audience of one .

[mykayla michelle trent]

It was definitely safe to say that today was not one of the better days of the twenty-two-year-old’s life. Mykayla Trent had been pretty lucky so far with her cancer (if there was such a thing), having not shown a lot of symptoms and she was able to keep on top of it all. There were days when she felt miserable, days when she thought for sure someone would notice, but so far no one had even blinked an eye. It was that time of the year when odd bugs were going around, and she was just another one of those girls that was catching it. Today, though, Kay couldn’t trick herself into believing that this was just some random cold she would get over. Her body ached, every little move seeming to suck the energy right out of her. She had been sick earlier, and had now found herself curled up under her comforter, heating pad on but still not able to feel like she was warm. Mykayla was just glad that Greyson had to go and take care of a few odd and end things today; he didn’t need to see her so down and didn’t need to ask a lot of questions. Kay loved her boyfriend, and hated keeping this from him, but she would be telling him soon. Just, for right now, she wanted to stay curled up in her bed, hoping that this would pass by the time he called her later, and hoping that she could be good as new by the time he found his way to her. It was a lot to hope for, and she knew that, but even now Kay could still be optimistic. Smiling, although weakly, to herself over just the thought of her lovely man, Mykayla found some strength in her to reach for the remote, wanting to at least find something on the TV to try and distract herself with. She hadn’t expected to hear her front door opening, or to hear none other than Brody Whitter’s voice calling out to her.

“In here,” she responded weakly, thinking that she had probably kept her cell phone nearby and wondering if he had tried to call. But, this was Brody, and he was one of the few in this town that knew about her condition. She hated for him to see her like this, hair a mess in a braid she had done quickly and her just looking so sickly, but it was a truth they were both going to have to face.

BRODY // AMBER

[brody michael whitter]

It had been a few weeks since he had found out about Mykayla and was going on with her. Brody was the kind of guy that always looked out for her, and he had tried to call her earlier that afternoon. It was not unusual for him to check in on her after she had her treatments. There were plenty of days that he would check in on her and she would be perfectly fine. However, this day though was not the case. The blonde girl had not answered her phone, the first clue that something was not right with her. It was enough to get him to grab the keys to his black truck and start the trek on the familiar roads to her home. Brody was always looking out for her, and that night in her bedroom he had promised to hold her hand through everything no matter how bad and scary it got. It did not matter to him if there was her boyfriend in the picture anymore, she was still Mykayla. He was still going to honor that promise, and that was what had him getting out of his car and turning the knob to her home. What Brody had not expected was to hear her labored voice, and that was when he knew that this was not a good day. The blonde man made his way to the bedroom, and he saw the mess that was his beautiful woman. He would always love her, and she looked a hot mess with her hair everywhere. He tilted his head at her. “Hey pretty lady. You having a rough day?” he spoke softly as he took his shoes off and lay down on the bed beside her. Brody lifted his arm so that she could snuggle up next to him, seeing as how he was one of the few that knew what was wrong with her. He pet her hair gently, “I tried to call, but you didn’t answer. I’m glad I made my little trip. Looks like you need someone to take care of you, and lucky for you I am here to be your slave for a day.” He smirked at her and kissed the top of her head.

[mykayla michelle trent]

