Chapter 44
Kyle
Now
Looking out of the car window, I have no idea where we’re headed. “Bren, where are we going?”
“Jeez Ky, it’s a surprise. Tellin’ you would spoil it.”
“Since when did you become the sort of man that plans secret anniversary dates?” I study Bren’s profile for clues.
“What, you complainin’?”
“Hell no!”
Bren told me to dress in casual clothes, including thongs, so this whole thing’s got me stumped.
And I caught him stashing something in the back of his Ute before we left.
A part of me wants to burst into a fit of giggles because Brendan Young not only remembered our original teenage anniversary date but also put time into planning a romantic evening.
The same Brendan that once told me two boys going on a date was too gay. Oh, have times changed.
The last few months have been busy but incredibly rewarding.
Bren has reconnected with Ethan, and he’s steadily spending more and more time with us.
My heart practically explodes when I watch father and son together.
It’s the final missing puzzle piece slotting into place.
We also purchased and moved into our dream home in Mornington, complete with a wraparound porch and a yard for our future grandkids to play in.
The only thing left is for me to propose.
I don’t want to rush Bren, but I won’t wait much longer. I want him to be my husband.
When we approach Frankston, I figure we might be going to a local bar or doing something fun like mini golf, but then he continues past all the shops and pulls off the road at Long Island Beach.
My reaction is instantaneous, the memories from that night tugging tenderly at my heart.
A lump grows in my throat, and my eyes fill with tears.
Bren parks and turns off the ignition, already out of the car and fishing stuff out of the tub before I can move.
He hasn’t spoken and I feel completely lost for words.
Climbing out of the Ute, the sound of gentle waves and the warm summer breeze take me tumbling back in time to a memory I have held protectively close to my chest. The sun is setting, the horizon a vivid spectacle of yellow and orange and red. I feel blessed.
Bren closes the tub then comes to stand at my side. “You’re quiet,” he says, uncertainty settling over his features. “Did I pick the wrong place?”
“No,” I say, shaking my head. “Definitely not. Fuck, the memories…” I slide my hand around to the back of Bren’s neck and press my lips to his forehead, lingering for a moment. “I guess I wasn’t expecting this, is all. It’s perfect.”
“Come on.”
I follow Bren down the path towards the beach, realising how much planning and preparation he’s put into this.
He has a picnic basket in one hand and towels and a blanket in the other.
I don’t think I could have imagined a more romantic anniversary date.
Long Island is generally a quiet beach, and even though night is fast approaching, we still set up a fair distance from the main path for privacy.
Bren unpacks the food, including champagne to wash it down with, although neither of us end up eating much.
Butterflies flutter in my stomach as I recall falling in love all those years ago—Bren’s touch leaving me dizzy and burning with a reckless need.
I couldn’t have named the hunger back then—just that it rose with his touch and only he could sate it.
With the fading sun surrendering to the night and the beach now all but deserted, we gather some driftwood and start a small fire.
It’s illegal, of course, but unlike back in the day, we can now afford the fine if we’re unlucky enough to get caught.
The full moon casts a glow over the bay, and light shimmers across the small white peaks of the waves.
I lie down on the blanket, reaching for Bren to join me. “Come on babe,” I whisper, bringing his head to my chest. We watch the stars emerge one by one, accompanied by the soothing sounds of the peaceful bay. For a while we are quiet, caught up in our own thoughts.
Bren is the one to break the silence. “Back then, did you think we’d end up together?”
Pulling him a little closer, I place a kiss atop his head.
“It’s what I wanted and hoped for. Especially when we were living together with Tiff and Ethan.
But no, I never thought I could be that lucky.
I didn’t think a happily ever after was on the cards for us, no matter how much I wanted it. What about you?”
“No, I didn’t think I could escape Bruce for long. I knew he’d never let me be happy. Never let us be happy.” Bren pauses, fingers tracing figure eights on my chest before continuing. “Some mornings when I wake up before you, I watch you sleep because I can’t believe how happy I am.”
“And you stroke my hair,” I say, reaching down and giving his bum a squeeze.
“What the fuck, Davies?” Bren props himself up onto an elbow so he can look at me, feigning irritation, until he breaks into a smile. “So you’re just lyin’ there pretendin’ to be asleep while I stare at you?”
I grin back at him. “Well, I like it when you stroke my hair and I don’t want you to stop, so I just keep my eyes closed.”
“Yeah? You like it when I do this?” Bren’s fingertips delicately thread through my hair as he brushes it back from my forehead.
I can’t believe how much I love this man.
Just as I can’t believe that this Bren, this gentle, soft version of him, was hiding—no, trapped—inside as a boy.
