The Promise.

Weeks went by and Brandie had barely surfaced from the bedroom. She put it down to her sore head which I would always supply her with the drugs and meds the doctors had prescribed to her to take daily. I couldn't help but feel it was all an excuse to avoid me and her new life in general, but she couldn't run forever she had to face reality and try to get her memory back.

As much as I would feel heart broken for her when I could hear her cry at night I couldn't fight an overwhelming feeling of anger that she wasn't seeing her situation in a positive light. I mean she had a chance to start over again, she could redo her life. After all she hated her job, she could quit and do something else then there was the issue of me and her.

I didn't want to force the conversation but I was growing tired of avoiding it all together. We had to at least try and deal with it I mean we couldn't just abandon our relationship but it wasn't as easy as I originally thought to try and make her love me again.

First I had thought maybe pictures would help bring some of her memory back so I had gotten all our photo albums out: the beginning of relationship of just us two fooling around; times with friends; my days as a soldier; touring with the band and the last tour Brandie came on before her accident. I had thought she would be so happy to have something come to her mind but I guess the frustration got to her when she couldn't remember anything and broke down. Initially she had yelled at me and I let her, I couldn't understand how she must be feeling so I just let her get it out her system which she did and I held her when she broke down.

After that outcome I decided to move onto music so I made a playlist of all her favourite songs, my own favourites and the bands songs too in the hopes she could connect it to a memory. It worked better than the photographs and she seemed pleased with the result, she started to connect a specific song to her summer as a teenager but couldn't recollect anything when I played our song. Admittedly I was disappointed but I haven't lost hope.

And of course all good things come to an end as after the music attempt we had our worst fight yet. I made the mistake of suggesting she see a psychologist who could maybe help her, I did my research and it seemed like a good idea of course Brandie didn't see it that way and flipped out calling me an “inconsiderate asshole," that I don't understand and should quit pressuring her. I lost my cool and shouted at her, all my anger and frustration I had bottled up exploded out of me. For so long I tried not to pressure her, take things slowly and be the nicest I could be but I had become so annoyed at her inside, if felt like she didn't even want to try, like she was afraid of something. Naturally she hasn't spoken to me since.

Running my hands through my hair I sat up from the sofa pulling the blanket off me, I had been sleeping on the couch since Brandie got home because I knew she wouldn't be comfortable with me in the bed beside her and not that I minded but I just wished she'd maybe come round to the idea quicker, I mean a man has needs and I've been feeling pretty lonely with just me and my hand.

The past few weeks had been rough which was apparent on my face, I had bags under my eyes from not being able to sleep much and the stress of Brandie and the band was getting to me although I tried hard not to let it show to her or the guys. Today was going to be a new day, productive and goals will be achieved today. Yawning I stretched my upper body as I walked over to the breakfast bar and pouring myself some cereal and milk, as I ate I debated with myself to go to the gym or not before my cell started ringing.

“Sup Haner?”

“You still coming over on Thursday to discuss the album?”

I paused mid mouthful having totally forgot my plans with the guys, I didn't want to leave Brandie alone but I had lots of shit to get done for this new album to be released on time. I heard the other guys shouting in the background and I pinched the bridge of my nose trying not to get stressed out and explode again, sighing I pulled myself together.

“Umm Hello Matt you still there?”

“Yeah sorry um I guess I can make it, I just don't want to leave Brandie for too long.”

Brian chuckled but I struggled to find what was so funny, he didn't have to deal with this shit. In fact Brian didn't have to deal with any shit except for the new album, he hadn't settled down or taken on this kind of responsibility. Well none of the guys did, it was just me and Brandie but thats how it had always been since we were young and everyone loved it that way.

“Listen Matt, she's not a child she can look after herself, maybe it would be good if you gave her some space.”

I debated for myself for a while, I mean he could be right but it just didn't feel right to leave her alone. She was still quite shaken up and I wanted to be there for her this time when she needed me, after all that's what I couldn't do before...

“No I can't leave her Brian, I just don't feel right about it.”

He sighed down the phone to me, I could tell he was getting frustrated but he loved her almost as much as I did and that this was the best decision.

“I have an idea, bring her over here so we can all meet again, I miss her Matt.”