Mykayla wished that she could at least find some energy in herself to sit up, to redo her braid in which her hair was falling out of, anything to make her look less feeble and sick than what she really was. Kay usually didn’t care what anyone thought, and if she was sick she would be the kind of girl that owned it and just didn’t care because she had every right to look like hell, but this was an illness that she was just entirely too used to hiding. And, it wasn’t like it was just the flu, something she could be over in a couple of days. This was the cancer attacking her body, ailing her and showing just a little of what it could do. Kay felt the need to keep up that strong front, but she knew that it was pointless to strain herself so much when it was Brody that was now walking through her house and into her bedroom. She had told him about her condition, and he had been amazing in checking in on her and doing whatever he could to make sure she was okay. Mykayla couldn’t have asked for a better friend throughout all of this; she just wished that she didn’t have to do this to him today. But, it was what it was, and her blue eyes watched as he entered her doorway. Kay couldn’t help but to smile as he addressed her, knowing she was far from pretty today, but just nodded her head slightly. Rough was one way of describing this feeling. Then Brody was taking off his shoes, and peeling back the covers to slip underneath of them with her. It nearly broke her heart, seeing how sweet he was as he moved his arm and allowed her to snuggle in close to him. It seemed like so long ago that they had done this with totally different intentions when it had just been weeks, but right now Kay was just grateful for his company, and his body heat. Listening to his words, she felt bad that she had worried him and wondered just who else had been trying to reach her (most likely Kade), but that could all wait for now. “Slave for the day, huh? she teased, her voice so soft and low as she felt him press that sweet kiss to the top of her head. “You coming over and just being here is enough. I’m sure you have better things that you could be doing right now instead of laying here with me.” She felt guilty, taking away his time and knowing that it made his heart ache to see her this way.

[brody michael whitter]

As soon as he saw her, he knew that today was one of those days that Mykayla had been warning him about. He knew that this was one of those days that she was going to ache. All that the young man wanted to do was take it all away from her. No one deserved this, and the person that deserved this the least was the little blonde girl that he absolutely adored. He was always there though, anytime that she needed him he would come running. Much like he had done this very afternoon because she had not answered her phone. Kay never missed his calls, especially after a treatment. He felt her tiny body snuggle up close to him, and he noticed the heating pad that had been in her possession. No wonder she was snuggled as close as she possibly could be. It felt good to be there for her, to be able to do anything that she needed knowing very well that he had shared this bed a few weeks ago with very different intentions. Seeing her like this, it broke his heart in a way that he had never felt. All he wanted to do was tell her about the girl that he had met in the grocery store, but today hardly seemed like the time or place. Ashton was the only person though that could keep Mykayla and the fact that she had cancer off his mind. Kissing the top of her head was his thing, and no matter who was around he was going to continue to do it. That kiss was Brody’s little sign of affection and no matter what Kade or Greyson said he was going to do it. On that note, he offered her his services to do whatever she told or needed him to do. He looked down at her and raised an eyebrow. “You really think that I have something better to do? Who wouldn’t want to be snuggled up to you and have you leeching their body heat? I know I wouldn’t, but I do have to tell you about someone.” He figured Kay could use something to take her mind off of how she felt that afternoon, and if he could get her to focus on something other than that he would certainly do so. He smiled at the young woman and decided he should wait to see how interested she would get about Brody meeting a girl. Something that was not the usual that happened to throw themselves at his feet. “So Lainey finally forced me into going to the grocery store, needless to say I am fairly certain I will not be making another trip there because I almost killed someone.” He said with a laugh since it was hardly that he almost killed her, but that he had given poor Ashton a concussion.

[mykayla michelle trent]

And this was what Mykayla had been dreading since having learned of her disease. It wasn’t the aches and the sickly feeling that had her worried; Kay knew that cancer could and would wreak havoc on her body, infecting cell after cell and ruining her health. That was the part that was unavoidable, but she hated to think of the burden that her illness was going to put on the shoulders of those that would know about it. Asking Kade to come back and help had been one thing. Mykayla knew Kade, and he could carry the weight of the world on his shoulders and never stumble. He could handle this and not let his whole world stop spinning because of it. However, people like Jared, or her parents, wouldn’t. They would drop everything and put Mykayla first, and she didn’t want to be so selfish as to make them put their lives on hold just because she had been dealt a bad hand and ended up with cancer. She didn’t want people thinking that they had to cater to her, tend to every little thing and make it all about this illness of hers. She didn’t want Brody to feel like he had to come here and stick around just because she was sick. Kay didn’t want him giving up things or not going out and doing what he wanted just because he felt that he needed to be there, but Brody made it clear that he wanted to be there and Kay knew that now that he was there, he wouldn’t be leaving her anytime soon. He wanted to tell her about someone, though, and Kay would have normally turned her head and looked up at him, but she didn’t feel that she could do that at this point. “What kind of someone?” she asked, encouraging him to continue and Brody launched into his story about going grocery shopping. The conclusion of his little story, however, had Kay mustering up some strength to position herself so that she could just look up into his handsome face. “Oh my god, what did you do? Did you seriously hurt this someone?” Kay was interested to hear this, as Brody was the only one she knew that could turn grocery shopping into something dangerous.

