Episode 20
âY-you actually spoke to me.â
Feeling his arms leaving mine, the sudden warmth Iâd felt seconds before disappeared. My smile dropped, as my body involuntarily tried to move closer towards him, missing the feeling Iâd felt when he was laying his head in the crook of my shoulder. Even though Iâd only knew him for about a week, being in his arms felt safeâlike home. Surprisingly, I didnât have an ounce of fear in me.
When his head glanced up, his electric blue eyes met mine, gazing at me with so much fire, I thought Iâll burn up in heat. I stayed frozen, silently just staring at his face, hoping heâll say somethingâanything. But, he just continued to look at me with those eyes of his. When he finally opened those pink lips of his, the corners of my lips lifted up into a smile just thinking about hearing his voice again.
âI meant what I said,â was his short response, his voice cutting straight through my core. âIâll make the pain go away, Avery.â Hearing my name coming out of his mouth, I almost wished heâd called me by my first name, Lily. His accent was thicker than his brotherâs, probably due to the fact that he had two accents going on, instead of one. Even though Bradlee didnât have a speech deficiencyâhe had a little bit of a deaf accent mixed with his British one. And for some reason, his deep voice just made those accents sound hot together.
âHow?â Seeing my own breath swirling in between us, I leaned back a bit, hoping it didnât stink. How embarrassing would that be if heâd smelt that?
He grinned, leaning forward. Tilting his head to his left, he stopped right above my ear. âIâll show you,â he whispered softly, as I felt his warmth breath fanning my ear. Hearing a tiny chuckle, I could tell he saw the effect he had on me. D–n you body of mine. âCome on.â He leaned back, stretching out his hand. âLetâs go.â
I didnât even have time to think before he grabbed my hand and started pulling me towards the back of his house. âWhere are we going?â I directed the question at him, as I took quick glances behind me. Seeing my cousins drive up slowly down the street, my eyes enlarged in panic. But when they stopped a second later, I let out a breath of relief, calming down.
Feeling the warmth leaving me again, Bradlee stopped in front of his motorcycle. Before I could even say something, he was swinging his legs over his bike. As the engine roared to life, he patted the seat behind him.
âIâm taking you to a special place,â he answered me. Giving me a wide smile, he took his spare helmet off his handle bars and threw it at me. He tap his head, probably telling me to put it on.
Taking in a deep inhale of breath, I gulped nervously. Approaching the bike slowly, I put the helmet over my head reluctantly, feeling the sudden weight of it. Making sure it was on tight, I grasped onto the back of Bradleeâs shoulder for support. Ignoring the tiny spark I felt touching him, I swung my legs over his bike, before scooting my body to the back of his body. Before I even had the chance to get used to being on a bike, he was already kicking his pedal thing.
âWait!â I yelled, pulling on his jacket. He stopped, twisting his neck around. He glanced at me with worried-filled eyes, probably hearing the slight fear in my tone. âArenât you going to put your helmet on?â
He blinked, slowly and then rapidly. Hearing his deep, throaty chuckle a second later, he shook his head, but did as I said. As I felt the motorcycle start to move, I let out a yelp, as I clutched my fingers into his shoulder blades. Shutting my eyes closed, I bit my lips counting slowly in my head. Calm down Lily. Itâs just a bike. Its just a bike. Youâre not going to die.
âIâll protect you,â I heard a soft whisper, before I felt his hand on top of mine. When I opened my eyes, he lifted my hand slowly, as I watched him move it down to his waist. He gave me a side-way glance, before moving my other hand to his waist as well. As he held my hands together in his, I heard him whispering, âhold me like thisâ before speeding off. My nerves automatically vanished as I la!d my head on his shoulder, holding him tightly. I couldnât help but smile, wanting this moment to last forever.
âA park?â I asked, glancing at the small park standing before us. Bradlee lowered his head in a nod before taking his helmet off. Giving his hair a quick shake, he ran his fingers through his dark locks, styling it back to the way it was. I did the same, minus the hair shake before hopping of his bike.
