Page 61 of Changing Lanes

“Good. I was looking for tampons and Twizzlers.” I giggle at the look on his face. “What’s wrong? Did you think you might get lucky? No way, mister. Not on the first date.” A devilish grin graces his face.

“It’s not our first date.” He tweaks my side, and I jump with a squeal.

“Damn it. Now you will wait.” Sarcasm laces my words.

“Wait. What? Are you saying we were gonna sleep together? I’m confused.” He grabs my arm, stopping me.

“Let’s just see if we can walk down the street without wanting to kill the other first, okay?” I say jokingly.

“Good idea. I can see why you’re the brains and I’m the looks of this duo.” He flexes his muscles, subsequently making my mouth go dry.

“You’re so full of shit, country boy. Come on, I still need to know what ‘muddin’ is.” Jerking him by the shirt, I pull him behind me.

“Oh, you remember that, do you, country club? Well, I’ll have to show you another day, you’re too pretty today.” I bump his shoulder with mine.

“Flattery will get you everywhere. How’s Andi?” Strolling down Main Street without a care in the world, we catch up.

“Good. She likes you, that’s for sure. How have you been, Torrie?” He watches me as I spy on him in the windows.

“Good. It’s been tough, but I survived.”

“I’m sorry about that.” His eyes squint when he turns his face to the sun, drawing a deep breath.

“Okay. Stop with the apologizing. I feel like shit enough,” I huff.

His head spins as he glares at me. “Why do you feel like shit? I never meant for you to.”

“I know. But we were in a relationship, and neither of us trusted the other. We both failed.” Shrugging as I explain how I see it.

“True. I think we need to start communicating better, maybe even talk once in a while. ”

“I agree, talking’s good. Especially when I don’t feel as though I could choke you,” I say, nodding.

“I guess that would be most of the time anymore.” He drops his head shaking it.

“You know, if you’d keep your women at bay, I might like you better.” Rolling my eyes, I gag.

“Oh, come on. I don’t have women. Well, I do have one, and I need to go pick her from school.” He glances at his phone.

“Of course, Andi first. It’s been, nice.” Trying to conceal my disappointment, I smile.

“It has been, country club. Good to know we haven’t lost it all.” He grins at me.

“Apparently, not.” I smile at him.

“Sometimes, when there’s so much between two people, we tend to make it harder than it is.” Searching his eyes to see if I can figure out what he’s thinking, my face flushes.

“You’re getting hot.” He swallows when I lick my lips.

“Yeah, I’m thirsty. Umm, you better get going.” I step away from him.

“Yeah, I need to pick up, Andi. I’ll see you.” He doesn’t move, neither do I.

“Yes. Soon. It would be nice to continue talking like this.” Closing my eyes, I dream about kissing him. Remembering how good it was, how good he was.

“Hey, y’all. How’s it goin’?” Thayer and Hardy walk up. “You both are still alive, that’s good.”

Fuck. “Hi, it’s good. Yes, we are. We are both still here.” I smile but I think it’s a grimace by the look on Thayer’s face.

“I was just leaving to pick up Andi. I’ll see y’all later. Torrie.” Brannon nods at me before leaving.

“So, it went okay?” Hardy asks.

“Getting there. Maybe, we’re just making it harder than it should be.” I can’t help but grin.

“That may be the case. It’s just in time, can you run by the office tomorrow around five?” Hardy asks.

“I can,” I say as I watch Brannon pull away. “He’ll be there.” Hardy grins. “See you tomorrow, Torrie,” Hardy says as he and Thayer walk away.

I rush home, thinking of Brannon all the way there. He’s starting to wear me down, he smelled so good today. Pulling into my house, I run inside to pick out my clothes for the next day. It’s like I’m fifteen, I roll my eyes as I try to find my sexiest dress.