by Beth Michele
Fran stands up and pulls me into her arms, enveloping me in one of her bear hugs. Tears start to trickle down my cheeks. “Let me know if you need anything at all, okay, sweetie?”
Kyle hugs me and gives me another kiss on the cheek. “Keep us posted, okay?”
“I will. Thanks, Kyle.”
Fran takes my hand and kisses it. “You need me, I’m here. It’s as simple as that. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
We embrace each other one last time, and then they’re gone. As I think about Fran, I’m reminded of how important she is to me. She’s my family. The real family that loves and accepts unconditionally. She does that for me. Now I have someone else who does that for me, too. I just need the chance to tell him.
***
It’s been three days and no change. The doctors come in and speak with Matt and I about Brad’s prognosis. “While he’s been unconscious for a while, he hasn’t gotten any worse, and that’s actually a good sign. And he’s still breathing on his own, which is great.” When they say the word coma, though, I tune them out. He’s not slipping away from me. I won’t let him. Not this time.
Matt hasn’t left his side. His clothes are wrinkled, his face is sagging, and his eyes are lifeless, but all I see is the love he has for his brother. Matt comes over to sit next to me and holds my hand. “Brad’s told me so much about you, Gabby. I feel like I already know you.” I just nod my head. “He’s been in love with you for a long time.” God, I’m such an idiot.
I brought a book with me today; I thought I could read some of the passages to Brad. I’m still not sure if he can hear me, but hold out hope that, somewhere deep down, my voice is reaching him. As I read the words, I’m silently praying he wakes up just like you see in the movies. After six chapters, he hasn’t, and my brain clunks me over the head and reminds me that this is real life.
Brad has had several visitors over the past couple of days. Most of them I recognize from The Brew House. I didn’t realize what a close knit group they all are, and how much they care about him. It warms my heart.
As the days trickle by, I’m starting to lose hope that I may ever look into Brad’s eyes again. The eyes that love me. I have to stop myself, though. He just has to come back to me. Taking his hand, I keep it pressed to the slow, steady beat of my heart. Maybe he can feel my love. I hope so. I love you, Brad.
I’m so tired and I’ve cried so much. My face is tear-stained and blotchy and my eyes only allow in tiny slivers of light. As I stare at the same grey spot on the dingy hospital wall, the one I’ve been staring at for the past three days, I’m reminded of our kiss, and so desperately want us to go back to the kissing spot so we can do a lot more kissing. There are so many things I want to do with Brad. So much I want to say. Now I just pray I have a chance to do that.
A voice interrupts my thoughts. “Gabby.”
I know that voice.
Looking over at Matt, I can see he heard it, too, as he immediately spins his head to the sound. We both move in closer and see Brad’s eyes flicker. Oh my God. Another flicker. Then I see weary brown eyes and I hear singing, but there’s no music. It must be my heart.
I stare into those loving eyes. I’ve never been so happy in my life. He starts to speak, but I quiet him. I don’t want him to speak. I just want him to listen. “I love you, I love you, I love you,” I say as I gently stroke the side of his cheek with my fingers. It comes out in the softest whisper, but I know he hears me. I see a single tear slide down his cheek. I lean forward and kiss it away.
Matt grabs his hand. “Hey, bro. You have no idea how glad I am to see you.”
Brad squeezes his hand. “Hey, man,” he barely whispers.
Matt runs out to get the doctors. I don’t want Brad to talk yet, but he seems desperate. “I was trying to get to you,” he says in a hoarse voice. “I tried to fight back, but I couldn’t. Before I blacked out…the last thing I saw was you.”
I’m crying again and I can’t stop. “Shhhhh…babe, we can talk later. You need to rest now.”
Two doctors walk in with Matt following close behind. One of the doctors addresses us. “We’d like you both to step out for a few minutes so we can examine him and take him down for a scan.”
I lean down and lightly kiss Brad’s hand. “We’ll be right outside, babe.”
“Okay, baby.”
I melt at his words. He’s alive and he’s going to be okay. My whole world smiles.
