"Matters of the Heart"
By: Becky
Chapter 3

Sleep just wasn't in his favor when he was jerked awake by Nick's voice coming down the hall. He heard doors being opened and closed, and he knew that Nick was looking for him. He prayed that Nick wouldn't open the door, but that prayer wasn't answered. Nick opened the door and his eyes grew as huge as golf balls, and he almost dropped the phone he was holding up to his ear. Brian put a finger up to his lips motioning for Nick not to say a word. He turned right back around and left, telling Kevin that Brian was still asleep. When the door was closed Brian got up, pulled on his khaki shorts, and went after Nick. He found him standing in the kitchen with a stunned look plastered on his face, and he looked up when Brian came in.
"It's not what you think Nick," Brian said and Nick couldn't do anything but look. This wasn't his best friend standing in front of him, it was someone else, someone he didn't know at all. "I met her yesterday at the beach under circumstances that aren't important right now." He stopped and waited for Nick to say something, but he didn't speak, he only stared. "Will you stop staring at me like that?! Why am I even trying to give you an explanation anyway? Look it was a mistake… everyone makes mistakes, and that's all it was and nothing more." He was lying through his teeth, but he didn't care until he heard the front door slam shut. "Oh shit no."
He ran out of the house in time to see Rebecca turn the corner heading towards the beach. He took off in that direction, running as fast as he could and not even stopping when something hurt his bare feet. 'God please don't let me lose her.' When he started catching up with her he yelled her name, begging for her to stop, but the only response he got was her picking up the pace. He cussed at himself out loud for being so stupid. After a really long run and about a dozen weird looks, they hit the beach and he was able to catch up with her. His feet hurt, his lungs burned, and most of all his heart hurt because he knew that he hurt her and fucked up royally.
"Let go of me!!" she yelled when he grabbed her arm.
"No, not until you listen to me," he said trying to catch his breath.
"Why should I? I'm nothing but a mistake remember?!"
"I'm sorry about that. I didn't mean it, I swear."
"I don't need your bullshit Brian, now let me go!"
"NO! I won't let you go. I was lying to Nick. I only told him that so he wouldn't bug me about it. The last thing I need is a nineteen year old giving me a lecture about sex. You have to believe me."
"Why should I?" she asked crying because of what he had said and also because of the pain from running so much.
"Because it's the truth Bec. I would never lie to you, and I would never hurt you on purpose. I am beyond sorry that you had to hear that, I really am, and I don't know what I'd do if I lost you."
"You're talking like you've known me for longer than…"
"I know because in a way I feel like I have. I feel good with you, I feel like I'm worth something again. I need you and I know that you need me too. What we shared was anything but a mistake, we both know that."
When she saw the tears that were swelled up in his eyes and heard the crack in his voice when he spoke, she knew he was telling the truth. She threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. "I don't know what I'd do without you either." They remained in their embrace for a few moments. His heart melted every time he held her in his arms, and that was the best feeling in the world.
"Let's sit for a while," Brian said pulling away and plopping down on the sand. "Damn you can run fast," he grumbled.
"I'm sorry. Five years of soccer really paid off," she said and he made a weird face. "What's wrong?"
"The realization of exactly how bad my feet hurt is kicking in right about now."
She looked at his feet and covered her mouth. "Oh my gosh, you're bare footed!"
"Ya think!? I didn't exactly have time to stop and put shoes on."
"Aww…" she said trying not to laugh.
"It's not even funny," he said and she busted out laughing. "Yeah sure, just laugh your ass off at my misfortune, go right ahead." She tried to stop laughing, but it didn't work. "Hahaha funny!"
"I-I'm sorry… it's not funny," she said trying to stop and catch her breath.
"Sure whatever. I'm glad someone's feeling better. Watch next time you get hurt I'm just gonna sit back and laugh and laugh and laugh, and there's nothing you can say about it! Anyway… how did you get out of the house so fast?"
She stopped laughing and sighed. "I woke up as soon as you got up, and when you left I got up and got dressed then went out to find you."
He nodded his head in understanding. "Well speaking of which, I guess I should be heading back home. Are you coming?" he asked standing up and wiping the sand off his butt.
"Are you sure that you want me to? I mean, what about Nick?"
"What about him? He's my best friend… he'll understand."

End of Chapter 3

Chapter 4
Email Becky
Matters of the Heart Index
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