“Fine,” I said with a sigh. “What is it you’re so fired up to tell me? Is it about your wedding, cause Ridge already told us what went down on New Year’s.”
Ridge had taken Karrie home to Chicago for New Year’s. He’d planned to propose to her at the gala at the Navy Pier, but a run-in with my dad had soured those plans real quick. Turns out he was engaged to marry someone Karrie knew in high school.
The girl was the same age as Ridge and our father was in his early sixties.
He cleared his throat, which struck me as odd. My father never got nervous … about anything.
The man had cheated on two wives. Abandoned two families. And I’d never seen him show an ounce of remorse.
“Yes, Tabby and I are getting married over Memorial Weekend. It’ll be a small affair, maybe one-hundred guests … at the club. I’d be honored if you and your brothers would stand with me.”
I blinked and my mouth dropped open.
I probably looked like an idiot, standing in the middle of the sidewalk looking dumbstruck. But I totally was. I mean … the stones on this man would almost be admirable, if he wasn’t such a raging asshole.
“Uh, yeah … we both know that’s not gonna happen. And anyway, we’ve already got plans that weekend,” I told him, and as I looked around, I saw Emma walking out of the coffee shop. “Shit, I gotta go, I’m late.”
I hung up the phone with zero guilt and sprinted toward Emma.
“Emma, wait,” I called.
She stopped and watched me run toward her.
“It’s three-sixteen,” she said when I stopped in front of her.
“I’m sorry, I’m coming from class and my dad called. Please, come back in,” I urged, walking backward toward the door so I could keep my eyes on her.
Emma looked a little skeptical, then took a deep breath and let it out before coming to a decision and giving me a quick nod. When she started back toward the door, I breathed a sigh of relief and shot her a grin.
“Thank you,” I said, holding the door open for her.
The place was pretty packed, but I saw an empty table in the middle of the room.
“Do you want to grab that table and I’ll order?” I asked.
“Nah,” she replied, one side of her mouth quirked up. “How about you get the table and I’ll order.”
I shrugged and said, “Sounds good to me.”
“What’ll you have?” Emma asked.
“Black with room,” I replied, rushing to the table when I heard the door jingle behind us.
I took a seat and watched her step up to the counter.
She was beautiful, as usual.
With a black graphic tank, tied at the waist and exposing a sliver of her flat stomach, and a long red and black patterned skirt, her long hair flowing loose and a bunch of bracelets on her wrist, she was undeniably sexy.
My hands itched to touch, but I knew I was lucky simply to be here with her now and it would be a long time, if ever, before I’d get that kind of privilege.
Emma went to stand in the pickup line, and when she glanced my way and caught me staring, I grinned and waved. A small smile played on her lips as she shook her head at me, which for some reason made me feel a tremendous amount of satisfaction.
I was so busy watching Emma that it took me a couple seconds before I realized someone was standing next to our table.
I glanced up to see Bella.
With a bombshell body, unlimited credit limit, and personality of an injured shrew, she was a constant at Delta house.
“Bella,” I said. It wasn’t a greeting or an invitation, but she moved like she was going to take the empty seat across from me, so I quickly added, “That seat’s taken.”
Before Bella could respond Emma joined us.
She placed my coffee in front of me, put hers down, and plopped down in the empty chair before looking up at Bella and saying, “Yeah … by me.”
Nine
Emma
“Well, well, if it isn’t Emma, Crush’s little tag-along sister,” Bella sneered, her face remaining oddly frozen.
“Get your daily dose of Botox?” I asked.
When her expression still didn’t change, I knew I was right.
To say Bella and I didn’t like each other would be the understatement of the year.
She was all about Benny when he was at the top of his game. He’d been VP of Delta, living in the house, the life of every party, and she’d been right there by his side. But when the article had come out and the focus had been on Benny being a sexist asshole, hazer of pledges, and overall pig, with no mention of Delta or the rest of its members at all, he’d been kicked out of the house and out of the frat and Bella had all but disappeared from his life.
“When you’re done talking to this little girl, Temple, call me,” Bella said, ignoring me and walking away.
“Is she one of your girlfriends?” I asked, making sure to keep my tone neutral. I wouldn’t want him to think I was jealous, since there was nothing between us and I obviously wasn’t.
Brody’s lip curled up and he shook his head.
“You notice how she called me Temple?” he asked.
I nodded and took a sip of my dirty Chai.
“It’s cause she’s not even sure what my name is. All she knows is that I’m one of the Temple brothers, which means I’m loaded and part of Delta, and that’s all she cares about. She’s a Delta groupie through and through. And no, I’ve never touched her.”
Relief flooded me, but I kept my cool.
“She used to be with Crush?” he asked, and I remembered Brody was a year behind me, so wouldn’t have been with Delta when Benny was.
“Yeah. I mean, they weren’t serious, and I’m not even sure they were exclusive, but they both loved the image they projected when they were together,” I informed him. “Benny was a bit shallow back then, and I’m afraid she was exactly his type.”
“He’s doing better though?”
