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He looks lost in thought as he continues to rattle on, “But with that orgasm would come regret. Regret because it would fuck up this friendship, and I think we both know that.” He looks pained. “I’ve put my dick ahead of everything else my entire life. I’m not doing that this time. I can’t. Because you…you mean too much. And I’m not willing to lose you, Bria.”
“I know,” I whisper because I know he’s right even if it hurts to hear. “Let’s just go to sleep. It’s after midnight, and I know you have practice tomorrow.”
Sluggishly, he nods. And as we both stand, trudging up the stairs, I wonder if he feels the same ache, being this close to me, as I do him. Because this ache? It’s damn near paralyzing.
Sometimes, the hunger we have for something blinds us to the consequences of indulging in it. And when it comes to Brody…I’m just about at that point.
15
Bria
Flipping another pancake over, I make sure it’s cooked through before sliding the spatula under it and adding it to the stack of others. I can’t cook jack shit—that’s a fact. But the one and only thing I’ve mastered? Pancakes. And you can bet your ass they are good.
When I hear the door open and turn around, I find Link Sterns standing in the doorway. I didn’t think he’d be back until later, but I guess now is just as good of a time as ever to meet Brody’s best friend. Well, technically, I’ve already met him once before at my brother’s football game. But it was so brief that it hardly counted.
“You’re just in time for my pancakes. Which happens to be the only thing I can cook.” I smile at him.
“So, you’re the mystery girl, huh?” He looks me up and down, seeming a little surprised before leaning against the counter. “The one keeping him up all night and sneaking out for some lovin’. I’d say nice to meet you, but I already know you.”
Taking a pancake from my stack, I toss it at Brody, and it hits him in the chest. “Ew. With this guy? What in the world have you been telling your friends, O’Brien?”
Brody only grins. “I had to have some fun with them. Besides, if I told them we weren’t banging, they wouldn’t have believed me.”
“I don’t really buy it,” Link says coolly, grabbing a few pancakes for himself. “But, okay, I’ll play along.”
“Dude, I don’t want my vagina to rot out of my body. I like my vagina,” I say before pushing myself up on the countertop. “He’s nasty. He probably has a dirty dick. He’s like Magic Mike, but an underwear model instead of a stripper.”
While I don’t exactly think he’s nasty, I also don’t want to seem like I’m just giving it away to Brody the way everyone else seems to. Not like it matters, I suppose.
“Do not,” Brody snaps. “No glove, no love.” Pointing to Link, he frowns. “And this fuckstick finally started to leave me alone about the model shit. So, hush your face.”
“What’s wrong with modeling?” I look at Link, arching an eyebrow.
“There’s nothingwrongwith it. But do Cam and I and the other guys like to give him shit for it? Hell yes.” He shrugs. “How’d you two become friends anyway? I thought you lived in Florida.”
“I’m an underwear model,” I deadpan, watching him almost choke on his pancake. “And I moved here this year to get my master’s degree. Brooks has one of the best programs in the country for studying fine art.”
“You’re an artist? That’s cool.” He sounds genuinely impressed.
“Photographer,” I say quickly. “But, yeah…it’s all the same.”
“She’s badass.” Brody winks at me, and I have to love him for being my biggest hype guy.
I roll my eyes but smile at him before turning my attention back to Link. “Anyway, why did you drive back home so early?”
He stiffens before clearing his throat awkwardly. “Just had some shit to get done today. Didn’t want to be tied up there all day.”
Not wanting to push him further, I hop down from the counter. “Gotcha. Well, I guess now that the cat’s out of the bag, I’ll be seeing ya.”
“Guess so, but I still don’t buy that y’all ain’t knocking boots.” He smirks before taking off toward his room.
Shaking my head, I glance at Brody. “Boy, you’ve got some explaining to do.”
Giving me that signature devilish grin, he holds his hands out at his sides. “It was too hard tonotfuck with my friends on who I’ve been hanging out with. I just couldn’t help but egg them on when they kept saying I was sneaking around.”
Exhaling, I fold my arms over my chest and narrow my eyes. “Uh-huh. Well, you’d better set the record straight, jerk.”
“Oh, I will,” he tosses back.