It was a great idea I mean she looked after us all since in high school, then when I went to the army and she was upset the guys looked after her for all the years she did the same for them. I remember the first time before I left her she cried in my arms and I couldn't take the pain she was in from me leaving it was too much for me to bare. I told the boys to protect her and if they didn't I'd beat them into a pulp. I remember Zacky Skyped me, I'll never forget it, it still haunts me to this day when he told me she cried herself to sleep for weeks and all he could do was hold her and tell her things would be okay. She was so happy when I came home for good and then when we left for touring with the band she took care of us all, quit her job before Teen vogue and somehow we still got by. I truly did owe her everything. Maybe it would be good to repair that relationship with the guys.

“I'll think about it okay, I'll be there on Thursday.”

Hanging up the phone I resumed eating while wrestling with my mind of what to do. Everything was such a mess why couldn't things be more easy.

“Who was that?”

I jumped in my stool, not expecting her quiet, timid voice. I watched as her tiny, fragile frame descended down the stairs onto the stool next to me.

“Brian.” I was going to just tell her "a friend" considering how she wouldn't even know who Brian was but I guess I wanted to test her.

“Brian is your band mate?”

I smiled mid way through chewing my cereal and patted her back. She seemed pleased with herself but I knew it was probably a guess but I didn't want to her bring her down.

“He wants to meet you again, says he misses you.”

I put down my spoon waiting for her reaction, any reaction good or bad.

“Were we close?” She blushed looking down, I didn't know why so I led her face to look at mine gently with my thumb guiding her chin.

“Very.” I spoke. She sighed obviously annoyed that she couldn't even remember her friends, I mean I would be too it was hard to down play how close we all were and how much of a happy little team we all were.

“Would it be too much for you to meet them do you think?” I hoped she agree and want to meet them, it would not only make me and the guys happy but I know she'd be happy too. She hesitated before replying. I knew shed probably say no and that she wasn't ready yet.

“Sure, but maybe you can give me a heads up of what they're all like?”

I smiled, gratetful of her agreeing, this could all work out very well or very bad.

“Your favourite was Jimmy, you were always quite shy and reserved but Jimmy brought out the real you, you came right out of your shell with him and you two were always crazy together.”

She smiled and I hoped that maybe the things I was telling her would bring back some sort of memory or similarities so I continued.

“You were like a big sister to Brian, whenever he got too drunk or into trouble and we were all mad at him, you weren't. You saw the best in him, whenever he got put in jail you'd bail him out, whenever he got too wasted you'd take him home and at the beginning I was jealous of your relationship with him but what we had was different and I think that hurt Brian.”

She looked up at me shocked, I could tell from the look in her eyes that she had so many questions to ask but didn't know where to start.

“Is he okay with us now? How did he react when the accident happened?”

“Yeah hes fine now, he knows what we have is special and we're meant to be, I guess he wants to find a woman as good as you in his life and you encouraged him to. But when the... the... when that happened he was as bad as me. Mad he wasn't there to protect you, upset you wouldn't make it and heart broken when you couldn't remember any of us.”

I looked down trying to pull myself together after feeling all those emotions again just like he did. I didn't want to cry in front of her again but when I looked up she had tears running down her face. I smiled weakly as I used my thumb to wipe them away and pulled her into a hug.

“You loved Zacky too, he was like your big brother.” I chuckled thinking of the way he used to be with Brandie almost worse than me.

“In fact he was like your over protective father, when I left for the army he never left your side and took you out all the time to take your mind off it. Before we got together in high school he always scared the boys away, something I have to thank him for now. Any guy who was trying to get with you for one thing Zacky scared them off. I remember this one night at a party one asshole was trying to get you to go upstairs and you know.. you were too drunk to notice but Zacky was furious took him outside and beat him up and then we all joined in for the fun of it.”

She smiled more tears streaming down her face and I held her tighter, I could tell it pained her that she couldn't remember the love they all had for her and the love she also had for them.

“Now Johnny, he was the little shit, but I guess you took pity on him and never teased him. Shouted at us for teasing and beating him. He loved you for it, I'd say he was more of a gay best friend.”

We both burst out laughing and I couldn't help but adore her smile when she laughed, she was so beautiful.

“Is he actually gay?”

“Sometimes I wonder.”

We both laughed in each other arms and I didn't want to let her go, this felt so right and I missed it so much. The little things I couldn't do any more like hugging her close and tight or kiss her gently just made my heart swell. I needed to get her back, I knew meeting the guys would help bring some aspect of her old life back so I decided to bring her to meet the guys again.