by Cindy Miles
Brax straightened and made his mouth twitch. “You a by-the-book type of girl, yeah?”
I nodded. “Especially when it comes to my job. Yes.” I reached for the scope, about to start unlocking the pieces, but Brax beat me to it. I watched, and to my surprise he’d really paid close attention. He broke every scope piece and mount part down perfectly. I crouched beside him and held open the bag while he loaded the pieces carefully inside. When he finished, he pointed.
“What’s with the camera?”
I zipped the bag, Brax shouldered it, and we both rose. “Celestial photography,” I answered. I started toward the platform door, and he followed. Inside the stairwell, the lights were dim. “Sometimes the lighting is perfect, and objects are sharp. I don’t like to miss an opportunity.”
He reached the bottom just ahead of me and he stopped. The space between us was non-existent, he was so close, and with me one step up we were nearly eye level. “Neither do I.”
The surge of electricity between us pinged off the walls of the stairwell, bringing awareness to all of my senses. The scent of Brax’s skin smelled clean, like soap, and it mixed with the faint aroma of fresh paint on the concrete walls. The warmth inside the stairwell brought a slight sheen of moisture to my arms, neck, face, and with each breath Brax released, it washed over me and cooled my skin. My heart slammed against my ribs, and we just stared. I couldn’t move, frozen to the step I stood on. I knew I wasn’t imagining it. Brax’s gaze lowered to my mouth and stayed there long enough to make my breath lodge in my throat. Suddenly the scar through my lip seemed twice as large, and I tried to hide it with my teeth.
“Don’t do that,” Brax said. His thumb brushed over my scar, and he looked at me. “Don’t hide that scar. Don’t hide who you are, Gracie. Ever.” Scah.
Brax’s broad shoulders shifted, and his body leaned toward me. My mind was clogged, confused, but all I knew was I wanted his mouth on mine. I wanted him to kiss me. Oh, God, he’s going to kiss me …
The exit door opened, and I jumped back as Noah Hicks stepped inside. Luckily, his gaze was directly on Brax instead of me, because no doubt I had guilt written all over my face. “Hey, I was just coming to check out your scope.” Brax had shifted back and stood tall, eye to eye with Noah. “But I see you’ve already packed it up. What’d you think?” he asked Brax.
Brax didn’t answer right away, and I got the feeling he did it on purpose. “Fucking amazing,” he finally said, then reached back and grabbed my hand. “We were just heading out. Thanks for letting me in, man.” He moved past Noah, towing me behind him.
“It was an amazingly sharp moon tonight,” I told Noah. “The platform is perfect.”
Noah smiled at me, and I noticed then he had a dimple in his chin. “Wait until you check out the Mulligan next week. You’re going to freak.”
“No doubt,” I answered. “See you tomorrow, Noah. And thanks.”
“You bet, Olivia,” he said behind me. Because Brax kept pulling me up the main hallway toward the entrance room.
At the door, Brax released my hand and we stepped outside. “What’s a Mulligan?” he asked as we made our way to my truck. His bike was parked right beside it. His voice had an edge to it, like something bothered him. Was it because Noah had interrupted what probably was going to be our first kiss? Correction. Our second kiss. Or was I delusional about that? I couldn’t believe I was even entertaining the thought. Hadn’t it been my idea to remain neutral? Just friends? What had happened to me?
“It’s the observatory’s scope.” We reached my truck and Brax stopped, looking at me. I pointed over my shoulder and grinned. “You know? The big one under the dome?”
Brax’s eyes lifted in the dome’s direction, then he settled his gaze on mine. Those blue ghosts had an angry flare in their depths. “I don’t like that guy, Gracie.”
I cocked my head. “Noah? Why—”
“Because I can see what you can’t,” he interrupted. “Students are off limits for TA’s,” he added. “I’ve seen more than one prick use that title to get laid. Just watch it with him.”
I hadn’t felt any weird vibes from Noah. Not at all. Then again, I hadn’t felt any with Brax, either. Maybe my vibe-o-meter was way off? I unlocked my truck door. “I’ve been warned the very same thing about you, Brax.” I gave him a solid, determined look. “I make my own mind up about people. And I watch it with everyone, don’t forget.”
