26. Chapter 26
Chapter twenty-six
— SEVEN BY TAYLOR SWIFT
“Okay, start talking before I explode,” Teagen says as she sits down on my bed.
“Hello to you too, Teags. How was your morning?” I joke, knowing that the reason she came over was to hear about the kiss.
“It was fine. Now, get on with it. I’ve given you two days to figure out how to describe whatever transpired between you two, and I’m expecting juicy details, babe.”
I get up from my desk chair and all but skip over to my bed. Teags is sprawled out, her long legs hanging over the side of my bed, and I sit across from her, my legs crossed underneath me. I look over to the door to make sure it’s fully closed, and when I’m sure it is, I look at my best friend.
“It was the best kiss of my entire life.”
Her eyes light up as if we’re talking about a romance novel instead of my actual love life. “I fucking knew he was a good kisser. He’s just got that energy, you know?”
“I know, Teags. I experienced it in real time.”
“God, I’m so jealous. Okay, what else?”
I ignore her jealousy comment because she has a boyfriend. Does she keep forgetting that on purpose? There’s definitely something going on with her, but since she came over to talk about my life, I won't press.
Not today, but at some point.
“He keeps a hair tie on his wrist for me, just in case. Every single time he touches me, I feel like I’m going to fall over from butterflies. I feel insane, Teags, like truly insane about all this. I kissed him the first time, but he chose to kiss me again…and a few more times while we were back at the house.”
“Bree Rose Hart, are you serious!”
“Yes! Ugh, Teags, I never thought I’d feel like this. And even though nothing is official, it feels like it could be.”
“You have hope again, Bree. It’s nice to see that light back in your eyes, and I’m glad you have a tiny sliver of something good amidst all the shit you’re going through.”
Tears fill my eyes, but I will myself not to let them fall. “Thanks, T. I’m glad I have you by my side through all this. You’ve been a constant in my life these past few years, and I’ll always be thankful to Liv and Tristan for bringing us together.” I grab her hand, expecting her to pull away, but she doesn't.
“I’m thankful too, Bree.”
“I don't know when we’ll talk about next steps. I assume he wants to wait until Ralph is caught.”
Teags nods her head. “That makes sense. Things might be a little calmer when that happens, and all his rules probably prevent him from doing anything while the media is watching you like a hawk.”
“Well, when we were on top of the mountain, he said he didn't care about those anymore. He told me I was unraveling him, and that’s not easy to do…” I trail off, my face getting hot.
“Oh, so he’s obsessed .” Teags face is neutral for a few seconds before she explodes in laughter .
“Get your laughter out now, Teags. I know you probably think this all sounds like a bodyguard romance. So laugh it out, and then say something when you’re ready,” I say as I playfully hit her arm while she continues laughing.
“It sounds exactly like something Liv would write, and I kind of love it. You deserve this, Bree,” Teags says as she runs a hand through her dark brown hair.
“You deserve to feel this too, girl. I take it that things with Gregory are still the same?” Talking with her about her relationship is like pulling teeth. They could’ve broken up, and Teags wouldn't have told anyone.
“He asked me to move in with him. In Arizona.”
“Arizona? Across the country Arizona?”
“That’s where it is, yes,” Teags says as she gets off my bed and leans against my bookshelves. “I haven't given him an answer yet, but Tristan thinks it's a terrible idea.”
“Well, it’s definitely a big decision,” I tell her, not wanting to voice my true opinion until she wraps her own head around it. I don't want Teags to be that far away from me, but if she does end up moving with him, I’m not going to stop her.
It’s her life, and even though I would miss having her around all the time, if it’s what she wants to do, I’ll support it.
“I’m not sure what I want to do yet, but I still have time before I have to make an official decision.” Teags pulls a few books off my shelf then puts them back, and I can tell this situation is making her nervous. She can never sit still when something is bugging her, kind of like my sister, but instead of pacing like Liv, she has to keep her hands busy.
“Well, we could dance it out or scream it out. It’s up to you.”
Teags turns around to face me, and I know she’s remembering when Ralph first came into the picture how we used to go to my backyard and yell into the night. Any time we wanted to, we did it. Teags used to sleep over a lot back then, and I barely slept or got out of bed, and that was one of the things that helped—screaming it out.
“I could use a good scream,” she says as I throw one of my pillows to her. We can't go outside because Vince’s team is out there, and I think they would look at us like we’re insane.
I grab one for myself, and the two of us look at each other before we yell into them for a few seconds, and I can feel some of the stress melt off my shoulders. After we’re done, we burst out laughing before my door slams open, and in runs Vince with his knife drawn.
“Are you guys okay? Is there someone here? Wh—” He’s looking between the two of us, and I feel bad, but I can’t stop laughing.
“We’re okay. Just alleviating some stress,” Teags tells him.
“By screaming?” His eyes narrow, and my laughter stops. Shit . I guess I didn't really think this through.
“I’m sorry. It’s something we used to do outside, but…”
He sighs heavily as he catches my drift. “My men are outside.”
“We didn't want them thinking we’d gone crazy from cabin fever, so we thought pillows would muffle the sound. I guess they didn't,” Teags laughs.
“Not really,” he says as he looks at me. “Next time you want to scream, come to me.”
My face gets red, and I know he’s not insinuating where my mind went, but the thought still makes my face get hot.
“Does that offer apply to me as well?” Teags chuckles.