[brody michael whitter]

Holding Mykayla always felt right, because if he could protect her from the world he would. He would put her in her own safe little ball where no pain could find her and that nothing bad could happen to her. Brody had no idea how in the hell someone like her had ended up with cancer and it really made him question if there was a God out there. What God would want a woman so pure, gentle and good to end up with something that could kill her? It was certainly a God that he had a hard time putting faith into. But that was the only thing that was really on his mind besides the fact that he had to tell her about the girl that he had met in the grocery store. A place that the young man was never going to be setting foot in again with out either Ashton or Lainey there too. He didn’t feel her move, but then again she was weak. He knew that instantly whenever she had moved into his arms. But she gave her go ahead as he started to tell the story of how he very well could have killed someone in the grocery store. Granted he had thought that he had killed her with how hard her head had hit the grocery cart, but Ashton was a tough girl and had taken it like a champ. That was whenever Kay’s tiny frame moved and he didn’t want to do anything to make her uncomfortable so he waited until she was comfy again. “Well are you comfy, I don’t want to break you in your fragile state?” He waited until she looked at him in her own Mykayla way. “Well, whenever she dropped her purse and all the shit started spilling out I ran over to help her. It wasn’t like I wanted her to get in trouble, so I was doing her a favor. At least that’s what I thought.” He knew Kay was going to say something about him liking a shoplifter, but he continued. “Well, Ashton kind of bashed her head of the shopping cart, and you know my abs are just solid and that caused the concussion. But she takes my mind off of the fact that you have cancer, but you know I will always love you. I just i think I could love her and I only met like last week.” He looked down at her hoping that she had an answer for him or to tell him what to do.

[mykayla michelle trent]

This was exactly what she needed. Mykayla would have been fine by herself, dozing in and out when she could as she let the TV play one pointless show after another and trying to not think about how her body was betraying her. She had done it before, and while it was lonesome and a little depressing when she let herself think about it all too much, Kay always survived it. She would have done it again, too, but actually having someone else there and having them talk to her about anything other than cancer was rather refreshing. Mykayla needed to hear about what was going on in Brody’s life. Not only because she was sick and in desperate want of something to take her mind off of it, but also because he was such a close friend and she liked to hear about what he was doing. Seeing that he was doing well was important to the blonde, part of her always afraid that maybe he would get caught up in her again and not move forward when she had been able to do just that. After she had shot him the best glare that she could manage today, Brody had begun telling Mykayla all about this girl that he had somehow managed to injure at the grocery store, the poor thing apparently ending up with a concussion. Kay’s expression softened when he said that this Ashton could take his mind off of her and her cancer, and when he admitted to her that he thought that he could love her even though he had just met her. Kay offered up a soft smile. “Listen at you, falling for a girl like this. She must be pretty amazing.” And, it was amazing in itself to hear him talk about someone this way, Kay smiling a little just because she knew who Brody used to be. “I’m not worried about you loving me, because I know you always will just like I will always love you. I just want you to be happy, and if she can make you happy like and be for you what Greyson is for me, then go after it, Brody. You owe it to yourself to at least see if she’s that girl for you.” And how wonderful would it be if Ashton could be this person? Mykayla only ever hoped for Brody to find a girl that was worthy of him, and if he was already falling so hard Kay could only assume good things about this other young woman. “I’m just surprised she still talks to you after that traumatic episode,” she added, teasing him of course as she laid her head back against his chest.

