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Where I would be living with my orthopedic surgeon.
I’m pretty sure that concussion was worse than I thought, because my life has suddenly gotten super weird. That’s the only reasonable explanation for the three massive fluffy white dogs laying on top of Brooks in the entryway to his cozy, a-frame house.
He’d insisted on going inside first when we pulled up, and when I saw him taken down by what appeared to be three white fluffy blurs, I knew why.
“I feel like this is weird, Brooks.” I call, lingering by the door while he coos and scratches the three dogs from his place flat on the floor. One of them, the smallest of the three, catches sight of me and gets off Brooks’ leg to trot over, tail wagging.
“That’s Tibia.” Brooks informs me, staggering to his feet and brushing dog hair from his clothing. “This is Fibula, and that’s Femur.”
I giggle, getting down on my knees to let the three of them sniff at me. They’re beautiful dogs, but absolutely enormous. The largest of the three, Femur, must weigh as much as I do. “Really, Brooks? Tibia, Fibula and Femur?”
He grins, making my stomach swoop. “I like what I do, what can I say. Come on, I’ll give you the tour.”
We move deeper into the house, the dogs moving along around us like panting clouds. Brooks must have taken the trouble to have the place professionally decorated because it’scute, a little bit outdoorsy but still cozy and modern. There are no piles of laundry on the couch or beer bottles on the counter, and it’s definitely not the bachelor pad I imagined.
“I pay for all the streaming services, they’re logged in on the big TV there, but if you want the password for your computer or whatever I’ll text it to you.” He leads me around to the slidingdoors which open off the kitchen to a huge back deck. He has a stunning view of the mountains, and I can immediately see why he bought the place.
There’s a hot tub.
I’m not sure why, but I feel a sick little twist of jealousy at the sight of it. How had it never occurred to me that I’m here as Brooks’roommate. Which means he can date whoever he wants.Bring them home if he wants.What if I have to lay there in my bed listening to the man I’ve been obsessed with for years having sex with someone else?
“Delta?”
I blink, turning to look at Brooks who’s frowning at me. “Sorry. Spaced out.”
“Are you in pain?” He asks, going into doctor mode immediately, eyes darting over my whole body, looking for symptoms of distress. “Should we call Dr. Pritchett?”
He actually takes his phone out of his back pocket before I shake my head. “No. Really, I’m just tired. That hospital bed isn’t exactly restful. I’m sore all over.”
Brooks doesn’t look convinced. “Do you want to try out the hot tub? I thought the heat might be nice on your hip. I got the model with the steps so you wouldn’t have to-“
“Wait.” I interrupt, my chest suddenly so full it could burst. “You got this for me?”
“I mean, I’ll use it too, I’m sure.” Brooks confirms sheepishly, looking anywhere but at me. “It’s nothing. I’ve wanted one for ages.”
I won’t let him blow this off and pretend it’s nothing though because itisn’tnothing. “Brooks.” My eyes burn and I close the distance between us, wrapping myself tightly around him.
Brooks hugs me back immediately, tucking my whole body under his chin and pulling me into his warm, hard, Brooks-smelling chest. I could drop dead, right this second, and I’d die happy.
He’s so much bigger than me, I feel small and safe and protected. I’ve never been hugged like this before and my eyes burn becauseI don’t want this to be a one off.I want to hold him like this every single day.
“Hey.” I can feel the deep rumble of his voice from his chest and burrow closer as Brooks weaves a hand through my hair. “I just want you to be comfortable here.”
I laugh weakly. I’m worried I’ll betoocomfortable, and he’ll end up needing to drag me out kicking and screaming when he gets tired of having me here.
Like he knows that’s what I’m thinking, Brooks pulls back just a little, cupping my face and gently forcing my eyes to meet his. “You can stay as long as you want, alright? Redecorate. Paint the whole house pink. I don’t give a shit.”
I’m barely breathing, all those words from when he met me in the hospital hanging over us as he holds me like a lover might. I haven’t dared to think about it too much, firmly convincing myself they were the words of a friend, someone who cares. When he touches me like this though, they take on a whole new meaning.
What if he wants me too?
My whole body feels warmer at the thought.
“Come on.” Brooks lets his hands fall from my face but presses one firmly to the small of my back, leading me back inside to where the dogs have dispersed to three huge dog beds along the wall of the living room.
He takes me upstairs, where the landing overlooks the great room below, and three doors lead off. “You’re in here.” He opens the closer of the two, which has a beautiful view of the backyard, partially obscured by boxes. “Lake dropped this all offlast night.” Says Brooks, looking embarrassed for the first time. “I was going to unpack for you but I didn’t want to overstep.”
“Thank you.” I tell him gently, reaching out to squeeze his hand reassuringly. “This is beautiful.”
