“Oh shit, Momma's home.” I huff, running my one well hand through my hair. “Who told her I was here?”
Dumb and dumber look at each other a shrug. It’s a damn god job that Tornado didn’t hit cause if I was left battling for survival with these two, me and Cinders would be fucked.
The curtain rips open and there’s my Mom and… oh shit she’s crying. I’m a sucker for tears. Why’d she have to put the tears on?
“Brady?” She whimpers, looking at me with mascara covered eyes and a blotchy face. Her hairs all over the place. I’d feel sorry for her but I got a pink cast on and I’m in pain. I ain’t got enough sympathy in me for anyone else. “Oh honey I was so worried. Are you ok? Oh that’s a silly question, of course you aren’t. I came back as soon as we were able to fly.”
“Um, we’ll-”
“Leave you two to it.” Noah finishes for Tuck and pulls him along.
I give them the panic eyes, you know, the universal sign for “Fucking help me”. Dick one and two ignore me and swagger out though. That’s loyalty for ya.
“Mom, I’m fine.” I grind out, clenching my fist.
“Oh don’t be pigheaded. Look at you, you have that… is that a pink cast?”
“Apparently I like pink.” I shrug. “I’m setting a trend. Where’s Bob?” Please say a tornado got him. Please say a tornado got him.
“He’s in the waiting room with everyone else. He’s very worried.”
“I’m sure he is.” I roll my eyes because let’s face it, it’s not likely.
“Brady.” I can hear the warning in her voice. “Bob does care. I know he doesn’t always act-”
“Mom, please.”
I rub my forehead. I think I’m getting a stress migraine from this. How can the woman be so damn naïve? I mean she’s been on this earth for a good couple of years now. How can she spend every day with that bastard she’s married to and not realize he’s screwing Sandra slutface? Hell, I saw it pretty much straight away and I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed.
“He does care Brady. He does love you just as much as I do. He’s just old fashioned with the way he shows it. You’re a son to him, whether you get along or not and-”
“He’s having an affair Mom.” I keep my eyes firmly shut as I say every word. I thought it would feel good telling her the guy she’s put first all my life has fucked her over. It’s doesn’t not though.
She’s silent. There’s no sobbing or screaming. My eyes may be closed but I think she’s still here and hasn’t gone running into the waiting room to bash Bobs skull in. I open my eyes slowly expecting something to be different. She’s just staring at me though.
“Did I ever tell you the story of how I met your father?”
“Mom, I just told you Bob is having an affair.”
“With Sandra?” I nod my head to the question. Me and my big fucking mouth. “Let me tell you something about your father.”
“I don’t wanna hear it.” I shake my head from side to side. Why is she doing this?
“As you know, we never used to be rich.”
I roll my eyes. What is this? A trip down memory lane? I just broke my hand in three places and bruised my shoulder. I’m cold, I’m tired and I want nothing more than to grab my dark haired beauty and head to a hotel. It’s not like I can go home since it’s pretty unlivable right now.
“Christ, I don’t wanna hear this. I just told you your husband who you adore is screwing some slut and you wanna take a trip down memory lane?”
“Please let me finish. Then you can talk for however long you’d like. You can scream at me and even Bob if you want to but please let me tell you this.”
“Ok.” I say quietly. I figure she’s having some kind of psychotic break so I might as well let her get this out. Maybe once she’s unloaded she’ll be ready to divorce that bastard and take every penny out of his bank account to spend on Chanel purses and a nice shiny new apartment for her son who she needs to make it up to.
“Do you believe in soulmates?”
“Um , I don’t know, I guess.” I shrug.
“You believe that Cindy is your soulmate?”
“Yes.” I answer., not even thinking about it. Not even having to think about it. There’s not a single doubt in my mind that Cindy’s my one and only.
“Your Dad was mine.” I sit forward on hearing this. “He was so handsome and he looked just like you. He was funny, he was lively, he was loyal and protective. He wasn’t a drunk lying in the gutter trying to fight everybody. He was an alcoholic but he wasn’t the kind you’d expect.” She takes a deep breath and a tear leaks out of her eye. “He’d drink every night. A couple of beers to watch the game or a few shots at a bar. He’d work all day and he worked hard to give us a good life. I never even noticed until just before you were born. He wasn’t violent or angry in drink. He’d laugh so much and he’d just tell jokes and entertain. Then I started to notice that he couldn’t do without it. He’d get the shakes and he’d break out in cold sweats. I was young, I didn’t think of him as an alcoholic. I knew he had a problem but I didn’t… I don’t know what I thought.”
