AllFreeNovel
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Chapter 12
Tori
While inside the bathroom, I pull my cell phone out of my pocket and dial Harrison’s number. The ca
ll fails, and I notice there’s no cell service here. I decide to send him a text, figuring when we get in range, my phone will send it. Hopefully he’ll get it before he ends up at the Bean waiting for me.
When I return to Brady, he’s surrounded by a group of kids. They all wear big smiles. He’s distributing the clothes he brought with us. Brady Hunter has surprised me beyond belief tonight. I never imagined he had this in him. I can’t believe I never saw it. I’ve always thought he was conceited and shallow, but he’s undoubtedly more than the superficial front he puts up. He winks when he catches me smiling at him. The appreciation the kids show is inspiring. There’s no arguing about who gets what, and no complaining about brands or colors.
This whole experience warms my heart. Brady makes a difference with these kids. He might downplay what he does for them, but he’s changing their lives. He’s changing my life.
He finished, and the kids leave to put their new treasures away. Brady turns to face me, and the smile on his face is one I will never forget. He’s proud. I wish he’d share it with his family, but it’s not my place to push him. For now he chooses to share it with me, and I’m tremendously flattered he does.
Without caring whether it’s right or wrong, if I should or shouldn’t, I go to him and throw my arms around his neck. He lifts me off the ground and hugs me back, spinning us around. When he sets me down, his hand brushes down the side of my head, and stops on my cheek. “Thank you for coming with me. It means a lot to share this with someone I care about.”
He cares about me. I’m giddy with excitement. “I should be thanking you, Brady. This place is amazing, and what you do for these kids is something you should be very proud of. I’m proud of you.”
His smile widens, and I look away before I kiss him. Kissing him is all I can think about. I can’t though. I don’t want to send him running, and that’s exactly what will happen.
After saying goodbye to the kids and Rodrigo, we get in Brady’s truck, heading back to P.B., back to a place where things will be different between us. I don’t want them to be.
After a few silent miles, Brady looks over at me. “Are you hungry?”
“Starving.” I draw the word out, fold my arms over my belly and lean forward.
Brady chuckles. “Then you’re in for a treat. There’s a taquería nearby that is to die for.”
I shouldn’t agree to dinner since I already have a dinner date, but I don’t want our time together to end. Brady is different here. He’s the Brady I’m fond of. The one I’ve had a secret crush on for most of my life.
The taquería is shabby and badly maintained, but the food smells divine. It’s also a quaint family-run place. An old Spanish woman is in the corner patting out dough, making tortillas. The process is second nature; her fingers move with ease. Kids run about the place, giggling, their parents working behind the counter.
My first bite of the steak taco is incredible, and my mouth waters just thinking about the second bite. Brady and I eat, and engage in friendly conversation.
I tell him about my first day at work, leaving out anything to do with Harrison. Brady isn’t my boyfriend, and it shouldn’t matter if I like Harrison. But Brady clearly doesn’t care for Harrison. I saw it in his demeanor at the Bean. I fear if I bring up Harrison, it will ruin our night, and I’m having too much fun with him.
Our talk for the most part is superficial. There’s a hint of something more between us, an attraction. I slurp my soda and do my best to ignore it. Brady is not boyfriend material, and I remind myself that he only wants us to be friends.
I absently twirl my hair as my mind recalls watching Brady with those kids and how happy he looked. Where did he get the money to do all of the work there? Brady doesn’t have a job, and as far as I know, he’s never had one. I wonder if he’s involved with something illegal, such as running drugs or gambling. It’s not something I can picture him doing, but then again, after today, there’s so much about Brady I know nothing about. The fact that he doesn’t want his family to know what he’s up to only adds to my suspicion he might be into something not entirely on the up and up. When I glance across the table and look into his eyes, I decide my imagination is just running wild. Brady’s no criminal, although he does have some serious secrets. Secrets I hope at some point he’ll consider sharing.
When I check the time on my phone, it’s well past seven-thirty, and I still don’t have a signal. My text to Harrison is sitting in the outbox, increasing my guilt as I think about him sitting at the Bean right now, anxiously waiting for me. Hopefully we’ll be back before it’s too late to call him and apologize.
As though he’s read my mind, Brady stands and starts collecting our trash, tossing it onto a tray. He throws everything away and comes back to the table.
“All set?” He offers his hand.
I take his hand, letting him help me from the booth. His touch sends goosebumps up my arms, and I blush. Will there ever me a time when his touch doesn’t affect me? This friend thing is going to be much harder than I thought.
I expect him to let go of my hand when we start to walk, but he doesn’t, and I don’t stop him. At this moment there is no place I’d rather be and no one I’d rather be with.
Border traffic is typical, as in dead-still. I pull my phone from the pocket of my shorts, and see my text finally went through to Harrison. I have twenty new texts, some from Harrison, one from my mom, and the others all from Liv. Nosy bee-otch!
I choose not to read any of them, and glance over at Brady. His eyes are on the road, and he’s quietly lost in thought.
“How long have you been going there?” I ask, breaking the silence.
He looks over and smiles warmly. “It’s been about a year. I go to school with Rodrigo’s brother, Raul. He told me about the place. Raul was heading down the next weekend and asked if I wanted to go. When I got there, I saw the kids playing in a field full of rocks and broken glass. I decided to help.” He shrugs.
“You’re full of surprises, Brady Hunter.”
