An Open Heart: Other Realm, Frost Family Series Book 4

Key 5

Bri stood frozen on the street. She'd just gotten out of her car, ready to enter the dojo and check up on her girls. But standing not more than ten feet away was Andre. He was leaning against the wall of the dojo, on the left side of the front entrance, like he was waiting for something...

Like a nightmare, she felt the world starting to darken and cave in around her. Squeezing her left hand into a fist at her side, she forced herself to stop. I will not faint. I will not faint. She repeated the words in her head, trying to focus on them until some of the darkness licking at the edges of her consciousness began to dissipate. Sucking in a shallow breath, she started to turn right around and take off. She couldn't do this...She'd been on the run, avoiding this confrontation for eight years now. Nothing had changed though, she still desperately wanted to see his face. Even now...

"Bri, don't try to run...Please. I desperately need to talk to you..." Andre's voice reached out and swiftly cut through what little control Bri had left. Sucking in another shaky breath, she shook her head. Stumbling back, she started to take off. She didn't know where to and she didn't care. As long as she was as far away as possible. As long as he couldn't find her ever again...

"Bri, I've known where you've been for the past two weeks. And I knew where you ran to when you left, all those years ago. I'll know where you run to now. And I will find you," Andre promised quietly. "Like I said, I need to talk to you. It's very...Please, we just need to talk, alright?" he sighed. "I promise, I'm not here for anything more than a talk. It's something we should have done for a long time now, but I was just as scared and uncertain as you. I was just as hurt and upset, okay?" he pressed gently.

Swallowing, Bri came up short, midway through her turn to run. Closing her eyes, her mind warred with her heart for several seconds. But eventually, her mind was the victor. Andre was right. They did need to talk. It was something they should have done years ago, but she'd taken the choice away. She'd turned coward...And yet even now, she wanted to do the very same thing all over again. So badly did she want to run.

"If that's what you really want, fine. Go. But like I said, I will find you again. Don't you think eight years is long enough?"

Closing her eyes again, she fought down the urge to run. Instead, her movements skittish and uncertain, she slowly moved closer to him. "A-alright," she whispered. "Where would you like to have this talk?"

"Follow me," he turned and flagged down a taxi. He held open the door for her to slide in. Her body tense and distrustful, she did so, moving to the far passenger side. Getting in after her, he gave the driver the address of where he wanted to go. Bri noticed it was a hotel, but she tried to keep her nerves down to a manageable level. Instead she pulled her phone out and glanced at it. According to her phone, it was already eight at night. She also had a text message from Willow.

Prophecy was being a little brat and insisted that she go with Aiden back to his home. She said that it was important for her to meet someone called Luke. Apparently a cousin of Aiden's or something? And Dad supposedly has a date tonight! When was he going to tell me he was seeing someone?

: O

Anyway, it's looking like I'll have the house to myself tonight. I just thought I'd ask if you wanted to come over and have a drink or something. Maybe go out on the town? ; )

Bri read the text, but barely any of it registered in her brain. All she could really focus on was her close proximity to Andre. So she quickly typed out a response. Uh, no. Sorry, girl. Something's come up suddenly. Next time maybe? The taxi ride was silent and tense. Neither of them seemed to have any words to say. They were both too caught up in their own thoughts.