A Brand New Ending

Chapter 37

Braeden



Just when I thought kissing her was the best feeling in the world she had to fall asleep against me. The glow of the TV was the only thing that filled the room, the light accentuating the features on her face. She looked so peaceful that I never wanted to leave from this spot. Instead of watching the TV I decided to watch her instead. I scan every portion of her face and notice the occasional smile and brow furrow that comes across it. My arm starts to burn but I don't dare move, not wanting to cause her any discomfort. I don't know how much time passes, but I hear the garage door go up, knowing that sound anywhere. My dad comes through the side door, putting his keys on the kitchen counter. When he enters the living room he immediately stops.

"She fell asleep," I explain.

"She's had quite a rough couple days," he says softly. "As have you, Braeden."

I look back down at her.

"Her whole life has been rough, Dad," I whisper. "She's too young to have experienced this much pain."

The room is silent again, nothing but the light from the TV still on.

"So, is this what it feels like?" I say out loud, my heart racing. My father doesn't have to guess what I'm talking about.

"The best gift that a man can get is a woman's heart," he says smiling down at me. "I am truly happy for you, Braeden."

He leans down and squeezes my shoulder.

"I'm going to try and get some sleep. You should probably get her to bed and head home." He smiles.

We both know I'm not leaving tonight. I just nod, and then watch my father head upstairs. I turn my attention back to Phoenix, watching her chest still rising and falling methodically. I hesitate for a second before the words leave my throat.

"I think I'm in love with you, Seraph," I whisper, brushing a piece of hair that has fallen in front of her face.

I stare down at her, wanting her to respond, but instead the soft sound of her breath leaves her lips. Just the hope of her saying those words to me someday makes my heart jump. Sitting up slowly I turn around and slide my arms underneath her body, not wanting to interrupt her peaceful sleep. She is light in my arms. Too light. I haven't known Phoenix for a long time, but I can see that the stress takes a toll on her. Her appetite is nonexistent at times.

When we reach her room, I push to door open with my foot, thankful that there was moonlight coming through the window. Setting her down on the bed, I slide the comforter up and over her. I find myself staring at her. Just being in her presence makes my heart race. I look up for her and scan the room, it brings a smile to my face. Never in a million years would I have imagined something like this would have happened. Walking out of the room I go into my father's office, finding a piece of paper and pen, jotting something down before folding it in half. Going back into Phoenix's room, I place it softly on top her night stand, knowing it will be the first thing she sees in the morning. Quietly exiting I head back down the hallway, stopping in front of the closed door. My hand hovers over the knob, shaking. Letting out a deep breath, I lean my forehead against the wood, slamming my fist into it. After all these f*cking years. Pulling myself off of it I head back downstairs, pulling a blanket off the back of the couch before settling myself down on it. She's safe. That's all that matters. I find myself becoming drowsy and it's only a matter of moments before sleep finds me.

~

My eyes pop open and I momentarily forget when I am, my brain taking a few seconds to process my surroundings. Sitting up I let out a yawn, finding the clock on the wall. 5:58 a.m. Grunting, I pull my body off the couch and stretch my arms above me. Rubbing my eyes, I walk into the kitchen and feel my body jump at the unexpected form sitting at the table.

"Jesus Christ," I say clutching my chest.

"Well, good morning to you too, son," my father smirks, his head still looking down at the papers sprawled across the table.

"How long have you been awake?" I get out through another loud yawn.

"About two hours," he says as he highlights a few things on his paper.

"Jesus, pops, how the f*ck do you work on two hours of sleep?"

He holds up his coffee cup and salutes me with it. I shake my head. I don't know how he does it honestly. My father and I haven't always seen eye to eye on things but I would be lying if I didn't say he was the f*cking hardest working person I'd ever seen.

Walking over to the cabinet, I look at the coffee cups, one in the back brings a smile to my face. Grabbing it, I pull it out and fill it with coffee. No cream, no sugar. Turning around I lean back against the counter with mug in hand and just watch him. After a few minutes, I hear my father sigh.

"You do realize it's a quarter past six right?" he asks. "Don't you think you should get ready for school?" He finally removes his eyes from the document and starts to look up at me, but they stop when they reach the mug.

"I didn't even know we still had that." He laughs.

I look down at my mug and I smile at the four green turtles on the front.

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was the shit." I laugh, taking another sip.

Memories of sitting in front of the TV eating pancakes every Sunday flood my mind. I remember drinking my milk out of this cup, wanting to be just like my parents.

"Not much has changed around here since everything happened," I mutter.

"And yet, quite so much has," he croaks out.

We both take a sip of our respective mugs.

"Did you ever think about moving?" I blurt out.

A small smile comes across his face.

"Never."

"Doesn't it hurt though? Everywhere you turn there's a memory…"

"Braeden, I know that you are new to this whole love thing, but I want you to know something. Love is hard. Love is rough. It will viciously rip open your chest, leaving your heart vulnerable. At times things will be perfect, and at others they will be worse than you can even imagine. But, in the end, even the bad turns into the good."

I find myself staring at my father. Hanging on every word. Taking the last sip of my coffee I walk over to the sink, rinse it out and put it in the dish dryer.

"Why don't you take that home with you," my father suggests.

I look back down at it. "Nah, I'll keep it here."

My father nods.

"It was really nice having you here last night. It's been too long since you've spent the night here."

I smile. "It was nice," I say looking in the direction of her bedroom. "I'm afraid you'll be seeing more of me now."

"Braeden, this is your home. You were always welcome. I hope you know that."

I just nod. "Thank you, Dad," I start. "For everything."

"Everyone deserves a second chance," he states.

Walking over, I put my hand on his shoulder.

"Including you," I say. "You've got to stop blaming yourself."

He just gives me a sideways grin. His lack of response worries me.

"I guess I'll see you later," I say heading out the door.

"See you, son," I hear him respond.

~

When I get back home I have a little over an hour to make it to class. I let out a huff when I notice Bret is sprawled across the couch, a bong on the floor. I walk up to him, smacking the bottom of his boot.

"I told you not to smoke that shit in here anymore," I tell him with a raised voice.

"Ah, man, lighten the f*ck up," he says, his eyes heavy. "Hey, by the way, where the f*ck have you been lately?"

I roll my eyes. "Why do you care?"

"The landlord came by yesterday, rent's due."


"Then pay it!" I yell as I walk away from him, taking off my shirt and throwing it in the hamper.

"But what about your half?"

I stalk back out to him.

"You have never bought a f*cking thing for this place. Furniture…mine. All the groceries…mine."

Picking up the small ziplock bag that on the table, holding a few buds left.

"And this is f*cking mine," I say clenching it. "You can f*cking pay all of the rent this month or you can move your f*cking ass somewhere else."

"It's not like you were f*cking using it. You haven't smoked in months."

Grunting, I turn around and head back to the bathroom and jump in the shower, knowing I need to make it fast. By the time I'm done and dressed I have only about twenty minutes but I couldn't care less. Just as I start to leave something catches my eye. In cash is the exact amount needed to pay rent.