Page 10 (2/2)

Tears chokedas I tiptoed back into our bedrooht quite a few times in the last few years, but not once had Braden let it come between us He always slept in our bed with ht

The hot tears slipped down my cheeks

I’d hurt hi tiht I tossed and turned, o into our guest room and shake Braden awake and make hiht everything over, I thought it best to let him sleep so we could have a rational conversation in the ot up just before six in theto read a book Just before Braden’s alarot up andafter, he wandered into the kitchen in his pajamas, his hair in disarray, and I ached with hurt and love as he avoidedto gauge whether or not this would soften hi He leaned against the counter, staring at the wall

My stomach flip-flopped unpleasantly

I had to explain so he’d stop thinking the worst of me

"Braden--"

"I have to shower" He walked out of the kitchen abruptly

"We need to talk!" I yelled at hirily

His ansas to slam the bathroom door

This was a whole new side to ot up, ready to do battle, when a knock at the door stoppedin the lock, and I knew then it was Ellie

Bracing myself, I wondered if I’d be able to handle two of o that would have been a piece of cake But these idiots had softened me up, whether I liked to admit it or not

Ellie appeared in the kitchen doorway, her blue eyes instantly finding me

Whatever she saw in ht at , not even realizing until right then how ratulations"

I tensed

Ellie pulled back, peering at me cautiously "Braden’s really upset"

I couldn’t speak I wanted to But I was afraid if I did I would scream

"Look, I’m here, Joss" She rubbed my shoulder in coust of screams, I nodded and thanked her hoarsely

We were quiet as I ether It occurred toI was feeling, Braden would listen to her I didn’t knoas going on withand corier than I’d ever seen hi I had to say He ht listen to Ellie

I openedhalted me Both Ellie and I turned to watch for Braden and as he passed the doorway he gave his sister a taut nod of hello and continued on into the bedrooet ready for work On a Sunday

Ellie turned to

I took her hand and squeezed it "He slept in your old rooht," I whispered "He’s never done that before"

My friend’s expression grew pained "Josstalk--"

Nausea hit me before Ellie could finish her sentence and I was up, bending over the kitchen sink I felt her hands inup the last of lad for her co presence A flicker of aze and I froze at the sight of Braden staring atin his jaw He turned to Ellie "Give Elodie s all day And, uh"--he cutback at his sister--"stay with her until she feels better"

Anger burned throughEllie’s shocked and questioning calls of his name

Ellie’s pitiful and sy

I pulled out of Ellie’s ar back to bed"