In This Life (Sequel to 'In Another Life')

35

Sorry for...cussing your brother out." He shrugged, with a smile. "He probably deserved it for some reason. Not for Sarah though. He talks about her all the time. He genuinely likes her." I smiled, and nodded, happy that Jake was telling me this. I hadn't gotten to know Brennen that well, so I didn't know what kind of guy he was. "See ya," I said, then walked towards my own table. Sarah had stood up by then, and Brennen had his arms around her so tightly, that I thought he would never let go. She had her head buried in his chest, her eyes closed, and a smile on her face. "When did you get here? What are you doing here?" Brennen asked, pulling back a little, but keeping his arms around her. "We moved here. All four of us. We have a house about thirty minutes from here." "Really?!" He asked excitedly. "That's amazing! Why didn't you tell me when I talked to you last?" Sarah blushed a little. "Because I wanted it to be a surprise." He pressed his lips to hers for one burning moment, then leaned back with a smile. "Best surprise I've ever gotten. I'm so happy that you're here. I'm sorry that I didn't recognize you when we first walked in. I just thought you were a fan, and I wasn't really paying attention." "That's how you treat your fans," Denise asked, raising her eyebrows. She always was one to call someone out on their bullshit. Sarah was too, but not with Brennen. The girl had it bad bad for that man. Brennen's forehead creased as he looked at her. "Of course not. But, sometimes I just wanna eat or go to the store without being stopped, ya know? I waved, and smiled. I shouldn't have to be able to walk up to the fans. If they want anything else, I've even said in videos that they can come up to me." Denise just looked at him for a moment, before nodding. "Okay, just checking," she replied, grinning at him. "Same old Denise, huh?" he said, grinning wryly. She shrugged. "Yep, why mess with perfection." I rolled my eyes and took my seat next to her. "T! T, snap out of it!" I shook my head, and came back to present day reality. "What the hell were you thinking about?" Denise asked, shaking her head at me. "Sorry," I replied, sheepishly. "I was thinking about our first day here. How we went to Tender Greens, and just so happened to run into Brennen...and now here we are." I swept my arm out, motioning towards Sarah and Brennen, who were both now sitting on the edge of the pool, feet dangling in the water. "Best day of my life," Sarah replied, looking at Brennen fondly. "Okay, let's get this party started! Look who I found outside!" I whipped my head around, when I heard Colby's voice. He was holding the door open for all of the people piling through it. First came Sam and Kat, then Jake and Tara, then Corey and Devyn. More people came through and I marveled at who all was at my home. Faces I had only seen on social media or YouTube. Griffin, Xepher, Reggie, Cassie, Tavan, Chaz, Elton, Aryia, Kevin, and....Elias! I sucked in a breath, at the same time I heard Denise yelp. I didn't even pay attention to who walked in behind him. I stood up, ready to hug everyone that I knew and be introduced to the ones that I hadn't yet met. As I did, I noticed that the pain wasn't there. It was actually gone. Colby was walking slowly, speaking with someone behind Elias. When he looked up and met my eyes, one of those big, beautiful smiles spread across his face. "Hey girl, you look like you're getting along so much better!" Kat exclaimed, pulling me in for a hug. "I feel better," I admitted, smiling at her. They didn't need to know that the majority of that was because of a damn pill. I hugged Tara, and Devyn then, before being introduced to the rest. More hugs were passed out among the friend group between me and all of my friends. Finally, Colby pushed his way through the crowd to me, and looked down at me with a smile on his gorgeous face. I was still in amazement that he wanted me. It didn't make sense. He wrapped one arm around my waist, and pulled me against his body, before leaning down and pressing his lips to mine for a kiss so heated, I lost my breath. "Hey baby girl, how are you feeling?" he asked, when he finally pulled away from me. "Damn Colby, that got me hot," a voice said, making the crowd laugh and my cheeks flame up. I followed Colby's stare to the person who said it, and found Elias watching us. "This the girl you been telling me about?" Elias asked him, smiling at me. Not gonna lie, I got nervous as hell. I loved Colby with everything in me, but honestly, Pretty Heartbreak had always had a special place in my heart. "yes brother, this is her. I did good, right?" Colby answered him, pulling me against him again. "That you did," Eli answered, nodding at me with a smile. The rest of the introductions went around, everyone passing hugs out like they were candy at Halloween. "Oh hey, I met your friend Amber out front too," Colby said to me, after Tavan had released me from a hug. "Really?" I asked, raising my eyebrows. "Where is she?" I looked around, standing on my tip toes so that I could try to see over all of the people who were surrounding us. "Dunno. I lost her when I walked over to you. She's around here somewhere though," he answered. Just then, I noticed her walking out of our home. "Amber!" I yelled, motioning her towards us. She smiled, and jogged up to us. "Hey, sorry. I had to use the bathroom." "That's cool," I answered, pulling her to me. "Everyone, this is Amber.