The One Who Left

Chapter 19

Brooke's POV

"Yes."

The moment the word left my mouth time stopped. I should have pretended not to hear.

While it may seem simple to anyone else, we both knew it was far from simple.

And I was scared.

•••

"Michael," I pointed my fork at Brady's little brother, "Don't be rude."

Michael looked down at the table embarrassed. After a moment he looked up and turned to face the waiter, "I'm sorry for being rude and making fun of your shoes."

"It's alright sweetie. Thank you for apologizing. Your sister is amazing, you should thank her for raising you right." The waitress whose name tag read Brittney smiled at me and walked away.

"Brooke," Brady turned to me rolling his eyes, "Why are you a better sibling to my sibling than I am?"

"She's just better," Michael smiled his front teeth missing, "I want Brooke to be my real sister."

"Aww Mikey," I reached across the table and ruffled his hair, "Don't tell Brady but you're my favorite Smith boy."

"DID YOU HEAR THAT?" Michael immediately turned to Brady, "I AM BROOKE'S FAVORITE."

"I did hear that," Brady narrowed his eyes but I could see the corners of his mouth barely resisting becoming a smile, "I'll get her back."

•••

"Brady..." My voice was barely a whisper.

"You don't need to say anything," Brady cut me off.

"I do," my breath was short.

"Okay," Brady breath was against my neck as he leaned in to hear exactly what I said.

"I never wanted to lose you," I closed my eyes as my heart sped up. Knowing I was so close to finally telling the truth scared me more than anything.

"I never wanted to leave you," Brady thought this was still about the incident.

"No what I mean is," I took a deep breath before whispering in a voice barely audible, "I never wanted to lose you by admitting what I truly felt about you. I was always scared to confess how much I... how much I..." I couldn't say the next words. But I didn't need to.

"I love you," Suddenly Brady's hands where grabbing my hands and squeezing them as if he were afraid to let go.

I felt as though time had stopped.

Hearing those words. I had wanted to hear these words for so long, it seemed surreal.

I didnt know what I was doing but as if moving by impulse I sat up pulling Brady with me. Next thing I knew I was grabbing his face and then we were kissing.

It wasn't fireworks or mind blowing. But it was electric. It was natural. It was every missed chance, every desperate hope, and it was all of our history.

Every emotion I had ever known while I knew Brady seemed to flow between us and surround the air. Past memories swirled in my eyes and Brady's voice and smell surrounded me.

There was no space between us besides our clothes and even his heat seemed burn through me with as much emotion.

And then the memories faded and then I could feel his lips on mine.

The heat created from this moment joined the other memories with a new emotion I could only describe as completeness. Every shattered piece Brady had created melded together more beautifulness and resistance than before.

I tore my mouth away for just a moment to murmur the words I had yearned to say.

"I love you too."

•••

I mean it was only 1.5 months not 2 years this time between updates....

Do I suck? Yes. Did I want to keep you waiting this long? No. Seriously I'm so sorry everyone, seeing the nice comments and support has meant to much to me and truly helped me get through my stress from my life outside of Wattpad.

I've been going through a lot and have been so busy with health and school which is why I haven't been updating.

BUT I promise I will start updating. I am so happy and grateful to have gotten this far and this many reads (28.8K LIKE OMG THANK YOU SM EVERYONE).

Love you sm and I promise to post a new chapter asap.

xoxo,
izzy