Page 72 of Beautifully Broken
“When did you know dad was the one? Like how things shifted from the platonic hooking up to him being one you couldn’t live without?” My mom grew up dealing with her trauma in the opposite way of me. She consented to a substantial number of guys as a means to control and numb her past, where I’ve shied away.
She’s silent for a moment, and her face softens, reliving that personal moment.
“I liked how he treated my truths.” Her eyes glass over. “No judgment whatsoever. I didn’t realize we shifted until we already had.” My mom glances around the room and focuses on a family photo of us at the cabin. “I had trauma triggered, and he helped me through my panic attack. I felt he deservedan explanation.” She swallows audibly. “Then, he kissed away every scar my body never asked for.” The end of her sentence comes out whispered as she blinks back tears. “It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever let myself feel.”
My throat burns as tears prickle my eyes. Hearing about my parents being intimate should activate my gag reflex, but in this moment, goosebumps paint my skin. I love my father even more than I ever thought possible.
Braiden, without a doubt, is exactly who I need to help me get through this.
“I’m going to talk to him.” Standing from the couch, my mother gets up, wrapping me in a hug.
“I love you, and you’re so strong.” She kisses the top of my head. “Alsooo, your father and I are heading out of town for the night to take your brother to his tennis match.”
“Mom...” Backing away, I try to hide my blush, getting her implication.
“Just throwing it out there.” She laughs.
After a long, scalding shower, processing how to reveal my past with Braiden, I head to swim practice early.
Knots twist in my stomach the entire drive to the pool. It’s not that I’m too scared to tell Braiden; it’s that my past might be too distracting for his training and he’ll distance himself from me.
Stop being so dramatic, Ava.
But seriously, he means so much to me, and if we can get through this together, things will be even greater. I need a distraction to calm myself down before I spend the next hour training. Watching Braiden in the pool with kids always brightens my day.
Saturday morning practices are my favorite because the pool beside me is full of rambunctious children, and Braiden is the one trying to teach and corral them. My mouth waters as the sun reflects off the water droplets trailing down his muscles. I’d love him to be hovering above me right about now. And watching him with kids?
So. Fucking. Hot.
My sundress stands out amongst all the staff in red swimwear. I need to change into my team’s swim attire soon. Leaning against a post, I continue to watch Braiden keep the kids laughing, but also focused on their instructions. He’d make a great dad. The thought stumps me. I’ve never thought abouthaving my own children…probably because I haven’t even been able to let him do anything other than kiss me.
“Morning, lovebug.” Braiden’s deep voice pulls me from my thoughts.
Is kids’ swim practice over already?
Staring up at him, he leans forward, placing his forearm above my head against the pillar.
“Your curves are looking extremely delicious in this dress.”
I inhale fully as his words bring on that tingly feeling between my legs.
He smiles, seeing my reaction as my cheeks flush hot. Pressing a kiss to my nose, he says, “Your naked face is beautiful.” Then his eyes flick down to my cleavage, which has him swallowing roughly. Going from sweet to hot in an instant.
“You thinking about all of me naked now?” I taunt.
“Could ask you the same,” he hums, eyebrow quirked.
Biting my bottom lip, I take in his muscles and stare at his shorts, knowing what’s beneath them. I don’t care if people are around. I’m shamelessly eye-fucking him and want everyone to know he’s mine.
“Don’t look at me like that in public.” His smirk reaches his eyes. “These shorts are tight and there are children around.”
It’s easier to flirt instead of facing what I need to. Then again, in order to fully enjoy him the way I want, I need to take charge. My chest rises with a deep breath.
“Can you come over tonight?” Keeping my composure is a fight. I can hear the tremble in my voice from nerves. “I think it’s time I fill you in about something I never talk about.”
There. It’s out in the open that there’s something to address. I want to puke.
His body relaxes instead of my assumption that a “we need to talk” phrase would strike fear in him.
