Brothers

Chapter 10

Christians POV

"I knew he wasn't going to be easy to persuade."

"He'll come around. Just give him time Christian."

I put my head in my hands and lean up against the table.

"Did we want to order anything?" The waitress comes over and approaches slowly.

"We should be ready in a few minutes sorry." Ana smiles at the waitress. The waitress gives a smile and walks back over to the counter.

"I invited Tessa to my art show next weekend. So hopefully they come. It'll give you two a chance to talk again hopefully." Anastasia says.

"Because that went so well last time." I laugh.

"Just give him time. I'm sure he'll come around." She pushes me.

I sit up in my spot and grab my menu. I'm pretty sure if we don't make a decision on what to eat soon this waitress is going to kick us out.

—

Hardin's POV

"Piss off, you're no brother of mine."

The words replay over and over in my head. How can he come here and apologize after thirteen years? For what? Because his wife told him to? Because it would make him feel better about himself? Help him sleep at night? What about me?

I sit alone in the dark room, a glass of whiskey in my hand. I take a sip, wincing as it burns my throat.

"Hardin?" Tessas groggy voice breaks the silence.

"Do you believe him?"

"Believe who baby?" She asks cautiously.

"That fuck. My brother. If you could even call him that. Pretty sad excuse for a brother if you ask me." I scoff, taking another sip of the dark liquid.

"Baby I think you've had enough. Let's get you into bed." Tessa reaches for the glass but I jerk it away from her.

"I'm not done yet." I say to her.

"Hardin please I know you're hurting but"

"I'm not hurt. I'm angry. There's a difference baby. You don't understand. You don't understand what it's like to have all these images in your head replaying over and over again."

I grab at my hair pulling it.

"I know baby."

"He left. Everyone always leaves me. My dad, my brother, I'm sure you'll leave me too. One day."

"Baby I would never leave you."

"Maybe I should leave. Maybe I should just end it all, no one would miss me." I stare at the glass in my hand before taking another sip.

"Baby please don't say that. I would miss you, your mom would miss you, Smith would miss you so much. A lot of people would miss you." Tessa says cupping my check in her hand.

I choke back the tears.

"Every time I close my eyes, It's like I'm re living that day. Days actually, but they blend together. I was just a kid. I just —"

"I know baby." Tessa says slowly taking the glass out of my hands. I don't fight her.

She sets the glass down on the table and wraps her arms around me. I wrap my arms around her and hold on tight. All my pain seems to dissipate and my body relaxes.

"Let's get to bed, alright. Come on." She takes my hand and leads me to the bedroom.

I take off my shirt next and bring it over to Tessa. She likes wearing my shirts, and I like when she wears my shirts.

She smiles at me, taking the shirt from my hand.

I grab her hips and bring her closer to by body, our lips inches away from one another's. I press my lips up against hers. The sweet taste of cherry chapstick accents the taste of liquor still on my breath.

I move her over to the bed and we lie down, lips still pressed together.

I unzip my pants and take them off. I throw them on the ground next to me. I move towards Tessas jeans and unzip them. I slide them off her body and toss it to the side next to the other pair of jeans I tossed to the ground before.

Tessa grabs my length and begins stroking it. I caress her breasts, kissing her neck.

"I love you Tessa. I fucking love you so much." I whisper in her ear.

"I love you hardin.

I'm trying to stick with the same feel as after and fifty shades were. I know part of Hessa is sex and I want to incorporate that as much as possible, while still remaining genuine to my story. I clearly am nor Anna Todd or E.L James. They are amazing writers who made me feel so much reading the books. I hope you guys are enjoying the story so far and please if you can give me feedback 💕