Friendship Blooms in Honey Grove

by Anne-Marie Meyer

  Once Mrs. Braxton was gone, the air around them lightened. Jonathan made his way over to his old closet and grabbed out a few extra blankets and began shaking them out onto the floor.

  “What are you doing?” Tiffany asked as she peeked over at him.

  “I’ve got to sleep somewhere.”

  Noting the size of the twin mattress underneath her, Tiffany nodded. “Yeah. You’re too big to fit on here with me.”

  “Yep.” Then he hesitated. “Should I be worried about my weight or something? This is the second time you’ve talked about my size.” He glanced in the mirror above the dresser on the other side of the room and then turned to the side, sucking in his stomach.

  Tiffany rolled her eyes and chucked a pillow in his direction. “You couldn’t pinch an inch if you wanted to.”

  The pillow slammed into his back, and Jonathan turned and shot her a fake hurt look. “Oh, it’s on,” he said, grabbing the pillow and diving at her.

  Squealing, Tiffany reached for another pillow as protection. She held it up, but it was futile. Jonathan was much stronger. She crawled to the corner of the bed and held up her pillow. “I surrender!” she exclaimed. Her sides hurt from laughter.

  This was what she needed. Getting back to their easy relationship made her feel better. Like she wasn’t a weight wrapped around Jonathan’s neck, dragging him down.

  Jonathan threw his pillow down to the ground and collapsed on the bed. He rolled onto his side and propped his head on his hand. His laughter died down, and a serious expression passed over his face.

  Nerves built up inside of Tiffany, so she pulled her knees to her chest and rested her chin on them. Gathering her courage, she met his gaze.

  The pain and guilt there almost took her breath away. Jonathan had been worried about her. Reaching out, she grabbed onto his hand and held it. Warmth raced up her skin and exploded in her body.

  “I’m okay,” she said, surprised at the depth in her voice.

  Jonathan dropped his gaze and studied their hands. Then he glanced back up at her. “I don’t know what I would do if I lost you. You’re my best friend.”

  Tiffany nodded, tears filling her eyes. “I know. I know. I’m sorry.”

  Jonathan fell silent and then flipped to his back. He pulled his hand away to rest it on his chest. She could see his slow and steady breathing. In a weird way, it was really calming.

  “That was weird, huh?” he asked.

  Confused, she turned her gaze up to the ceiling. “What?”

  Jonathan closed his lips and silence filled the air. Finally, he spoke after what felt like an eternity. “What my mom was implying.”

  Tiffany almost choked on her tongue. “You mean about the two of us?” It was almost too weird to even talk about hypothetically.

  Jonathan nodded.

  Tiffany had no idea what she was supposed to say to that. That was one place she’d never gone to. Jonathan was just that. Jonathan. She’d never allowed herself to think of him in that way.

  “I—um…” Nothing wanted to leave her lips that made any sense, so she decided the best thing to do was to shut them and never speak again.

  Jonathan laughed as he sat up. “I’m just joking,” he said as he turned and shoved her shoulder. “Geez, you should see your face. You’re white as a ghost.”

  A relieved laugh escaped her lips. She reached out and shoved his shoulder. “Don’t ever do that again, weirdo,” she said, grabbing a pillow and flopping down onto it. She then pressed her feet against him, hoping he’d get the hint.

  Jonathan’s chuckle filled the air as he slipped from the bed and onto the floor. After a few minutes, the sound of him adjusting the blankets subsided and silence filled the air.

  Even though it was weird to talk about them being anything but best friends, there was still this strange feeling rising up in her stomach. Their duo had almost stopped today. And Jonathan had been the one to save her.

  “Jonathan?” she asked as she stared up at the dark ceiling above her.

  “Yeah?”

  “I don’t think I ever thanked you for saving my life. So…thanks.”

  Silence. Had she said the wrong thing? She turned onto her side to peek over the edge of the mattress.

  Jonathan sighed. “You don’t ever have to thank me for something like that. You’re my best friend, and I’m here to protect you. Now, go to sleep.”

