“If you stop asking me questions and answer one of mine, I will play you a song.” He brings his guitar closer to him.

“How do you know I want you to play a song?” I hope my voice sounds casual, even though I would do anything for him to sing.

“Ugh…another question. Do you ever stop? Because you love my voice. Not to mention, you really need to hear this song.” He leans in closer to me and my heart beats faster.

“Alright, shoot Carsen.” I release my legs and cross them over each other.

He brings the guitar to his lap and starts to strum the strings a few times while he tunes the knobby things.

“Wait, I thought you had a question.”

“I think I want to play the song for you first.” He grins and starts to play. I recognize it from the first strum on the guitar but when Brady’s voice tenderly begins to sing Happy Birthday, I know he just took a little more of my heart.

It is the most romantic act anyone has done for me. I don’t know how he knew it was my birthday or when he found out, but I couldn’t have asked for a better gift than him. After he finishes with the song, he places his guitar back in the case and instructs me to close my eyes, which is an easy task since I need to compose myself. I hear a flick of a lighter and know now he must have a candle.

“Open up your eyes,” he whispers. I feel him closer to me than before. “Happy birthday, Sadie. Make a wish.” When I open my eyes, there is a chocolate cupcake with cream cheese frosting topped with a mound of toasted coconut shavings and one lit candle.

“Brady…” I take a deep breath in. “You shouldn’t have.” Our eyes meet again and I hope he can see how grateful I am despite my words.

“Make your wish.” He brings the cupcake closer to me.

I close my eyes, smelling the sweetness of the coconut and frosting. I feel the heat from the small flame on top and suck in a deep breath, secretly making my wish before releasing it to extinguish the flame.

“I hope I was part of that wish.” Brady takes out the candle and places it inside the box. “So are you ready for my question?”

“Just so you know, I’m a true believer in not telling anyone what I wish for. It’s bad karma and I really want this one to come true.”

“Me too. I will never ask but…if you ever want to tell me, I wouldn’t be upset,” he laughs. “Sadie Miller?” he asks and I stare directly at him. “Did you have a good birthday?” He smiles up at me and my body can’t be wrapped in his arms soon enough.

“The best, Brady. Thank you.” I kiss him thoroughly with every fiber of my being. How I found this man is beyond me because I don’t deserve him.

“Sadie, you are a mysterious girl.” He places his hands on either side of my face, bringing it closer to his until our lips find one another again.

I’m happy he doesn’t ask me any questions regarding my past. He hasn’t asked me why I never told him it was my birthday or why I faked being sick. As much as I want to tell him about Theo and my life at Drayton, it scares me that he will run when he finds out and there is no way I can lose him now.

“Can I ask one question now?” I peek my head up from his, finishing our kiss.

“You aren’t as sneaky as you think. Jessa found some confetti on the floor the other day and was curious. She may have checked out your driver’s license to find out, but don’t tell her I told you.” He grins, pulling me tighter into him. “She didn’t tell me until tonight when she and Rob got there, which is why this is so spur of the moment. If I would have had more time, it would have been better.”

“It was perfect, Brady. I wouldn’t have wanted to celebrate my birthday any other way,” I confess and kiss his cheek.

“Happy birthday, Sadie,” he whispers in my ear.

Chapter 10

We stayed up at the hill for a couple hours, wrapped in a blanket, talking about things we love. Brady told me how he ended up in The Invisibles with the guys and how he has always had a love of music. He said that when they asked him to sing, he decided he wanted a change of pace. What he didn’t tell me was what he needed a change of pace from. The way he spoke was as though he was someone else before then. I didn’t pry; I too have secrets I am not about to reveal yet.

He walked me home, kissing me goodnight at the door. Even though I desperately wanted to ask him to stay, I couldn’t. I wasn’t ready for this to end between us and I fear if I sleep with him, that is exactly what will happen.

He picked me up this morning, taking me to a Farmer’s Market in town, where he buys us fresh vegetables and fruit. It surprises me that he knows almost all the vendors, introducing me to them by first name. When they ask him how he is holding up, he shrugs them off, saying he’s great and interrupts any follow-up questions, telling them we have to go. I have never seen him this wound-up before. As the day continues and the questions from the vendors pry more, he barely smiles and eventually starts rushing us through the booths.

By the time we get to the last vendor, Brady is holding my hand, steadily moving us toward the street. The way he’s pulling my arm, I feel as though there is some dangerous murderer following us.

“Brady Carsen? Is that you?” A sweet older lady with grey hair and a small frame calls out to him. Brady continues to walk, but I pull him back.

“Brady. That lady is calling your name.” I tug my hand away from his. He turns around and his expression isn’t casual and easy-going like usual. He appears cold and angry. I can tell he is mad that I stopped him. He looks at me and then at the elderly lady. Taking a deep breath and releasing it while his shoulders slump, he takes my hand again and leads me over to the table full of cookies, cakes and breads.

“I thought that was you. How are you, Brady?” Her voice is so soft and caring, and she reminds me of a grandmother.

“Hi, Mrs. Fletcher. I’m good. Thank you for asking,” he replies, the same answer he gave to every other person who knows him here.

“I was sorry to hear about…” she starts but Brady quickly interrupts her.

“Thank you, Mrs. Fletcher. This is Sadie Miller. She’s new to Western.” He puts his hand on the small of my back and I offer my hand for her to shake.

“Nice to meet you, Sadie.” She smiles, shaking my hand in return. “Very beautiful, Brady.”

“I agree,” Brady responds and grins back to her. The first real smile from his lips in the last hour.

“How did he get you, darling? I hope it isn’t the bad boy band thing because my Brady isn’t some rock star that loves ‘em and leaves ‘em.” She peers directly in my eyes as though she can tell if I lie to her.

“You’re ruining my image, Mrs. Fletcher,” Brady laughs. God, I love that sound.

“He’s a perfect gentleman.” I look over at Brady; his lips turn up as he glances down at me.

“Glad to hear it. Now, pick something out. It’s on me. You’re too skinny,” she adds, pinching my arm.

“Um…” I grab my arm, holding where she pinched. Obviously, I’m not too skinny since she got some skin. I pick up a package of Rice Krispie treats and dig in my purse for the money.

“Oh, Brady’s favorites. I used to make these for him when he was little. Just a little brown mop-haired boy running around the streets.”

Brady turns a nice shade of pink from embarrassment. “I promise to share,” I tell her and hand her five dollars.

“No darling, it’s fine. Any friend of Brady’s is a friend of mine.” She pushes my hand back.

“Are you sure?” She nods. “Well then…thank you, Mrs. Fletcher.” I place them in our bag.

“Come give me some sugar, Brady. I never see you anymore.” She holds her hands out for him to hug her. His large frame envelopes her small stature. I hear her whispering in his ear. Brady nods his head in agreement and then releases her, giving her a kiss on the cheek.