Dear Edward - Heather Parsons (smart books to read .TXT) 📗

off of her, brought a smile to his. Even though this event was a happy one he couldn't see himself being here much longer, he just didn't fit in. Being an outsider, a loner, one without family or friends, this wasn't where he was meant to be.
Standing up to stretch his legs, Edward glanced once more at the gathering then walked away. Tears gathering in his eyes, he needed his escape to go without alerting anyone else. Couldn't stand to have someone see him this way, this hurt over something this beautiful.
On the brink of tears herself, Brianna found an escape and took it. Everyone was so happy around her, so joyous of the events taking place but the two people she wanted to see this day happening would never. Her parents, would they be happy for her? She needed them now, to tell her they were proud.
Running through the woods to the cemetery that lay beyond them, she stumbled there to find her answers, her comfort, her peace of mind. Leaving Jason behind was a lot easier than she thought. He probably wouldn't notice her missing for awhile but it didn't matter, she needed this and was taking it.
Wondering around the woods for awhile wasn't helping his situation. Edward needed to be around people that he knew, around ones that knew him, around family. Finding a path standing out in front of him, he took it. Following the windy mess of fallen leaves and shrubs, he ended up in a cemetery. Not exactly the place he intended to be and as he turned around to walk back he heard her cries. You could walk away, he thought then shook his head. It wouldn't be right, she'd never leave you to deal with things in this nature. She didn't abandon you when you needed someone and he wasn't about to abandon her.
Quickly he made his way around grave stones to see her on her knees in front of two. Her cries were louder as he stepped closer but still soft enough not to be heard by anyone else. “Brianna..” he whispered drawing her name out.
Jumping and falling over, she didn't think to look if anyone else was out here. Embarrassed at getting caught unaware, her cheeks blushed but she look up to meet his glare. The tears in his eyes glistened by the light of the moon, making his face look oddly out of place in this town full of grief. There was a faint glow about him but she turned away before he'd see her stare.
“I just thought when this day happened that my parents would be able to see it, my dad would walk me down the isle and give me away. My mom would help me pick a dress out and in turn get dolled up along side me. I never imagined doing this alone.” Placing one hand on her mother's grave and the other on her father's, talking to both of them and Edward all the same.
“You're not alone, Brianna.” He wanted to say that having her as a friend was more than anyone had ever given him but he held his tongue, now was not the time for that. Besides she was taken regardless of how he felt, he'd never cross that line. “I'm sorry I should go so you can be alone with them.”
“No, please don't leave. I admit I didn't expect anyone out here but please don't leave me right now.” Brianna begged, releasing her hold on the graves and reached out to him. She couldn't bare being alone with her memories, with the pain any longer.
He didn't hesitate, dropping down and embracing her in her time of need. The comfort of her hold on him caused his heart to soar, his pulse to race but he kept his breathing under control.
They held each other for a good portion of the night. Neither said anything as Brianna broke down, the barriers that had held up the wall of pain were crumbling and she sobbed on his chest.

~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~

Beers, wine and other beverages were being passed around. Everyone had a glass in hand when Jason decided to say a few words. He turned around, raising his glass and spoke with confidence, “I solemnly vow to make each day better than the last. You are my world, my heart and my breath, girl you're the reason I wake up in the morning. I'm in love with the most beautiful women in the world.” He clinked glasses with everyone within reach and took a long swallow before his eyes searched out for who he was talking about.
They stepped out of the trees at the same time, Edward's hand was around Brianna's waist comforting her but mostly holding her up. She'd cried so hard that she barely had the strength to leave the cemetery. Her head was resting on his shoulder, her eyes red and swollen, lips bruised with passion.
Jason's wall that he built to hide away every demon broke when he saw them. Crumbling all around him, he didn't bother asking what happened because he already knew. He saw how Edward looked at her, saw him fighting against himself to be near her. All that Jason saw now was red, anger and defeat engulfed his every being and he stormed off before letting it get control of him. Leaving behind the happy celebration, leaving behind her.