Matt and I stand in the hallway in shock for a few minutes after they wheel Brad away. He finally pulls me into a hug and completely breaks down. It’s his turn to cry and I hold him, stroking his hair, thinking how scared he must’ve been, must still be. Eventually, he pulls away to get us some celebratory coffee while we wait.
I call and update Fran, who’s on her way, and keep checking my watch as we wait with our nasty hospital coffee for Brad to come back. It seems to take forever. How long can a scan take? Another half hour goes by and we finally see him being rolled down the hall. I stand up and hold his hand, walking with him as the nurses wheel him back into the room.
I kiss his cheek gently. “I’ll be right back, babe, I want to talk to the doctors.”
I walk back outside and join Matt.
“The scan was clear. There’s no more bleeding and all of his vitals look good. We’re going to move him up to a regular room in the morning. We just want to monitor him here overnight. He’ll probably be in the hospital for a few more days, just to be on the safe side.” Relief washes over me. He’s really going to be okay.
Matt lets out a huge sigh of relief. I hug him and feel relieved not only for myself, but for him as well. “He’s okay,” I whisper in his ear.
Matt goes to make some calls. I don’t actually think he has to call anyone, but just wants to give Brad and I some time alone. He’s so thoughtful.
Walking back in to the hospital room, Brad cracks a smile. “Come here, baby.”
Tears I’ve been holding in slide down from my eyes. I sit as close to Brad as possible, my head resting on his shoulder, and I feel him stroking my hair. I missed him so much. “I was so scared,” I whisper. “I thought I’d lost you.”
Ever so quietly, he says, “I’m not going anywhere. We superheroes are invincible.”
I smile and I’m surprised I remember what it feels like. It’s the first real one I’ve had in over a week. Brad’s eyes begin to close. He looks so drained. We both fall asleep until I feel someone nudge me on the shoulder. It’s Matt and he’s smiling for the first time, too.
“He’s really going to be okay, Gabby.”
***
Brad’s hospital room is an improvement from the Intensive Care Unit he was in until a few days ago. The nurse came in and removed all of his tubes and monitors, with the exception of the IV, so he’s much more comfortable. He’s still sleeping, so I take a moment to watch him. He looks so peaceful. Those long lashes fanning his face, that crinkle in his forehead, those soft lips. God, I love him. Leaning forward, I lay my face on his chest so I can feel his warmth again.
I must’ve fallen asleep, because when my eyes open, I feel Brad’s fingers strumming my cheek. I sigh, relishing the feel of his hand, and look up. He looks so much better today. The bruises are finally fading and he looks more like himself. I’ve never been so happy to see him.
His eyes meet mine and I chuckle. “To think you were worried about me walking around the city by myself. Looks like you needed your own guardian angel.”
Brad looks at me with such emotion I feel like my heart’s going to burst. “I already have my guardian angel.” He drops a kiss on my nose.
Matt pokes his head in to see if Brad’s awake and joins us. He’s heading back to Los Angeles today. I’m kind of sorry to see him go. It’s been nice to have him here. “So listen, Bro, you better do exactly what the doctors tell you to do; no messing around.”
“I will, man.” Brad looks teary-eyed. It’s hard to say goodbye to your family. Especially if you actual
ly like them.
Matt gives Brad the biggest hug. I’m so glad they have each other. Then he walks around the bed and pulls me into one.
Brad scowls. “Hey, watch it! You’ve stolen enough of my girlfriends.”
We both laugh, but not before Matt says quietly in my ear. “Take care of him, okay?”
With Matt gone, and the nurses no longer hovering, we’re finally alone. My lips reach up and smother Brad’s face with kisses. Mid-kiss, he stops me. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea, baby.”
My face contorts in my favorite eight-year-old-pout. “Why not? I feel rejected.”
Brad points down at the bed with his index finger. “Let’s just put it this way. This is a very thin hospital sheet, and I wouldn’t want to give the nurses an eyeful.”
I laugh. “Hmmm…true. But how about I lock the door, and you can give me an eyeful right now?”
He laughs. A rich, full laugh that I’ve missed and that reminds me why I love him. “Don’t tempt me, baby.”
