Brianna:

My head was pounding, I had to pee, and as I opened my eyes, it was then I realized I passed out on the couch and that it was the next morning.

I slept the entire day and night away.

As I sat up, the harder my head pounded, and everything I drank the day before was now rushing from my stomach up through my throat, and causing me to run as fast as I could to the bathroom. And like a rocket taking off into thin air, I puked out every ounce of fluid I had in my stomach, then I laid on the cold tiled floor and closed my eyes, trying to remember everything I did the day before.

Knowing there was nothing left inside my stomach to empty into the porcelain god, I slowly stood, then looked to see if he had any Tylenol for my pounding headache. After opening the vanity, I found a bottle, then headed into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. As I walked past the bottle of alcohol and saw how the bottle was nearly empty, had me rushing to the sink and wanting to empty whatever else was in my stomach, which was nothing. The only thing exiting my mouth were the acids of my stomach.

As I was leaning over the sink, staring at what came out, I told myself I would never drink like I did, ever again. No matter how upset I was.

I felt that if I made myself something to eat, it wouldn't stay in my stomach long. But after not eating anything yesterday, and hardly anything the day before yesterday, I knew I needed to eat something. I decided to see if something simple stayed in my stomach, and I started making myself scrambled eggs.

The smell of the eggs cooking alone was enough to make me want to puke, and I ended up pinching my nostrils together to try to stop the aroma of the eggs from hitting my senses. After the eggs cooked and my bread popped out of the toaster, I sat down and tried eating. It didn't take much. After a few bites of the eggs and thought they tasted funny, I pushed the plate away from me, ate the toast, then laid down and forced myself to sleep.

******

A week went by, and without talking to any of my friends, with me also ignoring Nick and hearing what he had to say, I was as bored as ever. Not to mention the sicker I was feeling. I wasn't sure if it was because my stomach was in knots, the more I thought about the situation with Nick and Tessa, or if I had come down with something.

I needed to get out.

I also needed a change in scenery.

When I went to the store a week ago, I remembered seeing a bar and grill not too far down the road and since I've hidden from the world inside Nick's place, to cry, puke, and sleep. I never gave it much thought to make myself a meal. Well, I tried once, and that didn't go so well. And since I got all the crying, puking, and sleeping out of my system, I think today's the day to get out, get some fresh air and walk my sorry ass down to the bar to socialize with some strangers and get some food in my stomach.

Since there was no cloud in the sky, a temperature of 95 degrees, and the sun shining brightly, I knew I needed to keep myself cooled and put on white shorts and a light pink tank top. Then, I pulled up and twisted my hair into a bun and grabbed a bottle of water before I walked out the door.

As I was walking, my phone rang. Seeing it was Nick, I silenced the call by hanging up on him, and then I put my phone back in my back pocket. A few minutes later, it rang again. This time, I let it go to voicemail, and once I got to the bar, I stood outside the door and listened to what Nick had to say.

Brianna, I wish you would quit hanging up on me and would give me a chance to explain myself. I never meant to hurt you, and I'm so very sorry that I did. When I said you mean everything to me and that you're my world, I meant it. You mean the fucking world to me, and I absolutely hate myself for hurting you. Since we met and started hanging out, you're all I have ever thought about day and night, and would instead go home to you every night than Tessa. I miss you. I miss you so fucking much, and with you refusing to talk or see me is killing me. Please. I beg you. Tell me where you are. I need to see and speak to you. I can't go another day without seeing you. I love you, and only you. Please call me back after you get this.

I hung up and shook my head. Well, you'll be going another day without seeing me, won't you? I breathed as I opened the door and entered the bar.

******

Nick:

Everyone I have talked to has not heard from or seen Brianna in a week, and now I'm really starting to worry. Whenever I call her, it either goes directly to voicemail or when it does ring, she hangs up on me.

I pulled into the parking lot of Brianna's apartment complex, parked, then tried calling her one more time, this time, she let voicemail pick it up and took the opportunity to leave a message with hopes she'll listen to it and call me back.

Fingers crossed.

Next, I called Anna to let her know that I won't be in for a few days. I didn't tell her why. Even I didn't understand why I did. But what I did know was that I needed to find Brianna. And if it meant taking an entire week off to find her, I would do just that as I'm not giving up until I do.

No way.

If and when I find her, and she allows me to explain myself, I hope she'll forgive me. And if she doesn't, then I'll have to man up and own up to what I did. After all, this is all my fault. I am the reason she went into hiding, and I deserve the way she's treating me. And that's like shit.