“He went to work the last couple of days and tomorrow he’s planning to go to class,” I replied with a smile.
“That’s great,” Brody said, his tone sincere. “And you know, if you ever need help with anything, you can count on us.”
Brody and Ridge had come to the hospital with me after Benny’d had his stomach pumped, and Ridge had paid the bill, since there was no way we’d have been able to. I was embarrassed to accept his help initially, but he’d said that no matter what had happened, he still considered Benny one of his Delta brothers and it was the least they could do.
They’d also helped get Benny into rehab.
“Thanks,” I said, looking him in the eyes. “I don’t know if I ever said it to you … I know I thanked your brother, but I appreciate you being there that night as well. You helped calm me down and put things in perspective. So, thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Brody replied easily. “Now, tell me, what made you choose Social Work? Although, I have to say, it seems like the perfect fit for you.”
“Really?” I asked, curious. “Why do you say that?”
He shrugged and replied, “I don’t know. Maybe because you come across as very strong and caring, and you have this … ease and likeability about you, which I think would make it easy for people to trust in you.”
“Wow, what a lovely thing to say,” I said, my voice coming out a little rough, since he’d managed to get me choked up.
Brody shrugged again and prodded, “So?”
I sighed and wrapped my hands around my coffee cup.
“Well … Benny and I are from here. We actually live in the same apartment complex we grew up in, although in a different apartment. My dad was the best,” I began, my lips turning up as I pictured him. “He’d play ball with me and Benny, always taking us to the park and to the old drive-in movie on the edge of town. We loved him so much and then one day, he was gone. Brain aneurism.”
“I’m so sorry,” Brody whispered, and I willed myself not to cry.
I was
n’t sure why I felt so comfortable opening up to him, especially when I never thought I would, but there was something about him that made him extremely easy to talk to.
“Completely sudden and unexpected … and our lives were never the same. I was seven and Benny … nine. Our mother was the opposite of our dad. She never really wanted anything to do with us, instead she was more concerned about where she’d get her next fix and who she could con into putting food on our table. Not that she really cared if we ate or not, she just liked playing the game.”
I paused to give myself a moment and take a sip of coffee.
“Benny had to grow up fast … we both did, but he was the one who made sure I did my homework and didn’t go to sleep hungry. Our mom would always disappear for long stretches of time, but we didn’t really mind. Things were better … easier … when she wasn’t around. Then, when Benny turned eighteen, she left and didn’t come back.”
“Whoa, that’s heavy. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you and Crush had been through so much.”
“Yeah, not quite yacht parties and country clubs,” I said, regretting the bitter words as soon as I said them. “Sorry, you didn’t deserve that.”
Brody leaned back in his chair and said casually, “No, I get it. I was raised with money, never wanted for anything. And, yeah, we had a yacht and belonged to the country club. So did everyone I hung out with. But, I think you’d be surprised to know our childhoods were actually pretty similar.”
“How so?” I asked, grateful he didn’t seem offended by my remark.
“We didn’t have the great dad … or mom, for that matter. At least, I didn’t, so in that way we’re different. Although I had a granddad I thought was pretty cool, but he wasn’t around much. Anyway, our parents were, and are, entitled assholes who were more concerned about keeping up with the Joneses than parenting three boys. By the time I was born, there was already a division. Ridge was my dad’s whipping boy and Wes was the one our mother coddled and protected. I was pretty much left to my own devices, which, as I got older, was fine with me. The attention my parents gave, although drastically different, wasn’t healthy. Not for us, and not for them. So, I was better off on my own.”
“I’m so sorry,” I said, feeling like an ass for my assumption that he must have had a charmed childhood because he was rich.
“It’s okay, things could have been worse. I could have been born first. Ridge had to put up with our fucking father beating him any time he had a bad day. As he got older, Ridge would provoke him if it looked like he was going to take his anger out on Wes or me. Then he got old enough to fight back. And it took Wes like twenty-one years to get out from under our mother’s thumb. I worried when they both left for college, my parents would turn their attention to me, but it didn’t happen. Their marriage was crumbling by then and my dad was cheating, so I had free reign to do what I wanted.”
Even though Brody was acting like he was relieved by the neglect of his parents, I could see he was really still bothered by it. He’d stopped looking me in the eyes and was fidgeting with the hem of his shirt.
“I don’t know why people bother having kids if they don’t want them,” I said gently, thinking of all the kids I’d met who were born into just this circumstance.
Brody scoffed.
“Yeah, me neither. But, those are the ones you’re going to help, right? At least the ones whose parents don’t have enough money to cover their shit up.”
I nodded, then let out a huff of laughter and said, “Wow, that got really deep for a Wednesday afternoon. I didn’t expect things to get so personal.” I looked pointedly around the still-crowded room and asked, “Want to get out of here?”
Brody’s head whipped around and he looked at me closely for a minute before saying, “Absolutely.”
Ten
Brody
When I’d offered to drive, Emma had smirked at me and said, “Uh, probably not a good idea to bring your flashy sports car … not if you want to keep it. We’ll take the bus.”
