Alive (Mended Hearts #1)

by Beth Maria

  So it’s nice to witness my mom enjoying herself for the first time in I don’t know how long. She adores Maisie and views her as her daughter after only a few short weeks. I’ve already had the third degree, not to mess it up, to make sure that I treat her properly, and not to hurt her. She threatened to chop my balls off if she ever finds out that I’ve ruined the best thing to ever happen to me. The thing is, I’d probably do it to myself before she could. I realize how special Maisie is. I’m just thankful that my mom sees it too and treats her as part of the family.

  After lunch, I clean up while they put a movie on. It’s routine; Mom cooks, and I clean up.

  Now, we are all sitting on the sofa, Maisie’s cuddled under the crook of my arm, and we’re watching ‘Dirty Dancing’. Not my choice of film, but hey, my ladies are happy. That’s all that matters. Plus, I’m not going to lie; I have a bit of a man crush on Patrick Swayze in this movie. That guy is talented.

  Looking down at Maisie, just to get a peak of her perfect face, I see a slight smile playing on her lips. She’s so engrossed in the movie that she doesn’t notice me staring at her. She really is adorable. I don’t want to embarrass her, so I leave her be, taking little peaks throughout.

  ****

  “Jesse, Brandon’s here,” my mom shouts upstairs.

  Fuck. I completely forgot that he was coming over. I’ve been so wrapped up in Maisie being home, that I forgot about everything else.

  Maisie looks at my face and laughs.

  “You forgot he was coming, didn’t you?”

  “Yes. Fucking hell. Now I’m going to have to get drunk,” I reply, shaking my head.

  “Why on earth would you have to get drunk? Just have a few,” she replies, confused.

  “You obviously don’t know Brandon. You can’t just have a few with him. You have to get completely obliterated. I apologize in advance for what I do. I can’t be held accountable for my drunken actions.” I cringe at the thought of what I could possibly do. I’ll most probably end up pissing her off.

  Giving me a stern expression, she replies, “Leave it to me.” She gets up from the bed and walks to my bedroom door, giving me a wink before strutting down the hallway, her luscious hips swaying with every step. Damn it. She’s made me get a boner just from watching her. I’m going to have to wait a few minutes. Otherwise, I’m going to jump her bones, and I don’t care who sees.

  Think of dead puppies. Yup, that works.

  “Hey, bro,” I say to Brandon when I’m finally downstairs.

  Giving our usual fist bump, he replies, “I didn’t think you were ever going to come down. I’ve started without you.” He holds up his half empty bottle of beer. He doesn’t waste any time does he.

  “Sorry, had something to sort out. Pass me a beer then. I’ve got some catching up to do.” he passes me a beer, and I gulp down half the bottle in one go. Man, this is some good shit.

  “We’ll be in the living room if you need us,” my mom says, taking Maisie with her. I can see the worried expression on Maisie’s face. She’s never seen me really drink before, so she doesn’t know what I’m like. She’s only got her experience of her ex. I’m not like him, and besides, there are no girls here, and I don’t swing for the same sex.

  Taking a seat at the table, Brandon fiddles with the paper on his bottle as I take the seat across from him. He only ever does that when he has something to tell me.

  “Just spit it out, whatever it is that you have to tell me,” I tell him when he makes no move to speak.

  “When you left last night, Tiffany rang me up,” he says, looking at me and trying to gauge my reaction. He isn’t going to get one. I don’t give two fucks about her.

  “And you’re telling me this because…?” I trail off, wondering where he’s going with this. I never told him what Tiffany did to Maisie. He probably thinks we are all okay. I’m going to try to keep it that way if I can. Maisie doesn’t need any drama.

  “I’m telling you this because she was completely out of it, Jesse. I mean, she’s always liked to drink, but I’ve never seen her this bad.” Worry lines his face. I don’t know why he’s worried. He hasn’t ever been able to stand her.

  “Well, did you sort her out then?” I ask.

  “Yeah, I did, but why the fuck is she calling me for? That’s usually your job.” I shrug my shoulders in reply. I really don’t want to hear any more of this conversation. Just thinking about her makes my blood boil. “What do you mean?” he asks, mimicking my shoulder shrug.

