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“Brody, I chose to work at the bar, knowing there would be shitheads.” I shrug. “I can handle myself.”
“I just…I don’t know, Bria. I guess I got worried. And I lost my mind.”
“Yes, you did. In a completely irrational manner. I’m not your girl, Brody,” I mutter, looking down. “You made that clear in Florida. So, why do you care if someone is hitting on me?”
“I care if they are disrespecting you,” he corrects me. “I care if they put you in a situation where you don’t feel safe.” I watch his body go rigid. “I never want you to feel unsafe.Ever.”
I’m like a little sister he is looking out for. I should be grateful or flattered. Instead, I’m irritated.
But I know his actions, all of this, stems back to his childhood. I can’t be mad. Even if I want to be.
“If you want to be my friend, you can’t act like I’m this damsel in distress who needs saving. I promise you, I’ve lived through shittier situations than most people can even imagine. I am strong.”
“I know you’re strong. I just…I guess I didn’t want you to have to be.” He reaches out, touching my wrist with his fingertips. “I’ll try my best to be better. Just please,” he says, looking distressed, “pleasedon’t turn your phone off again.”
“Oh, right, I’m sure it kept you up all night.” I scoff. “I’m sure you werereallytorn up over it.”
“I was,” he snaps. “I couldn’t even go to fucking sleep.”
“What?” I whisper. “I don’t understand.”
“I knew you were mad at me,” he mumbles. “I thought I had lost you already.”
I inhale and exhale a few times before giving him a hug. “You aren’t getting rid of me that easily, O’Brien. But please, for the love of God, don’t act like a Lifetime movie boyfriend. Number one, you aren’t my boyfriend. Two, it’s creepy.”
“I like Lifetime,” he says in a serious tone. “There’s actually some pretty good kink on there. All forbidden and shit. I dig it.”
I shove his chest, and he pulls me against him, rocking us back and forth slightly.
“Sorry. I’ll try to be better. Just instinct to go into fight mode.” He pulls his head back, looking down at me. “Whaddya say I take you to do something fun? To make up for being a dick.”
“I’d love that,” I admit just as he releases me. “But, actually, my mom’s—”
“Hi there.” My mom appears out of nowhere. “You must be Bria’s new friend, Brody.” She looks him up and down, and I can tell she’s pleasantly surprised. “Nice to meet you. I’m Nina.”
He smiles. “Well, I can see why Bria here is such a fox.” He winks and holds his hand out to her. “You raised a pretty kick-ass girl. Nice to meet ya, Mrs. Collins.”
My mom blushes, and I can’t help but giggle inside. Brody radiates the kind of energy that will make you squirm and make your cheeks burn. He can’t even stop it; it’s who he is.
“Well, I’ll let you two get to it. Sorry to interrupt your day, but I had to come over and see my girl for just a few minutes.” He tips his chin up at me. “Call me later, babe.”
In that moment, I know exactly what my mom is thinking—that we must be more than friends because he called mehis girlandbabein the same breath. But that’s just how he talks to me. Heck, it could be how he talks to all of his friends who are girls.
The very thought of that has my shoulders sagging the smallest bit. I guess I sort of like feeling like I do belong to him.
As he starts to turn, my mom’s voice stops him. “Wait, Brody.” She glances nervously at me. “Before I head out this afternoon, Bria is going to take me to see some of her photography work. You should join us.”
My eyes must widen to the size of pizzas as I look at her. “Mom, he doesn’t want to see my pictures,” I mutter, and now, I’m the one whose face is on fire, knowing full well why I don’t want him to go. “You really don’t have to come, Brody.” I laugh nervously. “I’m sure you’re busy.Superbusy.”
“Going to see my girl’s work? Say no more.” He smirks. “Hell no, Wildflower. I’m not missing this. Besides, your mama invited me, so it’s only polite I go. Right, Mama Collins?”
My mom laughs, completely taken aback by Brody. “Right. I suppose so!”
The trouble is, there’re some pictures I’ve taken—actually, a lot—that I really don’t want him to see. Because I’ve taken a lot of him…and that might make me look like a stalker.
Here goes nothing.
Brody
