Shattered

Chapter 24 Mark

"Love, it's unexplainable...and this person that you share the unexplainable connection with is the only one that you can be with, it's the only one you want to be with." Anonymous

Mark rolled across the empty bed and grabbed his head, cursing himself for drinking. He had a slight headache. He hadn't been drunk the night before, but he was sure when he kicked off his shoes after coming inside after three that he hadn't been entirely sober, either. The son of a drunk had let loose and let alcohol take him to a level he wasn't used to.

After Bradley's anxiety overtook her on the dock last night, she pleaded with him to know the reason he left the bonfire. The conversation at the bonfire about bullies made his blood boil just thinking about Kristin. If he had the strength to defend people he didn't know against a school bully, a girl after all, why didn't he have the strength to stand up against Kristin, for the woman he loved? Bradley begged him to understand that protecting her family was her choice and Mark had nothing to blame himself for. He couldn't help it, he felt complicit.

So, he drank some beer, took another shot and held Bradley on his lap while he reminisced with his best friends. It was the first time in years that Mark felt no responsibility whatsoever. Bradley was safe next to him all night. He didn't have to worry about putting his mom to bed after a drunken bender. Or stress about whether his father came home or not. His mind didn't wander about his grandmother fighting for custody of him. He had completely cut loose and felt absolutely amazing.

Mark grabbed his iPhone from the nightstand and blinked his eyes at the time. It was almost noon. He immediately shot up and leapt to the bathroom to relieve himself. A minute later, his mouth was foaming with toothpaste as he quickly brushed his cottonmouth away. Mark replaced his mesh shorts with his aqua Billabong board shorts, slid on his brown Reef flip flops and walked out of the bedroom towards the kitchen.

He suddenly stopped in awe at the sight of Bradley, slowly dancing at the counter making sandwiches. Mark licked his bottom lip as she sashayed back and forth, her sarong covering her bikini bottom. He couldn't break his gaze from her backside, hips and waist, wanting to memorize every inch of her. Startled, she spun around and dropped the butter knife to the wooden floor.

Pulling her earbuds out, she sighed, "You scared me," she declared, holding her hand over her heart. Mark swallowed at the sight of her in a magenta triangle top, tan and perfect. "What?" she questioned.

He pursed his lips before grabbing her waist and pulling her to his lips. The need to taste her, to be with her was urgent and needy. After a minute, he stepped back and took a deep breath. "Good morning," he whispered before kissing her cheek. He inhaled her scent, smelling of coconut and sunshine. "I didn't get to put your sunscreen on you," he pouted.

"I'm sure I'll need your help reapplying," Bradley giggled, handing him a giant bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos and a bowl of red grapes.

Mark leaned his shoulder against the black refrigerator. "How long have you been up?"

Bradley put the leftover turkey and colby jack cheese in the plastic deli bag. "A little bit."

"Why didn't you wake me?" Mark questioned.

Bradley shrugged her shoulders. "You looked so peaceful, I didn't want to wake you when Cassie woke up to go out."

Mark shifted uncomfortably. "Are you upset with me?"

"No," she shook her head, "Of course not. Why would you..."

"I was drinking," Mark closed his eyes. "And, I just pretty much passed out when we came inside last night."