  Tiffany felt a smile spread across her lips as she bunched her blanket up in her arms and hugged it to her chest. What Jonathan had said was true. Despite the people that came in and out of their lives, they were always friends, and nothing was ever going to change that.

  The sun beat in through the window the next morning, pulling Tiffany from her sleep. She groaned and twisted, hoping to bury her face in her blankets.

  Suddenly, a pillow whacked her in the face, and she bolted up. “Hey,” she said, grabbing the pillow and throwing it back at Jonathan.

  He sat up, rubbing his eyes, sleep still clinging to his gaze. “What are you doing, crazy lady?” he asked as he grabbed the pillow and threw it back.

  Just as she grabbed it to retaliate, Jonathan stood and pulled it from her.

  “Let me take that for you,” he said, holding it high in the air.

  Tiffany glared at him. “You couldn’t have let me sleep for a few minutes longer?”

  Jonathan fluffed the pillow and then set it at the head of his makeshift bed. “I smell bacon and pancakes. Mom’s cooking breakfast, and it’s best fresh.”

  Tiffany cheered as she pulled off the blankets and slipped her feet onto the floor. “Race you there?” she squealed as she rushed past him and over to the door.

  “Cheater!” Jonathan exclaimed, but that didn’t stop Tiffany. Instead, she raced down the stairs and into the kitchen where she saw a very wide-eyed Sondra.

  Her gaze swept over Tiffany. “Did you sleep well, sweetheart?”

  Tiffany nodded, suddenly realizing that she’d just slept over at Jonathan’s house and had no idea what she looked like. Feeling self-conscious, she reached up and began to run her fingers through her hair, wincing as she caught a few snarls along the way.

  The sound of Jonathan’s feet clomping down the stairs caused her to move away and over to the corner.

  “Ma, will you tell Tiffany that cheaters are not allowed in the Braxton house?” Jonathan asked, winking at Tiffany as he folded his arms.

  Sondra tapped her chin. “Did she call out the start of the race?”

  Jonathan shook his head.

  “I did too,” Tiffany said, stepping closer to him.

  Sondra shrugged as she wiped her hands on her apron and returned to the griddle where bacon was crackling. “Seems legit to me.”

  Jonathan dropped his jaw and then turned to Tiffany. “It’s on,” he mouthed.

  The sound of a bowl clattering in the sink drew Jonathan’s attention. Tiffany followed his gaze to see Mrs. Braxton standing over the sink, her shoulders slumped as she stared at it.

  “You okay, Ma?” Jonathan asked as he walked over and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

  Realizing that she’d been so selfish, Tiffany walked over to her.

  Mrs. Braxton sighed as she glanced at both of them. “Grandpa’s having health problems. I’m going to need to head to Jordan to help.”

  Jonathan nodded. “Anything we can do?”

  Mrs. Braxton shook her head. “No. Josh is running my jam booth at the fair.”

  Tiffany glanced up at Jonathan. He dropped his gaze. “We can help out, too. We’ll go over as soon as we can.”

  Mrs. Braxton turned and wrapped her arms around Jonathan. “It’s so good to have you home,” she said, her voice muffled by his shoulder.

  Jonathan patted her back. “It’s good to be back.”

  After Mrs. Braxton slipped on her shoes, she shouldered her purse and gave him a wave. “I’ll see you two tonight?”

  Jonathan glanced over at Tiffany. “Probably.”

&nbs
p; A content look passed over her face as she smiled. “Perfect.”

  Once she was gone, Tiffany slipped onto a chair at the table and dished up a few pancakes. She poured syrup on them and watched from the corner of her eye as Jonathan walked over to the coffee pot and began to fill up a mug.

  “Oh, get me one too,” she said, pointing her fork at him.

  Jonathan quirked an eyebrow but nodded. Once a second mug was filled, he carried it over to her and set it down.

  They sat in silence. Jonathan filled a plate and dug in while Tiffany sipped her coffee.

  It felt nice, sitting next to Jonathan. For some reason, she never felt like she had to fill the silence. Being with Jonathan felt as natural as breathing.

  “What?” Jonathan asked with his mouth full of pancake.

  Tiffany shrugged as a smile spread across her lips. “Nothing. I’m just glad you’re back.”

