Off Limits, Brother's Best Friend Chapter 49

Chapter 49: You Are Not A Disappointment To Me

Brianna

“Ezekiel and his uncle run a strip club in Ibadan so he had some money. He used it to trap me, he bought me everything and used it against me. So I would owe him something, he cut me off from most of my old world until I was only involved in his and therefore still dependent on him. We were dating but he convinced me to work. I am sorry, Bryce. I know I am a disgrace to the family. I did strip for a year at his club.” I wiped the tears rolling down my cheek.

Bryce stood up and I almost flinched like maybe he would knock me on my ass or scream at me, but didn't. He gave me a hug and for some reason that opened the floodgates, I started crying hard. I held on tightly to my big brother and let it all out.

“Enough, you don't have to tell me anymore.” He let me off the hook, I pulled away and looked at him.

“No, I want to. I don't want to hide anymore.” I stood with conviction.

He seemed hesitant to have endured more of this but he nodded and brought us back to the couch where I could face him. I ignored Callan's presence, he shouldn't be here for this but he is. And for some reason, I just accepted that. I picked at the couch while I cleared my throat of those passing tears and continued.

“Ezekiel was extremely jealous, so even though he was the one who wanted me to work, he also made sure to make me feel like shít about it. He was mad that I gave men my attention and spinned me out to be some whore when I was far from it. We fought all the time and at times it did get physical, I had nothing though. It was either having nothing and being back with father or having nothing and being with him. I was terrified how my father would respond to my running away, I figured he would really kill me this time if I went back, so I didn't. I stayed with Ezekiel, it took me a long time to smarten up but I did. I got smarter, I used Ezekiel's narcissism against him. I met an elderly woman with her own tailor shop, you know I always like fashion and would try to sow but I wasn't all that good at it. Well, she was willing to teach me.” I took a calming breath, thinking about that woman. She saved me in a lot of ways.

“I told Ezekiel I wanted to please him and make him a suit with my own two hands. I showed him, there were no men and it was just an old lady. I asked if he would let me spend time with her when he was out doing goodness knows what. He said yes and I spent all my time with her, I learned everything. She was the one who convinced me to apply for scholarships and I did. I used her shop as my address, so mail would go to her and not to Ezekiel. When I actually got an acceptance letter, I was shocked. I knew I wanted to do this, though. I wanted to escape my second abuser the same way I escaped my first. So I accepted the offer in Asaba, I was pocketing my strip money by skimming off the top all year. I had a little saved, enough to fly out there but I would be utterly broke after that. There was one final domestic dispute between myself and Ezekiel, it was the first and only time I called the police on him because I needed time to remove my things from his house when they arrested him. When he came back, I was gone.” I looked at both of them, they were finally looking at me and I held my chin up high.

“When I ran from my father, I had to make all my social media private and block a lot of people. Anyone who knew father in both our family and friends because some of our family turned on me, not knowing what monster they were supporting. I had to drop my best friend because if you would remember, she was pressured into telling him things. I had to clean the slate when I went to Ezekiel and I had to do that all over again when I left him.” I took in a breath.

“I changed my phone number and blocked even more people on social media. I was careful about everything I did. I got away and went to fashion school. I took a bartending job for some money and now I am here. Ezekiel found me because I ran into an old friend a few weeks back. She must have told him, he was threatening to show you pictures of me stripping to turn you against me so I hid our battle. But I didn't think he would go as far as taking me at gunpoint. I am sorry for all of that.” Bryce scooted closer and made me look at him.

“Hey, I am not our father. You aren't a disappointment to me, it was my fault you even had to fight that hard. I know I shouldn't have left you but I was a teenager and selfish and I needed to get out of there. I ended up choosing actual combat over dealing with our crazy parents, so you I don't understand your choice? I do and I am sorry, kiddo.” He sighed and gave me a side hug.

“It is not your fault, I am not your child. It was your responsibility, we both did what we had to do. I just don't like revisiting that time in my life because I am ashamed of it.” He nodded in understanding.

Callan remained quiet, why did he want to be here for this? I think he always wanted to know what this dodge past was between my brother and myself and now he has. I wonder what he thinks of me.

***

I ended up having a very long conversation with both Callan and Bryce about our parents and our upbringing. It was like now that our secrets were revealed and we were able to revisit certain memories without the heaviness of our past silencing us. We told Callan so many things and even had a good laugh between siblings.

Not everything was bad and we revisit some of our childhood and our bond growing up. Bryce really was my protector back then and he made me realize I had been protecting myself for longer than I gave myself credit for. He told me he was proud of me for getting out, no one has ever said that to me before and it made me a little bit emotional. But I pulled through it, I have cried enough.

We talked late into the night and eventually realized the time and all parted ways for bed. Oddly, with Callan here, I felt a little closer to him for having him know so much about me. What I have hidden from everyone else, I wished he would reveal himself to me too. I doubt he ever would.