Impossibly Forever: Two Books in One (Impossibly Duology) (9 page)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Branden

  
I woke up feeling the dreadful cold
of the morning, and my eyes
flickered as they stung in the bright sunrise. A light moan resounded next to
me and I glanced over at Moya, gently stroking the side of her beautiful face
as she started to wake up as well.

  
I all but lower my head to kiss her cheek as those alarmingly gorgeous brown
eyes cracked open and bored into mine. I found myself smiling irrepressibly in
admiration at how she glowed naturally in the sunlight.

  
Moya wrinkled her forehead as she rose to her feet. I got up as well, touching
her carefully on the shoulder. “What’s wrong?”

  
She twisted, looked down at my hand and then moved out of my reach. “I don’t
think I can do this.” Her voice came out almost inaudible. “Damn it,” She shook
her head and her curls bounced.

  
Moya seemed so frustrated not knowing how to deal with her feelings. Then I
remembered this was the girl from two weeks ago, strong-minded about not
falling for anyone. It hit me. “You’ve never liked anyone before, have you?” It
was so easy for me to see who she really was then, so open and
vulnerable. 

  
Slanting her body, Moya watched the water with dimmed eyes. I could see the way
she struggled to keep her breath soft; a nearly undetectable quiver to her body
that didn’t seem to be a result of the chilled air.

  
She sighed then spoke, “My father left me and my momma when I was seven years
old. Before he walked out the door, he promised me he’d always be there. That
even though it didn’t work out with my momma he’d never stop calling or stop
spending time with me. After my fourteenth birthday, though, I finally gave up
on waiting.”

  
She turned fully towards the river, trying to hide the single tear that fell
down her left cheek. I moved closer and wiped it away. Seeing how heartbroken
she was made me feel so helpless.

  
Moya spun and looked me in the eye as she sobbed, “Because it took me that long
to accept the truth, that my father didn’t love me. That he was never coming
back.”

  
I wrapped my arms around her as Moya sank into my chest and cried. Her
suffering pained me. I wanted so badly to make it disappear.

  
“Moya, I’m sure he loves you.”

  
“No, he doesn’t,” she whimpered. “And you know what, Vanessa’s right, hating
him made me angry with the world and at every guy I meet. Because I feel like
they’ll hurt me the way he hurt my momma. I saw how heartbroken she was. I
lived through it, and I don’t want to feel that kind of pain, Branden.”

  
I eased her away and tilted her chin up to meet my gaze. “I would never hurt
you, Moya. You have to believe me.” Then following those words was the reminder
that maybe I couldn’t make such a promise after all. “It’s just…” I lowered my
head. “I have to tell you—”

  
Moya burst out of my grip before I could finish and began to walk away. “I
can’t do this. I refuse to set myself up to get hurt.”

  
It was better that way, just let her go, I told myself. Moya’s protest faded in
my ears as she got further away. Then my feet started to move as if they
weren’t my own. I hurried to the path and caught up to her, gripping her around
the waist to stop her from leaving.

  
Moya’s eyes widened when I spun her around to face me. It was obvious what I
was about to do and I knew very well she wouldn’t let it happen without a
fight. Her attempts at being freed were futile as my hold increased the more
she squirmed in my arms.

  
“Let go!” she demanded.

  
I blew hard, eager to drown myself in the sweetness of her lips. Dismissing her
protest—and the little voice at the back of my head telling me not to—I shoved
my mouth to hers and kissed her hungrily.

  
Moya lifted her hands to my chest and pushed tentatively, and just as fast they
began to lower. I knew she couldn’t resist the deep passion evoking between us.
Finally, she yielded, and I wrapped my arms even tighter around her as Moya
parted her lips and allowed me to enter.

  
We groaned as our tongues collided, touching each other wildly as if the kiss
was not only our first but our last. Moya placed her hands on my lower back,
touching me sensually with her fingertips as she worked her way up my spine.
She caressed the back of my neck, and then combed her fingers seductively
through my hair.        

  
By the time the kiss ended, we were both panting, trying to breathe steadily.

  
Moya wobbled as she backed away. “I have to get to class,” she whispered
shakily as if under a trance.

  
I released her with regret and watched as Moya turned and started up the path,
staggering along the way.

  
Afterwards, I dragged my thumb lightly along my lips, eyes fastened on Moya as
she walked away. I could still feel the heat of her skin on mine, giving light
to a fire of pleasure that threatened to make my hands shake in memory of her
taste.

  
Motivated by the promise of her presence, I walked up the path as well,
following behind the girl I was indisputably falling hard for and fast.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Moya

  
That night I filled Vanessa in
on all that went down with Branden, from
falling asleep on his chest by the river, to our steamy kiss in the morning.

  
“Whoa!” she screamed in the phone, “You guys kissed. Oh. My. Gosh! That’s so
romantic. So, are you officially dating now?” she giggled.

  
I checked my reflection in the mirror hanging on the closet door. “I don’t
know, Nessa. We didn’t say much afterwards because I hurried off to class.”