  “It means, I don’t know why she didn’t call me, and to be honest, I’m glad she didn’t. I’ve had enough of her shit to last me a lifetime. If I never hear from her again it will be too soon. Now, did you come over to bitch about Tiffany or to relax and have a drink?” I ask, hoping he takes the hint and changes the subject.

  Luckily, he gets it and doesn’t mention anymore on the topic.

  “You heard anymore from you know who?” Brandon whispers so that no one over hears.

  Rolling my eyes, because his topics of conversation tonight are killing me, I answer, “No. I told him I was done, and so far, he’s not been back in contact. It’s only a matter of time, though.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to get someone to get rid of him for you? You know that I know people, Jesse,” he says seriously. He reminds me of this every time shit goes down with my dad. As much as I hate him, I don’t want to see the fucker dead. I just wish he would disappear from our lives.

  Laughing at him, I say, “Thanks for the offer, but my answer is still the same.” I take a gulp of my beer to wash down the anger tingling my body at the thought of him. Two conversations about people that piss me off so far, what’s next?

  “I’m still going to keep asking you. One day you might change your mind,” He wishes. Brandon hates my dad just about as much as I do. He’s witnessed firsthand what my dad is capable of, which is why he’s always had my back and is my brother.

  For the next hour, we only talk about funny topics, mostly about the latest chick he’s banging. He’s as much of a whore as I was. Now that I am a taken man, I am going to live vicariously through his life. I don’t need to sleep with a different girl every night. Maisie is more than enough for me, but it’s funny to hear his stories.

  Five bottles of beer down, Maisie comes into the kitchen to join us.

  “Hey, baby,” I say, pulling her down into my lap. I’ve missed her for the last hour, even if she was in the room next door.

  “Hi,” she replies, smiling her adorable smile that lights up her whole face. I need to kiss her. It’s been too long.

  Gently guiding her head toward mine, I place my lips over her soft, sweet ones, savoring the feel of them.

  Gagging noises pull me out of my sexual induced haze. Brandon is sitting there pretending to be sick from the sight of us. I lean over the table and punch him in the arm for being an ass. Maisie just laughs at him.

  “Hey, fucker, knock it off,” I warn him, trying to keep a straight face. All I want to do is laugh at him for being such a dick.

  “Man, I don’t want to see that shit. Please save it for the bedroom,” he replies, waving his hand in the air.

  “No such luck, man. Her lips are the best thing, and I will take advantage of them,” I say, giving Maisie a wink, earning a blush from her.

  “I’ll be the judge of that. Maisie, give me your lips, babe,” Brandon says, puckering his lips ready for a kiss.

  No. Fucking. Way. Over my dead body, is he getting to infect my girlfriend’s lips.

  “You wish, Brandon,” Maisie pipes up, laughing at him.

  Putting his hand over his heart and gasping, he says, “You wound me, woman. Am I not good enough for you?”

  That makes her laugh harder. I laugh too. He really is a joker.

  “Jesse is more than enough for me,” she says, leaning down to give me a kiss. Perfect answer.

  I give Brandon a smug smile. He just smiles back at me, not at all phased that he got
rejected.

  I only have another two beers over the next hour. After last night, I don’t want to drink too much. I don’t need a repeat of how I felt this morning. Plus, I have Maisie, and needs my attention. I can’t give her that if I’m completely drunk.

  We’ve spent the last hour joking around, Maisie included. She’s not really met Brandon until tonight, which is surprising seeing as we’ve been together nearly two months. They’ve gotten along really well tonight, though, which I’m glad about. Brandon was jealous of her when we first started dating, but now, I think he realizes why I love her.

  “Well, I better be off. I’ll leave you two love birds to go have some sexy time,” Brandon says, laughing and scraping his chair along the floor.

  He’s drunk. It’s not surprising, though, seeing as he drank the rest of my half as well as his own.

  “How are you getting home, bro?” I ask. He better not say he’s driving.

  “I’ve got my car. How the fuck did you think I was going to get home?” he asks, raising his eyebrows at me like I just asked the most ridiculous question.