I knew Brianna never came home, so I entered her apartment without knocking, and as suspected, she still has not been home. Where in the hell did she go? Think, Nick, think.

I sat at her dining room table and stared at the roses I bought her, then reached for the card I wrote for her and read it over and over until I couldn't. Everything I said, I meant. Everything I ever said to her I meant, and I wasn't sure what else I could tell her that I haven't already, that'll get her to realize that it's her I love, and not Tessa.

I set the card back against the vase, then looked towards the window and tried to think where Brianna could have gone to. I looked away from the window and up to the ceiling and prayed. Please call me Brianna. Please. Please. Please...

I closed my eyes and took a couple of deep breaths. I've lost her. I've lost her for good, and the only person I can blame is myself.

After another half hour of feeling sorry for myself, my phone rang. At first, I was going to ignore it, thinking it was Tessa, but a gut feeling told me to see who was calling, and when I reached for my phone and saw the name, I was glad I did. A sigh of relief was heard in my voice when answering the phone, "Brianna? Thank God you're calling me, finally."

The only thing was, she never responded on the other end. I kept repeating hello, but all I heard was music and people talking, laughing, and yelling in the background. Then the line went dead.

What the fuck?

I stared at my phone, then tried calling her back. All it kept doing was ring and go to voicemail. After about twenty times of trying, I finally got through with her not answering her phone, but a guy.

"Ah, hello? Who in the hell is answering my girlfriend's phone?"

"My name is Tanner. Who is this?"

My heart dropped, and I stood fast, talking louder into the phone, "Tanner? Tanner, who? Where in the hell is Brianna?"

"Hello?" I asked again when the guy doesn't respond.

"Hello?" I emphasized.

"Hello?" Another man responded to the phone.

"Who in the fuck is this now? Where is Brianna?"

"My name is Rick. Who are you looking for?"

"I'm looking for a girl named Brianna. You're on her phone. Can you tell me where she is?"

"I'm sorry. Someone handed me this phone. So, I have no idea who you are talking about; there are many people here right now. Can you describe her to me?"

"Brianna has very long, curly brown hair that rests at her waist, with big brown eyes, and very slender. And to top it off, she's one extremely beautiful woman."

"I don't see anyone here like the one you described. But there is a pretty woman here, with brown hair and with her hair pulled up in a bun. And I thought I overheard her telling someone her name is Bri. Is that who you're looking for?"

"Sounds like her, yes. Who are you again?

"My name is Rick. I'm the bartender here at Ozarks bar and grill."

The corners of my lips formed upward into a smile, and I was now feeling more than relieved to hear where she was. "Rick. It's me, Nick."

"Oh, hey, Nick! How are you, buddy?"

"I'm better now that you told me where my girl was. Say, can you do me a huge favor and keep an eye on her? Make sure she's safe?"

"Of course,"

"Thank you, man. I'm down at home, so it'll take me a couple of hours to get there. Please, do what you can to keep them drunken fools off her. She's not a big drinker, and when she does drink, she does things she doesn't do when she's sober."

He chuckled, "Will do; see you when you get here."

I rushed out of Brianna's apartment so fast; I couldn't even remember if I locked her door and hurried back to make sure I did. I didn't need her pissed at me for that either.

Hearing Brianna was at the bar worried me. But it also had me feeling comforted to know where she was and that she was in a safe place. I trust Rick and know he would make sure nothing would happen to her. The surprising thing was, she's only been to my parents' place once and for her to remember where to go was remarkable.

With no care in the world, I stepped harder on the gas pedal and drove as fast as I could on the freeway, trying to make record time to where I needed to be, and hoped not to be stopped by the police.

Instead of making it there in the two hours I usually make it in, I made it up to the bar in just over an hour.

I walked in, saw Rick, and smiled when he looked over to me and pointed in her direction. I hurriedly walked over to Rick and handed him a hundred-dollar bill. "Thanks, Rick."

"No problem," he said, taking the money from my hand. "I'm not going to see a fight soon, will I be?"

I looked over at Brianna and shook my head. "No. If anything, you'll see my ass getting handed to me by her."

He laughed. "Good luck."

My heart raced the faster I headed to her, but the closer I got, the angrier I felt when I saw a guy place his hands on her. "Excuse me. But the woman you have your hands on is mine, and it's time I bring her home."

She turned around, and with anger in her eyes, she scowled. "I'm not yours anymore." Then she slapped me. Hard across the face. "You deserve that," she slurred.

"Yes, I did deserve that," I admitted, wrapping my arm around her. "Come on, let's get you out of here," I sighed, trying to get her to walk.