  
Vanessa hissed. “Oh jeez, of course you would run away. Whatever, text him now
and solve that problem, and don’t give me that bull about being the first to
text or call.”

  
Sighing, I went over to the bed and lay down flat on my back. “I don’t have his
number.”

  
“What the hell!” she screeched, “Dumb, dumb, dumb. What is wrong with you two,
don’t you want to date each other?”

  
I rolled over on my side. “I’m still unsure about it all. Branden definitely
makes me question the choices I’ve made, but I don’t know. I’m still scared.” I
said.

  
Vanessa crunched on chips in the phone and her words came out garbled. 

  
“What’s that?” I asked.

  
“I said, get your butt over to his dorm right now and get all the confirmation
you need.”

  
I flew up. “No way, I don’t want to give him the wrong impression, that I’m
there to sleep with him or something—”

  
“Girl, please,” Vanessa smacked her mouth and made a sound as if she was
licking the crumbs off her fingers. “Go get the damn number, and while you’re
at it, enjoy another kiss.” She giggled before hanging up.

  
I swallowed hard in deliberation. It wasn’t like I wouldn’t see Branden on
Wednesdays in Business Law, by the river on some nights watching fireflies, or
even at the library. Those were all chance encounters, though, and I didn’t
want to only rely on simply running into him coincidentally.

  
I wanted to talk to Branden at nights when my mind would contemplate combing my
fingers through his ash blond hair, drowning myself in those possessing blue
eyes, and kiss his sweet soft lips again and again. In spite of all I said in
the past, to be honest, I wanted that someone to call my own. Someone I could
trust.

  
I was falling hard for Branden.

  
Building up the courage to march over to his dorm, I jumped up from my bed
determined to get Branden’s number, and also, like Vanessa said, possibly
indulge in another heated kiss. I wasn’t sure where my braveness was coming
from, but in this moment I wanted to take the risk and not think about the
consequences.

  
I made it to the exit and walked down the steps. As I got outside and began
heading up the concrete path towards Branden’s dorm, I noticed a familiar
figure coming towards me. From a far, the darkness casted a shadow over his
face, once he got closer I made out the attractive features I’d grown to adore.

  
“Where are you off to?” Branden grinned, stopping once he’d seen it was me.

  
“Um, to your…library,” I lied. “Where are you heading?”

  
Branden laughed knowingly. He filled the distance between us. “I can’t believe
I forgot to ask for your number.” A feeling of relief ran through me.

  
Reaching in my pocket, I took out my cell phone and handed it to him. “Put
yours in and I’ll ring you afterwards. Oh, and does your friend still need
someone to work on weekends? I keep forgetting to ask for the number.”

  
Branden touched my fingers as he took the phone out my hand. I couldn’t help
smiling at the brief connection. “I wonder why,” he teased.

But
yeah, he’s still looking. I’ll add his number as well. He owns a jewelry store
in Berlin Heights called My Love’s Finest. You probably already know where it
is, though.”

  
I shook my head. “The name doesn’t ring a bell.”

  
“Really?” he narrowed his eyes while handing me back my cell phone. “The
necklace you wore a few nights ago looks a lot like the ones from his store.”

  
I shrugged, “Beats me. My momma gave it to me for my sixteenth birthday. No
idea where she bought it.”

  
“Oh, I see.” Branden nodded, then pulled me in close and enclosed me with his
arms. “So, any plans for the rest of the night?”

  
I pressed into his chest. “No, no plans at all.”

  
“Let’s go have some fun,” he said, taking my hand into his as he led me to the
parking lot.

  
“Wait, fun as in what?” I asked, slipping into the passenger seat of his car
when he opened the door for me.

  
“You’ll see.” Branden bent over and kissed me on the cheek. His lips sent
shivers down my spine.

  
He closed the door and hurried around to the driver’s side, starting the engine
as soon as he got in. I’d never seen Branden more excited. The entire drive to
wherever he was taking me he kept glancing over, smiling each time our eyes
would meet. And always my heart would flutter and I’d look away shyly. All this
was new for me, because I’d never had such feelings before. And for that, I was
happy Branden made me change my mind about opening up to someone. It also made
me fearful I’d someday end up regretting it.

  
As soon as we arrived, my anticipation for adventure quickly vanished when I
saw what Branden meant by fun.

  
He parked on the side of the street, and I sat timidly in the car staring at
the sign Sound Box, hesitant to even dare enter the dark red, multi-brick building
in downtown Harrington.

  
Branden sprang out of the car and hurried around to my side, opening the door
for me. “Come on, Moya. It’s not that bad.”

  
I cringed. “No, uh-uh, I don’t do clubs,” I explained. “Besides, we’re still
nineteen.”

  
He laughed. “This isn’t that type of place. It’s more for college students.
They don’t even serve alcohol here much less check
your
ID.”

  
That was good to hear, because the only thing I grabbed from my dorm room were
my keys and cell phone.