He reached over then and slid my scope bag across the bench seat, then shoved his fingers through his hair as he studied me. “Yeah, you do, don’t ya. You still hungry, Sunshine?”
“Stahved.”
His lip turned upward. “Smartass. Let’s go.”
We’d just settled onto his bike when his phone rang. He answered it. “Yeah. Hell no, I’m on my way out. Are you fucking kidding me?” Brax pinched the bridge of his nose. “Yeah, all right.” He half-turned to me. “Gracie, I gotta handle something. How ‘bout I pick you up in thirty minutes at your dorm?”
I slid off Brax’s bike. “You don’t have to do that,” I answered. “It’s late and I—”
“It’s only nine, Gracie. This won’t take long.” With his heel, Brax kicked the bike’s stand down and he got off. He faced me now, a teasing smirk on his face. “You gotta eat, right?”
Who was I kidding? I wanted to go. I liked being around Brax. I liked how I felt around him. Even the nervousness. “Okay. I’ll go change and meet you out front in thirty minutes.”
In the dark parking lot of the Science complex, his teeth shone white as he smiled. “Be right back.” He started his bike, pulled on his helmet, and waited for me to climb into my truck. I did, and we both left together. At the next intersection, he turned off to the left, and I watched his red tail light disappear.
Tessa turned her face toward me the minute I walked in. “What’s up, chica?” she said with a grin. “How was nerd world at the observatory? Whoa—is that a body bag or what?”
I set my scope bag next to my bed and went to the small fold out closet to find something else to wear. I looked over my shoulder. “It could be a body bag. Nerd world was fantastic. How about you?”
Tessa sat on her bed with her long straight hair in a ponytail, applying some thick white cream to her face. “Sheer perfection. My biology professor is so fucking hot it’s ridiculous.” She peeked at me. “Why does it look like you’re changing into something else?”
I threw my collared work shirt on my bed and pulled a brown tank top over my head. I shoved my arms into a long-sleeved plaid buttoned down. “Because I am. I thought you and the girls were going out?”
Tessa stopped her facial application in mid-rub. “We are. But seriously. After my most excellent advice you’re still going out with him?”
I resisted giving my overly-dramatic roommate an overly-exaggerated eye roll. “We’re just grabbing a bite to eat, Tess—no big deal, really. Actually, we were leaving right after the observatory but he—”
“He was at the observatory with you?” Tessa all but screeched. “Doing what?”
“Observing. What else?”
A pair of balled up fluffy socks hurled through the air, directly at my head. I batted it away.
“Look at me, Olivia,” Tessa insisted, got up from the bed and came to stand right in front of me.
I finished snapping my shirt up and looked at her. “Yes, ma’am?”
After a moment, her eyes widened. “Oh shit. No way.”
My brows tugged together in a guilty frown. “What?”
Like the Grinch as he stared with distaste toward Whoville, Tessa’s gaze turned into accusing slits. “You like him.”
I pointed at her brows. “You look scary when you frown like that.”
“Olivia!” Tessa squealed. “I’m serious. What are you doing?”
My shoulder lifted to a shrug. “Eating supper. Then coming home to study.” Even I could confess now how difficult it was to fend off a persuasive Brax. He was fun to be around, and th
e spark that seemed to flash inside of me whenever he was close to me? I liked it. Sure. I liked him. Didn’t mean I was stupid.
Tessa flopped back down onto the end of her bed, grabbed a Cosmopolitan magazine from her purse, and started flipping madly through the pages.
“Look Tessa,” I said, and sat down beside her. “I know he’s a playboy. A big flirt. And he knows I know.” Tessa looked up at me and I grinned. “He’s funny. Makes me laugh. And I really don’t think he’s in it to hurt me.” I considered my own words, surprised. “I haven’t trusted a guy in a long, long time. Yet I find myself trusting Brax. I like being around him.”
Her features softened. “Yeah, chica. I can tell. Just stay smart about it, I guess.”
I gave her a light punch in the arm. “I will. Thanks.”
