Free Again (Brandy Jeffus) by Brandy Jeffus Page B

heart, then of course it's okay. You're a grown woman now, you don't need my approval."
    She walks out of the room, leaving me confused and full of more questions. I sit for a few minutes before I hear a gentle knock at the door as Eli pokes his head in.
    "Hey you," he greets softly. He comes to me and hugs me tight. "I guess you told your mom, huh?" I look up to his face and I give a slight nod. He always knew me better than anyone.
    "Are you regretting it?" His question snaps me back to reality.
    "No! No way, I'm not. I promise,” I reply, "I just wanted to get my mom's thoughts. It's all good, Eli I promise." I tiptoe and kiss him.
    "She actually told me to invite you to spend the night. She mentioned that her and Coach would probably stay up late and watch movies." A giggle escapes and I look up at him, “So, if you want to...the offer's there."
    "I am off tomorrow as it turns out…” Eli smiles and runs a hand through his curls.
    Hours later, Eli and I are cuddled together on the couch. I keep dozing off, exhausted from the long taxing day. Eli's strong arms are wrapped around me and things are so comfortable, as if the last six years haven't happened. Would we pick up where we left off? Should we? My heart flutters every time I think of being Eli's again. The thought of having him by my side through everything makes me hopeful, happy.
    All of a sudden, I’m being lifted. I open my eyes and realize Eli’s carrying me. I shift and snuggle up against his chest. The house is silent.
    "Shh, its okay hon. Go back to sleep, I'm just taking you to bed." His whisper is low, barely audible and it makes me feel safe and secure. He lays down me down and climbs in beside me.
    “Good night, handsome.” I murmur.
    “Good night, darlin’. Thank you for giving me the best day ever.” His lips are in my hair, on the nape of my neck. His breath tickles my skin as he sighs softly. I’m slipping further into sleep when I hear him say one last thing that makes my whole body sing.
    “I love you, Bonnie.”
    ***“
    “I have so many crazy high school stories. Some that would just make you sick to your stomach,” Mick bragged. Bonnie cringed on the inside thinking, Why would someone be proud of that? What kind of accomplishment is that? She raised her eyebrows at him and he smiled.
    “I don’t. Not really. I was good in high school.”
    “Oh come on now, there’s not a little slut in you dying to get out?” Mick grin is cocky. He thought he was so funny and clever. What the hell am I doing here with him in the first place, Bonnie thought, her anger growing.
    “No, not really. I was with one guy throughout high school” For some reason she didn't tell him his name. It wasn't something she wanted him to have.
    “Wow, the whole time? All four years? That’s amazing. It’s unheard of. Nobody sane does that!” Mick wrinkled his nose in disgust. Bonnie's heart did a double beat and she felt her face flush.
    “Yea well, we were in love you know,” Bonnie's answer was clipped. She hoped he noticed but it didn’t seem like he did, "He was my best friend and we both didn’t see any greener pastures on the other side,” Bonnie shrugged. “It was good. So please don’t make it to be like I missed out because I didn’t.”
    Her sudden boldness surprised her. Usually she had only been meek and mild with mick, letting him take the reins and letting him think she agreed with all his opinions. Mick looked a little shocked as well.
    He threw up his hands in mock surrender. He laughed then grinned wide, “No worries. To each their own, right? Obviously it wasn’t that good if you aren’t together now thought you know.” He takes out his cell phone and started typing out a text while Bonnie just stared at him.
    Bonnie’s heart sank at his blunt observation. How dare he?! What a pompous ass! He’s right though, it wasn’t all good apparently. If it had been good, then I would be somewhere with Eli right now, not Mick.
    “Oh