[brody michael whitter]

More than anything else in the world he was glad that Kay had found a way to move on with her life. She had finally found someone who could fill the void in her love life like he had never been able too. Sure some days it sucked knowing that he wasn’t enough for the woman that had changed his life, but then again there were other days that he was just thankful that she had taken any interest in him at all. He had never deserved her love at all, even as one of her best friends. Something that he would never take for granted. All he ever wanted was to show her what he meant to her, and if being there to hold her and take her mind off of the pain was what he could do then that was exactly what he was going to do. Brody had thought that moving forward with his life was going to be hard, to leave the love that he felt for Mykayla behind but with the brunette that had entered his life in a grocery store. So apparently he thought the whole shoplifting thing was kind of adorable, and if Kay had not picked up on it well he wasn’t going to say it. All he could say was that maybe she was. Maybe he was falling in love with the girl he had injured in the grocery store, but he wanted to be worthy of her. “Well she is pretty amazing, but she is really different from you. Like there are so many different levels of her and I just can’t figure them all out.” His brow furrowed as he tried to think of a better way to explain what he was feeling about Ashton, but before he could Kay was speaking again. She had a point, eventually he was going to have to be happy and figure out a way to love someone that was not Mykayla, or at least to figure out how to love someone in more than a friendly way and that was what he was hoping to do with her. “She is something though Kay, I think you would like her. I sure hope you are right, because I worry. My reputation is horrible, and what if she doesn’t like me for who I used to be.” Brody had done some stupid stuff, and the worst part was that he wasn’t even sure if Kay knew the half of who he was. There were secrets that had never come up, and over the past year he had seen himself grow into a man that he was proud of and ashamed of who he had used to be. Those thoughts pushed from his mind as she settled back against his chest. “Yeah me too, but I did take excellent care of her. She stayed over to make sure that she didn’t slip into a coma, so yes I know it was a big step since you and Stella are the only females to see the inside of mine and Lainey’s apartment.” He laughed a little and pulled a hand up to stroke her hair.

[mykayla michelle trent]

More than anything, Mykayla was grateful that she and Brody could still talk like this. When they had been together the first time, Kay had had a difficult time trusting him, and trying to get him to peel back all those defensive layers so that she could figure out who Brody really was at his core. But, he had eventually let her in, and he had been one of those people in her life that she had been able to talk about anything with. He would safeguard her secrets, listen to her fears and always, always be there for her no matter what. Then, Brody had earned her love, and Kay had been terrified the day she realized that they weren’t going to work. It had been heartbreaking enough to know that someone she cared so deeply for wasn’t the one she was meant to be with, but she hadn’t thought that she could stand losing him as a friend as well. Luckily for her, she had gotten to keep him as a wonderful friend, and although talking about new boyfriends and girlfriends was sometimes a touchy subject because of that love that still lingered between them, Kay was glad to know that they could talk about it, and that Brody could find someone that would make him happy in ways that Mykayla never could. She could only grin as he tried to explain this girl that had him so perplexed, her sounding like a brilliant piece of work that would undoubtedly be intriguing to Brody. “She sounds about right, then. I always thought you’d fall for that bad girl type,” Kay said, snuggling into Brody a little closer, a smile still on her lips for him. Kay knew that Brody would be content to stay with her forever, but she could easily see him with a spitfire of a girl, someone that would keep him on his toes and always guessing. Her smile faded when she heard him worrying whether or not this Ashton girl would like him because of his reputation. “She doesn’t have to like you for who you used to be, Brody. If she can’t forgive your mistakes and appreciate who you are now, then she doesn’t deserve you.” Mykayla would always think highly of Brody, and she would never allow him to think that he was any lesser of a person because of the kind of person he had been in the past. Everyone messes up, everyone makes mistakes. He had turned around from his, and he was such a good man now that anyone would be lucky to have him. She laughed softly to herself at the idea of this poor girl having to depend on Brody, a complete stranger, to care for her while she was concussed. “I’m sure you took good care of her. You are pretty good at this,” she said, knowing that he would have had the same kind, gentle touch, the way of soothing a person and keeping them comfortable with Ashton as he did with her. Kay let her eyes close, loving the way his hand felt running over her hair, and relishing in the fact that he was keeping her warm. Yes, Brody seemed to always know what was needed, even if was just holding a girl in need for a little while.