  Jonathan’s expression softened as he studied her. Then he gave her a wink and stabbed his pancakes with his fork. “I’m happy too.”

  She stuck out her hand. “Friends forever?”

  Jonathan studied her hand and then met it, shaking it exaggeratedly. “Friends forever. Now, can we eat?”

  Tiffany nodded. “Of course.”

  Chapter Five

  The warm South Carolina air surrounded Jonathan as he stood next to the Ferris wheel. The sun had gone down, which was nice. All of his sweat had dried, leaving him with a caked-in-salt feeling.

  They’d spent the afternoon at the fair. His nephew Jordan had kept them busy with games and rides, but now Josh had insisted that Jordan stay with him at the booth. Last Jonathan checked, Jordan was passed out on a makeshift bed under a table.

  Pushing his hand through his hair, he glanced over at Tiffany, who was studying her phone.

  She didn’t look happy.

  “What’s up?” he asked, tapping her phone with his finger.

  Tiffany glanced up at him. “Nothing,” she said, shoving her phone into her pocket.

  Jonathan quirked an eyebrow. “Nothing?”

  She reached up and tightened her ponytail and forced a smile. Then, as if she realized that she could never lie to him, she let out her breath. “It’s my cousin’s wedding. I was supposed to go next weekend, and now…” She rubbed her temples. “I can’t go without Sean.”

  Confused, Jonathan studied her. “What? Why?”

  Tiffany glanced over at him. “I can’t go without a date,” she whispered.

  Jonathan leaned in. “A date?” he asked, just to make sure he’d heard her right.

  Tiffany nodded. “My family is cutthroat, and I’m the pariah. All my cousins are married with five kids.” She waved to herself. “Loser.”

  Jonathan chuckled. It was nice hearing that he wasn’t the only one who’s family harassed them because of their relationship status. He leaned in to study her forehead.

  Tiffany pulled back, her eyes wide. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m searching for the ‘L’ on your face.”

  Tiffany rolled her eyes and shoved his shoulder. “You know, for a best friend, you suck.”

  Jonathan grabbed her arms and pulled her closer. A wash of warmth cascaded over him as her soft skin registered against his palms. As if he’d been shocked with electricity, Jonathan dropped his hands and stepped back.

  Tiffany furrowed her brow. Worried that he looked like an idiot, Jonathan stepped over to the nearby churro vendor and ordered two.

  He handed one over to Tiffany, and they filled the silence with eating.

  Then an idea formed in his mind. He swallowed and cleared his throat, drawing Tiffany’s attention over.

  “How about I go with you?” he asked, shrugging his shoulders as if he didn’t care what she said.

  Tiffany snorted. “As what, my friend? Yeah, I’ll look like an even bigger dork.”

  “Ouch.”

  Tiffany shook her head. “Not because of you. Are you serious? My family will probably string me up if they found out that my best friend is in the NFL.” She chuckled. “I can already hear my aunts now: he’s such a man, how can you stay away?”

  Jonathan’s eyes widened. “Good to know that’s how you see me,” he said, lifting his arms and flexing.

  Tiffany swatted at his arms. “Put those away. You’re going to hurt someone.”

  Jonathan laughed but then he grew serious. If he couldn’t help his friend, what good was he? Besides, it sounded nice to get away. “Come on, I’ll be your date. It can be just one single friend helping out another single friend. Besides, you can flaunt me in front of all of your friends.”

  Tiffany’s expression grew contemplative as she studied him. Then she sighed. “I’ll think about it.”

  Jonathan nodded and then waved over to the Ferris wheel. “Wanna go for a ride?” He was ready for a distraction.

  Tiffany glanced at it and then over to him. “Definitely.”

  The ride attendant took his tickets and ripped them. Then he followed Tiffany to an empty bucket and climbed in. He tried to ignore the feeling of her leg pressed against his or of his arm as it brushed her.

  All of this was very strange, and if Jonathan were being honest, he didn’t like it.

  Clearing his throat, he glanced over at her as he grabbed the safety bar that was pressed to their laps. Tiffany met his gaze with an amused expression on her face.

