Page 85 of Wild Hearts

“I–I’m sorry,” I manage to croak out. Brady turns around to face me, a pained expression crossing his face. “I shouldn’t have said anything. I just want you to know that I didn’t want... I never would have willingly... I–I didn’t want you to think I’m some easy–”

I didn’t realise Brady was stalking toward me until he grabs me, cupping my cheeks in his hands and crushing my lips in a blistering, hungry kiss. I melt into him, bringing my hands up to his chest as I open my mouth to deepen our connection.

“I’m sorry,” he murmurs, pulling back and breathing heavily as he rests his forehead against mine. “I shouldn’t have... You need to know that I would never,ever, think that you were...” He shudders. “Rookie...Wren, I love you. I’ve always loved you. I’m so sorry that happened to you, but it would never change the way I feel about you.”

My chest constricts and I let out a choked sob. He had no idea how badly I needed to hear him say that. I bury my head in his chest and his arms wrap around me, holding me tight. He rubs comforting circles on my back and presses tiny kisses to the top of my head.

“So, if it wasn’t Tarshia’s brother...” he says quietly, his heart thumping against my ear.

“It wasn’t Flynn,” I confirm, my voice muffled by his shirt. I can’t bring myself to look at him. “It was his friend. My date. His name is Drew.”

Brady’s arms tense around me. “What happened to Drew?” he grits out.

I shake my head, but before I can say anything, I hear Ivy calling our names. Brady sighs and calls out, “Over here.”

I turn my head to see the lights from four phones shining around as they look for us.

“What the hell?” Ivy shouts, her hands on her hips. My eyes are drawn to the purplish bruise below her left eye. “We were driving home and found your car on the wrong side of the road, with the two of you nowhere to be seen. What the fuck, B? I thought you’d been injured or kidnapped. What the hell are you two doing down here?”

Her eyes dart between us. Lachy rubs the back of his neck, shaking his head as he stares up at the night sky and mutters something under his breath. Jordan’s failing miserably to hide a smirk as his eyes fall on the rumpled picnic blanket on the ground. But Harley’s eyes are on me.

“We didn’t quite make it back to Blue Haven,” Brady says with a shrug.

“No shit, Sherlock.” Ivy narrows her eyes.

“Ivy...” Lachy says in warning as he reaches down and squeezes her hand. He looks over at me. “Are you okay?”

I bite my lip, remembering how good it felt to have Brady’s pressed against me only minutes ago. I nod.

“I...” Brady’s going to be pissed when he realises he’s not the first to know. I stare into his sea green eyes, begging him to forgive me, as I give him a silent,I’m sorry. “Brady knows.”

Brady’s jaw clenches and I drag my eyes back to our friends. Ivy’s anger dissipates and she steps forward, taking my hand in hers. Lachy and Harley share a look, but Jordan is confused. “Brady knows what?” he asks.

I look to Brady, but he’s staring out over the ocean, an unreadable expression on his face.

“What’s going on?” Jordan asks again. Harley mutters something in his ear, and he curses. “Are you fucking kidding me? Who is he? We need to get this fucker.”

I reach up to run my fingers over Brady’s jaw. I’m trying to get him to look at me, but he won’t. My stomach twists. I thought telling him was going to make me lose him, but now I’m realising that not telling him may be our undoing.

“Wait,” Jordan says, as if he’s just realised the same thing. “How long have you guys known?”

I know without taking my eyes off Brady that Jordan’s anger is directed at Lachy and Harley.

“Why the fuck didn’t you tell us?”

I force myself to step away from the safety of Brady’s arms, turning to face Jordan. The movement finally shakes Brady from his inner turmoil, and he steps up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. I relax into him, grateful for his touch.

“I told them not to say anything. I’m sorry, but I’m still trying to deal with everything. The last thing I need is this vigilante shit.”

Jordan presses his lips together, trying to reign in his anger. “We’re your family, Wren. You can’t keep shit from your family.”

I nod. “I know,” I choke out. “I know.”

He opens his mouth to say something else but is interrupted by Lachy’s phone ringing.

“It’s Dad,” he says, stepping away to answer it.

Brady leans down, peppering kisses in the crook of my neck. He murmurs so only I can hear as Jordan moves away to follow Lachy, and Ivy helps Harley fold up the picnic blanket. “I’m pissed off at you for not telling me. But I meant what I said. I love you, Rookie, and, if you’ll have me, I want to give us another shot.”

---