Deer in the Headlights

Bonus Chapter 1: Nerves

Authors note: This and the next few chapters was intended to be all clumped into one big part but I haven't updated in weeks and this is all I've got so far so I thought I'd share it. 

[Brielle's POV]

The dull roar of slick black tyres on nippy morning asphalt was the only sound that added to the quiet soothing music of the stereo system playing out in the car I was sat in. Somehow I felt I recognised the music, though every time I felt the melody unlocking a part of my memory, the feeling vanished and the words left the tip of my tongue dry and empty.

I gave another sigh, one of many innumerable ones I’d given since this morning. My emotions were really straining me right now, not even the lazy drive around town in a gorgeously classic Mercedes decked to the tail end with ribbons, was doing anything to calm the nerves that were setting into my body like iced daggers, leaving me without means of escape.

“You’ll be fine Bri.”

I nodded vacantly as dads voice just about registered in my panicked mind. Whatever he said was lost on me, but the tone of his voice somehow stirred my thoughts enough to bring my gaze up to his where he was sat, just across from me on the same polished leather seats, watching me with a massive grin on his face. His eyes I immediately noticed were bright and most definitely twinkling with happiness, the ocean blues of which were so full of fatherly love that I dared loosening a shaky smile.

Albeit only for a few seconds.

Seeing my evident unease, dad reached across and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze, keeping my eyes on his for just that bit longer before I felt the car arcing smoothly to the right where my gaze was inevitably torn away.

I looked forward, out of the windscreen of the car, immediately recognising the familiar layout of the main street through Owatonna. I gulped down my nerves in haste as I pictured in my minds eyes just how close we were to our destination. The very thought made my body bristle with pinprick shivers.

If I was being mercilessly honest, I was terrified.

Probably the only reason I had slept through my nerves last night was because of how relaxed Breanne, Laura and Hannah had made me feel at the sleepover we’d had at Breanne’s place. I could tell they were stupidly happy about today; of the nonsensical girl talk we’d shared it was beyond obvious that the three were more than eager to see what today had in store. In fairness I was lucky to have their backing.

Because of course today was the day I was getting married.

The day I would become Mrs Brielle Young.

I risked a smirk as that thought sent all kinds of alarm bells ringing in my head, it sounded so strange to say that in my mind let alone to know that this was actually reality.

I knew the deal breaker in my mind which had sealed the crippling nerves was the moment Adam had visited last night to say his goodbyes before he left for his stag do that evening.

After the initial jesting the girls had taken out of him, Adam had led me aside into the kitchen away from the others to immediately wrap me in a shaky hug. Through his actions I could feel him just as nervous as I was, but at the same time, as he pulled away and looked me in the eye, I could see the same pure happiness and ecstasy glittering wildly in his mesmerising chocolate brown eyes; he was so in love.

And he told me.

Leaning down to pepper my neck with warm kisses he made his way to my ear which he playfully bit and kissed before adopting a more serious way to his movements.

“I love you so much Bri.” He had whispered, throaty and deep, his voice full of emotion.

I remember trembling against him and returning his words with as many graceful motions and expressive sensations that he had given to me.

However as soon as his great comforting presence was upon me, he had to leave; of course he had his own frivolous night with friends to attend to just as I did.

For a few long moments we simply stood close to one another, holding each other tight without so much as a word. It was like we didn’t need them, in his eyes I could see the dreamlike tint to the dark brown, I knew he was trying to preserve this moment forever just as I was too. To simply capture the atmosphere, the feelings and emotions; because this was a turning point and we both knew it. As soon as he left through that door things would change so much.

The thought honestly unnerved me a little more than I cared to admit.

But I had little time to linger upon the discomfort in my mind as Adam gently pulled me in closer to his towering frame and at the same time, kissed me with movements softer than I could believe, personifying every sensation and wiping out all doubt in my mind. Through the warmth I was feeling flooding my body from his tender lips I knew we were both ready for this. Being with him felt so right.

After that kiss and the following fragile goodbye, I knew I’d be ok.

Beneath my feet I could feel the brake pads softly clamping down on the wheels, slowing down the dazzling silver Mercedes to a dignified roll before it stopped entirely a few seconds later.

This was it.