“Why are you telling me this?” I frown.
“When your Dad died, I was at work. He’d work all day and then I’d start my shift at the diner a couple of hours after he got home. He used to love having quality time with you. I can’t even count how many nights I came home to you wide awake and being piggy backed round the house. One night I came home and you were asleep in your crib and when I walked into the bedroom… well you know the rest. He was gone.” More tears fall and she swipes them away. I may not know what point she’s trying to make but I’m not a robot. I feel what she’s saying. I feel it and it hurts like hell. That pain in my chest from the one thing missing is always gonna be there. Why is she fucking torturing me with this though?
“Things were hard for a while. I couldn’t afford the house or enough food. Then one day, a guy walked into the diner. I had no idea who he was but he had this sharp suit on. The first night he offered to take me for a drink I told him no. I had a baby at home I needed to get back to and I was still so desperately in love with your Dad. The next night he came back and he offered to take me to dinner, I told him the same thing. He came back every night for two months before I agreed to go on a date with him. Within six months we were married, he adopted you and for the first time in so long I didn’t feel like I was dying from the pain. I still couldn’t give him all of me though because he wasn’t my soulmate. My soulmate died in his sleep while I was at work. Bob is a good man. He knows all this and he takes care of us anyway. He loves me anyway. Bob is not the problem Brady, I am. I was so grateful that he took care of us, that he took the pain away, that I neglected you. I showed my love with material things rather than what you really needed, time. I am so so sorry baby boy. I will never be able to tell you how sorry I am. When I found out about the storm and that you were hurt.” She shakes her head and sobs into her hand. “I thought the pain when your Dad died was the worst but It was nothing compared to the thought of losing you.”
“Mom, don’t cry.” I pat her head and swallow my own tears. “It’s ok just please don’t cry.”
“Bob is not having an affair Brady. He came to me to say Sandra was being inappropriate. She was widowed a year ago and I felt bad. I didn’t want her to lose her job so I convinced him that as long as she didn’t try anything then she could stay. He fired her a couple of days ago. Just after you actually. He never encouraged her and I know you probably think I’m in denial and I'd agree with you but I’m not a silly woman. If I didn’t know for sure, I’d hang his ass out to dry. Did you ever see Bob act inappropriately?”
That’s the stickler ain’t it. I haven’t ever seen Bob do anything, just that hoe. Still doesn’t make it right. If this was me and Cindy, I’d have ignored her ass and fired the homewrecker. That’s on him and my Mom though. They’re fools for not doing that shit. Fuck! I’ve spent the past few months being a complete dick
for nothing.
“I’m sorry.” I shrug.
“Honey it’s ok, it’s all gonna be ok. I’m just glad it’s all out. Most of all I’m glad you’re ok.”
“Just my hand.” I wave it in the air, scowling at the picture of Hello fucking Kitty. I hate that bitch.
“I’m gonna go and see the nurse, see when you can leave, ok?” After I give her a nod, she brushes a strand of hair from my forehead and turns around with a sigh and a smile. “Oh and Brady.” She turns back. “I agree with you about Cindy being your soulmate. That girl has been worried sick out there. Her mother thought they’d have to sedate her. She’s a good one. Don’t let her go baby. Hold onto her with everything you have, do everything you need to because one day she may not be there and the pain is indescribable. Look after her.”
I don’t speak as she walks out the room mainly because I’m about ten seconds away from turning to mush and sobbing into my pillow. That is so not a manly look. Knowing my luck Noah’s probably lurking around with a video camera ready to stick my ass all over YouTube again.
“Shit, I need to do something manly.” I mumble to myself. There’s way too much oestrogen in this room right now since I’ve apparently turned into an emotional woman.
“Brady.” I jump up at the sound of the sweet voice. I can’t stop the smile spreading across my face.
Cindy’s hair looks as if it got in a personal fight with the tornado. It’s sticking up in the places there aren’t any knots. No way am I gonna stay in the room later when she’s brushing it. There’ll be tears I just know it.
