath my palms, I leant in and placed gentle kisses over his face. First on his forehead, one of each cheek, on his nose, then on his chin before finally landing against his lips.

I heard him take a deep breath and I knew I had him somewhat calmer than before.

I didn't need to ask where that sheer panic came from since knowing that attacks can creep out from anywhere, especially if triggered. And it seems his dad is his trigger.

Putting my questions aside, I focused on the guy before me.

"Can I get you anything B?" I released his wrists, bringing a hand to stroke lengths across his head whilst resting the other around his neck.

His arms naturally wrapped themselves back around my waist as he leant into my touch. "Just feeling you near is all I need L."

We said nothing more as we held each other close.

Minutes passed and our breathing was back to normal, but the calm we built threatened to break once more when his phone began ringing again.

It was his dad. Again.

I looked to Brooks, his face fighting with the uncertainty of knowing what to do.

"Do you want me to get it?"

His eyelids fluttered in a state of overwhelm. "He never calls twice unless somethings happened. Fuck, Lenny what if somethings happened?! I can't speak to him, I can't. I didn't leave on good terms. I-I-"

I lovingly shushed him, pulling his head to my chest whilst peppering his skull with kisses. "I'm gonna answer it okay? You're with me, we got each other okay?"