Shattered

Chapter 13 Mark

"Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming it." Helen Keller

Mark nuzzled into Bradley's neck and inhaled her intoxicating aroma as he pulled her tightly against his body. "I love you so much," he whispered, never wanting to move.

"You better not be having a wet dream." Mark shook his head, confused. It wasn't Bradley talking. He realized he was dreaming and abruptly opened his eyes. Phil and Brody were standing over his bed.

"I love you, too," Phil mocked.

"What the hell?" Mark looked around his dark bedroom. "What time is it?" he sat up, worried.

"Eleven," Brody answered. "We have to go."

"Where's Bradley?" Mark panicked, tearing the comforter off his body. "Shit! I didn't mean to fall asleep!"

"She's at home," Phil sighed.

Mark leapt in the bathroom to quickly relieve himself. "Is she okay?"

"She hates you," answered Brody.

"Let me guess," Mark gritted his teeth, "you were there to save the day." Mark trusted Brody, knew he would never make a play for Bradley, but he was still feeling insanely jealous that Brody was always there when he couldn't be.

"Her brother even let me in her bedroom while she was in the bathtub."

Mark tore the bathroom door open in a fit of rage. "Seriously?"

"He's kidding," Phil defended hitting Brody's arm.

Mark flipped the light switch in the walk-in closet, grabbing a pair of jeans and a navy soft V-neck t-shirt off the shelves. He slowly exhaled, frustrated that he had been asleep for over thirteen hours.

"But, seriously, Conner seems alright," Brody defended. "I mean, at least it's good he's looking after her."

"Where was he when Kristin beat Bradley up in front of their parents the other night?" Mark slid his bare feet into his dark gray Vans.

"I don't think he was home," Brody safeguarded.

Mark grabbed his keys and cell phone from his dresser. "Crap, my phone's dead." He ripped the phone charger from the wall and shoved it in his pocket and started for the bedroom door.

"Not that way," Phil pointed to the window. Mark looked at him confused. "Your grandma is here." Mark nodded and climbed through the open first floor window.

Mark rounded the corner of the house and smiled when he saw his black Grand Cherokee parked next to Brody's matching Jeep. His friends had thought of everything in his absence.

"Hold up," Phil said, grabbing Mark's wrist. "She was pretty wrecked when you disappeared today."

Mark held his breath and jammed his hands awkwardly in his front pockets. If it was this difficult to explain to his friends what happened to him earlier, how was he going to convince Bradley he wasn't trying to leave her? "I panicked," he finally admitted.

"No shit," Brody exclaimed. "I panicked last night."

Phil looked at his friend. "You cried."

"Shut-up!"

"I'm not judging!" exclaimed Phil throwing his hands in the air. "Last night was hands down the worst night of any of our lives!" They nodded in agreement. "Did Bradley's mom say something to you?"

Mark nodded and then shook his head. "I freaked because I got caught sleeping in her hospital bed. But, more than that, it was like everything suddenly felt so intense and I couldn't breathe, I just literally couldn't breathe. And, I ran. I jumped in a cab, drank a gallon of water and showered and I meant to come right back but I just needed five minutes and I must have just crashed hard. And, I know she has to feel super betrayed. And, super angry. Like unforgivable anger. But, I can't stay away from her for one more minute. I need her to understand."