âA special park.â He smiled, looking at the deserted place. He gave out a small sighâprobably thinking about somethingâbefore turning back to me, and taking my helmet in his hand. Placing both of his helmets on his handlebars, he swung his long leg over his bike before standing next to me.
âWhatâs so special about it?â I couldnât help but ask. It looked like a regular old park to meâwell besides all the rusting metal, and broken down slides.
âDo you see that swing set?â he asked, as he pointed straight ahead. Glancing in his direction, I saw the red metal bars that held the two rubber seats together, with the long silver chains. In the end it looked just like any other swing sets Iâd seen in my life before.
âYeah,â I said, looking back at him. âWhat about them?â
âWhen I was little I met this girl,â he started saying, his clear blue eyes shining with clear love for this girl. I chewed on my bottom lip, a bit peeved. Though I wasnât exactly sure why I was feeling angry, I just was. âShe was on the swings and she suddenly fell and started crying.â
âWhat happened afterwards?â
âI fell for her tears,â he said, as he continued to stare at the empty swing set. Seeing the longing look in his eyes, he was probably picturing her face at this exact moment.
I squinted my eyes, not exactly sure Iâd heard that correctly. âHuh?â
âLove at first sight.â He grinned, stopping to look at me. âEveryday, at the exact same time I would come here just hoping to see her again. Butââ He paused, letting out a sorrowful sigh,ââshe never showed up.â
âHave you seen her at all?â I probed, eyeing him.
âI have, but right now,â he started saying before whispering, âthe timing isnât rightâ under his breath. If it wasnât for the stillness of the night, and the dead quietness, I probably wouldâve missed what heâd said.
âIsnât right for what?â
Seeing his eyes enlarged slightly, he quickly covered it up with a cough. âWho knows.â He shrugged, deliberately avoiding the subject matter; he wouldnât even look me in the eyes. âAnyways, since weâre here, letâs go on the swings.â
âThe swings?â
He grinned, nodding. âItâll make you feel better.â When I didnât say anything, or make a move he took my hand in his, and started pulling me towards the swings. I let him, bypassing the sandbox, and the piles and piles of leaves on the ground.
âUm, are you sure these are safe?â I asked warily, when I got a good look at the rusty chains, and slightly ripped seats.
âIf they werenât, I wouldnât be letting you near it,â he said, before plopping himself down on one. âItâs old but not broken.â
âOkay.â I nodded, trusting him. For some reason, Iâd believed him. Maybe it was the way he said it, or the way he looked at me when he said he wouldnât let anything hurt me. Somehow I was starting to believe Bradlee more and more. Iâm not sure if thatâs a good thing or not.
Once I was safely in the seat next to him, he gave me a small smile, before pushing his legs off the ground, and using the momentum in his lower body to push himself back and forth. Shutting his eyes, his face looked contentâpeaceful even, as he concentrated on the task on hand. I leaned my head against the chain, watching him, mesmerized by his beauty.
Bradleeâhe has a certain air around him. Something only he has. It wasnât because he was hot, or because was smartâit was because of his kindness. Even though his appearance screams âdangerâ with the tattoos, chains, and dark clothing, he was nothing like that.
âWhat are you thinking about?â I heard him ask suddenly, almost causing me to lose my balance on the swing.
âA-ah,â I stuttered, a lost for words, ânothing.â
He chuckled, as I saw the small flick of a metal ball on his tongue. âWere you thinking about me?â
âYou wish.â I rolled my eyes, giggling. âSo, whatâs your deal anyways?â I asked, changing the subject, directing the attention away from me. Anything to get him to stop looking at me like that.
âHuh?â
âYouâre nothing like your image, so why let people think youâre some bad boy when youâre not,â I asked, curiously.
âWhat about you?â he countered, âyouâre not exactly miss troublemaker yourself.â
I raised an eyebrow. âWhat do you mean?â
âYour lip piercings, dark eyeliner, scene hair, and fishnet leggings,â he listed off, pointing out each thing, as he spoke. âYou donât exactly fit your image either.â
âI guess youâre right.â Even though he did had a point there, he was totally avoiding the question at hand. But this was Bradlee we were talking aboutâhim talking to me, was alone a miracle in itself.