[brody michael whitter]

Talking about new girlfriends and boyfriends were sometimes so touchy between the two that were currently snuggled up next to each other. Brody would always love Mykayla Trent, and sometimes that love made it so hard to move onto a happy relationship. Most of the time he would rather just be there with her and could care less if things would work out or not. The love and feelings that he had for her would never change as drastically as other people did when they broke up or realized that things were not going to work out. Things normally got complicated and awkward, but not with Brody and Kay. They refused to let their relationship get in the way of their friendship, because that would have hurt worst than anything else. Kay was one of the only people that Brody could talk to and know that he would not be judged on the past. She knew most of his secrets, but there were some that he did not share with anyone because he was ashamed of who he had been. So it was difficult laying there trying to explain everything that was really going on in his mind whenever he thought about Ashton. She could be the woman that changed his life even more than Mykayla, and that was saying something. It was strange to realize that this girl that he had injured in the grocery store could make an impact like the blonde that was in his arms. “Now why would you think that I would want a bad girl? I fell for you now didn’t I, and you are far from the bad girl type.” He let out a light chuckle, maybe he just needed the best of both worlds. He had Kay who would always be his sweetheart, nothing was going to change that about how he felt for her. Maybe he just needed someone to bring some spark back into his life, since a lot of it had been a downward spiral. Finding out Kay had cancer had put a lot on his shoulders. Ashton had a lot to her, and she definitely kept him on his toes. It was hard to imagine thinking of himself as worthy of someone. At least Kay knew the kind of person he had been, but having to explain that to someone else was not going to be an easy task. But he guessed that it was going to be something that he was going to have to deal with. It was a part of who he was, but it was not who he was now. It just was a piece of his broken history that he wished he could forget. “I guess you’re right. But Kay, I was so awful to everyone, and I hardly deserved someone that is as wonderful as you to fix me. So how am I going to be good enough for her?” So things were not perfect for him or with anyone, but he was pretty good at being able to take care of someone. He would have to admit that he did a damn good job of taking care of Kay whenever she needed him. He smiled down and let his eyes close as he just held her close and stroked her hair. “Well I do have a lot of practice taking care of someone. So I hope I picked up some tricks along the way. My life would be a lot different if you weren’t part of it Kay, so thank you for turning me around. I would be lost without you.” He let his lips find the top of her head again and kissed her gently letting his chin rest on the top of her head.

[mykayla michelle trent]

