A Brand New Ending

Chapter 36

Phoenix



Watching that hospital get smaller in the side mirror was one of the best visions of my life to date. For once I feel optimistic. When I saw Carl being ushered into the police car, I was terrified. I could feel his eyes boring into mine and it felt like every scar on my body had been immediately ignited. Fear flooded my mind again. What if he gets released? What if they don't believe my testimony? What if he escapes?

Before I had time to talk myself out of this nonsense, every muscle in me froze. I hated that he still had this effect on me. But just like always, Braeden was at my side, always so in tune with my emotions. When the police officer came into Neil's office, I started to panic but I swore I heard Braeden's voice telling me to calm down. I found myself zoning out through most of it, answering the man's questions with short answers. When he asked questions about my mother's whereabouts I remained silent. In truth, I didn't care at the moment.

~

I must have zoned out for most of the ride because a short time later, Braeden pulled the car into a steep driveway. I didn't realize how nervous I was until I looked down, my hands white knuckled against the leather of the seat. I found myself frozen again. Before I realize it, Braeden is on my side of the car, his hand held out for me to take.

"Phoenix?" he states, noticing my zombie state.

I look up at him and I find myself staring in his eyes and I swear they are even a deeper green than usual.

"Are you ready?" he asks.

I nod my head. Braeden leans down and into the car, his long arm reaches around my torso and unhooks my seatbelt, his upper body hovering over mine. All I can do it stare at his muscular arm wrapped around me, the way his shirt clings to his upper back. Once its unhooked he leans back up and then takes my hand, lifting me out of the chair with ease. We walk together, hand-in-hand, out of the garage. The door shuts automatically behind us.

The house is all white and I see that there is a large porch on the back, adorned with multiple rocking chairs. A thought of Braeden and I sitting hand in hand in them invades my mind. I can't help but smile. Braeden slides the keys into the lock in the side door, pushing it open and ushering us inside. I scan the rooms as I walk through each of them. The house is minimalistic without a lot of clutter but it's warm and inviting. Much like Neil and Braeden. When we reach the living room, Braeden stops. I can tell that he is a little bit on edge at the moment but he's trying to hide it.

"So…this is home. Well, my old home," he says as he scans the room.

"It's really nice, Braeden."

"Yeah…it is," he responds, his voice flat.

I get the sense there is something he's not explaining but I choose not to push it. Moments later I hear a car door slam and jump instinctively, a small squeal escaping my lips. Braeden squeezes my hand.

"It's just my dad, Seraph," he assures.

I hang my head a little.

"Sorry."

I feel his finger slide out under my chin, making me look at him.

"Don't ever apologize," he explains. "Especially for something that is so far f*cking out of your control."

"OK," I say softly, still wishing for a day where I won't jump at every single noise.

A few seconds later, I hear keys being jingled and the front door being pushed open. Dr. Harris approaches us with a smile, which instantly warms me.

"You two doing OK?" he asks.

"As good as can be expected I guess," Braeden answers sternly. "How'd you get home?"

"I took a cab," he explains.

A twinge of guilt flows through me. Always putting others out.

"I'm sorry," I blurt out.

Braeden shoots me a look. I mutter another "I'm sorry" before I even have time to catch it.

"You gotta make her stop apologizing for everything while she's here," Braeden says, a curvaceous smile coming across his lips. He looks over at me and winks.

"Well, I'm starving," Dr. Harris says while looking at Braeden. "Why don't you go make us something while I show Phoenix her room."

Braeden starts to object but the silent look his dad gives him shuts him right up. He lets go of my hand and gives me a smile, then heads into the kitchen. I look back up at Dr. Harris.

"If you wanna follow me," he says before turning around and heads up the stairs.

As I ascend them I can feel my heart racing, everything so foreign. When we reach the top there are three rooms, two of them are closed shut. We walk down the hall, Dr. Harris remains silent until we reach the only open door. He clears his throat before speaking.

"So, this will be your room," he explains letting me enter first.

My eyes well up with tears instantly. The room is absolutely gorgeous. It's small but it feels inviting. In the direct middle is a queen-sized bed, the comforter adorned with pink flowers.

"I hope you like pink." He smiles.

The rest of the furniture is a simple painted white, making the room seem vibrant. I stand facing away from him, trying to talk my body into getting a god damn hold on its emotions.

"I know that it's not much right now but I figured you could make it more personable," I hear him say. "I had Chelsea pick some things up and they are all in your closet."

I finally spin around the face him.

"I don't even know where to start to thank you," I choke out. "It's a thousand times better already."

"Well, that makes me happy," he responds. "But, just remember, we have a deal." I nod. "I know that this is not very conventional. But I want you to feel safe here. My room is downstairs, far enough away for your own privacy but close enough in case you need me for anything."

"Thank you Dr. Harr…Neil," I say as I catch myself.