âOf course I am.â He smiled, rubbing his hands together. Twisting the chains together once, he sat directly across from me. âBut enough about me, letâs start erasing your pain.â
âErasing my pain?â
He nodded. âWhen I push you close your eyes, and let everything go. Imagine the open sky, the soft breeze, the coldness numbing your pain, and me, the warmth thatâll protect you if you fall.â He let his chain twist back around, before getting up and moving behind me. âIâm going to count to three. Once I do, take a deep breath and just let go. Forget about your cheating ex-boyfriend, your problems, and just think about something that brings you happiness.â
I lowered my head, acknowledging him, and did what heâd said when he counted to three; I let go. I erased the negative thoughts out of my mind and concentrated on the good things. And for some reason, all I could do was picture Bradleeâs arms around me, his warm breath fanning my face, his lips brushing my skin, and his piercing blue eyes staring deep into my soul.
âSeems like youâre happy,â he muttered softly, snapping me out of my daydream. I yelped, twisting around, and saw Bradleeâs face an inch away from mine. I gasped, turning my neck around, ducking my head down in embarrassment.
I bit my lips, playing with the bottom of my shirt, very aware of the fact that he was still right behind me. âI am.â
âGood,â he said, his voice going lower. âLooks like my job is done.â Seeing his arm stretching out in the corner of my eye, I looked down to see his cell phone. âHere, call your family.â
My eyebrows arched down in confusion. âWhy?â
âDonât you have to go home?â he asked with a slight chuckle in his voice.
âS–t.â I stood up abruptly. âHow late is it?â
âDonât worry.â His hand suddenly touched my shoulder, sending shockwaves throughout my body. âItâs only midnight,â he joked, finally letting go of my skin.
âHa-ha.â I laughed nervously, hoping to God he didnât hear the crack in my voice. âVery funny.â Taking his phone in my hand, I quickly dialed Skylarâs number. When he picked up after the third ring, he told me they were already on their way here before I even got a word in. Even though they already knew where I was, I told them anyways, not wanting to be suspicious in front of Bradlee. No need to let him know my FBI cousins were spying on us the whole time I was here.
âThanks for letting me use your phone,â I told Bradlee, as I dropped his phone into the palm of his hand, making sure not to touch him.
He smiledâdimples and allâdipping his head soon after. âIf Iâd let you use your own phone, youâll be reminded of you-know-who.â
I paused, finally understanding what heâd done for me today. He even thought that far into the futureâjust for my sake. If Bradlee didnât come out tonight, Iâll probably be in my bed, drowning in my tears.
âThanks.â I paused, âfor everything.â
âNo.â He shook his head. âThank you, Avery.â I didnât even have time to blink before he started leaning towards me, and kissed me on my cheek. My eyes widened, feeling my cheeks heating up. âFor everything,â he whispered, before he kissed my other cheek. As he twisted my body around, I heard his soft chuckle before he pointed at my cousinâs car. âYour rideâs here.â
âI-Iââ
He smirked. âIâll see you on Monday, Avery,â he said before he left me, gasping for breath. He. Did. Not. Just. Kiss. Me.
Choose Episodes Below;
Note: episodes already read are highlighted in red!
Episode 1 Episode 2 Episode 3 Episode 4 Episode 5 Episode 6 Episode 7 Episode 8 Episode 9 Episode 10 Episode 11 Episode 12 Episode 13 Episode 14 Episode 15 Episode 16 Episode 17 Episode 18 Episode 19 Episode 20 Episode 21 Episode 22 Episode 23 Episode 24 Episode 25 Episode 26 Episode 27 Episode 28 Episode 29 Episode 30 Episode 31 Episode 32 Episode 33 Episode 34 Episode 35 Episode 36 Episode 37 Episode 38 Episode 39 Episode 40 Episode 41 Episode 42 Episode 43 Episode 44 Episode 45 Episode 46 Episode 47 Episode 48
Leave a Reply