Make Me Believe You
The Rest Is History
*Annabella’s POV*
It had been 3 weeks since Brendan and I had arrived in Phoenix and since my encounter with Gabe at Matt’s party. I hadn’t seen much of him since, other than the occasional passing on the street or in the grocery store. I told my sister what had happened and every time she saw him she snarled at him and gave him a dirty look because I wouldn’t let her say anything- I didn’t want things to get even worse. It was bad enough worrying about what he was gonna do, I didn’t need Mel to instigate it early or give him a real reason to do something.
“Mel, come on, stop.” I said as we left the grocery store and headed to the car which was only a couple down from Gabe’s. She was gripping the handle of the carriage so hard that her knuckles were white and her teeth were gritted. “I’m sorry Bell, but that’s not right. He’s threatening your relationship and the whole family loves Brendan and no one wants to see that end and Gabe is gonna jeopardize that. Why couldn’t he have just left you alone? He’s the one who broke your heart. Does he not remember that?” She asked as I shut the trunk and we both got into the car and let out a sigh. “I don’t know Mel. Maybe he got slammed against the boards too many times. I think he’s doing it just to scare me, but the look when he said he’s not gonna give up… Mel I’m scared.” I said biting my lip nervously. “Hun, why are you scared? You’ve got all of us to protect you.” She said rubbing circles on my hand with her thumb. “Gabe is never gonna have me, I know that, but if he can’t have me, he’s gonna make it so no one can have me.” I said as I went over every horrible scenario in my head as we started the short drive back home. “Oh sweetie please. What’s he gonna do?” She scoffed. “You don’t know Gabe Mel… he can make Brendan leave me with one sentence.” I answered as we turned into the driveway. “Hun, look at me,” She said taking my hands in hers and turning as much as she could considering how pregnant she was, “Brendan loves you. Everyone can see it just in the way he looks at you. I’ve never seen anyone look at a girl like that other than when dad looks at mom and I’d like to think Nate looks at me like that, and hun… nothing is gonna change how he feels about you, especially not some stupid comment Gabe may or may not make. Okay?” She finished as I smiled at her and leaned over to give her a hug. “I love you Mel.” I said smiling. “I love you too Bell… we’re not gonna let anything happen, okay? You and Brendan are gonna be happy together and that’s final.” She said pointing a finger firmly and smiling as I giggled.
“Hey babe.” I said as I kissed the top of Brendan’s head as I walked into the living room to see him, Nate, Jake, and Matt all playing Mario Kart. “Hey.” He said as his tongue stuck out of the corner of his mouth which was something he did when he was concentrating. I just laughed as I headed into the kitchen to help my mom put the groceries away while Mel went to go take a nap. After we finished putting them away I headed into the living room to see that Matt had won and was celebrating. “My turn!” I yelled as I grabbed the controller from Brendan. “No! She’s not allowed to play!” My brother and Matt both screamed and I pretended to look hurt. “Why not?” Nate asked. “She always finds a way to beat us… she’s too damn good at this game.” My brother said narrowing his eyes at me as I laughed. “Please Jakey?” I asked with puppy dog eyes. “Bells those haven’t worked on me for years.” Jake said laughing and I crossed my arms over my chest as I pouted. “How do you resist? I can never resist the puppy dog eyes!” Brendan said with wide eyes. “Years of practice Brendan… believe me, she’s very convincing.” Jake said getting up to get another beer. “They still get me and I’ve known her for like 12 years.” Matt added as he readjusted himself on the couch. “Whatever. I’m gonna go call Katie.” I said getting up and heading for the balcony. “Tell her we say hi.” Matt yelled as I shut the glass door.
I dialed number 2 on my speed dial and it rang three times before Katie picked up. We talked for a couple of hours and caught up on everything until Brendan came to get me for lunch. “Yeah Kay I gotta go, but you need to come home soon! And bring Beau with you!” I said smiling. “Alright love you too.” I said as I headed into the dining room. “Katie says hi.” I said sitting down. “How does she like Pittsburgh?” My mom asked as we started eating. “She loves it. She’s doing really well in school and she has a boy.” I answered. “Well that’s good. I’m glad she’s doing well.” My mom added. The rest of lunch was filled with random conversation following which my dad, Jake, and Brendan went fishing because Matt had some cousins coming over and needed to go home.
“You sure you don’t want me to stay?” Brendan asked after he has put his shorts on. “Go have fun babe. I’ll just work on my tan by the dock.” I answered as I pulled him towards me by his belt loops. “I’m gonna have fun admiring that tan when I get back.” He said with a mischievous look. “Please remember we’re staying with my parents and brother, sister, and brother in law.” I said giggling. “Not tonight.” He said biting his lip. “What?” I asked very confused. “We’re going away for the weekend.” He said smiling. “Are you serious?” I asked jumping up excitedly. “Yup. Just you and me babe.” He said as he pointed behind me to a brochure on my old desk. There was a picture of a little cottage on a lake. “Oh my god I can’t wait.” I said as he came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “I’m glad you like.” He said as he left a trail of kisses down the back of my neck. “Okay you gotta go or you’re never gonna get to leave.” I laughed as we headed downstairs. I walked out to the dock with the boys and sat down on the edge as they pulled away in our boat. I laid there for about three hours before I saw them coming back… but something was different.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I said under my breath as I saw Gabe’s boat next to ours. Gabe’s father and my father were really good friends and my parents never actually knew what had happened with me and Gabe, they just knew it was a bad breakup. Jake looked like he was trying not to kill Gabe and Brendan looked really uncomfortable while Gabe had a smug grin on his face. “Asshole.” I muttered as they pulled up to the dock. “Hi Mr. Landeskog.” I said as I gave him a hug. He was a total sweetheart and sometimes I wished Gabe could have been more like that when we were dating. “Hi Annabella, how have you been?” He asked as the boys tied up the boats. “I’m well thank you.” I answered. “How’s school going? You’re up in Montreal, right?” He asked as we sat down at the table we had down by the lake for our barbeques. “Yeah I’m at Concordia and it’s really great. It’s a wonderful school and it’s how I met this one.” I said as Brendan came and sat down next to me with Jake on the other side and my dad sitting in between Gabe and his father. “Oh really?” He asked. Mr. Landeskog had always loved hockey and knew who Brendan was, so he wanted to know everything he could. “Yeah I was at the grocery store getting some stuff for the apartment I used to share with my cousin and I bumped into him and a couple of the other players. I had originally met him over the summer… at Gabe’s party actually, but we didn’t keep in touch because of busy schedules and stuff, but yeah after we met at the grocery store we started talking again and I went to a couple of games and then…” I trailed off as Brendan finished, “The rest is history.” He said kissing the side of my head as Gabe glared at him. “Oh that’s cute.” Mr. Landeskog replied. The conversation continued, but there was a lot of tension and it was awkward.
“Why don’t you tell your wife to come over and you guys can stay for dinner? We’re having a barbeque so it’s no problem.” My dad said to Mr. Landeskog. Jake nearly choked on his beer, Brendan’s head dropped and he let out a sigh and I silently cursed my dad for being so nice as Gabe let a smirk fall upon his lips.
And just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse…
