Damaged Goods

Chapter 18: My Peace

"Give me 5 more push ups baby." Brandon said.

5 more later and I fell flat on my stomach.

"Good job baby." Brandon said, helping me up to my feet.

It was about 9:30pm and we were at Brandon's house working out in his home gym.

He kissed the side of my face and handed me a bottle of water.

I put the water bottle down, and put my head into his chest.

I was so sad. The incident with Eric and Janae happened a week ago and I've barely talked to her. She called to tell me she was flying to Cancun, Mexico to have a self care trip alone.

She told me she loves me but she is upset with me for not telling her I went to eat with Eric and Candice.

She also said she needed to get herself together because she felt like everything with Eric was a lie.

She said she was going to be gone for a couple of weeks and guilt was weighing heavy on me.

Brandon wrapped his arms around me tightly and kissed all of my face. It was as if he was trying to take my pain away.

"Are you staying with me tonight?" He asked, rocking us back and forth.

I shook my head yes.

I felt tears start to run down my face. My emotions were everywhere.

"I hate to see you cry and feel sad." Brandon said, leaning down putting his head in my neck.

I kept my grip around his neck tight.

He picked me up and turned to close the door to the gym.

He walked up his stairs still holding me tight.

We went into his bathroom and he sat me on the sink.

He turned his tub on and added bubbles.

"Get undressed and get in, I'll be back in a second." He said.

As he walked out, I hopped off the counter and undressed. I sunk into his spacious tub and closed my eyes.

The water felt so good and warm.

Brandon came back in with a chair and 2 glasses of wine. He sat the bottle on the sink and gave me a glass.

"Thank you." I said.

"Let's talk baby." He said.

"Okay."

"Listen, you're a great person. Smart, beautiful , sexy , and you have a lot that you are going to achieve. But, you are going to be your own downfall. You're hard on yourself but baby you have to realize you are only human. In life we are going to screw up. And we don't always make the right decision or sometimes we think at the time it's the right decision but maybe it's not.

But that's okay! Life is a learning journey mama. Most importantly, we can't let how others feel always affect us. At the end of the day, life doesn't wait on nobody. So let Janae take her time and heal and you take your time and heal but stop beating yourself up. Boss up and level up. You know better so you do better now." Brandon said.

"Thank you. You always say the right things. And make me feel better." I said.

"It's my job baby, don't thank me." He said , getting up and kissing my cheek.

"I'll be waiting for you,  take your time." He said, walking out and closing the door.

I finished soaking and then finally stood up to wash up really quick.