We then both hear a collective banging of drawers and plates and I can't help but laugh.

"Maybe we should go help him," I suggest.

Neil nods and we both start to make it back down the hallway, my eyes falling upon the two closed doors as we pass them. When we make it back to the kitchen, it looks like a tornado went off.

"Do you know you don't have shit to eat in this place?" Braeden says, to what I am assuming is his father. Neil grins and looks down at me.

"I guess I'll have to go shopping huh?" he smiles.

I just smile in return. On the table is a large salad and a few sandwiches. Impressive. We all sit down at the table and eat in silence, my stomach thanking me for the nutrients. It may be only a salad and half a sandwich but it's a thousand times better than the food served at the hospital. After a few minutes I hear a phone ring, Neil sighs as he pulls it from his pocket.

"Dr. Harris," he answers.

I can hear murmurs on the other end but try my hardest not to eavesdrop. He hangs up, taking another big bite of his food before standing up. He walks over to a pad of paper and starts scribbling something down. He rips the piece off and hands it to me.

"I have to head back into work for a while, here are the hospital's numbers, I am always reachable," he explains.

"OK," I respond, getting a huge feeling of déjà vu.

"I shouldn't be too late," he explains. "But if I am, I want you to set the alarm if you become worried."

"Thank you, Neil," I explain, feeling as though the words are so inadequate.

"It's my pleasure, Phoenix." He smiles before taking another bite from his standing position. He turns to face Braeden.

"Make sure you show her how to set it and remember that you have class in the morning. Professor Waleton has been nice enough to let you make up what you have missed because of the circumstances…"

Braeden just nods and, like a whirlwind, he is gone again. The room falls awkwardly silent again and I start shoving forkfuls of food into my mouth, realizing that I am alone with Braeden. No one else around. No nurses to pop in at any moment. I can tell even Braeden is still a little on edge.

"This is really good," I finally say, my mouth still a little full.

It makes Braeden smile. "Thanks."

Things fall silent again for a moment. Why does this feel so weird?

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Braeden asks, the question throwing me off guard.

"Of course," I answer sort on confused. Maybe he's changed his mind about me. "Do you not want me to stay here?" I ask, my nerves becoming uneasy.

"Well, as much as I would love for you to be with me always, I know this is what's best for you."

"Maybe we can have a sleepover sometime," I suggest, feeling the burn in my cheeks as soon as the words leave my mouth.

Braeden smiles wide, making my look down at my plate. "I'd like that."

I finish up my plate and get up from the table, picking up the rest of the dirty plates on the way. Braeden immediately stands up and I have to hold back a flinch.

"Sorry," he says.

I look up at him and grin.

"I thought we weren't apologizing?" I laugh.

Braeden shakes his head slightly.

"OK, you got me," he says as he takes the plates from my hands. "But you don't have to do the dishes."

I go to reach back over to take them from him again but he holds them over my head, making me jump for them. I start to laugh because with every jump Braeden reaches up higher, the dishes always out of my reach. Before I know it, Braeden's back is flush against the wall, my chest pushing against his.

I look up at him, his eyes intense, and the smile gone from his face and in its place a look of fervor. Reaching over, Braeden sets the plates down on the counter and immediately wraps his long fingers around the back of my neck, sending a shiver down my spine. Both our chests rise and fall in unison and I want nothing more that to taste him against my lips. Stepping up on my tippy toes I place my lips on his, his mouth immediately responding. I feel the tip of his tongue trace where my lips meet, begging to enter. I part them a little and feel the warmth of it on mine and I follow his lead, both of our tongues begging for dominance.

I clench the fabric of his shirt in my hands and I lean up and press harder into his chest, my emotions taking over any logical thought. Braeden's hand that was once behind my neck slowly travels south and plants itself against my lower back, making my hips gyrate into his. And then I feel hardness against my stomach and it makes me gasp, stopping our kiss. Pulled away from our make out session, Braeden looks down at me.

"You OK, Seraph?" he asks.

I gnaw on my bottom lip, suddenly embarrassed by my overreaction.

"I'm great," I respond as I lean up to resume but his hands on each side of my shoulders stop me.

"I don't think I can take anymore at this point, without taking advantage of you," he responds.

Unhooking my fingers from his t-shirt I take a step back. I can instantly see the bulge in his pants and I find myself staring for probably what would be considered too long. My thoughts are confirmed when I hear Braeden clear his throat. I look up at him, a cocky smile on his face.

"See something you like?" he says.

I just awkwardly laugh, not really knowing how to respond to that. He starts to laugh, his arm wrapping around my shoulder, his lips kissing the top of my head.

"Let's go watch some TV," he says, ushering us both out of the kitchen and into the living room.

As we watch, I observe as the day sky turns to night, my nerves building with every moment. I always hated the dark. But it's been a long day and I feel my eyelids drooping, sleep taking over.