Just then, Fran barges through the door. “Hey, lovebirds! I’ve come with an offering of coffee and...” she pauses and eyes Brad’s crotch. “Whoa. If I’d known you’d be this happy to see me, I would’ve come sooner.”
I throw an empty dishpan at her.
“Oh, and by the way Brad, your brother is freaking hot!” She ducks as my shoe flies past her.
***
Brad’s coming home from the hospital today. After five days of crappy hospital food and a really uncomfortable bed, he’s definitely ready. If we had trees in Manhattan, I’d say he’d be home just in time to see the fall foliage. The nurses are going to miss him, I’ve heard them giggling about him from time to time. It makes me laugh. He’s certainly not an eyesore around here.
When I walk into his room, he’s got a smile so big it makes my heart happy. He motions me over to the bed and I sit down by his side.
He takes my hand in his as he leans forward and reaches me with his lips. “Hi, baby.”
I look up at his lovely face and I’m suddenly filled with guilt. “I’m so sorry.”
“For what?”
“It’s…my fault that you got hurt.”
Brad raises my face up to look at him. “Gabby, listen to me. It’s not your fault. Do you hear me? It’s not your fault.”
“But…”
Brad takes me in his arms and cradles me against his chest, stroking my hair with his fingers. “No, baby. It’s not your fault. It happened. It’s over and I’m fine. That’s all that matters.”
I swipe at my wayward tears. Brad lifts my face to his and grazes his thumb over my bottom lip. “Gabby, you didn’t hurt me, your love is what saved me.”
***
It’s been a month since Brad left the hospital. He’s fully recovered and back at The Brew House. Digging through my purse, I find the note that Brad made me promise not to read until I got to work.
Dear Gabby,
I can’t wait to see you tonight, and show you with my body what I feel with my heart.
I love you.
Brad
I take a deep breath, running my fingers over the words I love you. I’m eternally grateful that I got another chance. It’s a miracle to get two chances at love, especially love like this.
I’m so excited about our date tonight that it’s hard to get through the day, especially after that note. I can’t wait to see him. The accident is behind us now and we can finally move forward. Together.
It’s really windy tonight, so I take a taxi to Brad’s apartment. I don’t want my hair plastered to my face when I get there. When the door to his apartment opens, I’m immediately warmed by the smooth trill of Jeff Buckley’s voice playing softly in the background. I can’t help but smile. It reminds me of our first dance.
I barely have a chance to get in the door when Brad grabs me. “Baby, dance with me.”
As if I could ever refuse him anything. “Sure.”
Brad pulls me to him, so close that I can feel his sweet breath massage my neck, the scent of him pulling me into a dizzying whirl. His fingers slowly brush my cheek as the warmth in his eyes wraps around my heart. He guides my hands to the back of his neck, the smooth strands of his dark hair tickling my fingertips. This moment here with Brad is like a dream, one I don’t want to wake from. But as his lips find mine, I know I’m not dreaming. He folds his arms around my waist and slips his warm tongue into my mouth, gliding over my teeth and sucking gently. The thin fabric of his polo shirt presses against my tender breasts, inciting tiny sprinkles of electricity and sparking my desire, a desire that only needs the nearness of him to be ignited.
Untangling his wet lips from mine, his tongue brushes the delicate shell of my ear as he makes his way to the curve of my neck. I let my head fall back and the feel of his heavy breath on my skin causes my heart to pound rapidly. A soft moan slips out. “Brad.”
The oven timer alerts us that something is ready in the oven. He whispers a curse then pauses for a moment and looks up into my eyes. “Hungry?” he breathes.
There’s only one thing I want right now, and food is definitely not it. “Not so much,” I whisper.
He leaves me, but only for a moment, to walk over to the oven. When he returns, he threads his fingers through mine and leads me down the hallway to his bedroom. Before we step inside, I’m rewarded with his soft, warm lips. “Wait here, baby.”
My anticipation builds and I’m suddenly grateful that I took Fran’s advice and wore my brand new Victoria’s Secret lacy black bra and matching underwear. I want to be sexy for him. In fact, I’ve never wanted anything more.
