Make Me Believe You
My Reality
*Annabella's POV*
“Hey Jake, Brendan, can you guys help Nate get the burgers ready?” My dad called from his place next to the grill and Mr. Landeskog. “I’m not leaving you alone with him.” Jake muttered to me as he squeezed my arm a little tighter. He was referring to Gabe as all of us kids were sitting by the fire pit. “Just go, dad’ll get pissed if you don’t… I’ll be fine. He won’t do anything while dad’s around.” I whispered back as he reluctantly got up followed by Brendan. He looked back at me with worried eyes but I gave him a reassuring nod, although I didn't quite believe it myself.
“So Bella…” Gabe trailed off as he switched seats so he was right in front of me. “Yes Gabriel?” I answered with an edge in my voice but also a cynical tone as his jaw tightened and he narrowed his eyes at me. He had always hated it when people called him Gabriel. “I know every button to push with you Gabe, don’t try me.” I warned narrowing my eyes back at him. “Bella…” He started once again but with a softer tone. “Can we please talk about this at least? Things went bad at the party, I know, but I wasn't kidding… I mean I didn't want things to come out that way, but I do want you back… and I know somewhere in there you still love me.” He said as he reached for my hand and I flinched but he grabbed it anyways. I relaxed a bit as I felt the familiar warmth and softness from his hands that I had been so accustomed to a few years ago. “Gabe, there’s always going to be a part of me that loves you and you’re always going to have a place in my heart because you were my everything for a long time and I gave you everything… literally EVERYTHING. You were my first real boyfriend, my first time, and my first love and I’m never going to forget those things, but you’re not the one I want anymore and you’re never going to have me.” I said in a soft tone hoping and praying somehow he would understand it even thought I knew in the back of my mind that he wouldn't… and I was right. After I finished my little speech his jaw tightened and he grabbed my hand tighter while his other hand formed a fist. “Listen here Annabella, you’re mine, always have been, always will be and there’s nothing pretty boy, you’re stupid brother, you’re dumbass best friend, you’re horrible brother-in-law, or your pregnant and hormonal sister can do about it. You’re gonna be mine Annabella… just wait. I’m going to make you fall in love with me again.” He whispered the last part as Brendan, Nate, and Jake came out of the house.
My eyes were wide and when Jake noticed the expression on my face his pace quickened and he looked like he was seeing red. “You let go of my sister right now or I swear to god this spot is going to be the last place you ever see on Earth.” Jake threatened as he got right in Gabe’s face. “Really? In front of our fathers? And how are you going to explain that one Jakey?” He mocked. “I’ll say I was defending my sister… and these two will vouch for me.” He said with a smug grin as he pointed behind him to Nate and Brendan who had stern looks on their face. Gabe let out something between a groan and a snarl and let go of my arm and muttered something about going to get a beer. As soon as he was gone Brendan raced towards me and enveloped me in a hug. “What the fuck did the prick say to you?” Nate asked as we all sat down again. “Nothing… just brought up the past and some bad memories.” I lied as I bit the inside of my cheek. I couldn’t tell my brother, my brother-in-law, and my fiancée that my ex-boyfriend was planning to ruin my relationship… I didn’t know what would happen and worrying them now would be nothing but trouble later on. “Nothing I can’t deal with on my own.” I answered showing a small smile as Brendan rubbed circles on my back and Jake glared at Gabe’s backside.
-That night-
“Brendan… Brendan stop. Brendan stop!” I yelled as he continued to pack his suitcase with tears streaking my face. “No! Bella I can’t do this anymore! All the fighting and screaming and crying and stress… it’s too much. I love you but this isn’t working anymore.” He said as the tears started to fall from his eyes. “It was Gabe… wasn’t it?” I asked as I sat down at my desk chair. At the mention of his name Brendan stopped moving but never uttered a word. “What did he say?!” I yelled getting angry. “He told me Bella… he told me everything. How could you do that Bella? How could you do that to me? To us?!” He yelled as I stood up and walked towards him. “Brendan he’s lying! He’s making it up because he wants me back but I don’t want him anymore! I haven’t wanted him since the day I met you!” I pleaded as he started for the door but stopped as he reached it. “Well if he’s lying and you’re telling the truth… then why do I believe him and not you?” Brendan said… and with that he was gone as I sobbed on my bedroom floor.
“Bella, Bella wake up!” Brendan yelled as he shook me awake. I whipped my eyes open and saw Jake and Brendan staring at me with terrified expressions. “What the hell was that?” Jake asked as I sat up in bed. I felt wetness on my face and reached up as felt the tears. “What happened…?” I asked confused as to why I was crying. “Well you started off saying my name and I asked you what but you didn’t respond and I figured out you were talking in your sleep… but then you started to get louder and you started crying and screaming and Jake heard you so he came running and then we woke you up.” Brendan explained as I repositioned myself on the bed. “Bells what the hell were you dreaming about?” Jake asked as he looked concerned and confused. “Nothing… just a stupid nightmare. It wasn't real.” I answered as I patted his hand. “Didn’t sound like nothing.” Brendan mumbled from behind me. “Well it wasn’t real… just a stupid nightmare that’s never going to come true.” I reassured him before giving him a kiss for extra assurance. “If you say so.” Jake said as he got up to go back to his room. “Night Bells, night Brendan.” He called as he turned off the lights and headed down the hallway. “Night Jake.” Brendan and I called back in unison. “So you gonna tell me what that nightmare was about? Because you sounded like you were dying.” He said as he wrapped his arms around me and kissed my forehead. “Oh just that we got into a fight and you left me.” I answered like it was no big deal. “Well we both know that’s never gonna happen.” He answered like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “Right.” I answered letting out a nervous laugh.
The conversation then dwindled before I finally heard Brendan’s breathing slow and knew that he had fallen asleep. Only then did I allow myself to think about the nightmare I had. I said a silent prayer that that never happened, but if Gabe did what he said he was going to, I didn't know when…
But that was his plan for my reality.