I didn’t reveal I’d never ridden on a bus before, but I had the feeling she already knew.
“Afternoon, Marv, this is Brody,” Emma said to the driver as we walked on the bus.
“Take a seat and hold tight to those shoes,” Marv said.
I sat down next to Emma and glanced down at my Yeezys before looking up and catching her smirk.
“What?” I asked.
She shook her head and grinned.
“Nothing, you’re just like a walking neon sign that says rob me, even without the fancy car.”
“Are you taking me somewhere I’m likely to get robbed?” I asked, not really worried.
It’s funny to think that I trusted her, when I was pretty sure trust wasn’t something that came easily to either of us, but I did.
We rode in companionable silence until she tapped my arm and said, “We’re the next stop.”
Once we were off the bus, Emma started toward the church on the corner, pausing and looking back at me with a smile when she realized I wasn’t next to her.
“Come on,” she said.
“In there?” I asked, pointing at the church.
I didn’t think I’d ever been in a church in my life. In my circle, people were married on a beach or in the club, and my parents weren’t religious people, so my brothers and I weren’t either.
“Yeah, but don’t worry … you won’t catch on fire or anything. That’s an old wives’ tale,” Emma joked.
“Very funny,” I said, moving toward her but literally dragging my feet. “Why do you want me to go in there?”
“Actually, it’s not about you, ego maniac,” she said with a laugh and I realized how much she’d warmed up to me after our talk at the coffee shop. She seemed more at ease and teasing, and I found I liked it a lot.
I liked her a lot.
“This is where I have to be next and after our conversation, I thought maybe you could handle tagging along.”
Without elaborating, she turned and led me down the path, around the back of the church, and through a side door. When we were entered, we were met with a bustle of activity. There were people working in the kitchen, talking over the sounds of spoons being tapped on pots and knives chopping.
“Emma, it’s good to see you,” the man closest to the door said, a pleasant look on his face.
He wasn’t smiling or laughing, but simply looked serene.
“Hi, Pastor Moore,” Emma said, as he clasped one of her hands between two of his. “This is my friend, Brody. I brought him along to help.”
“Help is always welcome here, the more hands the better. Welcome, Brody,” the pastor said, turning his kind eyes to me.
“Uh, thank you for allowing me to come, Pastor Moore,” I said, figuring I couldn’t go wrong greeting him the way Emma had.
He dropped her hand and went back to his place at the counter to resume chopping.
“Come on,” she said, taking my hand in hers and pulling me through the kitchen.
I took a moment to enjoy the feel of her skin against mine. There was a definite jolt upon initial contact, and I enjoyed the softness of her skin. But what I was feeling wasn’t sexual, although there was no doubt I wanted her; instead, something like contentment and acceptance were what came to mind.
“So,” Emma began. “I usually start by setting up the serving area and getting the tables and chairs out. I put on the table clothes and set out the plates and cutlery. And once the dining room is ready, I go back in the kitchen and see if they need any help. They usually don’t, but occasionally I’ll get to bake cookies or something.”
“Who are they cooking for? The congregation or a bible study or something?” I asked.
She opened a door to reveal a deep closet filled with folding tables and chairs.
“The homeless,” Emma replied. “There are different places throughout town who host free dinners for the homeless almost every day of the week. Wednesday, this church makes theirs.”
&nbs
p; “Almost every day?” I asked as I helped her pull tables, drop the legs, and put them up.
“No one offers anything on Fridays. I mean, it’s pretty amazing how many people and organizations have stepped up and are able to offer meals the other days of the week. Without the help of volunteers and donations, those days wouldn’t be possible either. But I can’t help but wonder what the people who count on these dinners do on Friday, you know?”
She looked away, but not before I saw her eyes fill.
“You’re really amazing,” I said without thinking.
“Why do you say that?” Emma asked.
“I’ve never met anyone who cares like you do. Honestly, it makes me feel like a schmuck. I can do so much better.”
Emma beamed at me and said, “Well, now that you know you can be better, you will be.”
“Is it really that simple?” I asked, a little skeptical.
After all, I’ve been a self-involved, apparently ignorant, partier all of my life to this point.
“I think it can be,” she replied, tilting her head. “At least, it’s the first step. And, now that you realize there are people in need right here under our noses, hopefully when you’re in a position to do something about it, you will.”
I hoped she was right.
Eleven
Emma
“Hey, Em … I know you’re busy, but I’d like to take you out for dinner, if you have time. Nothing fancy…”
I looked up from my homework to see my brother standing next to our small dining room table, his hands clasped in front of him and a nervous expression on his face.
“I’d love that,” I assured him, hating how unsure of himself he was. “But, can we afford it right now? I could make us something. I think we have the stuff to make lasagna.”
Benny chewed on his lower lip and shook his head.
“Johnny gave me some cash for the work I’ve been doing,” he began, then held up his hands and gave me a small grin. “Don’t worry, I’m saving most of it, but I want to do something nice for you. After all, without you being there for me the last few months, I’d likely be dead.”
Frat House Confessions--Brody Page 4