Hero {Brendan Gallagher}

6 - Heartbeats

I woke up, still laying on top of Brendan. Our legs were still tangled up together, and I wondered how in the hell we stayed in the exact same position we fell asleep in.

I put my head back down on his bare chest and traced my fingers along his collarbone. His breathing was slow and steady, and as I watched his chest rise and fall, his mouth slightly hanging open, I found myself realizing I was in deep trouble.

My heart swelled as I reached up to run my fingers through his hair. I had feelings for this stupid idiot. I knew this would happen. Right from the very start, a little voice had been bitching at me.

'You're going to catch feelings. You're going to catch feelings.'

And there I was, laying on top of him, touching his hair with the butterflies in my stomach raging.

"Morning, short stuff," Brendan suddenly said, his eyes slowly fluttering open. His voice was raspy and low, sending more butterflies ripping through me.

"Short stuff?" I questioned, raising my eyebrow at him. He gave a small laugh and we both got out of bed, mindlessly getting dressed.

"You know, there's another game tonight," he commented as we walked out the door to go get my car that had gotten left behind last night. "You should come. Bring your roommate if you want."

"I can't go home with you if Sarah comes," I teased, nudging him with my shoulder. 

"Or, I could come home with you," he shot back with a wink. He knew how my roommate was, and he knew that she would kill me if she found out. "She's a huge fan, right?"

I slowly nodded.

"Bring her down to lobby after the game. I'll meet her. Then, I'll follow you two home and sneak through the fire escape."

I was a little bit shocked that he remembered the fire escape that I had once told him was right outside my bedroom window.

"What are we? Horny teenagers?"

"Pretty much," he replied with a shrug. We both laughed as Brendan opens the door to get into the parking garage. "Plus, I always like adding some suspense," he said sarcastically. I rolled my eyes at him as I climbed into the passenger seat of his car.

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Sarah had insisted we went out for some dinner before the game, so there we sat at a small cafe a few blocks down from the arena. I decided to text Brendan while she was away in the restroom.

Stella D.
Okay hold up. Short stuff? Really?

He replied almost immediately.

Brendan G.
You're killin' me, Smalls ;)

Stella D.
Shut up

Brendan G.
You shut up!

Stella D.
Make me.

Sarah arrived back to the table just before the waiter came with our food. I thanked him before glancing down to see Brendan's name lighting up my phone. I grabbed it before Sarah could see.

Brendan G.
I will, but you might moan a little.

I could feel my cheeks heat up as I reread his text.

"Who are you texting that's got you all blushy?" Sarah teasingly asked. I shook my head and set my phone down.

"No one," I replied quickly before digging into my salad. She gave me a funny look but didn't push the subject, which I was thankful for.