“I didn't mean it like that. I just meant that I could tell my men to leave, and I’m going to quit while I’m behind. Have a nice day, you two. Let me know if you need anything.” And with that, he shuts the door behind him, and the instant we’re alone, we burst out laughing.
“Oh, he’s got it bad for you, Bree. I’ve never seen Vince so flustered. It’s kind of cute.”
“That’ s probably the third or fourth time I’ve seen him flustered, and I kind of love it. He’s always in hyperfocus mode, but I like making him unravel when we’re alone.”
“I can’t wait to see him in action at your event. I bet he’ll have even more of his guard up since you’re the one throwing it.” Teags plops onto my bed. “Are you excited about it?”
“I am. It’s been a long time coming.” I pause before I think about telling her who else is coming, and it slips out anyway. “Dom is coming in place of his parents.”
“Oh,” is all she says, but from the way her eyes got bigger, I know that’s not all she’s feeling. “That’s nice. It’ll be good for Tristan and Liv to see him again.”
“Hide your excitement all you want, but I’m excited to see our friends and family all dressed up.”
Translation: I’m excited to see Teags drooling over Dom in the black suit he’s probably going to wear. I’d never tell her that, though, because she would deny it, citing that she's with Gregory now and her crush on Dom doesn't exist anymore.
But Gregory isn't coming to my event. He has some sort of work emergency to deal with, and Teags is going stag.
“Me too. Now, can we continue our rewatch of Pretty Little Liars ? We stopped on one of the best parts of season five.”
“Of course, Teags,” I say as I pull my blanket up to cover the two of us, and we settle in as I start the episode.
These days will always be my favorite, and I know that no matter where Teags ends up, she will always and forever be my best friend.
And no distance will ever change that.
“You kissed her?” my sister all but yells through the phone.
“Technically, she kissed me first,” I say as I throw my knife onto my desk before I settle into my chair. Nell nudges my legs and lays beneath my desk before I see her eyes flutter shut.
My sister called me after I burst into Bree’s room, thinking there was someone inside. I heard the two of them screaming, and I sprinted up the stairs, only to find them laughing when I opened the door.
I swear, those two together could cause a heart attack, but I was glad to hear Bree’s laugh back. Even if they scared the shit out of me, hearing that was like music to my ears.
And then Aria called me, and I blabbed about the kiss. I didn't mean for it to slip out, but I’ve been slowly freaking out the past few days.
I broke my rules. I broke the rules I put in place because without them, I wouldn't be as good at my job. Bree and I broke my rules on our trip up the mountain.
That’s not even the part I’m freaking out about. It’s that I don't care that I broke my rules for her.
I’d do it again, too. Except I’d kiss her first. I wouldn't pull away, and I’d prove to her that I’d choose her again and again. Bree possessed me with that kiss, and I’m terrified of how that made me feel. I’ve never been in a serious relationship because all I’ve done since I became a bodyguard was move from place to place. It was easier that way, but I’m thirty-four now, and I’m tired of all the traveling.
For the first time in my life, I want to plant roots. I want to stay, and the only reason I want to stay is so I can be by Bree’s side. I want to choose her because it’s what my gut is telling me to do.
And God help me, I want it. I want her. I don't want to be just her bodyguard anymore. I want to wake up next to her every morning, and I want to show her that I don't give a fuck about anything the media has to say.
I can handle it. I know I can, and if she can't, then I’ll handle it enough for the both of us.
“Okay, but you kissed her, right?” Aria questions, wanting to get the full story, so I tell her every detail. By the end of it, I’m practically out of breath. “So what’s the problem, Vince?”
“The problem is that I’m terrified of fucking this up! I’ve never done relationships, sis. I don't know how to fucking do this.”
“Vincey, you’re so adorable,” she says as she laughs across the line.
“I’m going to hang up on you, Aria. I swear to—”
“Chill out, baby brother. All I’m saying is that you have to talk to her about it, plain and simple. I don't know why people always think it’s such a complicated thing. Have a conversation with her and go from there. Lay it all out on the table—your feelings, where you want to go from here, everything.”
“But what if—”
“Stop. It’s okay that you care about her, Vince. It’s okay to fall for someone, even if she’s technically your client. You’re not breaking any rules—your own, maybe—but you yourself just told me you didn't care about that.”
“I don't. I’d break every rule of mine again if it meant I could have her.”
“So tell her that, you idiot.”
“Okay, there’s no need to name-call, Aria. We’re thirty years old.”
I hear her scoff. “And you’re acting like some sort of lovesick teenager. It’s rather cute, actually. I’ve never seen you like this before.”
I roll my eyes at her, even though she can't see me. “Why did I tell you all this again?”
“Because I give great advice. Listen, I have to go. Max needs me for something, but let me know what happens. I’m on the edge of my damn seat over here. Love you, brother.”
“I love you too, sis.”
I hang up the phone and toss it onto the stack of papers on my desk.
I hate that Aria always seems to be right, but I do think a conversation with Bree would help.
Maybe after her event is done, I’ll ask her to have a talk with me.
Yeah , I think to myself. I like that plan. She’ll have one less thing on her plate, and I already know it’s going to be a successful event, since she’s the one who planned it all. Bree never does anything without her full attention, and I’m excited to see it flourish and hopefully bring her real smile back to her face.
The one thing I’m absolutely sure of is that I’m completely fucked in the head over Bree Hart.
And so help me, I never want to be cured.