Grabbing my faded denim jacket, I shoved my keys and cell phone in my bag, shouldered it, and headed out. I caught a few stares as I passed through the common room, and I knew it was because of Brax. Although my face heated as their eyes followed me, I decided that if I was going to go out with Brax—even just as friends—I wasn’t going to cower. I’d suffered it in high school. I’d be damned if I was going to be a victim in college. With a deep breath I turned my full gaze on the group of girls staring me down, then pushed through the doors and stepped outside. I didn’t look back to see their reaction, and although my heart raced a little, I felt better. I wasn’t a coward by nature and it was damn time I stopped worrying about hiding. From Kelsy. From people. From the world.
The night air was thick, humid, and carried voices, music from neighboring dorms, and laughter. Taking a seat on the curb, I stretched my legs out, crossed my ankles, and waited there for Brax.
Twenty minutes passed as I watched girls straggle into Oliver Hall—some in small groups, others alone. No one spoke to me as they walked by, but I didn’t speak, either. I checked my phone. Thirty minutes, and no text or missed call. Finally, after forty minutes, I rose and walked to my truck. Whatever Brax had to take care of was taking longer than either of us had thought. We both had early class, and my stomach was growling like a bear. Disappointment pinged inside of me, but I pushed it aside as best I could. I needed to eat, and it didn’t look like Brax was coming. Since the cafeteria was closed, and I just didn’t feel like another big whopping spoonful of peanut butter, I decided to drive to Hattie’s, an all-night café about two miles out of Winston’s main gates. I felt like breakfast. A really big one. I quickly sent Brax a short text.
Me: Hey, I guess you got caught up, but I’m stahved so going to grab a bite to eat. See ya in class ☺
Tossing my phone in my bag, I headed for my truck, hopped in, and made it to Hattie’s in ten minutes. As I walked inside, I noticed the place was maybe half-full at almost ten o’clock. Most were other students, and a few regulars from town, I imagined. I spied an empty corner booth away from most of the other patrons and tucked myself into it. Just as the waitress handed me a menu, Brax slid into the seat across from me.
“Damn, Sunshine, you got no patience when it comes to food, do ya?” he said.
I gaped at Brax. He still wore the same tee shirt and jeans he’d had on earlier, except now he sported a Silverbacks baseball cap.
And a brand new punched-out eye, along with a fresh cut on his upper lip. “Good Lord, Brax. What happened to you?”
He gave me a lop-sided grin, then got up and slid onto the bench next to me. He leaned his shoulder into mine. “Why, worried about me, sweetheart?” Sweethaht. He bowed closer, to read the menu with me. He still smelled good, and I tried to keep from falling against him. The effect he had on me was quickly becoming more ridiculous with each passing second. Part of me still wanted not to trust him so easily, but I just couldn’t help it. I chanced a peek sideways at him and noticed how his dark hair curled out from his cap at the nape of his neck. It looked soft, and I clutched my fists against my thighs to keep from twisting those locks around my fingers.
“No, not worried,” I said, and peered closely at him. “Who’d you make mad this time?”
Brax’s chuckle was throaty and male. “No one, smartass.” He looked at me, and those arresting eyes settled onto mine. “One of my frat brothers becomes an idiot when he’s shit-faced. His girl broke up with him tonight so, you know.” He shrugged and returned to the menu. “I let him get a few swings in, Gracie. Helped the guy let off some steam. No big deal. So what are you ordering?”
It felt strange, completely natural, and breathtaking having Brax sit right beside me in the booth. I hadn’t been close to anyone, except family, in so long. It felt scary and invigorating. I drew in a calming breath. “Breakfast, of course.”
Brax looked at me, ducked his head to meet my eyes. “Breakfast?”
“What will you darlings be having tonight? Oh, Jesus, son.” The waitress was older, with a gravelly voice and pixie-shorn salt and pepper hair. She leaned closer to Brax, inspecting his beat-up face. “You want an ice pack or something for that?”
Brax gave her a bright smile. “Nah, it’ll be all right.”
“Tough guy, huh?” She grinned, and looked at me. “Go ahead, sweetie. What’ll you have?”
“Apple pancakes and sausage,” I said. “And a large chocolate milk, please.”
Brax looked at me then gave an approving nod. “Same for me.”
“Nice choice, sweetie, although you don’t look like you can hold it all.Be right back.” The waitress left, and Brax turned sort of sideways in the booth, cornering me in.