Lines of mascara run down her face and line under her eyes. She’s wearing some old sweatpants that are about two sizes too big and are rolled up at the bottom s . I’m pretty worried since she got them from the lost and found closet at Franklin High, who it was that at one point was walking round with no pants on. Anyway, as I was saying. She looks a mess. She looks like she got dragged through a hedge backwards. Her eyes are shining though. Her cheeks are pink. Her smile is wide and relieved. Despite the state she’s in she’s never looked more beautiful.
I knew it when I was three feet high that this was the girl I was gonna marry, when I was just a little dude dressed like Spiderman and she was a girl that wanted to be a princess. I knew it when I took her on that first date and watched her slurp her milkshake, blushing the entire fucking time. I’ve known it every day of my life that Cindy Martin was my one. I fucked up a couple of times along the way but I never stopped knowing or believing that she was my forever.
And shit I have officially turned into a chick. I’m gonna be growing a pussy and a pair of tits at this rate.
Oh who am I kidding? With my woman looking like that I couldn’t give two flying fucks.
“How you feeling?” She asks, biting on that luscious bottom lip.
“I’m good. Are you ok? You hurt at all?”
“I’m great, I’m just happy you’re ok. Your hand looked really bad. Does it hurt?”
“Nah not really. The doc gave me some meds though.”
“I like your cast.” She giggles and bows her head.
“Yeah Tucker and Noah are idiots. Bright side is it’s gonna really piss Blondie off having this in her wedding photos.” Looks like this is a day for silver linings.
“Maybe not. Tree fell down in Elm Street, went right through the roof of the church. The place where they were gonna have the reception is pretty beaten up to. I don’t think they’re gonna be getting married this week.”
“Shit is Liv ok?”
They’ve spent months planning this shindig. She was turning crazy with it at one point until Mrs. P took over. Not to mention it must have cost a bomb.
“She took it surprisingly well. Mrs. Preston on the other hand not so much. There were tears, a lot of tears and a lot of screaming. Liv’s Dad took her home. She should be ok though.”
“That’s good. Hey at least she can do what she wants now. I don’t think the wedding was really her thing.”
“Yeah, I think that’s why she took it so well”
We both stay silent after that. Cinders looks everywhere and anywhere around the sterile room. The sneakers she has on her feet squeak on the linoleum floor. It’s fucking painful how awkward it is.
“What about us?” I ask, breaking the silence. Her head pops up and I can see her take a breath.
“We need to talk. A lot.” Again, her lip gets caught in between her teeth. “But I think we’re gonna be ok. Everything you said in that bathroom, it’s what I’ve been wanting to hear for years. And sure I guess some people would think it’s too little too late, but I’m not ready to give up on us yet. Things are going to be different though. We’re both different people to how we were before. I don’t know, I guess what I’m trying to say is that it hurt to be without you Brady. Most days I felt like I couldn’t get out of bed, I couldn’t eat. I just wanted you. But I survived so I know I can live without you. It would hurt like hell but I could do it.”
“Say what you really feel.” I chuckle nervously.
“I’m sorry, this is coming out completely wrong. I can live without you Brady. It probably wouldn’t be a full life and I'd be a mess but I could. I don’t want to though. I don’t want to move on. I don’t want closure. I don’t want to ever get over you because you’re my other half too.”
My heart rises with every word and I swallow the bile that I was about two seconds away from throwing up. She still wants me. She still loves me.
“Come here.” I beckon her over and stand up from the rock hard hospital bed.
She takes three slow wide steps towards me and as soon as I can reach her I take hold of the hand at her side and yank her. Her chest hit’s mine and my shoulder pulls.
“Fuck that hurt.” I wheeze.
“I’m sorry are you ok?”
“Yeah, I’m good. Now kiss me woman, I’m injured.”
I plaster that panty melting smile the women love on my face and don’t miss the way her eyes dash from my lips to my eyes. Looks like someone wants to play hard to get. I tip her chin up and slowly take her perfectly pink pouty lips. She tastes like coffee and one hundred percent Cindy. Best taste in the world.
“I love you.” She says against my lips and for a minute I’m expecting someone to run in and interrupt. Hell, it happened last time.
“I love you too, my little dark haired beauty and I’m never gonna stop showing you.”
Epilogue
6 weeks later
Brady
“You ready?” Cindy asks, looking at me with the sweetest smile on her face.
