By Chance

Chapter Twenty Four : By Chance

Summer's POV

It's been an entire week since Brady kissed me, and we haven't spoken a single meaningful word since. Hell, I only see him for a couple minutes a day. He wakes up and leaves before I'm up and gets home as late as he can, falling asleep upstairs or on the couch downstairs. The only thing we've said to each other has been "The food is ready" and "Thank you".

The huge bruises that cover his neck and left cheek make my stomach hurt each time I see them. He hasn't told me what or who they were from, but I'm sure my assumptions are correct. I'm not dumb.

I'm sure Lance got to him, and that's why he came speeding home as fast as he did, a nervous wreck telling me how glad he was that I was safe. The fight was about me, but I have no idea what was said or what happened. All I know is that we kissed, and it was breathtakingly fantastic, and now we don't talk.

When Brady left after we kissed, he was gone for hours. As it got later and later, I made myself stay up and wait for him. I tried to call him a couple times, praying that he would answer. He never did, so I stopped trying.

By the time he was home a couple minutes past midnight, he walked in-sober, fortunately—and saw me sitting at the table waiting for him. Then he went right by me. He has continued to do the exact same thing throughout the entire week. He just walks right by.

I don't know what I did wrong. I don't get why he won't talk to me. I'm sick of being ignored over something I don't even understand. It's not fair to me, and he knows this.

I glance at the clock to see it's nearing seven. Brady usually got home around five, but he's been purposefully staying longer. He should be back soon. Then we're talking because I don't deserve this. After Lance, I've began to know my worth, and Brady's not treating me the way I deserve. I just want an explanation.

The sound of the garage door opening catches my attention, and I stand up to walk towards the door. Brady isn't escaping this conversation we're about to have. I've planned it out in my head for the past few hours. Over and over again.

I hear footsteps walking up the stairs, then the jingle of the doorknob opening, soon revealing the bruised boy who is trying to break my heart. He looks down as he walks in, but once he realizes I'm right in front of him, he slowly looks up. His gorgeous blue eyes meet mine, and I suddenly forget everything I wanted to say.

"Hi," is all I muster out.

As if my word pulls him out of a trance, he goes back to the passive Brady he's been all week. Without even replying, he walks right by me and goes downstairs. I wish I could say that I was surprised.

Not today, Brady.

We're having a conversation. I follow him, barging into his bedroom that I've been sleeping in, finding him in the middle of untying his tie.

"You just walked right past me. Again," I start the conversation.

"I know. I meant to."

When I don't respond but also don't leave, he continues: "What the fuck do you want Summer? To talk?" His voice is laced with annoyance.

"Don't you think that I deserve that?"

"What is there to talk about?" He turns towards me, his voice picking up in volume.

"Are you joking?" I laugh. I actually laugh.

He rolls his eyes and turns away from me, fully undoing his tie. "Just go away."

"I've left you alone for seven days."

"That's not nearly enough," he says under his breath, his words coming out cold.