I try to push that aside; I can deal with it this weekend. I have an errand to run. Jessa and I went to the thrift store today and I bought Vince a gift. It’s gotten cold and I honestly can’t stand the thought of him sleeping outside without a jacket. Walking up the hill, I spot him on his usual bench overlooking the field. When I get closer, I see Grant next to him, talking.

Going back and forth in my head if I should stay or go, I decide to stop. Grant gave me no reason to feel uncomfortable talking to him. “Hi, Vince. Hi, Grant,” I say, giving a wave of my hand.

“Hiya, Sadie,” Vince says in return.

“Oh…hey, Sadie,” Grant states.

“I just wanted to drop this off for you, Vince.” I hand him the parka I bought, along with gloves, a scarf, and a hat.

“Thank you, Sadie.” Vince voice sounds grateful, making me relieved. I didn’t want to offend him.

“That was nice of you,” Grant adds, not looking straight at me.

“Take a seat.” Vince shrugs the jacket on and pats the seat next to him.

“I didn’t know you knew one another?” Grant questions and I nod my head.

“This is on my way to and from the dorm so…” I trail off.

“Oh. Brady’s okay with it?” he whispers in my ear so Vince doesn’t hear and I briefly wonder why he cares.

“Probably not, but that isn’t going to stop me,” I reply.

“Brady’s really private, Sadie. I think you should tell him,” he says and I quirk an eyebrow in confusion.

“So, Vince. I should probably get going, but I’ll be on my way back in a couple hours. Can I bring you a coffee or anything?” I ask, ignoring Grant. Since when does he care about what Brady thinks? The whole dynamic between him, Brady, and Kara is increasingly getting on my nerves.

“I’m fine, Sadie. This jacket is more than enough.” He pats my knee in a fatherly manner and I get up to walk away.

I make it a few steps away when I hear Grant’s voice, “Hold up a second, Sadie.”

I turn around, finding Grant lightly jogging my way. “What’s up, Grant?”

“I didn’t mean anything back there. It’s just…I know you and Brady are a couple, and I know the way he feels about Vince.”

“How do you know that, Grant? I thought you didn’t like each other. Remember telling me to stay away from him?” I hammer question after question, mostly because I’m baffled by the whole situation.

“Like I said, Brady’s private. It’s his thing to tell you. I don’t want to interfere but believe it or not, even with our differences, I do care about him,” he admits with concern in his voice.

“Okay,” I draw out, clearly annoyed.

“Sadie, I wish I could tell you more, but,” he looks back at Vince, who takes a sip of alcohol from a small flask, “I can’t.” His face looks truly pained and for the first time since I met Brady, I’m mad at him. I have been letting all the secrets go, believing that when he is ready he will tell me. Now, I feel like I’m the only one in the dark, and the fact that Kara knows more about him than me makes this unbearable.

“Thanks, Grant. I will talk with Brady,” I respond and start to walk away.

“I should have never told you to stay away from him. He really is a good guy, just needs to be reassured of it occasionally” he calls out to my back.

I go to my class and instead of meeting Brady at the Student Center, I text him, telling him I have a meeting at the bank for a loan. I can’t see him right now, afraid of what would come out of my mouth. I walk to a coffee house off campus. I just need to get away from everything. I have been shunned by my family, my boyfriend is keeping something from me, and I have no idea how I’m going to pay for next semester. I came to Western for a trouble-free life and now I have anything but that.

I order a passion tea and take a seat next to the window. Watching all the college students stroll by, I wonder if they have as many problems as I do. Then I shake my head, knowing they do. These problems aren’t new or different than anyone else’s; the problem is, I miss Theo. He would have sat with me, brainstorming on what to do. He would have told me to stop wallowing in self-pity and do something about it. He would have told me to confront Brady and make him tell me what is going on. The longer I sit here thinking of Theo, the more emotional I become and the madder I get at Brady.

Just as I’m about to get up from my seat, I spot Brady walking on the other side of the street with a woman. I squint my eyes to get a better look and realize it’s the same middle-aged woman I saw having lunch with Vince that day. She laughs at something he says and gently touches his arm and he turns back to her, smiling.

Rage starts to flow through my whole body and I can’t help but follow them. I try to remain calm but the more I see them laugh, the worse the feeling gets in my stomach. Is this what Grant was talking about? They end up outside Shubert Hall, the music building. They embrace in a hug and she kisses him on the cheek before they part. It’s all I can do not to run over there, screaming like some crazed psycho to stay away from my man.

I turn around, starting to make my way back to the dorm. Then I change my mind. I’m sick of being pushed around; Brady will answer my questions now. Turning back the way I just came, I stomp around the building and stop abruptly, speechless to see who Brady’s with.

Sitting on the same bench I just occupied a few hours prior, Brady talks with Vince. Not wanting to make a scene in front of Vince, I sit down on the bench behind them across the parking lot. Their mannerisms toward one another appear comfortable, yet standoffish at the same time. Brady sits on the far opposite side of the bench, with his forearms resting on his legs. Even from this distance, you can feel the tension between them. Suddenly, I figure out something I should have a long time ago. I may not have all the answers but I know one for sure. How did I never notice those same deep-set caramel eyes or long eyelashes? Vince is Brady’s father.

Almost as soon I come to the realization, Brady stands up and turns around in my direction. I stand still, as though if I move it will give me away. His eyes find mine and he instantly realizes that I know his secret. He closes his eyes slowly, no doubt wishing I would have found out differently and I wish I would have, too. I’m not sure if he mumbles something or not, but Vince turns around and smiles my way. He touches Vince’s shoulder before he heads in my direction. My heart races and my breathing is erratic until he touches me. The minute Brady’s hand touches my arm, I instantly calm. How does he have this effect on me?

“I’m sorry I haven’t told you, Sadie,” he whispers.

“Why didn’t you?” I ask, unsure of the question coming out.

“I was embarrassed. I don’t want you to think I will end up like that.” He glances back over to Vince.

“I shared everything with you, Brady. Why didn’t you give me the same courtesy?”

“I was going to tell you. I just didn’t know how.”

“You just say it, Brady. You just spit it out,” I say, my voice escalating.

“Are you going to break up with me?” he asks and my heart breaks.

“Of course not,” I assure him, placing my hands on either side of his face. “But you need to start explaining some things.”

Chapter 24

Brady grabs my hand and leads me away from Vince, who surprisingly has turned around to resume staring out at the field. The apprehension rolls off of Brady and I can tell he’s worried. I remember my own insecurities when I told him about my past. I know I need to reassure him like he did me. That no matter what he tells me, it won’t change my feelings for him.

“Brady, let’s go somewhere private, just us,” I request, remembering how he held me the whole time I told him my secrets.

He stares down at me for what seems like minutes and then says, “I want to show you something first.” Then he turns us in another direction and goes right into Shubert Hall.