Page 33 of Weddings on the West: Vol. I Brick & Destiny

“Eden!” I popped her arm as she cackled wildly.

“Fine… but you know it's coming sooner or later, right?”

My face went warm as I thought about how he almost kissed me the night before. I knew if I told her that, the teasing would never stop, so I kept it to myself.

“Girl, it's not like that. This is like a business thing. We're just doing this for appearances,” I said softly, unsure of whether I was lying or not. I didn’t want anything more with him. I knew that going down that road would lead to nothing but trouble. My body locked up completely when I heard him knocking on my door like the SWAT team.

“Hey,” Eden said in a soothing voice, holding my face again. “You know I’d never lie to you. You look beautiful. It doesn’t have to mean anything. Just go out and have a little fun. You deserve it.”

And I did. I shook away my nerves as she walked away from me.

“Nigga, you better treat my sister right tonight!” Eden fussed as she opened the door. I stood in the corner awkwardly, wishing I could disappear for a moment.

“Eden, get the fuck on. Ain't nobody about to do shit–” His voice trailed off when his gaze landed on me. His jaw tensed, and his eyes narrowed as I raised my brows awkwardly.

“Hi,” I whispered. He looked good in a dark gray button up, black slacks and his signature jewelry. I couldn’t hear him, but it looked like he mouthed a four-letter word that I wouldn’t dare repeat.

Crap, did I pick the wrong dress?

I smoothed my hands over it, my smile turning into an awkward cringe. I had just made the decision to flee to my room and put on one of my church dresses when Eden stepped forward and punched Brick so hard in his chest that I stumbled back.

“Girl, what the fuck?” he choked out before drawing a deep breath.

“You’re welcome! You looked like you were having a hard time breathing. Now, pick your jaw up and compliment my sister, fuck nigga!” He cut his eyes at her like he wanted to hit her back, then cleared his throat and turned back to me.

“What’s good, Peep? You look… amazing… fuck.” There was the four-letter word again.

“Thank you,” I said with a nervous giggle as I tucked a curl behind my ear. He had never complimented me like that, and for some reason it had me feeling all the flutters of a first crush.

“Yeah, that's what I thought! Bye you two! Y’all have fun!” she said as she brushed past him. My eyes widened when she turned around and made a V sign with her fingers while flicking her tongue through it. Luckily, Brick had his back to her, so he missed the gesture.

“Bye Eden!” I said before turning back to Brick, whose eyes never left me.

“You good?” I asked. I had never heard him so quiet.

“I’m good… oh, shit!” he paused before turning and grabbing a bouquet of tulips from the table next to my front door. “These are yours.”

“Oh, thank you!” I squealed. I couldn’t remember the last time a man bought me flowers before him… actually, I could, and it was because he had really messed up.

“You’re welcome,” he said, handing them to me. I quickly put them in water and we headed downstairs. The whole walk down, I tried to act like I was unfazed by the way his hand guided my mid back. What wasn’t foreign to me, was how careful he was when he opened the door and helped me inside his truck, making sure both me and my dress made it in safely before closing the door. I watched as he mumbled to himself for his entire walk to the driver’s side. I saw his lips utter one more curse before he opened his door and climbed in. He took a deep, frustrated breath before starting the car up.

“What’s wrong?” I asked nervously.

“Nothing,” he grumbled.

“Something is obviously wrong. What is it?” I tried again. “You changed your mind? If so, it’s okay. We don’t have to go.” My feelings would be a little hurt, but I would rather go back upstairs than force him to go out with me if he didn’t really want to.

“Fuck no!” he answered quickly, making my eyes widen. “Sorry, I just…” He chuckled then looked off, still unable to find the words.

“Brick,” I said softly, grabbing his hand in a sudden rush of boldness. “It’s me. What’s wrong?” I was the same person that he had just had a two-hour long debate over basketball players and music with, and now he was acting like he didn’t know me or like I had done something.

“Aight listen… I’m… nervous,” he barely whispered. My eyes widened, and I went silent before I burst out laughing.

“Are you—are you for real right now?” I choked out through my bouts of laughter. My giggling stopped abruptly, and the smile fell right off my face when I noticed how offended he looked.

“Yes, I’m for real,” he growled and looked off.

“But you have girls chasing you all the time… Why would you be nervous about me?”