SEVEN
1071 Words
The silence between them was deadly. Brandon took in shallow air into his lungs, trying to steady the tension building within. “You don't have to answer. . .”
“Oh, my love, I can't keep things from you. It's just that memories of that night replaying stirred fury within me. I almost lost you,” he said, reaching down to deeply stare into Brandon's eyes.
Just as Brandon tried to speak, they heard a faint click at the door. Someone was there.
“Are you expecting someone?”
“Not at all. Britney is out of town at her friend's house.”
Sliding off the kitchen counter, Wilson frantically picked up a kitchen knife and moved in front of Brandon, making sure that he was behind him. “Stay down,” he ordered.
This man was willing to become a human shield for Brandon even though he was much more vulnerable, for the fact he was shirtless.
Brandon couldn't take seeing Wilson in danger again. He picked up the empty frying pan and held the handle with both hands. He had been taking self-defense classes, attacking the intruding with force will go a long way.
They waited and next the door swung open followed by screams. “What the F! You both scared me,” Britney let out, holding her hand over her chest. Then, she stood tall, observing Brandon and Wilson before bursting into laughter. “Tell me you're joking. Both of you would have been dead and gun if it were someone other than me. Looking like sixth graders trying to beat up a rat in their room.”
Brandon grunted. “Not funny, Britney. You could have given me a heads-up.”
His mind darted into chaos. How was he going to explain Wilson's presence to her? He wasn't prepared, and neither had he made peace that Wilson was there in reality. His mind still doubted that.
Surprisingly, Britney dealt with the situation appropriately, much to her bewilderment of Brandon.
She slid the door close and shut it. “Oh, I didn't know. . .” her eyes flew wide and her jaws dropped. Rushing, she embraced Wilson tightly before releasing him. Then, she threw a calculated swift punch to his abdomen, making Wilson grunt.
“What are you doing?” Brandon glared at Britney, moving to assist Wilson to leaning against the counter as he held onto his stomach.
“That's for making my brother cry. You're alive, after all. I knew it. Men like you are indestructible,” she said, a smile growing on her tender face.
While Brandon got consumed in grief, pain, and regret, Britney was the only one he showed his vulnerability. She saw how the absence of Wilson shattered him. The brother she knew was always putting up a strong attitude, trying to carry the burden of the other while not showing his. But, this time, it was different.
There were nights she would pass by his door and hear Brandon gagging on his tears. It broke her, and she silently prayed that somehow, he would heal. Brandon was a great brother, and she would do anything to see him happy. Now that Wilson was back, she could as well have her loving, fun, caring, and funny Brandon back too
“Nice to see you too, Miss Daniel,” Wilson greeted. “I can see that you missed me too.”
“Hell, yes! Who else would gift me expensive stuff and plan my birthday, which I'm thinking about celebrating in Bali? You're my brother's rich boyfriend and I don't think losing you is beneficial to anyone,” she finished, arms crossed over her chest.
Brandon coughed, “Britney, stop. He's not a money machine. And, he needs some rest. Don't pester. . .”
Strengthening up, Wilson placed his right hand on the small of Brandon's back. “It's okay. She can get whatever she wants. After all, she's important to you. Meaning that she's important to me.”
“Really,” Britney shrieked. She lunged towards Wilson, embracing him tightly. “It's so good to have you back. Brandon was lost without you. Please, take care of my brother,” she whispered into his ear, loud enough for Wilson to hear but low for Brandon not to hear her.
“I promise,” Wilson responded.
“Okay, you too,” she started, tapping both of them on the shoulder as she made her way towards her room, "get back to your lovey-dovey PDA. But, don't soil this house with your love and untamed s****l hunger. Remember, I can hear the moaning. This house echoes,” she finishes, mimicking a spooky voice.
Brandon and Wilson flushed in embarrassment as they stared at her, but Britney didn't care. She winked at them and left for her room.
“We'll have to discuss this your new-found lifestyle, Britney. I'm not comfortable with it,” Brandon yelled after her.
“Deal with your boyfriend,” she responded with a snort.
“I see someone has been telling our business," Wilson hushed, turning to Brandon. “Should I punish them?” He subtly ran his hand over his chin. “You've been a bad boy, Brandon Daniels.”
Brandon swallowed hard, looking at Wilson with great passion. When Wilson saw the growing flame, he reached for Brandon's neck. Snaking his hand around it, he pulled him close and kissed him passionately, hitting his bottom lips.
His mouth twists slightly. “I very nearly didn’t make it,” he said out of the blue.” He withdrew, breathing heavily.
Brandon's glistened with the growing mist threatening to escape the wall of his eyes.
“Let's take this to your room. I have a feeling that telling you this might do something negative. I want to be prepared for it.”
Brandon nodded, took Wilson, and led him to his room, all while feeling an aching, piercing pain in his heart.
He was a weakling before, but not anyone. Right now, he had to stay strong for Wilson. He knew that Wilson's survival meant everything to him. Brandon also knew that it was the beginning of the battle they had to deal with. Everything would be in jeopardy. Including their union. He knew all that. What he didn't know was his level of strength, braver,y, and endurance to handle what they were about to face.
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