His whisper gives me goose bumps, but not because I’m cold. It’s something else, something I can’t quite explain. “Can you just hold me?” That’s all I can muster. He pulls me closer, tighter than before, and I cling to him.
“I don’t think the girl wants to talk to you right now, dude,” states my knight in purple armor.
“Who the hell do you think you are? This is none of your damn business,” spits Bradley.
“Who am I? I’m the guy that’s here to make sure this gal is safe from you, jackass.”
“He’s a jerk,” I whisper.
Apparently, I said it loud enough for my knight to hear. He laughs with a low rumble in his chest that I feel through my entire body, making my toes curl.
“I don’t want to talk to him,” I murmur.
“You heard the lady, beat it. She doesn’t want to talk to you.”
“This is bullshit. Stella, you need to give me a chance to explain,” demands Bradley.
“No, I don’t. Go away. I don’t want to see you or talk to you.” I finally turn to see Bradley standing there in only pants. They aren’t even buttoned. That’s when I remember the promise ring. I pull back from the big guy just enough to slide the ring from my finger. “Here.” I toss the ring at Bradley. “I don’t want this anymore.” My chest aches at the loss. He gave it to me this summer in front of both of our families and our friends. He made a show of it at my parents’ annual Fourth of July barbecue. It meant so much to me.
Our families sat together on the grass at my parents’ annual 4th of July party, waiting for the fireworks to begin. We had a firepit going so people could make s’mores. Bradley stood and asked for everyone’s attention. When he knelt in front of me, I was surprised. My eyes had to have been as big as saucers and my mouth agape. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a little black box. My heart sped up at the sight before me. I had no idea what was happening.
Bradley cleared his throat and spoke loud enough for everyone to hear, “Stella, you mean the world to me. You have an exciting future ahead of you as you start college, and I want to be sure I’m a part of that future. I want to give you this promise ring so that you know, when we’re both finished with college, we’ll get married and start our amazing careers as husband and wife.”
There was a collective “awww” from the crowd around us. I slowly raised my left hand so he could slide the pretty little ring onto my finger.
I couldn’t believe it. It was a pink heart-shaped stone with two tiny diamonds on either side set on a gold band. Typically, I only wore silver, but oh well. I was speechless, but everyone was staring at me, so I figured I’d better say something.
“Oh, Bradley, that is so sweet and romantic! Thank you so much! I love it!”
There was a smattering of applause, and then a few people approached me to give me a hug, one of which was my mom. Loudly, she stated, “Congratulations, Bradley and Stella!” But then she did what she always does; she ruined my mojo as she whispered in my ear, “Don’t screw this up.”
My smile dropped. Way to ruin the moment, Mom-devil. A few people patted Bradley on the back. I’d like to say he was smiling, but that wouldn’t be the right way to describe his expression. Smug smirk was closer. Right then, the fireworks started, and that was that.
Chapter Two
STELLA
Ishake my head and blink, bringing myself back to the nightmare in front of me.
“Stella, I know you don’t mean this. You just need to let me explain.”
I’m still looking at my ex––what was he? Boyfriend? Not really. Definitely not my fiancé. No matter, this is certain, begging doesn’t look good on Bradley. This thought satisfies me for a second.
I lay my head back onto the hardest chest in the world. It’s got to be carved from stone.
“Buddy, it’s time to move along. You can talk to her another time.”
“Who the hell do you think you are? You don’t even know us,” Bradley shouts. I peek back at Bradley because I can tell by his voice he’s getting agitated. I can tell I’m right because he’s running his fingers through his hair and pacing frantically
“I’m here for her”—that must be me—“and she wants you to go. So you need to go.”
“Fine,” Bradley snaps angrily. “I’m going, but I’ll be back,Stella. Wewilltalk about this!” Bradley screeches as he stomps back to the doorway to the stairwell. It means he’s going back up. To my dorm. Great.
The arms that were wrapped tightly around me start to loosen. Mine relax as well, and my eyes begin the long, long trek up from his hard chest, past his thick neck, up to the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen in my entire life.
“Damn!” he says.
“What?” I ask.
