“Slapping me in front of my brothers was stupid, and I should punish you for it, but I am going to give you grace this one time. Don’t ever disrespect me in front of my brothers,” he says, grabbing my chin with his hand. “Do I make myself clear?”
I stare at Bear, feeling fear rise in my chest, butterflies swarming my stomach as my heart rate skyrockets. This is the same feeling I got from my ex-boyfriend. I look away from Bear, trying to get my mind off my ex-boyfriend.
“I said, do I make myself clear?” he asks again, breaking me out of my thoughts.
He moves my head at the same time he speaks. I nod slowly, complying so he will let go of my chin. I let out a breath of air I didn’t realize I was holding when he releases me.
Bear talking and holding my chin like this reminds me of how Jared would act when I made him angry. My heart rate continues to rise the longer I think about it.
“Now I want to say sorry for buying the phone behind your back.” His tone softens.
I turn my head, looking away from him. I feel like a child being scolded.
“Brooke, look at me, please,” he says.
I shake my head. I just want to crawl somewhere and never be found. I feel my eyes start to water, and I blink. This is all too much, and I need to be left alone to calm down.
Bear cups my cheeks, and he lifts my face toward his. I close my eyes and draw in a shaky breath. His touch is so soft, and I find myself leaning into him. His tender touch makes me emotional, reminding me of my mom taking care of me when things got rough.
“Open your eyes,” he practically begs.
I shake my head, not wanting him to see that my eyes are filled with tears. If I look at him, I am going to cry more. Jared hated it when I was upset in front of him. He would get so mad, but with Bear, his voice and touch make me want to let it all out.
“It’s okay. I want to see your beautiful eyes,” Bear says softly, rubbing his thumb across my cheek.I slowly crack my eyes open a little.
“That’s it. You are doing so great,” he whispers.
When I look at him fully, my eyes well up with more tears, and his face softens.
“Oh, baby, I didn’t mean to make you cry. I just got a little mad and reacted rashly. I’m sorry for making you cry,” he says.
When I let out a sob, Bear picks me up, wrapping my legs around his waist, and putting my face on his shoulder. I wrap my arms around his neck as he starts moving a little.
“Just let it all out. I’m sorry for making you cry, baby. I didn’t mean to,” he says, rubbing my back.
I don’t think it’s entirely his fault. He doesn’t know about my past, and talking to me that way will set me off.
I haven’t cried since the incident, choosing to bottle up my emotions instead. Sooner or later, it would all get too much, and I would cry. Bear just happened to be the person to push me over the edge and make me cry.
“Do you want to tell me why you are crying?” Bear asks, continuing to rub my back.
Shaking my head, I turn my head and bury my face in his neck. I’m still crying, but have calmed down some. Bear’s actions provided the comfort I needed and helped me calm down.
“How about we go get you some water? That always calms down Pres’s Old Lady when she cries,” Bear offers.
Before I can even respond, Bear starts walking. I bury my face further into his neck, trying to cover my face. I’ve never been a pretty crier.
Bear tightens his arm around me, holding me close to him. After a couple of seconds, he moves his hand slightly. I suck in a breath when I feel a fresh wave of tears coming out.
“Shhh, everything’s going to be all right,” Bear says.
I feel myself start to shake, trying to keep quiet. Bear pushes me up a little bit and rearranges his hand that’s under my butt as he walks around.
“What happened to her?” someone asks.
It sounds like Gears. My shoulders tremble more the harder I try to keep quiet. Bear’s hand starts to run up and down my back again.
“Baby, I need you to calm down. You are going to make yourself sick,” Bear whispers in my ear.
