Bullets & Bonfires

Vince hated Chad, and I hadn’t been impressed with him either. But deep down where I refused to acknowledge it, I knew I didn’t like him because I was jealous. That, more than anything, pisses me off. Maybe if I’d been thinking with my brain instead of my dick and my ego, I would have seen what was happening and done something to protect Bree.

Maybe if I hadn’t made her feel like shit about herself, she would’ve come to me for help when Chad started hurting her.

The thought makes me sick.

And while I’m busy mentally flogging myself, why didn’t I tell Vince to back off that night? Was doing the honorable thing—respecting my best friend’s wishes—really worth throwing away my chance to be with Bree?

Seems pretty stupid in hindsight.

I’d been caught off guard that night. Mesmerized by the moonlight shining on Bree’s skin. Slightly embarrassed because she had more courage than I did to admit how she felt. Excited by the words she whispered in my ear. Lost in her drugging kisses and soft warm body.

Completely disoriented when Vince grabbed me by the back of my neck and yanked me away from Bree. She’d jumped in between us and they’d shared some ugly words. To keep the peace, I’d shrugged off our encounter as a lapse in judgment. Played down the kiss that meant everything.

Would I have ruined my friendship with Vince if I’d told him how I really felt? Would I have slipped a ring on Bree’s finger by now?

Glancing up, I find Bree staring at me. A pretty flush colors her cheeks, marred by the bruises trailing from her left eye.

“What are you thinking about?” she asks.

“You.” It’s almost on the tip of my tongue to spill it all to her. How much I regret my cowardice that night.

But that’s not what she needs right now. Her being home isn’t some second chance for me. It’s not about me at all.

It’s about her. This time I’ll do what’s right for her.

She holds my gaze for a brief second before pushing out of her seat and grabbing the plates.

“You don’t have to do that. I’ll take care of it after you go to bed.”

She pauses, then turns. “Are you planning to stay over?”

Well, this is awkward.

Maybe she wants her space and some time alone. But I’m not comfortable leaving her by herself. Staying together in this house probably isn’t my brightest idea, but I swore to Vince I’d take care of his sister and I’m not about to dodge that duty. Nothing could drag me away from her, even if this arrangement tests every single bit of my boundaries and willpower.

“Yeah, I promised Vince I’d look after you until he gets home.”

A flash of anger crosses her face. Brief, but I still catch it. Little Bree always had an independent streak too wide for her own good.

“Thanks.” Her jaw’s so tight, she doesn’t sound very thankful.

“Is that okay with you?”

“It’s fine.” She returns to the dishes. “It’ll be nice not to be alone,” she says so softly I almost don’t hear her over the rushing water.

I stand, unsure of what to do. Finally, I come up behind her and gently place my hands on her shoulders. “You’re not alone.”

She dips her head. “Thank you.”

“Go on. Find a movie or something for us to watch. I’ll finish the dishes.”

This time she doesn’t argue with me, she ghosts out of the kitchen and a few minutes later the television blares to life.

When we were kids, I relished teasing the hell out of her, riling her up, and watching her stomp off. Now? I want to comfort her and do anything to make her smile.

So far I’m not doing a very good job.

CHAPTER FOUR

Liam’s little attempts to make me feel better during dinner had their intended effect. I can almost forget about the horror-show my life’s become. Until I see Liam’s jaw clench every time he looks at me.

I’m disgusted with myself for being so needy. For almost crying in relief when he said he was staying over.

Liam scans my outfit when he joins me in the living room. “You changed.”

Self-conscious in one of Vince’s over-sized shirts, I tuck my knees up underneath it and curl into the corner of the couch, placing my head on the overstuffed arm. “I’m tired.”

“You want to go to bed?”

“Not yet.”

I should. I haven’t slept more than a few hours in days. Up late packing before Chad came home from a bachelor party weekend away with his buddies. Worrying about his reaction when I told him we were done had kept me up the rest of the night. After regaining consciousness, my two nights in the hospital hadn’t been restful. Every time I dropped off, someone came in the room to question me or poke me with a needle.

For the first time in days, I just relax and drift. The television creates nice background noise that drowns out the constant ringing in my head. I’m aware of the couch dipping. Of my feet resting up against Liam’s warm leg. The hesitant way he places his hand over my foot and gently rubs his thumb over the tops of my toes.

“Mmm…that tickles.”

“Sorry.” He stops the restless movement and slides his hand to my ankle.

Feeling safe and secure, I finally allow the warm, black cover of sleep to envelope me.

Curled up like a kitten, Bree finally drifts off to sleep. Her phone buzzes and I reach over to grab it off the end table before it wakes her.

Big Bro.

“Hey,” I answer in a hushed voice. A glance at Bree shows she hasn’t moved. Her breathing’s still deep and even. Gently moving her feet from my lap to the couch, I stand and move to the kitchen.

“Why’re you answering her phone?”

“She’s sleeping.” I almost add jackass, because I don’t appreciate his tone. He asked me to watch his sister, I’m doing it, and now he’s slinging attitude at me.

“You’re staying there?”

“Yes, you asked me to. Remember?” I answer with a healthy dose of slow sarcasm.

“Tell me that motherfucker’s still in jail.”

“They’re supposed to give me a head’s up if he’s released. His brother’s been harassing her though. Sending texts and shit.”

“Jesus Christ.”

“I’ve got it handled.”

“Thank you.” He hesitates before asking, “How is she?”

“Somber,” I blurt out the first word that pops in my head. “Still got that feisty streak, though. She’ll be fine.”

“Just…keep her away from him. She wants to visit him or drop the charges or something stupid, tell her no.”

“Christ, Vince, she’s not a fuckin’ kid. She’s smarter than that. Besides, I can’t exactly order her around like she’s a five-year-old.”

“Sure you can. Someone obviously needs to.”

That attitude’s more likely to push Bree away than make her bend to her brother’s wishes. Instead of pointing that out, I grunt something that sounds similar to agreement.

“It’ll be good for her to be around a real man,” he says.

I guess that’s supposed to be a compliment.

“Have her call me tomorrow.”

“Will do,” I promise before hanging up.

“Thank you,” Bree says from behind me.

I turn and find her watching me, eyes still drowsy with sleep. “Did I wake you?”

“No.” She lets out a brief yawn and lowers her gaze. “Thank you for defending me. What’s he worried about? That I’ll drop the charges and go running back to Chad?”

I’m not sure how to answer, since, yeah, that’s exactly what her brother thinks.

She takes my silence for a yes. “Of course he does. That’s what my mom did with my dad all the time.”

Their father was out of the picture by the time I met them, but I remember their mother’s penchant for picking up seedy boyfriends and bringing them home. It’s one of the reasons Vince and Bree ended up staying over at my house so frequently when they wer

e kids.

“Do you think that too?”

“No,” I answer quickly. Although the thought had crossed my mind. Because of what I’ve seen on the job, not because of Bree.

“Thank you.”

“Come on, why don’t you go to bed. Get some sleep.”