AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I huff out a breath. “You’re going to him? What happens to me then?”
“Come along if you want. Find a cute guy and hook up with him. Enjoy whatever show they put on tonight. It’s really up to you, cuz.”
She’s already strolling to Joe before I can muster a reply.
Great! Now I’m all on my own.
Excitement bubbles in my chest as I weave through the crowd, the sounds of laughter and chatter filling the air.
I spot Brandon standing near the edge of the field, talking to Mariana. His tall frame towering above the crowd. He’s wearing a gray shirt that’s straining against the muscles of his biceps, and his brown eyes are so bright under the moonlight and the bonfire.
Dashing. That’s the only word that can do him justice. His looks are unquestionably unfair, a gift from the gods. Avoiding him is a constant struggle, but one I refuse to give in to.
I haven’t fully healed from the pain of how he left two years ago, but my anger has begun to soften as he's given me a valid explanation. He's my daughter's father, and I can't hold onto resentment or continue to avoid him forever. And then there's his undeniable handsomeness. Resisting his allure takes an immense amount of willpower, a weight I constantly carry on my shoulders.
A flicker of anticipation courses through me as I approach him again after I finished my community duty and made sure Marianna is in good hands, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
“Hey,” I greet him, my voice tinged with excitement.
Brandon turns to me. “Hey, Anya,” he replies, his face lighting up.
“What’s up?” I mean, it’s obvious he’s just standing and spectating. He’s not having fun like everyone else. He kind of looks like an outsider, and that bothers me.
He shrugs. “Watching. I can’t remember the last time I was in a crowd like this.”
My smile fades as I tilt my face up to his, my eyes narrowing with concern. "What do you mean by that?"
He rubs his forehead and dismisses my question with a wave of his hand. "Never mind, you wouldn't understand."
But I want to understand; something he said makes me think there's more to the story than he's letting on. The Brandon I met two years ago was confident and outgoing, not someone who would feel like an outsider. Plus, everyone in this town knows him and his family - he's practically a local celebrity. His dark, depressed eyes meet mine as he speaks softly. "A lot has happened to me, Anya. Things that are hard to even imagine."
A lot indeed must’ve happened for him to change so much. He barely smiles like when I first met him. Whenever I look at him, I can feel the sadness rolling off him. How can I be mad at him when he’s already suffering so much?
“Are you okay to talk about them?” I ask, keeping my voice low and my tone cautious. I want to make him feel comfortable enough to share his problems, but I also want him to know he doesn’t have to if he is not ready yet.
“No,” he answers with a shaking of his head. “I’m not.”
I place a reassuring hand on his shoulder and squeeze it, but my body shivers from how strong he is. Brandon is built like a rock; how didn’t I catch that he was part of the special forces the first time?
“I’m sorry, Anya.”
My eyes widen. That was unexpected. “Sorry for what?”
“I should have never left you the way I did that morning. There is no excuse for it.”
I want to hold onto my anger a little longer, but his sincerity softens me. Plus, I know I'll soon have to ask for forgiveness too. “It's fine, I forgive you. I was really hurt, but they say time heals all wounds."
A small smile appears on his lips. "Thank you."
“You’re welcome.” I hold out my hand to shake him. “Friends?”
His gaze dips to my hand, then back up to my face. He takes my hand, squeezing it and shaking me. “Sure, friends.”
“Now, let’s join everyone else and have fun.” I try to pull him along, but he’s too heavy. I’m not even able to move him an inch.
He laughs at my futile attempt to pull him. I laugh too.
We join the group of people huddled around the bonfire, basking in the warmth of the crackling flames and watching as shadows dance across the faces of the crowd. The air is heavy with the aroma of burning wood and filled with joyous laughter as children chase each other in playful games.