“It looks painful,” I said, and nodded at his eye. It was discolored and swelling fast. It’d be black and purple by the next day. I fidgeted with my hands in my lap, cracked my knuckles. Unladylike, I know, but I couldn’t help it. Bad habit since I was a kid.
His gaze stayed on mine, but his grin was slow, sly and purposeful. He didn’t answer, didn’t respond. Just kept staring. Smiling. In the background, the clank of dishes and silverware and the low rumble of conversation barely infiltrated the intimate space Brax had created in the booth between us. I glanced away, then back to him, a little shy, a little curious. “Why are you staring at me like that?”
“Because you’re just so fuckin’ beautiful.”
Shock and heat shot through me at his frank, crude, and incredibly sexy confession. I felt my skin turn hot from embarrassment, and I gave him a quick look.
“How hard did that guy hit you anyway?” I lifted my hand. “How many fingers am I holding up?”
His gaze didn’t falter.
I fought a smile, lowered my hand. “You’re crazy.”
His mouth tilted. “Damn right I am.”
I just shook my head, the impact of his comment sinking deep inside of me. I liked the way Brax made me feel. Then my phone vibrated in my bag. No one called me. Ever. Unless it was family. I fished it out of my purse. “Sorry, its home. I need to take this.”
Brax continued to watch me. “No problem.”
Jilly’s name flashed across my tiny cell phone screen, and I answered it. “Hey, Jilly, is everything okay?”
“Hell, yes, everything’s fine, darlin’.” Jilly’s sandy old voice washed over me, and I had to keep from laughing. He had a lot of drama for an old guy. “Is there somethin’ wrong with a decrepit old man checkin’ on his baby girl?”
My eyes lifted to Brax, who studied me closely. I knew he could hear everything Jilly said; everyone within earshot probably could. He was loud as sin. “You are not old and decrepit, Jilly. And of course not. Do you miss me?”
“Hell yes, I miss you!” Jilly exclaimed. “When are you comin’ back home? I need someone to go target shootin’ with.”
I laughed. “Jilly, I just got here. I’ll be home during fall break.”
“Well, horseshit. That’s more ’n a month away, darlin’.”
My gaze rose to find Brax’s lips twisting into a seriously cute grin. “I know,” I appeased. “Maybe you and Mom can drive up and you can check out the Mulligan with me. It’s sincerel
y a sweet scope.”
Jilly heaved a big sigh into the phone. “Well, there is that, I suppose. Everything goin’ all right there? You ain’t turnin’ all fancypants on me, are ya?”
Again, I giggled. “No, Jilly.” I looked at Brax. His eyes were directly on mine. “Same old me.”
“Good. Keep it that way. It’s my bedtime now, gotta go. I love ya, darlin’.”
My smile pulled at my mouth. “I love you too, Jilly. ’Night.”
He grumbled and swore at something random as he disconnected the phone. I put mine away.
“And you can shoot?” Brax asked.
I eyed him. “Sure.”
“I like you more by the second, Sunshine.”
I lifted a brow. “You’re easily impressed.”
He chuckled. “The hell I am. I like that guy, though,” he admitted. “Sounds as badass as his granddaughter. And he’s apparently crazy about you.”
I nodded. “He is, and he is.”
“I can see why.”
Just as my face started to heat up, the food came. “Okay, lovebirds, dig in.” The waitress interrupted the moment and plopped two loaded plates of apple pancakes and sausage down in front of us. She followed it with a pot of steaming hot maple syrup, a small bowl of butter, and two large glasses of chocolate milk. The entire time she set the food down, Brax kept his stare on me. The grin only grew wider.
“Wow,” I said, leaning over my plate and inhaling. I smiled at Brax. “This smells so good.” I plopped a gob of butter in the center of the stack.
“I’ll give you a hundred bucks if you eat all that,” he finally said.
I held out my hand to his for a shake, and he grasped it. His completely dwarfed mine; it was large and warm and calloused. And perfect. “You’re on, Southie.”
We dug in, delicious crispy-edged fried apple pancakes drowned in butter and hot syrup, and spicy sausage, and soon the uncomfortable shyness drifted out of me. “So how’d you get started in baseball?” I asked. I pulled a long sip of chocolate milk and waited.