Page 23 of Memories of Me

Paper Wings

IT WAS NEARLY impossible to open my eyes the next morning. The sun was excruciatingly cheerful and managed to find the one spot on the bed where I was lying. My head was killing me, and I was beyond parched.

Water.

I needed water.

I sat up without the least bit of grace, tumbling right out of bed, my body tangled in the sheets. An amused laugh from the doorway caught me off guard. It was Brandt. I pulled the sheets tightly to my half-naked body. "Seriously? You're going to stand there and take pleasure in my pain?" I clawed my way up the side of the bed, peeking over to him sheepishly.

"I wanted to apologize for last night and I brought a peace offering." His laugh tapered off as he held out a cup of coffee.

"Thanks," I replied uneasily. He had ditched me last night, and I remembered it being slightly awkward. I grabbed the coffee and half-orgasmed with the first sip. "It never gets old.”

"I could get used to seeing that every morning then."

His smile penetrated the aftertaste of last night. He was too melt-worthy for me to stay mad.

"Did you just ask me to marry you?" I raised an eyebrow as I took another sip. When he started turning white, I immediately regretted saying it. "I'm sorry. I was kidding. That was a bad joke. A stupid joke. Word vomit again. I mean, I guess it's better than real vomit, or maybe not by the look on your face." I shoved the cup to my lips and gulped hard, not caring that the coffee was scalding my throat.

"I should let you get dressed," he said easily, walking down the hall and out of sight.

I heard the back door open and close. I sighed deeply at my stupidity. Why couldn't I just be normal around him? I shuffled my way to the bathroom, dragging half of the bed with me. I placed the coffee onto the counter and was terrified when I caught my reflection. My hair was a knotted mess, and I swear I had crusted vomit on my chin. I dropped the sheets and turned on the shower immediately. I was going to need more than a little face washing. I brushed my teeth several times and hopped in.

As the hot water washed down my neck, I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to have Brandt in here with me. There was this yearning inside me that just wanted to devour every piece of him, and if I read him right last night, he wanted me, too, but when he kissed me, I was seized by that memory and it was permanently etched in my head now. I was kissing someone. Someone I cherished. Someone I loved. It was enough to give me pause with Brandt. Someone out there loved me. I was taken, and being with someone else just didn't seem right. It felt like I was cheating.

I dried off and dressed quickly, running a brush through my hair, and then when I caught my reflection in the mirror once again, my body froze.

I couldn't move.

I couldn't talk.

I couldn't breathe.

My heart ached, and tears streamed down my face.

Brandt appeared in the doorway, and I glanced at him through cloudy eyes.

"You're broken," he said as he pulled me into his arms and wiped the tears from my cheeks.

"Isn't everyone?" I searched his eyes for reassurance. For the answers to everything.

He hugged me tightly, and I knew when I looked at him that he was just as broken as I was.

"I think everyone is broken in some way, but we all bleed differently, and some heal while others scar."

"The hardest thing for me is not knowing why I'm so scarred.”

He lifted my head. I should have told him about my memory, but I was too scared. Grady and Brandt were all I had, and I didn't want to lose them.

"You need some fun, Freckles." He grabbed my hand and dragged me out of the house. “Let’s get out of here,” He tipped his head for me to get into the car as he opened the passenger side door.

“Okay.” I chewed on my lip and slid in. When he slipped into the driver's seat, I asked, "So, what did you have in mind, Mr. Brandt?"

"You'll see." His smile held nothing but comfort.

"I love surprises. Or at least I think I do." I laughed at myself.

"Everyone loves surprises," he said as he revved the engine and took off down the hill.

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