She smiled to herself at the idea of this conversation that they were having. Mykayla had known that moment that she told Brody about her cancer that things would be a bit different. He would worry over her, and probably hover a little more than he ever had before just because he would want to make sure that she was doing okay. Kay knew that he would make a point to be around more often, which wasn’t a bad thing just so long as he didn’t make it all about her and the illness that she was fighting. Kade sometimes did that, unintentionally of course, because he was only trying his hardest to look out for her and he was doing exactly what she had asked him to do, but Mykayla was glad to have someone that knew about her big secret and yet could come over and treat her like nothing was wrong at all. Jem, bless his heart, tired, but Kay could always see that looming sadness in his eyes whenever they had the chance to get together. Brody sometimes looked at her the exact same way, but he right now he was treating her any differently, or coddling her just because he thought she might break. There was no talk of cancer, just about him and this girl that Kay was honestly glad to see him meet. “I don’t know. I can just picture you with a dark haired, leather jacket wearing, pierced and tattooed girl that has just enough edge to keep you on your toes. Someone that tries to come in and undo all the hard work I put into you,” she added with a slight, weak laugh. Brody was a good enough guy that Kay knew she didn’t need to worry about him falling back into his old ways, and she was exaggerating her image of this bad girl type just a little to have a bit of fun with him. She knew that he needed that extra something in a woman, though. Something that Kay wasn’t ever going to possess. Kay was still snuggled in close as she listened to all his concerns about Ashton and him being good enough for her. “You’re going to be good enough for her, Brody. I’m more worried about whether or not she is going to be good enough for you.” It was the honest truth; Kay wouldn’t want to see him end up with just anyone, or someone that was going to abuse his kind heart and then leave it shattered. His next words had tears starting to prick at the back of her eyes, Kay letting her eyelids lift open slowly. Changing Brody hadn’t been her objective when she had started dating him. All she had done was put her foot down when he had thought he would get his way and be an asshole, using her built in Trent temper and stubbornness. She had showed him kindness, and love, but Mykayla hadn’t thought that she would ultimately tame Brody Whitter and make him someone worth knowing. It was a great reward, and even greater to get to have this amazing man as a friend and to hear what kind of an impact she had had on his life. “Well, you don’t have to worry about that. I’m not going anywhere,” she said, not able to stop her voice from cracking just slightly, knowing she shouldn’t make those promises but not wanting to think about having to leave him, or Greyson, or anyone else.

[brody michael whitter]

Talking to Mykayla had always been one of the few things that he had appreciated. No matter what he had to say she never judged anything that came from his lips, well other than the times in the past he had tried to lay his charms on her to get in her pants. Those had always resulted in a stern talking to and a flare of that temper she was known for. It was who he was, sometimes he just liked to push her buttons; others he truly just wanted to have her in his life. There was a lot that he owed the young woman in his arms. Talking to her about a potential love interest had not been something he had really wanted to do, but here he was telling her everything about Ashton. Hell Brody was not really sure if he was ready for a relationship that would conflict with how he now felt obligated to make sure Mykayla was taken care of. He knew that it was not really his obligation, because she was not his girlfriend. She was Greyson’s and he knew that, which was why he was able to smile. Sure some days it broke his heart that she would never be his, but then there were days like today that he was genuinely happy for her because she deserved to be happy. Which was whenever her voice pulled him out of his head long enough to laugh at her. “Oh please. I would not be dating someone who is all tattooed and pierced. Though the dark hair is a change of pace, ironically Ashton has dark hair. No one could undo what you have done, try as they might.” A smile graced his lips, because nothing was going to change him. Kay had managed to turn around a natural disaster that had a bad reputation into a man that was somewhat reputable. Sure there were many things in his past that he was not proud of, a lot of things that not even Kay knew about, but it was in the past. He could not change how he had acted, but he could try and make up for that now. He listened as she said that it was more than likely that Ashton would not be good enough for him. He almost laughed but contained that laughter until he spoke to her. “I’m hardly good enough for anyone, but I am sure you will think she fits your colorful description of what I need in my life.” That was when he laughed a little, but he appreciated the blonde in his arms more than she would ever know. She had changed everything about him, and whether that had been her intentions in the beginning or not was not the point. The point was that she was the woman who had changed his life. She had made it worth something, and he would always be there for her to do whatever he could. Even if that meant holding her on her bad days, or telling her things that she didn’t want to hear about his love life. He was Brody and she was Mykayla. Nothing was going to change that, but the words she spoke brought tears to his eyes. He was not going to cry, but he knew that there was no way that she could make that promise. As much as he wanted her to be able to promise that she was never going anywhere, he knew it was a promise she could not keep. She had no idea what this disease was going to do to her body. “You better not Kay, but I need you to know I really would be lost without you. Even though you may never be my girl, you are my best friend. Don’t you dare forget that, or become one of those girls who ditches the guy friends whenever the boyfriend gets jealous. Alright?” He pulled her tight, not realizing he was squeezing a little harder than necessary, but he was not going to let her go anywhere. Ever.

