Love Survives(27)

Then Branch went too far. “So, what room did you say you were in again?” He inquired.

“I didn’t. It’s seven zero two. Why?” I expected him to say he was kicking my ass later, but that was far from what came out of his mouth next.

“You hear that, Mel? Write it down for later. I’m sure it’s been a while since he’s had a ginger.”

I faced him, ready to throw down. He’d taken things too far. I figured Melissa would get angry for him making a joke out of her having red hair, but instead she seemed even more convinced that she had a chance. “Don’t speak for me, Branch. You have no idea what I do with my free time.”

I refused to look at Kat. The first reason was because I didn’t want to see her disappointed face. The second was because I did. I wanted to know that she was offended, so much that she didn’t want to marry him. This guy, the one that was acting a fool, was the true identity of my brother. He may not present it all the time, but behind closed doors he was selfish, heartless, and out to make sure he won at whatever he’d set out to do.

Melissa came over, wrapped her arm into mine. “So, should I join you in your room?”

I stared directly at Kat when I replied. “Maybe later.”

I had no intentions of sleeping with her, but needed my brother off my back, at least until the service was over. It was a good plan if I could just put up with Branch for a little while longer.

It was obvious that Kat was becoming frustrated with my brother. She and Melissa went into the bathroom together, and when she came back out she had a disgusted look on her face.

Only a short time later Branch started cursing and giving other people at the bar a hard time. He was out of control.

Kat tried to grab him, but his weight knocked them both down. I managed to help her before he could crush her anymore. “Alright, bro. It’s time for you to call it a night, man.”

Kat told Melissa that she’d see her back in the room as we started to exit the bar.

While in the elevator, Branch began singing at the top of his lungs. “Going to the chapel and I’m gonna get married.”

We managed to lead him to his room, and Kat opened the door. Branch started on her again. “Don’t leave me baby. Give me some love before you go.”

She swatted his hands away. “I can’t stay, Branch. It’s bad luck.”

My brother pointed to the door. “Then get the fuck out. I knew I should have gotten strippers.”

That was the last straw. I wouldn’t let him disrespect her in front of me. I slapped him hard on the back of the head. “Be respectful, you drunk piece of shit. That woman is going to be your wife tomorrow. Don’t talk to her like that.”

Branch rolled over on his back. He pulled his knees up and started laughing. “Listen to you, standing up for her still. Do you know how many times I’ve been inside of her? She’s never going to be yours now. I marked her.”

This wasn’t just an attempt to get to me. He was hurting her too.

I pointed toward the door while looking at Kat. “Go outside and wait for me.”

“But I-”

“Kat, go outside. Now!”

She looked back at Branch, who was watching her exit the room. “In twenty-four hours you’ll be my wife, Katy. Don’t forget it!”

I waited for it to shut before giving him a piece of my mind. “What the hell is wrong with you? She’s not some punching bag.”

He covered his head with a pillow like my words meant nothing. “Go away. Who invited you here anyway?”

I stood over the bed, looking down at him in such a terrible predicament. “I don’t care how much I’ve had to drink. I’d never talk to her that way. You don’t do that to people you love.”

Branch started laughing. “Fuck you! You think I care how you feel? You’re just pissed that she wants me. I could beat the shit out of her and she still wouldn’t go running to you. Just get out of here, Brooks.”

“You know, it doesn’t matter what you say to me. You’ll never deserve her. I hope you oversleep, so she doesn’t make the worst mistake of her life. You’re pathetic. She may not see it now, but it’s only a matter of time.”

When I went out into the hallway I saw her sitting there on floor, her hands covering her face. All it took was for her to look at me, and I could feel myself becoming weak. This was my best friend, and she needed me.

“I’m really sorry about that. He didn’t mean it.” Even if he had, she didn’t deserve to have her heart broken. She may not have wanted me, but I’d never give up on her.





Chapter 12

I was leading Kat down the hallway towards her room. I’d waited to be alone with her, but after what had occurred I knew it wasn’t the right time or place to catch up. If things were different I would have been willing to stay up all night reminiscing about our memories together. After all, Kat wasn’t just the woman of my dreams, she was my everything.