  “You’re not driving home in this state. I’ll take you home, and don’t bother arguing with me. I’ve hardly had anything to drink.” I get the keys off the counter. “I’ll be back in twenty. Go get into bed. I’ll be there shortly,” I tell Maisie, kissing her forehead.

  “Okay. Be safe, though.” She says goodbye to Brandon before walking upstairs.

  “Come on then. Let’s get you home, so I can get back to my girl,” I say, walking out to my mom’s car.

  The first few minutes of the journey are silent. I’m starting to think he’s fallen asleep when he suddenly says, “You’ve got a keeper there, Jesse. Don’t mess it up.”

  “I know I do. She’s the best thing to ever happen to me. I’m trying not to mess it up,” I reply honestly. If anyone knows how shit scared I am about commitment, it’s him.

  “You won’t mess it up. Just remember, you’re not your dad. And every time that you think you’re going to fuck it up, think of her face and never being able to see it again. It will kill you more than you know. Trust me.”

  Brandon never talks about feelings. Ever. Especially not his own. Which is why I’m confused right now. Is Brandon saying that he knows what it feels like to lose someone you love? He can’t, though… He would have told me if that was the case. Wouldn’t he?

  “Brandon…” I say, not really knowing how to put it.

  “Yeah, I’ve lost the only person I’ve ever loved before. You wouldn’t think it, but I know what love feels like.” Shit. He sounds all depressed right now.

  “Why don’t I know anything about this?” I ask, looking over at him staring out the window.

  “No one knows. It’s not something I go round broadcasting.” He’s silent for a few seconds. “You remember when I went to stay with my cousins in Texas last year for a few months?”

  “Yeah,”

  “Well she was my cousin, Katie’s, best friend. I saw her the second I arrived. She was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. Bright red hair. The greenest eyes. She didn’t look twice at me, though. We all went out one evening, and we started talking. I mean, really talking, none of this shit that I do with the girls down here to get them into bed. I got to really know her. We started spending some time on our own through the months while I was there. I fell fucking hard for her, man. We didn’t sleep together until the second month. You know that’s not like me. I usually sleep with the girl on the first day. I can remember everything about that night even now. Anyway, just before I’m about to leave to come back here, I go to her house to say goodbye and ask if I can see her again. I was willing to keep going down there to see her. When I got to her house, I saw her in the front yard kissing some other guy. So me being me, I went to confront her. Turns out, he was her boyfriend. I mean, I thought we had something, you know? Anyway, since then, I’ve sworn off girls. But you, you have a keeper.”

  Wow… What do I even say to that? We’ve never been the best with talking about our feelings, but I have to say something, right?

  “Don’t sweat it, bro. I didn’t tell you all of that for you to feel sorry for me. Forget I ever told you that, okay? You know I don’t do all that mushy shit.” He laughs, but I can tell it’s forced.

  “Are you going to be okay?” I ask, worried for him. No wonder he’s been sleeping around so much more since last year. He’s trying to take his mind off the one who got away.

  “Don’t worry about me. I’m still breathing, aren’t I? Plus, there are plenty more fish in the sea, and I’m not ready to settle down yet. I’m a lone wolf, my friend. Now, fuck off and go and make love to your girl.” Brandon gets out of the car, slamming the door shut before I can form a response.

  He’s really shocked me tonight. That doesn’t happen often with him. He’s usually very black and white. I can’t just forget it like he wants me to. He’s obviously not handling it as well as he thinks he is. I won’t bring it up again just yet. I’ll give him time to heal, and then I’ll bring it up, and I will question him about it, because now that I know what’s happened, I can tell he is spiraling out of control.

  ****

  When I arrive home, Maisie is fast asleep in one of my shirts. She looks too peaceful to wake up, so I carefully get into bed and pull her into my body, resting my chin on her head. Her scent instantly washes away my worries. I’m home now, where I belong, wrapped up with my beautiful girlfriend.

