Lovebeam

Chapter 10

Mom basically forced me to talk to her for an hour. She's only now let me downstairs, and I'm afraid to talk to Brody.

I'm afraid to fight with him. I'm afraid to lose him, because in this short amount of time that we've been a couple, I've grown attached.

But I'm most importantly afraid to talk to him after he confessed his love.

I'm shaking as I go downstairs, and instead of looking at him, I go right into the kitchen.

But he's not stupid. He knows when something wrong.

I'm along in the kitchen, freaking out. My anxiety is going nuts.

I feel his fingertips brush against the top of my hand. He takes my hand in his.

I don't look at him.

"We need to talk." He says.

I finally look at him.

I'm about to start crying.

Immediately, I drop my head.

He pulls me into a room separate from everyone.

He shuts the doors. We're in the dining room.

"I don't care about the traditions anymore." He says. "I was being a prick. I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry, too." I whisper.

"I don't want you to think that because you know how I feel that you have to say it back, or feel afraid being around me." He says. "You're shaking, Button."

"I'm scared I'm gonna lose you." I mumble.

"I'm right here." He presses my hand over his head and tilts my chin up so my eyes meet his. "You're stuck with me."

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New Years came and went. Maddie is my roommate and we're all back in Florida.

I haven't seen Brody because I had a checkup and a stupid breast exam that Mom insisted I get to make sure I don't have cancer, and then the next day I had an appointment with my shrink and a meeting at work.

Today is the first real day back at work and Madison is starting today, too. I got her a spot on my floor.

I wear a skintight pencil skirt and a soft pink blouse. My boobs look great. My hair is curled.

Madison wears a dress, following me into the office.

I'm exhausted.

We're late. It's 10:34.

We were supposed to be here and hour and thirty four minutes ago.

I can't bring myself to care.

That's until we get to the floor and I find my boss sitting in a chair in the middle of the floor.

Fuck.

He looks at me when we walk in.

Brody gives me the I couldn't warn you! Look.

I get Madison situated.

"Miss Riley, can I take a moment of your time?"

I nod. He wheels himself to my office and goes behind my desk.

He gestures for me to shut the door.

Immediately, he starts in on me, starting with how I'm late, then how I lied about my sexuality when I told him I was gay, and then how I can't be giving homeless people free things.