SIXTEEN

Casually if not leisurely, Jason strolled in the door and shut it behind him. He's been going on the motion of if only's. If only I'd been stronger, if only she'd come to me, he thought. There were too many variables there to determine. Too many that even Jason didn't want to acknowledge could be true.
Slightly shaking his head, putting his hands either in his front pockets or lacing them behind his back seemed a good way to keep them to himself. He didn't want to chance having them out in the open might he want to strike her if she said something that upset him.
Taking a deep uninspiring breath Jason walked back to the bedroom they'd both shared many times and saw Brianna curled up on the bed.
Not caring about what others thought of her, Brianna climbed on the bed, knees pulled up to her chest, head on them and cried. Rocking back and forward she couldn't get past the look Jason had given her the week prior. A look of pure disgust, of pain and hatred. God would punish her as he saw fit for what she'd put Jason through. All the pain and distrust, all the heartbreak and tears. She'd beg and plead if she had too but would it do any good? Is what they shared over? Her heart quicken at the thought.
Jason took in her look and was fighting back to let go of his anger. He didn't need to ask her if she'd done it, he could tell by the way she was acting, she'd crossed the line. “I need to know, Brianna.”
“I didn't do it, not what your thinking. Jason don't go. Please let me explain.” She cried, jumping off the bed to try and catch his arm.
“I saw the way the two of you looked, I saw everything I need to know and then seeing you crying by yourself only confirms it. There's nothing more to say. It's over.” Jason stated making his way back to the front door.
Many times he thought he would reach out and brush a strand of hair behind her ear or stroke her cheek but at the same time he thought to hit her, to cause her as much pain as what he felt. But he did neither. Refusing her and himself of that pleasure.
“I went to my parents graves because I'd always thought they would be alive when I got married. I was crying and Edward happened to find me. All I did was let go, I cried, punched the ground, kicked and screamed and bit my lips so hard to keep from yelling out loud. What I looked like when you saw me was my own doing nothing else.” She begged him, reaching out and grabbing hold of his arm.
He shook her off fiercely, despite what she'd said he still couldn't believe she'd go to a complete stranger and not him. That's what tore him up inside, she didn't trust him enough to come to him and release her pain.
Dropping on her knees Brianna looked up through tear soaked eyes and begged one last time. Her heart was pounding so hard in her chest that she thought it would jump out and leave her as well. “Everything that's happened is my fault. My mother would still be alive if I'd written back to her, my father would still be alive if I wouldn't have pushed him away. Adam would still be alive if I hadn't wanted you back here so badly. Now you're leaving me and it's my fault.” Brianna dropped her eyes from his, feeling defeated and empty. Confessing her darkest demon's to him drained her of life.
“It's over Brianna. I can't be with someone who doesn't trust me, who doesn't care enough to come to me when she's hurting.” His voice dipped down into rage and before he'd ever lay a hand on her, he left. Walking out the door and slamming it shut behind him.
His words kept flipping through her mind haunting her, screaming the same words over and over until her body went numb. Walking out the door ten or so minutes after him with only the clothes on her back and her purse in hand. She climbed in her car and left.
Leaving Woodland was not something that Brianna ever thought about doing but as she sat in the car, staring at the picturesque views of her home town, truth be told that's what she was doing now. Everything she loved and hated about that town flashed by her in her rear view mirror.
There really was nothing left there, no family to go to if needed, no friends she could talk to. And Jason, he didn't want anything to do with her, his words kept repeating themselves “it's over, Brianna”. His face distorted with hate.
Although her heart felt like breaking into a million pieces she didn't let up on the gas petal. Covering her mouth with one hand to muzzle her cries and the other was fastened tightly on the steering wheel. Knuckles as white as snow.
Once Woodland was at a distance Brianna pulled over so she could cry her eyes out. Sobbing and punching the steering wheel for everything she did that