Page 18 of His Toy

“Look at me and tell me that you want to run and hide. Look me in the eyes and tell me that you’re too scared to risk this, that you’ll be fine if you’re never in my bed again,” he said quietly to her knowing his parents were watching them.

“You know I can’t do that. I just want to be safe from anything they can do.”

“Then prove to my family that I mean more to you than they do and they’ll never begin to risk hurting me by hurting you. Can you do that for me?” he asked and she relaxed into his hold with a nod. “Just be you, well, the sweetened version of you that you show everyone, and they’ll be putty in your hands.”

Brooke hoped he was right because she didn’t know if she’d survive not having him in her life. He was everything she’d ever wanted, and he was hers as long as she could do this.

“Sorry about that,” Neil said leading her back over towards the others and she easily recognized them from the photos at his place. “Brooke’s just a bit shy at times.”

“Yeah sure she is Bro,” Simon replied.

“Be nice boys,” their mother reprimanded, taking a step towards them again. “I’m sorry. We’re simply excited to finally meet you but I can see why Neil’s kept you to himself.”

“Mom…”

“Well I can and I think it’s wonderful that you’ve finally found someone that you love. At least one of my sons has.”

“We’re smarter than falling for someone nearly half our age,” Ted countered earning a glare from both Neil and their mother that warmed her heart. “What, it’s the truth…knockout or not she’s likely to break his heart in two months.”

“Ted, shut the hell up about things you don’t know about,” Neil stated.

“I’ve got to side with Ted on this,” Adam replied and she slid her hand up Neil’s chest snuggling as close as she possibly could to him.

“I can guarantee that’s not going to happen,” she said quieting them all. “I’m not going anywhere, not unless Neil’s with me.”

“You’re saying you’re in love with our brother?” Phil asked.

“I am entirely committed to him. Yes, I love him more than anything in the world which is why it’s so difficult for me to come here today and do this.”

“Shouldn’t it be easier because of it?” Simon asked.

“If these were normal circumstances yes, but they’re not. You all could hurt us badly if you wanted to.” She took a deep breath to calm her nerves, but this would never work without them knowing at least a bit about who she truly was. They would never understand just how much Neil meant to her unless they knew the risk that she was taking coming forward with him.

“By telling the school board that Neil’s involved with a student?” his dad questioned making his brow lift curiously at his father and her eyes widened a hint. “Yes we know that much. We knew he hadn’t brought you around because you were keeping your relationship quiet and the only reason Neil would have regarding that would be if you were going to the college.”

“I see where he gets his brains from,” Brooke said with a smile leaning her head against Neil’s chest. “Yes, I’m still attending school. I’ll have an entire year before I graduate but that’s not what could hurt us the most.”

“Brooke, it’s none of their business,” Neil said running a hand down her hair.

“I don’t want lies, not when we’re trying to start our life together.”

“You’re sure? You want to tell them everything?” he added, and she nodded again. “Alright, well then I suppose I should start by telling you that Brooke’s not my girlfriend.”

“Try another one on us little bro,” Adam laughed.

“She’s not. Brooke is my wife,” he said holding her tightly as the group stared in disbelief before erupting with questions he ignored until they quieted.

“I’m sorry, you’ll have to repeat that Neil Donovan Wilson,” his mother stated, “because I swear you just said…”

“That Brooke’s my wife? I did and it’s not a lie. We’ve known each other in passing for the past year and first semester she was in my class. I tried to not fall for her but I couldn’t help it and when she showed me she felt the same, even though I knew we shouldn’t I couldn’t stop us from happening. I know that dating a student, especially my student isn’t exactly ethical but we were both in difficult positions. Brooke couldn’t drop the class without losing her scholarship and I’ll admit that I was weak and couldn’t resist kissing her when we were finished discussing a paper. We were engaged by Christmas, and we had the wedding right before we started back at school for two reasons. One, we simply didn’t want to wait and two—if she’s my wife the school board can’t say a thing about us.”

“Actually there’s another reason why too,” Brooke said before quickly adding, “no, I’m not pregnant. The truth is if my family knew I was here, they’d do whatever it took to get me back to them. That’s why I said you could hurt us badly if you wanted, if you don’t accept me in his life, and that’s why I’m terrified of telling you this, but I can’t walk away from Neil.”

“Tell us what Brooke?” his mom asked gently and she took a deep breath feeling Neil squeeze her side in support.

“My name’s actually Brooklyn…Brooklyn Fields.”

“Fields…holy shit,” Ted said staring at her. “You’re…no…god damnit Neil! You knew this entire time that she was here, that she was in your bed!”

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