Tuesday, July 12, 2022

That's how it is



 Brick wasn't sure what to expect with Harley now. Granted, he knew he probably should have broken up with her the moment she kicked Cade in the eye, but he didn't. After all, he'd never broken up with a girl before (had he?) and it was so unexpected. He just wasn't sure how to react.

Of course, he got Harly out of the dance when it happened. It was the least he could do. He remembered grabbing her hand, running from the crowd and then turning to her to ask, "What has gotten into you?"

Naturally, she was in a fret but finally admitted. "He deserved it!"

"What did he do?" Brick still didn't know the whole story. Something about Cade faked being Rafe on a date with her. 

She'd been so upset and she cried so. All he could do was to take her home. 

Now there had been days of silence. He wanted to call, but he hadn't. He didn't dare speak of the incident with Matty. He knew Matty wouldn't put up with something like that. Of course, Matty was all quiet these days too. He guessed Matty and Valentina were still together. Matty didn't tell him anything anymore.

So there he was in the breakroom, pacing, thinking this was the worst place in the world to make a phone call. Anyone could come in, and hear him.

Suddenly, his phone rang right in his hand. It was Harley.

"Were you ever going to call me!" She was so demanding.

"Of course, I was." He told her he was off work. Maybe they could talk. "I can come over." Although, he didn't think being inside was a good idea. "Let's lets get ice cream."

Ten minutes later, he was in a tee and shorts at her doorstep. 

"What have you been doing?" She looked up at him as if he'd been in a marathon.

"I just ran." But he wasn't out of breath. He said something about being on the cross country team. This was good for him. He told her. Of course, she pulled him into the chilled house. No one was around. She went to get him some cold water.

It wasn't until he'd practically finished the glass before she asked if he was still mad at her.

Brick only sighed, and practically rolled his eyes. "I don't know what to think. It scares me."

"Scares you?" She scowled.

"What if you..you start kicking me?" He looked at her blankly. "I have a dad..who..who was always hurting my Mom. He broke my arm."

She only frowned as she turned away and hugged herself.

"I'm not like that." She wouldn't look at him.

"I hope not. You babysit children."

She blew a breath as if he was the one not making sense.

"If you've got anger issues, tell me?" Brick told her.

"I don't." Harley looked back at him. "It's just..nobody has ever hurt me, the way he did."

Brick nodded. "Well, don't ask me to beat him up. Because I won't."

Harley couldn't look him in the eye, but she hugged him anyway. Brick only grimaced. He really needed to get home. He was drenched in sweat.

14 comments:

  1. i understand her. Brick shuld be more empatic, this kick is not a way of agression

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  2. Anger is not good...it's complicated.

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  3. "faked being Rafe" oh yikes...

    Intersting though- at least they're talking.

    I'll have Cherry Bomb the song in my head now... :)

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  4. Anger can cause many problems for you.

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  5. Very interesting post.

    www.paginasempreto.blogspot.com.br

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  6. Uy Brick no esta haciendo las cosas bien. Te mando un beso.

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  7. Hello,
    Sorry I haven't been very nice to you, but I've been having some problems, you're always very nice when you comment on my blog! I think I have a bad conscience!
    xoxo

    marisasclosetblog.com

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    Replies
    1. Oh, don't worry about it..it's a long hot summer everywhere. Thanks for stopping by.

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  8. Anger issues rarely improve and he's right he should break up with her otherwise she will bring him down to her level, sadly that happens and people become co-dependant.

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  9. Other fantastic post!!!
    Thanks for sharing
    Kisses ♥

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  10. I really enjoyed reading Brick's perspective on the Harley-Cade incident! He's such a gentle soul that I thought it might throw him for a loop, and it looks like I was right. Of course, as always, you mixed in some levity too, giving Brick this golden line in response to Harley's claim that she isn't violent: ' "I hope not. You babysit children." ' It's serious and deadpan . . . but also kind of funny. It shows that maybe Brick is reconsidering or at least working through his initial horror. I like Brick lot and want him to feel safe -- but I feel bad for Harley too and want these two to make it. Finally, I'm still very curious about the whole Cade-impersonating-Rafe thing!

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