“You’re so beautiful, Bren.” I pull him down, connecting our lips, then open for him, moaning as our tongues meet.
He pulls away just as I’m about to roll on top and take things further.
“I got somethin’ done today.”
The quiver in Bren’s voice has me sitting up. “What babe?”
Bren pulls his T-shirt over his head, and my eyes are immediately drawn to the clear tape on his upper chest. To the place where my name had been erased and is now there once again.
My breath hitches at the sight. “Bren, you didn’t have—”
“I did,” he says firmly. “From the moment I removed your name I never really felt complete. Ky, you’ve had my heart since I was a boy.”
I pull him to me, kissing him hard, my emotions running away with me. Damn I love this man.
Bren breaks the kiss and jumps to his feet. “Come on, let’s take a swim”.
We discard our clothing and run naked towards the water.
It’s the end of summer, so the water is warm, and yet it still takes me by surprise.
Laughing loudly like carefree teenagers and with fingers entwined, our bodies topple into the water.
When I surface, it’s to Bren’s beaming smile, his skin aglow in the moonlight.
I grab him roughly, kissing him deeply as he wraps his legs around my waist.
We spend about twenty minutes swimming, making out, goofing off and making out some more before we head back to shore.
After towelling off, we find some more driftwood to build the fire back up, glad for the warmth.
I grab a beer for us to share and pull Bren between my legs, so he can lean back against my chest and watch the water.
“Happy anniversary, babe,” I whisper against his ear.
Bren tilts his head back for a kiss, then murmurs against my lips, “Happy anniversary. I love you.”
“Thanks for planning this. It feels like a full circle moment, for sure. Getting this second chance is more than I deserve. You know, I was so lost, so adrift without you, for all those years we were apart.”
Bren shuffles forward out of my arms. “Come on, let’s take a walk.”
“Now?” I say, a little irked. I was about to make my move. That’s the second time he’s put the brakes on tonight.
Bren pulls his shirt back on, then chucks me mine. “It’s gettin’ cold,” he says, riffling through his bag.
“What are you looking for?”
“Just checkin’ where I put my phone.”
Bren’s right, it is getting chilly, so I slip back into my shirt too, then we set off down the beach towards the Frankston Pier. I realise we must be almost at the exact spot where Bren first kissed me on the lips twenty-three years ago, and I wonder if he remembers it as clearly as I do.
He stops, pulling on my hand to halt me. When I face Bren, his face is filled with apprehension, and I notice his palm is clammy.
“Are you feeling okay?” I ask, bringing my hand up to cup his cheek.
“Do you think we were standin’ right about here when we first kissed?”
I smile, looking around then back to Bren. “Pretty close, I’d say. I guess we should kiss again, shouldn’t we?”
I don’t wait for the answer, I just move in, gently connecting our lips, kissing him slow and sweet until my knees feel weak.
“Ky,” Bren says, pulling away. “Do you remember me tellin’ you the first night we kissed was when I knew I was in love with you? Right here on this beach.”
I nod, taking both his hands in mine.
“We spent far too many years apart, Ky, and I never want that to happen again.”
Bren lowers himself to one knee, pulling a tiny box from his pocket. My breath hitches, and my heart picks up speed.
“I love you, Kyle Davies. Have since I was seventeen. Will you marry me?”
Bren opens the box; there’s a simple, elegant white gold band inside. Tears fill my eyes, and I smile so hard it hurts. “Bren, of course I’ll marry you. I thought you needed more time.” I pull him to his feet. “But yes! Fucking yes!”
We kiss urgently, holding each other close. Part of me can’t believe we are finally getting our happily ever after; I also can’t believe Bren has beaten me to the punch.
He suddenly pulls away, brow knitted in confusion. “What do you mean you thought I needed more time?”
“Well, you’ve only been divorced for five months. I thought I needed to wait until at least six before I proposed.”
“Jesus Ky, I was shit scared I would be rushin’ you and it would be too soon.”
“Bren, you could have asked me the day you moved in, and I would have said yes. I already have a ring at home for you, too.” I laugh, tears staining my cheeks.
“Are you serious?”
“Yep! Now put that ring on my finger.”
Bren takes the ring from the box and slides it on. I cry like a baby, dabbing at the tears on my face as I admire the band. Bren isn’t doing much better.
“Let’s go home,” I say, giving him a few quick kisses. “I wanna make love to my fiancé.”
“At least two rounds,” Bren says with a smirk.
“You got yourself a deal future Mr. Davies.” Taking Bren’s hand in mine, I hold on tight because, this time, I’m never letting go.