“This is damn crazy. I’m not doing this.” I shake my head and step back. Nuh uh, no fucking way. I don’t know what possessed me to think this was a good idea. Oh yeah I do, it was Cinders and her hippy shit about closure and talking it out. Bullshit.
“Oh no you don’t.” She pulls on my arm and I pretend that she’s not weak as fuck and let her lead me back. “We made a deal. You and…” She waves at the grey stone in front of us. “Are gonna talk.”
“It’s weird though.” I groan. “He can’t even answer me back. I’m just gonna be a fucking weirdo talking to a rock.”
“Just try it. Now, I'll be over there to give you two some privacy, ok?”
I nod my head and she stands on her tiptoes in the black sneakers she’s got on to give me a kiss on the cheek. That’s it? That’s all I get? Before I can grab her and get me some sugar, she skips away, her ass wiggling in those tight as fuck jeans she’s got on. Damn, I am a lucky man even if she is a little tease.
I slowly drag my eyes away from Cindy’s mouthwatering butt and back to the square grey stone in front of me. I take a deep breath to steel myself for the craziness that is about to happen and crouch down, stretching my hand out and running my fingers over the gold letters engraved into it.
Darren Myles
Born March 15th 1977
Died November 8th 1999
Leaving behind a devoted wife and beau
tiful son who will cherish his memory until the end of time.
“Sorry about the surname thing. That was Mom's idea to have Bob adopt me but just so you know, I woulda way preferred Myles.” I say, just to get it on the table. It’s a sore subject between me and my Mom, but apparently it’s something my Dad wanted if my Mom ever remarried so I guess it’s ok. To be honest, a lot of things are ok between me and my Mom now.
The past 6 weeks have given us a chance to talk our shit out. There’s a long way to go but I don’t see her as a bitch anymore. Well, not as much anyway. Even Bob doesn’t seem like as that much of a dick as he usually is but that might be because I’m not constantly calling him a bastard and I actually talk to him once in a while.
“I guess it’s been a while, huh? I’m sorry about that too. Shit’s been busy and I didn’t really know what to say.” I sit my butt down on the ground, the dry yellow grass hard and lumpy under me. I figure this might be a long conversation though so might as well get comfortable. “So Noah, you don’t know him… though I guess you could since you're up there, all seeing and shit now. He’s getting married today. Got himself a feisty little blonde that gives me no end of fucking grief. He’s got his hands full with that one. She’s perfect for him though. I don’t think I’ve ever seen two people so fucking in love. It makes me sick most of the time but . I guess that’s how me and my Cinders are too though .”
I smile at the thought of my dark haired beauty, standing over the other side of the cemetery wiping a cloth over a stranger’s headstone before moving onto the next one. That’s my woman though, caring and sweet even to people she’s never even met.
“Ah Cinders, you’d love her. She looks like a damn angel, acts like one too. I’m not gonna lie, I fucked up with her badly but she forgave my dumb ass. I don’t know what I’m gonna do when she heads back to LA.” That thought sombers me. I pull out the light blue box from the pocket of my grey sweatpants and open it up, staring at it for a few seconds before turning it around. “Check this out. I’ve been carting it around for the last two weeks. Nice huh? Cost me an arm and a leg and it’ll probably take me a hundred years to pay this shit off, but totally worth it. I’m gonna finally make her officially mine. Got it all planned out for tonight. She ain’t leaving this town without this two 2 carat beauty on her finger. No fucker will try shit with her then.” I’m a genius. I know so. “So I just wanted to check in, make sure you know that I haven’t forgot about you. I know I’m a dick for not coming often but it’s kinda awkward I guess. I mean, I don’t even know if you can hear me. Noah does this with his Dad though, says it feels like he’s actually talking to him. I know my Mom comes up here. She said she puts flowers down once a week. I ain’t got no flowers since I figure reckon we’re men and don’t need to do th at is shit. When I told her that, she said you woulda said the same thing.” I laugh at the thought of how alike I am to someone I can’t even remember. “I guess what I really came up here to say was that even though we don’t have the same surname no more and you didn’t really get to see me growing up, you’re still my Dad. I just figured that when a guy is about to propose it’s you they come to talk shit out with.” I nod my head and shove the box back into my pocket before Cindy looks over and sees it. “I’ll be back soon. I won’t leave it so long next time though. I bet it gets kinda lonely up here for you.”
Forever Together (Forever Love #2) Page 28