Reckless Mind by Heather Wiginton Page B

him at his apartment, and had on jeans and a plain grey shirt. Messing with the watch on his wrist, he moved and pulled his hand through his hair giving me a peak at his stomach right above his jeans. Taking a couple steps toward him, I was being pulled by an invisible string binding us together.
    “Sorry if I interrupted, I seem to do that a lot,” a blush crept across my face as I finally willed my feet to stop moving. My eyes daring to look at Brandon, his intense gaze didn't waiver from mine. “Emma wanted me to grab something to drink.” I smiled being polite, and Jules motioned with her head to Brandon.
    “We keep all that in the extra fridge in the basement, so Brandon can take you down there and show you where it is. From here on out you can just help yourself whenever you need something from there sweetie.” She rubbed my shoulder as she commented about having to run to the store because she forgot something she needed for dinner. Brandon kissed her on the cheek as she grabbed her keys and purse off the counter saying goodbye.
    “This way,” his tone wasn't as icy as usual, but it still didn't hold the warmth from when he spoke to me ever so briefly this morning in his kitchen. The basement wasn't at all what I'd expected. They had everything finished and the décor was beautiful, from the dark leather couches and chairs, to the big TV sitting on an entertainment center that looked like it was built right into the wall. A pool and foosball table sat over towards one corner. There was a smaller room that had a computer and a bunch of papers scattered across the desk it all sat on. Another door was shut, I assumed it was the laundry room.
    “Your parents have a beautiful home. They must work very hard for what they have.”
    “You don't have to tell me that, this isn't my place.” Back to the biting my head off. Great. “The fridge is back in there where the laundry room is, it's the unfinished part of the finished basement.” Rolling his eyes he seemed like he wanted to be anywhere but there with me in that moment. He turned to walk back up the stairs.
    “Brandon,” my voice was weak and qu iet when I needed to sound self-confident and strong. “I really am sorry for everything.” I continued quickly before he could interrupt me or tell me to stop. “I didn't mean to intrude when you were having a private conversation with your mom. Then when you came to my apartment I was surprised, and I don't do well with surprises, as I'm sure you could tell by the tone of my voice. I'm sorry if me being in your apartment earlier bothered you.”
    He turned slowly back toward me from the bottom of the stairs. Taking a couple more steps bringing us closer, he looked me up and down and then a smirk replaced the scowl on his face. “I guess you're beautiful when you apologize too.” It was barely above a whisper, but I heard him loud and clear. Brandon closed the rest of the distance between us, his eyes searching mine. “Tell me, Kahlen.”
    “What? I don't know what you,” I didn't want to lie to him so I didn't say anything. Something about him and his sister made it seem like they could see clear through me, and I didn't know how that was possible. I had gone all my life without anyone thinking I was anything other than what I said I was. No one ever questioned the scars or bruises, no one ever questioned my behavior or the way I acted around people. Until I moved on the other side of the country where no one knew anything about me, but could apparently sense everything.
    “Do you have a boyfriend that's hurting you or something?” I shook my head. “Are you homesick?” My eyes met his and I had to put my fingertips up to my mouth to keep myself from throwing up at the thought of missing where I came from. “So what? You're just really shy and awkward and just plain old don't know how to act around people?” Brandon's tone was sharper this time, and I didn't know why but my eyes teared up. Nothing of