  Chapter 16

  Maisie

  I’ve been back at college for a week now, and I still haven’t sorted things out with Chloe. I’m scared shitless, if I’m being honest. I was going to talk to her after Thanksgiving, but one day turned into another, then another. A week later, I’ve still not spoken to, let alone seen her. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s moved someone else into the dorms. I know that she would need my permission for that, but Chloe does what she wants. Plus, she’s made tons of friends since we’ve started, whereas I’ve made none.

  I’ve spent every night since I got back at Jesse’s. His mom says she doesn’t mind, but I just feel guilty because I’m living there free of charge. I’m not helping to pay for any of the food that I’m eating or the essentials.

  Jesse doesn’t know it yet, but I’ve decided to go back to my dorm tonight. I can’t avoid Chloe forever. She may not realize it yet, even if everybody else does, but she needs me. I’ve been the worst best friend. I need to step up to the plate and be there for her. I plan on being true to my word tonight.

  After finishing up my classes for the day, I head over to Cafe Blanc. I’m in dire need of a caffeine fix right now. I’m sure that if I go another hour without caffeine, I may just get the shakes. I’m addicted to the stuff. It could be worse, though. I could be addicted to drugs.

  My cell phone vibrates just as I’m about to walk through the door. Not looking where I’m going, I pull my cell out, seeing a text from Jesse. As I’m about to open it, someone smashes into me, sending my cell flying through the air and crashing on the floor. A loud crack reverberates through the air. Oh, fuck nuggets, there goes my screen. That’s going to cost me money that I don’t have to repair it.

  “Oops,” a high pitched female voice says in front of me.

  Seeing who was rude enough to bump into me, I come face to face with the bitch herself. Tiffany. Go figure. Anybody else would have seen me standing there and said, ‘Excuse me’, or would have at least walked around me to use the other door. Not her, though. She just loves to make my life hell.

  I haven’t heard from her since she threatened to ruin me at Jesse’s football match. I’d completely forgotten about it too, up until now. She must know that Jesse and I are together, especially as they hang around with the same group of people. I’m curious as to why she hasn’t made good on her promise?

  “Tiffanyyyyyyyy,” I drawl, disdain dripping off my tongue.

  “Maisie, Maisie, Maisie. You really should watch where you’re going, yo
u know. Some people wouldn’t be as nice as I was. You’re lucky only your cell took the brunt of it. Had it been someone else, it may have been you,” she says, trying to sound sweet and innocent. She’s anything but. She’s the devil. She shakes her head at me in disappointment.

  “Well, I must thank you then,” I reply sarcastically, rolling my eyes at her.

  “That is most certainly my pleasure,” she says, mimicking thanking me by taking off an invisible hat.

  Why didn’t I ever punch her in the face?

  Trying to stop myself from making good on that thought, I tell her, “Nice to see you as always, Tiffany.”

  “I’ll see you around, I’m sure,” she says, stepping away and waving at me.

  I go to retrieve my cell from the concrete, only to watch in slow motion as she purposefully stands on it, the cell cracking underneath her platform wedges. Fucker!!! It’s definitely broken now. I’m going to have to buy a new one, thanks to her.

  She gives me a smug smile, grinding her foot for good measure. Breathe Maisie. Just breathe. She isn’t worth jail time. Act indifferent, I tell myself.

  Finally, she walks off, flicking her hair over her shoulder and not giving me a second look. If anybody was to walk past, they wouldn’t think anything is wrong right now. Inside though, I’m one second away from pounding that bitch to the ground. I’ve never felt such hatred toward anyone as I do her.

  Salvaging the broken pieces of my cell, I take out the sim before chucking the rest in the trash. I definitely need that coffee now.

  ****

  “She what?” Jesse asks in disbelief when I tell him what his little bitch of a friend did.

  “Exactly what I just told you she did, Jesse. That girl is a psycho. At least I’ve got a new cell now.” I’m still in shock, not because she hurt me, because she didn’t. It’s just that what she did wasn’t necessary.

  “I’m going to have words with her. I don’t care what you say, Maisie. This has gone too far. She laid low for a while, and now she’s starting again. She won’t stop. We both know that. I need to make myself clearer this time,” he says, lost in thought.