He sashays out of the bedroom, my little cornball, dreamy brown eyes alive with mischief, and motions for me to come in. When I enter, what I see takes my breath away. Candles alight the room. A trail of red rose petals lead to the bed, a single red rose on one of the pillows. Tears sting the back of my eyes at his thoughtfulness. It’s so romantic and perfect, just like him.
He walks over to me and I sweep the hair off his brow, my eyes taking in his beautiful face, looking up at him in wonder. “I can’t believe you did all this for me. Are you for real?”
He looks at me, a teasing smile playing on his lips. “Baby, I’m about to show you just how real I am.” He grabs my hips, pulling me snugly against him, his erection pressing into my groin. His lips brush softly against mine. “Does that feel real to you? Cause that’s what you do to me. You and only you.”
I wrap my fingers around the curve of his neck, drawing him in. His mouth inches closer to mine while his hands wander lazily down my skin, which is now burning for his touch. As his fingers begin to ease the bunched silk of my blouse up, our mouths find one another. His tongue traces the curve of my bottom lip, capturing it, sucking me into his mouth. I open my tender lips and he presses me more tightly against his toned body.
I pull my blouse over my head and feel the ridges of his defined chest press against the thin lace of my bra, unruly breaths leaking out as he pulls me hard against him. I can feel every inch of his arousal. Small moans escape my lips and I hear him gasp as he whispers, “I love you, Gabby.” The air leaves his mouth and bounces off my skin, continuing to taunt me, my nipples tightening deliciously. Slowly, he moves behind me and lifts the silky hair away from my bare shoulder, spreading soft, tender kisses across each delicate blade. His lips make their way to the clasp of my bra, unhooking it, and I arch back against him as he squeezes my full breasts and rolls his fingers over my nipples, which harden against his touch. He glides his hands down to unzip my skirt and it slides down my legs, leaving me covered only by the thin lace of my panties. Before I know it, I’m facing him, trying to control my now uncontrollable breaths.
Brad is staring at me, admiring me, loving me. “God, you’re so beautiful.”
I move closer to him and gently tug at his polo shirt so I can lift it over his head. His chest is smooth and muscular and I move my fingernails slowly across it, a sexy groan leaving his hot mo
uth. Bending down on my knees, I pull off his jeans, noticing he’s practically bursting out of his boxers.
He moves his mouth over mine tenderly before he slides his tongue inside and grabs me with his desire. Without ever leaving my lips, he walks with me until the back of my knees are touching his bed, then lowers me down gently. Never taking his eyes off mine, he eases my lace panties down my legs and I’m exposed, but not embarrassed. I want him to see me. All of me. Standing back up, Brad rids himself of the last bit of fabric covering his manhood. For the first time, I take my eyes off of his and glance down at his arousal, stirring the pot of desire deep in my belly. God, he’s so beautiful; inside and out.
He crawls onto the bed, pushing me back onto the pillows, and lifts himself over me as his tongue skims over my body setting me on fire. His wet lips surround my nipple, sucking gently as his fingers tease my other nipple and tiny whimpers fall from my lips. His tongue dives back into my mouth, our bodies pressed together like two intricate pieces of a puzzle. The feel of his heated skin against mine, coupled with his familiar scent and his warm, rapid breaths makes me ache for him. “I want to taste you,” he whispers. His words make me swollen and wet. He rolls his tongue down the dips of my neck. Trailing featherlight kisses from my breasts to my belly button, he moves lower and my hips arch into his warm mouth as I let out a strangled moan. His tongue flicks back and forth over my dampness, causing my eyelids to flutter closed and my head to fall back against the pillow. When he comes back up, his lips are glistening with my desire, his eyes filled with heat. Raising himself over me, he takes in the length of my body before returning to my face. “I love you, Gabby. Pull me inside you.” His voice is hoarse and full of emotion and I grab his erection and lead him into the deepest part of me.
I’m completely surrounded by his heat, by the feelings that seep through his veins. It’s like an infusion; he fills me with his love, and I’m lost.