"I'm not going anywhere. And I want to finish my drink."

As mad as she was with me, I wasn't going to deny her not finishing her drink and walked her to the bar. As I helped her in her chair, Rick walked over and handed me a beer. "What do I owe you for her tab?"

He smiled and shook his head. "Nothing. The guys here have been nice enough to buy all her drinks for her," he said, handing me her phone and purse.

After Brianna finished her drink, I picked her up and carried her out of the bar. Then set her in my car. "How did you get here?"

"I walked," she snapped.

On the drive back to what is now my place, she looked out the window the entire time, refusing to look at me or answer anything I asked. And when we got to the cabin, she hesitantly had me help walk her in the house, but as I helped her to the couch and sat her down, she finally spoke. "How did you find me?"

"Your phone called me, but there was nobody there on the other end, and after it hung up, I repeatedly called until someone answered... of all places you could have gone to. I'm glad you remembered how to get here."

"To be honest. I surprised myself. But I remembered it being an easy drive."

I sat next to Brianna, wrapped my arm over her shoulder, and pulled her to me. "I am sorry, you know," I quietly said, resting my chin on the top of her head. "When you sober up, I'd like for us to talk."

"You do know I hate you right now, right?"

"I know," I whispered, "I know."

"You're the biggest piece of shit on this planet, and I absolutely hate what you did to me. To us."

I could hear it in Brianna's voice. She was holding back from crying and held her tighter. "There can still be an us," I assured. "But I'd rather talk to you while you're sober. Okay?"

"I've missed you," she cried. "I missed you so fucking much. You have no idea how this has been the hardest week of my life."

I sighed, lowered my head, and kissed her cheek. "I do have an idea. Because this has been the hardest week of my life, too."

"I can't believe you're married... to her," she sniffled.

"Me either. And hopefully not too much longer," I quietly added. With my arms still holding her firm, I laid her down with me on the couch and lovingly caressed her from the head and down her body, up and down, until she fell asleep.

It felt damn good to have Brianna in my arms again, and I never wanted to let her go. Now more than ever, I was never going to let anything or anyone ever come in our way and to try stopping me from loving her. With that meaning, Tessa.

It had been a week since I last slept, and having Brianna in my arms made it so much easier to close my eyes and fall asleep.

I have no idea how long I was sleeping for, but something was telling me to open my eyes, and when I did, I saw the most beautiful girl in the world staring at me and smiled. "Hi," I whispered.

"Hi."

"What time is it?"

She shrugged her shoulder, still staring me in the eyes, searching for whatever she was searching for.

"How long have you been awake?"

"Long enough to ask you what I needed to hear," she whispered.

"And I responded?"

She nodded.

"What did you ask me?"

"I asked who you loved."

I slowly smiled. "And what did I say?"

"You said, 'I love Brianna.'

"It's not a lie."

"I know that now... kiss me," she begged, tightening her arm around me.

"I thought you hate me?"

"I do. But I need to feel your lips on me again. I need to make sure what I'm about to do will be the right decision."

I lowered my brows and pressed my head back to get a better look into her eyes. "And what decision is that?"

"It all depends on how the kiss makes me feel."

I've waited all week to kiss her plump, beautiful lips, and now wasn't the time for me to question why she wanted me to kiss her. I leaned forward, pressed my lips to hers, and showed her how much I loved her in this kiss, then I deepened the kiss, showing her how much I missed her. This was the kiss that was either going to further our relationship or end it.

I wanted our relationship to continue more than anything and made sure to give her exactly what she was looking for. "Nick," she moaned into my mouth. "Nick," she repeated. "I need some air."

She gasped as I parted from her lips and grazed my lips along her cheek and to her ear, whispering, "I love you, Brianna."

"Make love to me..."

"What?" I stupidly asked. But I had to be sure that's what I heard, and when she pressed her lips to mine and smiled, I knew I had her back. "Will you make love to me?"

"Is this drunk talk, or are you serious right now?"

"I may be feeling the effects of the alcohol, still. But what I know is, I've had a week to think about us. I was quick to want to end what we had, but with your determination all week, and for you to find me, with that kiss, we just shared moments ago. I've never been more sure in my life. I want you to make love to me, but if you're going to go back to Tessa, then you and I are done, and I will then ask that instead of making love to me, that you drive me home, and then I want you never to contact me again."

"Your wish is my command. Because I will do nothing that would jeopardize our relationship ever again," I said, lifting and carrying her to the bedroom. "As I said numerous times this past week. You're the one I love. Nobody else."

I hope you enjoyed the chapter!🤞🤞