[mykayla michelle trent]

She had been trying not to do it, but when a person is diagnosed with cancer and the doctors were becoming less sure of their treatment plan with each appointment, it was difficult not to do. Mykayla was always an optimistic girl with the sight of a dreamer, always seeing the best in situations and finding good where others would just see destruction. She had that whimsical mentality, and was just one of those rare finds that could really restore a person’s faith in humanity. Kay was always so bright and full of energy, and just knowing in her heart that everything was going to be okay. But, right now she didn’t know that everything was really going to be okay. Mykayla had her doubts, and on days like the one she was currently having when she could feel the toll the cancer was taking on her body, she didn’t know how great her odds were of beating it. She would start thinking about what it would be like to be gone, and even though she hated it, her mind always came up with images of those closest to her, and seeing how they would react to their loss. Her family would be devastated, her friends broken. And the young man that she was presently snuggled up with? It broke Kay’s heart to think of being gone from him, but it also made her cherish each and every moment she got with him so much more. So what if they were talking about some new girl that could come up and take Mykayla’s place in his heart that she had held for so long? Brody needed someone, and Kay just smiled as he assured her that no one would be able to undo what she had done for him. “See, told you,” was all she could muster in reply about the dark hair and change in pace. She was getting so tired, but she would keep herself up for a little while longer. Kay did have to frown slightly at his next words, though. “Don’t make the sick girl have to sit up and slap you, Brody Whitter. You are more than good enough. Any girl would be lucky to have you, and I’m going to make you believe that even if it kills me.” That was something she was going to beat into that thick skull of his one of these days. And, that might have been the worst choice of words ever, but she had managed to grin as she said it hoping he could appreciate some irony and humor. Brody had a shady past, and Kay knew that she didn’t know all of the things that he had done, but it didn’t even matter. What mattered was who he was now, and now he was an amazing young man that needed to believe he was worthy of someone else’s love. And, although she knew that she wasn’t the most optimistic about her chance of surviving this, Kay had had to give Brody and herself a little more hope by making herself believe, if only for a moment, that she wasn’t leaving. She knew that he had heard that small crack of her voice, knew that she couldn’t make that kind of promise with real certainty. Kay listened to his deep voice, knowing how lost he would become if she weren’t around. So many people would be, and it made dying seem so selfish… But then she focused on the rest of what he was saying. “I was still your friend when I dated Jem, and I was Greyson’s friend when I was with you. I’m not going to forget you, and I know you won’t forget me…” Her voice was so quiet, her body just so tired as he pulled her close. Mykayla knew that Brody wouldn’t forget her, no matter if he fell in love with another girl, or if she was taken away by her illness. “You just need to find a way to be happy, Brody. No matter what, that’s what I want for you.”

[brody michael whitter]

