Not My Brute (Angels of War Series #2)

Chapter Thirty-one

I want you here with me.

The words shine back at me in the darkness of the night and it takes everything I have not pick up the phone and call him. Ever since stepping on the plane Bret has made it known that he misses me. I didn't spend too long explaining my reasons for leaving but I made sure that he knew it wasn't his fault.

I need this trip away for me.

I want to find my path again and the journey I want to lead.

Of course, he automatically assumed it was all on him, and I didn't expect anything less considering his brain always focuses on the negative. But, to my surprise, he wanted me to go away. My happiness is all that matters to him and I'll admit it makes me feel pretty damn special.

Are you awake?

Strangely, a second text comes in a few minutes later.

I type back. Yes.

The bubbles pop on screen right away. Tell me about your day.

I can't help but smile as I text back. Nothing too strenuous today. I think we got the worst of it off the beach yesterday. We counted seventy-eight big bags full of plastic. I cried.

Seventy bags?! Fuck me.

It's heartbreaking. The tiny bits mixed in with the sand are the most difficult to pick up but the most vital. The sea life swallow them thinking it's food.

The bubble appears and disappears for a minute before a message comes through.

I love you, Ana.

My eyes lock on the screen, staring well after it fades to darkness. The change in conversation throwing me into a state of shock. He loves me? And, he's choosing to tell me now? Over text.

You still there? he sends.

I press my fingers onto the screen at a punishing pace. I'm still here.

I mean it. I do love you.

It feels like you're saying it now because you don't dare say it in person. I respond.

Suddenly my phone is alive with a call.

"Bret?"

"Sweetheart," he responds and for some bizarre reason, I burst into tears at the sound of his voice. He sounds choked up too. "I love you. I love you so much it hurts."

My breath stutters out in an erratic pattern. "You can't say this to me when I'm thousands of miles away."

A pained growl sounds down the line. "Please don't cry. I'm sorry for dropping this on you right now but I've been dying to let you know how I feel for weeks."

It's been eight weeks since we last spoke in the flesh.

"I'm not ready for love," I whisper back.

Silence.

"Diana-"

I butt in. "I'm sick and tired of men hurting me. You're no different to the others. I tried so hard to help you and you weren't even grateful. And then you tell me that you love me by phone? Like that will make our problems disappear? It doesn't feel real. You're lonely and it's jading your judgement."

"No," he roars. "That's not true at all."

"You were awful to me, Bret. And don't you even try to deny it."

The tears are still coursing down my cheeks but I don't move to wipe them away.

"I thought we worked past it," he responds and I'm shocked when there's no anger in his tone. Nothing but disappointment.

"Part of me moving away from Cleethorpes was to sort my head out. I mentioned that to you but it seems that you forgot about it."

Bret lets out a sigh. "My intentions are real. I only see you in my future. And not having you here is making those feelings stronger. I won't go anywhere. You're my endgame. Do you remember the conversation we once had about you worrying that you'd never find a husband or be a mum?"

I nod. "Yes."

There's a short silence. "I want all of that with you."

"You want more children?"

Bret hums, "Yes, I want a few."

It surprises me because I always assumed he was happy with Oscar, but then that isn't fair of me because I never asked him.

Communication is key.

"Boys or girls?"

"I don't care as long as they're healthy. I know the pain of finding out your kid is poorly and there's nothing they can do," he responds.

"I can't imagine the agony."

"It's soul-destroying," he whispers, "but, you get through it."

I can feel myself getting carried away with the dreams of my own children and know we need to hang up.

"I have to go."

Bret sighs once more. "I'll be here waiting. I'm not going anywhere."

And there's a steal in his voice that warns me that he's telling the truth.

...

I know it's a short one, but the next chapter will be here in a few days!

Love you lots ❤️❤️