Thirty-Two

Summer's POV

I roll over and extend my arm out expecting Bry to be next to me still but to my surprise, he's gone. I huff sitting up in the bed and look around before getting up to investigate the rest of the room. I walk to the living area but he isn't there either. I had no idea where he went off to but I was sure he wouldn't leave me long.

I saunter back to the bedroom into the bathroom. I flip the light on and look around. I didn't need to go, just wanted to look for some reason. I spot medication bottles on the counter thrown all over and Asher's words circle my head as I grab one.

Nuplazid the bottle reads and it piques my curiosity on the whole matter more. What was this used for? The door shutting startles me and the bottle falls into the sink.

"Shit." I mutter placing it back in its rightful spot. I quickly turn the light off and out the door. I peer slightly out of the bedroom before revealing myself to him as I lean against the frame. I was embarrassed that I was almost caught.

He stares at me paused at the front door and I bite my lip in anticipation. His eyes were filled with lust making my worries fade into oblivion. Neither of us wanted to make the first move as we just gaze at each other in hopes the other would give in.

Finally. he closes the gap between us taking my cheek when he's close enough. I lean into his touch craving even more from him, I reach my arms around his neck closing the little space that was left. He made me forget about my worries, he made me feel safe. We lean in at the same time crashing our lips together with grace.

---

"Are you sure you're okay with this?" Bryson checks with me for the hundredth time in that last half hour.

"Yes." I roll my eyes at him, pushing him away from me slightly. I loved him but he sure did annoy me sometimes.

He sighs and pushes the back door open to the club. It was a weird spot to show back up but I take what I can get. It was Ryland's idea to meet up here tonight and I didn't want to argue. We make our way through some back corridors until he opens a door to reveal the club itself. It was busy and loud. You could heat it in the corridors, but it was muffled. He leads me up some stairs and to the left and I could see everyone already.

"There you are!" I can hear Reese say as I'm behind Bry. "Why are you so late?" Bry pulls me out from behind him and everyone's eyes drop on me in shock. I smile awkwardly as he encourages me to sit down before locking me in the booth. Everyone was here including Kylie. I was surprised that Ryland hadn't messed things up between them yet. The silent stares were making me even more uncomfortable as I shift positions.

"Anyone going to say anything?" I ask out in the open to gain back their attention.

"I honestly thought these two were making shit up." Ryland points between Asher and Bryson.

"Really, man? No trust whatsoever." Ash pushes his shoulders playfully, pouting. Reese and Kylie stare blankly at me still probably trying to process.

"I'm sorry that I disappeared on everyone, It's a long story." Bry places his hand on my thigh. "I won't get into that now, tell me what I missed all these years." As much as I wanted to let them in, it didn't sit well with me to tell them here of all places.

"Believe it or not, we got both Ash and Reese here girls this year." Ryland pokes fun.

"It didn't work out though." Reese gets noticeably uncomfortable with the topic. "Turns out she was into girls." He shrugs and the boys erupted into fits of laughter.

"No wonder you didn't tell us!" Ash exclaims after catching his breath.

"You're one to talk!" Reese fires back. "What about Brooke?" Reese instantly shuts up and goes red.

"Shut up!" He yells slamming his hand on the table. I can see not much has changed between those two while I was away. Everyone else is just watching those two argue in amusement when I notice Bryson looking at me.

We all stay for a couple of hours before heading our separate ways. They shot question after question at me and I did the same right back. Much was missed these past years, but we'll make new memories together in the future.

We pull up to the hotel and I'm the first out. Me and Bryson make the journey once again back up to the top floor. This time however, I had questions for him.

"So," I start saying taking a spot at the kitchen bar. "Are you okay?"

"Yes. What do you mean?" He asks puzzled as he sits next to me.

"Asher told me everything..." I trail off to see if he will catch on. I knew it wasn't my business but he had a right to know that I knew about him.

"That asshole." He sighs closing his eyes in deep thought. "How much do you know?"

"Everything." I say again but slower. "I know you're not well."

"Of course you know." He laughs and rubs his hands on his knees. I grab them and his breath hitches.

"It's okay. I'm not okay either." I say to calm him. "I have no idea what you're going through, but I want to help." He looked as hopeless as I felt inside. The demons I store away eat me away day in and out and I found comfort I wasn't alone. It was terrible for me to think that way, but I felt it. I was selfish, even when I'm the one who caused his pain.

"I pried the information out of him, he didn't want to tell me." I look down in shame.

"It's okay." He mumbles softly.

"I know about Natalie as well." I say looking up to see him pale at her name. "I'm not mad." I quickly add afterward and he relaxes, but I can tell there's still something bothering him.

Knocking draws both of our attention and Bry gets up and answers the door.

"Natalie?" He says surprised. Speak of the girl herself, this should be interesting.

♡