  
“Come on, I promise you’ll like it,” Branden insisted. I decided to trust him,
as he was right about me liking Charley’s restaurant the first time we went
out.

  
Placing my hand into his, I got out of the car and walked with Branden to the
entrance. As we entered the Sound Box, Rihanna’s ‘Where Have You Been?’ boomed
loudly from the speakers. It was quite an old building, much bigger on the
inside than it appeared to be on the outside.

  
I peered around to get a feel for the setting, spotting a stage towards the back
for live performances, and a high-low section where people could dance. The
dimmed light made the atmosphere sexy as it complimented the dark ceiling and
gritty espresso interior. Indeed, Branden scored another point with me because
I liked Sound Box after all.

  
He observed my reaction as we sat at a high table near the dance floor. “I knew
you’d like it,” he said confidently, sounding like my own personal broken
record.

  
I winked. “Okay. You were right, again.”

  
“So, do you want anything to drink or eat?” he asked.

  
“I’ll have a coke.”

  
Branden left to get us drinks and I continued admiring the ambience. I was also
unable to stop myself from grooving along with the music. The hypnotic beat was
creeping underneath my skin. Even when Branden returned with our drinks, I kept
rocking on the seat.

  
He stood and watched me take a sip, then took my hand as he said, “Let’s go
dance.”

  
“Oh no, I don’t dance,” I said like a fearful little girl.

  
“Well, there’s a first for everything, Moya.” Branden grinned broadly, exposing
his perfectly white teeth as he led me to the dance floor.

  
As stiff as I was when it came to dancing, it was a wonder why I hadn’t
resisted further to keep from looking idiotic in front of him.

  
Branden flowed better to the music than I’d anticipated. He placed both hands
on my waist and I moved along with him. Surprisingly, I wasn’t as bad as I
feared.

  
We had so much fun dancing with each other that I didn’t want the night to end.
Mix after mix was exciting. The DJ truly knew how to keep a crowd entertained.
Branden and I couldn’t leave the dance floor.

  
Later on, the DJ slowed things down and Zedd’s ‘Clarity’ began to play. It was
one of my favorite songs at the moment because the words were so relatable.
Branden must have realized my love for the song, because he stood reading my
expression, and then began pulling me intimately closer.

  
My heart pounded as the warmth of his body engulfed mine. I gripped him
tighter. Like this dance, this moment, was our last. He made every single hair
on my body stand up as his breath tickled my neck. He lowered his head and
lightly kissed me there.

  
 My insides were on fire. I wanted to say the words I’d been fighting back
since I’d realized how I felt about Branden. At the end of the song, I eased
out of his arms to look him in the eyes. Then I noticed his bliss from earlier
was being replaced with agony.

  
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Branden?”

  
He curved over, clenching his chest. “Nothing,” he exhaled rigidly while
shaking his head. “It’s a chest cramp. That’s all. I’ll be fine, gimme a sec.”

  
I wasn’t satisfied with that because it didn’t seem like his discomfort was
going away after a second. “Are you sure you’re all right? Maybe I should get
some help—”

  
“No,” he said. “It’s fine. Don’t do that.” Branden tugged my hand and we made
our way outside.

  
I exhaled in the cool night air, still worried seeing Branden hung over his
car, breathing deeply. I moved closer and massaged his back. “Are you sure
you’re all right?”

  
 He composed himself then turned to face me. “Yeah, baby. I’m okay. I’m
sorry about that.” He stuck his hand in his pocket and took out his car keys.
“I guess we have to head back to campus. I’m sorry.”

  
I didn’t protest as he opened the door for me to get in. There was something
wrong. I had a gut feeling there was a secret Branden was trying to keep from
me.

  
On the drive back, I implored, “Maybe you should see a doctor. Is it the same
thing like last time when I walked with you to your dorm?”

  
Branden remained quiet, his eyes gazing out the windshield, not looking at me
once.

  
“I’m fine. It’s no big deal,” he finally said, his words coming out like a
whisper.

  
No matter what he said, pain was still evident on his face and in his reddened
knuckles as he gripped the steering wheel. Branden wasn’t doing a good job at
hiding it from me. But I didn’t mutter another word, though, until we got back
to campus and he parked his car.

  
Getting out, Branden offered, “I’ll walk you to your dorm.”

  
I actually wanted to help him back to his. “No, maybe I should—”

  
“Its fine,” he cut me off. “I don’t want you walking alone at night.”

  
I nodded in agreement, realizing there was no talking Branden out of it. His
mind was already made up.

  
 Anxiety itched at my heart as we walked back to my dorm. I wanted to know
what was really going on with Branden, what he seemed to be hiding. As I drew
closer to the entrance, I took out my identification card and unlocked the
door.

  
My body shivered as I turned to Branden and asked, “Will you come up?”

  
He looked surprised by my words. I really wanted to be close to him this
moment.

  
Moving over to where I stood, Branden touched my hand on the handle and eased
it away. He entered, closing the door behind him.