  “What?” she asked.

  Jonathan shrugged. “Nothing.”

  Tiffany settled back in her seat. “So, tell me about Pittsburgh. Anyone you’re pining after there?”

  Jonathan shrugged. “Nah. Women who know I’m a professional player treat me different.”

  Tiffany dropped her jaw in an exaggerated movement. “I don’t.”

  “I didn’t mean you,” he said, reaching over and shoving her shoulder.

  Tiffany gave him a strange look. “Why not me? I’m a woman. I see you.” She leaned back as if to take him all in. Then she wiggled her eyebrows.

  Not sure how he felt under Tiffany’s scrutiny, Jonathan just shrugged. “Yeah, but we’ll never see each other as anything other than friends.”

  When Tiffany didn’t answer, Jonathan glanced over to see her staring at a couple a few buckets down. Focusing his attention on them, Jonathan squinted.

  It looked like…Sean. And he had his face securely attached to another woman. Anger coursed through his veins as he glanced over at Tiffany, who’d dropped her gaze to her hands. He could tell she was fighting back tears.

  “He’s an idiot,” Jonathan said, reaching around her and pulling her closer to him.

  Tiffany rested her head on his shoulder as she nodded. “He’s a jerk.”

  “He didn’t know what he had.” Jonathan reached out and cradled her free hand in his. His senses must have been heightened, because he’d never noticed how soft her skin was until today.

  Strange.

  Tiffany moved her fingers so she could lace them together with his. She sighed and Jonathan reveled in the sound.

  He’d never noticed how feminine Tiffany was. And for some reason, he had this deep desire to protect her and confront Sean—or anything that threatened Tiffany’s happiness.

  “Jonathan,” she whispered.

  “Yeah?”

  She tipped her head back to study him. Then her nose wrinkled. “You smell like a gym locker room.” And then she smiled up at him. “But I bet I do too. Blast this summer heat.”

  Jonathan chuckled as he pulled his arm away from her. Embarrassment coursed through him, and he shrugged. “Sorry.”

  She giggled. “It’s okay.”

  They spent the rest of the time talking about their plans for the summer. Nothing too deep, just surface level. When they got off the ride, they took their time to glare at Sean, whose eyebrows rose when he finally looked over and noticed them.

  Tiffany reached out and slipped her hand into Jonathan’s as they passed. Even though he was just fine helping Tiffany save face, his body d
ecided to react to her touch.

  His heart began to pound as he held her dainty hand in his own.

  Confused with what that meant, Jonathan decided to push it from his mind.

  This was Tiffany he was thinking about.

  The next morning, Jonathan stretched out in his bed. He rested his hand on his chest as he stared up at the ceiling. His thoughts were swirling as he recounted the strange reaction he’d had last night. After the ride, they spent some time with Beth, listening to the live band at the fair. He’d needed that though. It’d been too confusing to try to process what was going on in his body.

  Jonathan flexed his hand. The memory of Tiffany’s hand in his seemed burned in his mind. What did that mean?

  Clearing his throat, he threw off the covers and made his way to the bathroom.

  Nothing. It meant nothing. He was just confused.

  After taking a hot shower, Jonathan wrapped a towel around his waist and flung open the bathroom door to find Tiffany on the other side, her eyes wide.

  “I, um…” She cleared her throat as her gaze flicked down to his chest and then back up to his eyes.

  A satisfied feeling rose up inside of him as he crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame. “Always looking for a way to see me without a shirt on,” he said giving her a wink and then reveling in the blush that rushed to her cheeks.

  Tiffany scowled. “Well, it’s hard not to stare,” she said, reaching out and pressing her finger to his muscles.

  Jonathan chuckled. “Always got to touch them.”

  Tiffany curled her finger back into her palm and dropped her hand. She glared at him. “Well, I was going to ask you to come to the wedding with me, but now, I’m not so sure.”

  A rush of excitement ran through him as Jonathan pushed off the door frame. “What? Why?”

  She quirked an eyebrow. “You’re being flirty right now, when we’re not faking a relationship. How are you going to act when we are? I can’t imagine this magnified.” She motioned between them.