�I know,� Brian replied. �I heard. He told me.�
�Does he know Sunn was home at the time?�
�He didn�t say anything.�
�Something needs to be done about this, Brian.�
�What do you want me to do?�
�Talk to him for crying out loud. Each time Nick hurts Sunn she falls to pieces. He�s slowly killing her and we have to watch it happen.�
�I�ve talked to him so many times and nothing works. He refuses to see that Sunn loves only him and never slept with Fischetti. I�ve done everything I could, Danielle. It�s up to Nick now, not us.�
�Yeah, well, he�s hurting Sunnie Jo and he doesn�t care.�
�I know, but he won�t listen to the truth.�
�He�s making me so mad with the way he�s treating Sunn. They�re supposed to be planning a wedding and not World War three.�
�I understand. He�s just being stubborn.�
�Maybe we should lock them in a room together.�
�Sounds like a plan. For how long?�
�A few years.�
�Good enough.� He put his arms around her. �How�s she doing?�
�Tries not to think about it. Brad was there when I left so he can help keep her mind from it.�
Brian sighed. �Ya know, I can�t but think Howie�s to blame for some of this.�
�Brian, ya don�t know that. Howie�s got his own problems with Jo. He even said he doesn�t want to take Sunn from Nick.�
�Do you believe that?�
�No; I want Sunn and Nick together, but anything can happen.�
�You�re right.�
�I just hope it�s not too late for them.�
�There�s still time.�
�I hope so.� He kissed her then they hugged.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
�Pool, Short Shit,� Alexander ask Sunshine and she looked at him. He motioned to the pool table and she didn�t say anything. �Come on. I�ll let ya beat me. Just like old times.� Sunshine shook her head. �Come on.� Alexander pulled her up out of the chair and dragged her over to the pool table.
Destiny and Bradley watched them a moment then Destiny asked, �How is she doing?�
�Horrible,� Bradley replied. �She puts on a strong front in front of everyone, but she�s slowly breaking down. She cries constantly when she�s alone and tries denying it. �
�Nick�s a fucking ass.�
�Yeah I know.� He sighed. �I always knew she loved Carter, but I never realized how much. Not even when we were together, ya know.� Destiny nodded. �She admitted that she loved me, but it wasn�t the same way that she loves him.�
�I�ve known Sunn my whole life and I�ve never once seen her like this. Not even when you guys broke up.� Bradley didn�t say anything. �Just being honest.�
�I know.�
�You can do better than that, Sunn,� Alexander said and they looked. �A lot better.�
�I�m just not into it, Alex,� Sunshine stated.
�I wish there was a way I could help her,� Destiny replied.
�You and me both,� Bradley agreed. �Just being with her and letting her know she�s not alone doesn�t help. She needs Carter and he�s too stupid to realize that.�
�Hopefully he�ll realize it before it�s too late.�
�Yeah; hopefully.�
�So how are things with the other Sunny?�
�Good I guess. We�re slowly getting back on track. She went back to Kentucky last night to see her parents.�
�And you didn�t go along.�
�She didn�t want me to.�
�Are you taking her to the Halloween Party?�
�I mentioned it to her, but she didn�t give me an answer.�
�She won�t be able to deny you. I know I couldn�t.� Bradley smiled. �I�m surprised Sunshine can. She�s with you all the time.�
�I guess her love for Carter stops her.�
�You still love her.� Bradley looked at her surprised. �I�m not going to say anything so don�t worry. It is pretty obvious though.� Bradley looked at Sunshine, as Alexander got her to smile. �Don�t you mind being second best?�
�Yeah, but I�m just glad that I�m in her life in someway.�
�Wow! You�re being really�� She tried to think of the right word, but couldn�t. �The point is I�d be going nuts right now if the person I loved was in love with someone else.�
�I cherish the friendship Sunn and I have and I don�t want to do anything that will ruin it. Yes I do still love her, but I�m just going to step back and let her be with the one she wants to be with; even if it is Carter. It�s the least I can do. We�ve always been there for each other the past four years and I�m going to be here for her now. The last thing she needs is for me to tell her how I really feel about her.�
�God, if I wasn�t with Alex and having a kid I�d be all over you right now like flies on horseshit. You really know how to turn a girl on.� Bradley looked at her quickly and raised an eyebrow. �I�m not going to so don�t worry.� She laughed and he grinned while shaking his head. �No wonder Sunn loves hanging with you. All you have to do is speak and it turns her on. Hell it just turned me on.�
�I�m glad my speech has the ability to turn girls on.� They laughed. �I�m pleased to know that my personality isn�t the reason girls are with me and that it�s my speech.� They continued laughing.
�You are a great guy though; Brad, or else Sunshine wouldn�t be hanging with you or like you so much. She wouldn�t give you the time of day if you weren�t such a sweet guy.�
�All you girls are amazing.�
�Thank you.� She smiled.
�So Sunn doesn�t want to kick my ass in pool,� Alexander began, �so I think it�s time for us to leave.� Sunshine shrugged as she sat down. �Plus it is getting late.�
�We can stay if ya want us to,� Destiny said.
�Go home,� Sunshine said. �I�ll be fine. Plus Brad is still here.�
�Alright.� Destiny hugged her. �If ya need anything call me.�
�I�ll be fine. Get out of here.�
�Now don�t hesitate to call.�
�Alex, get your wife out of here.�
�We�re going. Come on, Des,� Alexander said leading her to the door.
�I�ll call ya tomorrow,� Destiny said.
�Yeah, yeah,� Sunshine said, as she watched Alexander and Destiny go out the door. She rested her head in her hands, as Bradley sat next to her.
�Are you ok?� Bradley asked.
Sunshine nodded. �I�m just tired.�
�Why don�t ya go to bed then? Get some rest.�
�That�d be good.�
�So go. I�ll clean up here before I leave.�
�You don�t have to. I can get it in the morning.�
�No arguing and go to bed.�
Sunshine just nodded and got up. She started walking then stopped and looked at Bradley. �Thanks.�
�For what?�
�Everything. Nothing.�
�It�s my pleasure.�
�Goodnight, Brad.�
�Goodnight, Sunn.� Bradley watched her walk back the hall and just sat there for a few minutes thinking.
CHAPTER 26
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