Brody Whitter had no other place that he would rather be than feeling the warmth of Mykayla Trent against his body. Knowing that she was going through something that could possibly kill her, well to say that it scared the life out of him was an understatement. The blonde man had no idea what he would do without his best friend. SHe was the only one that he could talk to about falling in love, and about all of the other intimate conversations they had snuggled up together. Sure, he had Stella Garland, but that was hardly the same. Kay had a special little place all to herself that made her that much more special to him. Nothing in this world would ever change how she fit into his life, and if people didn’t understand that they could fuck off. Though the fact that she could say how drastic of a change he needed to keep himself up on his toes was just funny. He laughed knowing that Ashton was on a whole other level than Kay, but each of those females had their special ways of fitting in his life. There was still so much about his life that Mykayla did not know about, and if she knew the part of his life that he kept a secret from everyone and the part of him that he was truly ashamed of, he knew that her opinion of him would be very different. He had done terrible things to a beautiful person, and he was almost wanted to tell her what was going on until she said what she did. ”I’m going to make you believe that even if it kills me.” Brody frowned at her, and he knew that it was just her playing or whatever. It did not change the fact that it was absolutely the worst choice of words that the girl could have used, ever. “That is not funny, Mykayla. Now what happens if something does happen to you? It’s going to be all my fault, and I really don’t need Kade, Jared and Hunter coming around to kill me.” He tried to pull a smile to his lips, but there was realization that she could very well die through all of this. It scared him to death, but it was reality. Kay was going to have to fight like hell to stay with them all, but there was one thing that Brody knew for certain...not one of the people in her life wanted to be in a world that did not include her. Brody was well aware that he would be a mess without her in his life, and there was no one in his life that could make that okay. No matter how much people would try to help or pick up the pieces his life would be so different without Kay. It was a life he was not ready to live, and he wanted her to fight like hell. No one was ready to stop loving her or seeing her face day in and day out. Hearing her talk about the past, well it was funny to hear her explain it all in the terms that it went back and forth between Jem, Greyson, and himself. “Love, do you ever think that the reason you keep us around is in case something happens. Considering it is me that picks up the pieces whenever something hits the fan, but this is where I like to be.” It was the truth, he loved having her in his arms. He knew she was tired so he kissed the top of her head again and listened as her voice was soft. “Hey pretty lady, that is a lot to ask from me. I don’t know how anyone could be happy without you. I will do my best, but I can’t make you any promises.” He was fighting the fresh sting of tears pricking at his eyes, because it was almost like if he promised her what she wanted that he was giving up and he was not ready to do that. Running his fingers against her skin again he whispered gently, “You are pretty tired, how about we take a nap? Sound good to you?” He made sure to emphasis the “we” because he would be damned if he left now.

[mykayla michelle trent]

Kay knew that her first choice of words there had been really bad, and that Brody probably wouldn’t be able to appreciate the small little ounce of humor she had tried to insert into the conversation. He was too close to this, too aware of the fact that she could actually die, but that didn’t mean that they had to be sad all the time. Kay was sad enough on her own, thinking about how she was going to break the news to people when the time came that she could no longer keep her illness a secret, or how in the world she would be able to tell Greyson and watch his heart break. But, Brody did manage to make her grin with his reply. “Please. Hunter wouldn’t kill you. It would be more advantageous for you to watch out for Kaler instead.” Hunter was too mild to wish anyone harm despite what they may have done. Kaler, on the other hand, was that dark shadow in the corner of everyone’s eye, ready and willing to strike at the slightest offense. But, they both know that they were only kidding. No one would blame Brody, and her brothers and Kaler wouldn’t be worried about him. When Brody made his comments about her little circle of men that she seemed to keep close, Kay chose not to respond. She didn’t keep any of them around for reasons other than friendship, the three of them being the three closest male friends she had in life that where not her brothers or Kaler Scott who might as well have been her brother. At least, Kay hadn’t thought about it in any different terms, and she wasn’t really ready to try to analyze relationships right now. She was happy with Greyson, and she was happy to have kept Jem and Brody as close as she had. However, she was not happy with the idea of leaving any of them, and she needed to know that if indeed that happened, then they were all going to find ways to be okay. Eventually. Mykayla understood that it was a lot to ask of anyone, and she could hear the sadness tinge his voice as he spoke. “That’s okay, Brody. All I’m going to ask is that you try. I can’t stand the idea of you always being sad.” And maybe he could remember that, remember how she would want him to be and find that as motivation to keep moving on with his life. It might be a dirty card to play, but it was one of the few she was willing to use to her advantage. She smiled softly at his next suggestion, her eyes already closed, loving the soothing feeling of his fingers on skin. Kay noticed how he had said “we,” as in he was not leaving, and she was really just too tired to try and tell him he didn’t need to stay. “It sounds amazing,” she said sleepily, snuggling down closer to Brody and letting a small, content sigh pass through her lips. Even in her present state of discomfort, Mykayla felt better with him there and was able to drift to sleep quite easily.