I wake up in the middle of the night after a terrifying dream, and when I open my eyes, Brandon is staring at me.
He wipes away my tears. “Are you okay? You were crying.”
“Hey...” I bury my face in his chest and embrace him. “I thought you left without saying goodbye.”
“Alayna, I’ll never do that to you. But are you sure you’re okay with this?”
“I am okay with this,” I whisper. “I’m happy that you wanted to finally do this.”
“Then what are you worried about?”
“We don’t know what’s going to happen. Everything is going to change.”
“My feelings for you will neverI force another smile at his vow. “You should have decided to do this a long time ago, you know?”
A soft murmur escapes his lips, and he embraces me. “It will be torture without you.”
“That is why you have to heal fast,” I tell him. “I’m looking forward to seeing you succeed.” But I then laugh softly between tears. “Is this going to be our last night together?”
He does not bother to reply because we both know the answer. I hear him weep, so softly—like a child.
The next morning, Cassius finally arrives at Lydia’s house. He gives Brandon a brief hug, then pats his back as if they’ve longed to hold each other for a long time. It is a short but emotional greeting. They have fought long enough, and they are each other’s best friends.
Cassius flashes a weak smile when he sees me. He isn’t the Cassius I met before. He has shadows under his eyes—the mark of a sleepless night.
“Hi, Alayna,” he says with a weak smile.
“Hey.”
“Are you okay? Are you ready?”
“Yes. How about Brandon?”
“I’m safe here,” Brandon answers slowly. “No one knows I’m here except Cassius and Oliver. I asked him not to tell his fiancée, and he understands.”
“But there’s another sudden change of plans,” Cassius says. “I’m supposed to take back the two women, but we should be more careful. Oliver’s coming here alone in a while to get you, and John flew back to Manhattan with Betty last night. You know my brother, and for him, family is more important.”
Brandon agrees with his cousin, then faces me. “Don’t leave Cassius’s side, do you understand? I already ordered additional security for your safety.”
“Don’t worry about me. Where is Lydia?”
“Lydia’s inside preparing breakfast. I don’t want you to leave on an empty stomach.”
“Great, because I’m starving,” Cassius says, chuckling. “I’ve been flying back and forth. I’m getting sick of it.”
Brandon taps his shoulder. “Then you go first. You have another flight later.”
After our breakfast, everything seems normal. The two cousins talk a little more with Lydia, mostly about their childhood. I already know that Brandon and Cassius were best friends since grade school, but I haven’t seen them speak without roaring in each other’s faces.
I gather from their conversation that Lydia was once Oliver and Cassius’s nanny, and she used to live with them in Athens. Brandon is laughing, carefree, enjoying Cassius’ inside jokes. Lydia reminds them how much of a headache they were as kids. Until it’s time to finally say goodbye.
“Ready to go, Alayna?” Cassius asks as he carries my suitcase. He’s by the gate with Lydia.
“Yes, I just need a few more minutes,” I say.
I throw my arms around Brandon’s neck. This time, I cannot hold back my tears. I cry so hard that I'm crushing him, but he doesn't mind. “I know. It’s hard to do this, but promise me that you’ll come back healthy, okay?”
“I should be the one saying that,” he whispers painfully, almost inaudibly. “I’m the one who’s leaving.”
“I can take care of myself. Oliver and Casey are with me.” I hold his face. His beautiful eyes are swollen, just like mine. “Promise you’ll come back.”
“I’ll come back. Just go, Alayna. Before I change my mind.”
I brush away my tears with the back of my hand. “I love you“I know.” He presses a lingering kiss on my forehead. “Go. Cassius is waiting.”
God. This is more painful than breaking up. I turn away from him, tempting to look back, forcing my feet to walk away.
“Shall we?” Cassius asks.
I sob even more.
“Are you sure you want to go?” he asks again. “We can still leave later if you like.”
“What’s the difference?”
“Just imagine how hard this is for him,” he says softly.
“I know that, Cassius. He’s the one who’s leaving.” Damn. My tears just can’t stop, but then I turn to Lydia. “Thank you for everything, Lydia. You really have a nice home.”
“It’s my pleasure, my dear.” She touches my face. “I’m glad you like it here. I wish we could spend more time together.”
I hug her. “I wish, too. Take care, Lydia.”
She strokes my hair affectionately. “Of course, dear. Now, go on.”
I release her and walk outside with Cassius. I glance in Brandon’s direction once more, but he has already turned away as if the world had slowed down.
I guess this is it.Goodbye, Brandon.