Brady's smile dimmed—just a bit.
I continued, "Maybe I should do it. Maybe I should let loose and see who I punch. Hell—maybe I should even sleep with someone. That'd be fun."
His smile was nearly extinct.
I kept going. "You're right. I've been meaning to get on that. Everyone else is talking how much fun sex is. I think it's time I have some of that fun. Wouldn't want to miss out, would I?"
Brady glowered at me. "You're talking stupid. Don't talk like that."
"What do you mean? I thought I needed to 'let loose' and 'get the stick out of my ass.' I mean, that's what you said, wasn't it?"
Brady glared.
I glared back.
Deputy Doug had ceased to exist.
It was at that time that Ned chose to make his appearance again. He took one look at us and left again.
Deputy Doug cleared his throat. "Uh…I just wanted to let you know the good news, Brady. And I should be heading back to the station. You, uh, you two have a good rest of the morning, you hear?"
As he left, Brady slumped back in his booth. "See what you just did. You scared 'em both away."
My eyeballs threatened to pop out.
"What?" Brady saw my look. "You did. They like me, Rayna."
"I cannot believe you!" I threw my hands in the air and stormed from the booth, past growling Bob and Ned who'd taken position behind his counter again. Bob's growl roared behind me when I went through the door and I waited in the car, fuming until Brady came out. When the door swung open and I saw him coming, two guys from school stopped to chat. Then Brady stopped mid-sentence and turned my way. I felt the heat of his gaze through the windshield and I gulped, slumping down further in the seat.
The two guys turned to watch me too. One laughed, shook his head, and patted Brady's shoulder before they went inside.
When he got in the car and started the engine, he was quiet for a moment. "You want to loosen up? Tim and Darren just told me the kegger's going strong at Barthal's woods."
I knew Brady and I knew him well. For some reason this was a challenge. The gamut had been thrown and I wasn't going to lose. Brady usually won, but this time I was bound and determined even though my stomach took a steep decline. This wasn't going to end well, but I batted my eyelashes. "Sure. I'll start there."
"Fine."
"Fine."
Brady turned the car towards Barthal's woods. I couldn't slump any further down in the seat.
CHAPTER FOUR
Brady parked in a back cornfield and threw open his door. When his long legs took him across the field, around the maze of cars, and through the first line of trees, I sighed. Then I stuck my hands in my pockets and slowed to a lingering trek. I knew he would already have his drink in hand by the time I got to the party. I was a little hurt that he didn't wait for me, but Brady went at his own pace. I'd accepted that a long time ago and followed behind through the corn stalks.
Barthal's woods were a small section of trees located south of Hank Barthal's cornfields. Hank was the father of one of the football players, another friend of Brady's. They were all friends with Brady. They were not friends with me, which is why I took my sweet time.
As I grew closer, I squared my shoulders and took a breath. I was almost there and then I tripped. I caught my balance before I completely fell and stumbled into the small opening where Brady's friends were.
Sure enough. Brady already stood beside the kegger, cup in one hand and the other in his pocket. He struck a cocky stance while he listened to whatever Clarissa was whispering in his ear. He didn't look at me, but she did. Those smart green eyes of hers seemed to see right through me. Yes, Brady and I were at odds with each other and yes, Clarissa caught onto it. She always saw right through us. I sighed and wrapped my arms around me. It'd grown cold suddenly.
"You're one of those girls, huh?"
A guy with soft features and brown eyes stood to my left. I labelled him as Prettyboy, but wasn't going to let him know that. There was something in his eyes, but then he looked to where I'd been staring and his eyes went flat.
I looked back and saw Brady against a truck with his head bent forward. One of his hands was splayed on the small of Clarissa's back underneath her halter top. A white shirt had been given to him, but he'd only thrown it over his shoulder. He looked too comfortable in his skin.
I almost hated him because of that thought—just for a moment. It seemed unfair that he was so confident while the rest of us just…became comfortable at pretending.
"You like him, don't you?" the boy asked.
"Oh…well…it's Brady." What else could a person say? I shrugged.
He nodded, as if he understood, but I still caught a flash of resentment. "I'm Joshua." He swung a hand to me as he leaned against the tree and I could feel his breath on me. As I shook his hand, I was startled to realize that they were a little rough on the inside.
"How old are you?" I glanced down to hide my blush.
Joshua chuckled and released my hand. "I'm a senior…or I was a senior from Black Ham. I'm here visiting with my cousin." He folded his arms and tucked his hands underneath, which accentuated his lean body. His shirt stretched across his chest and I could see his stomach muscles bunch under his shirt.
"Why'd you ask how old I am?" His eyes seemed to be laughing at me.
"Oh, uh…you just look young."
"So do you. How old are you?"
"I'm a senior here."
"So you're graduating next week." Joshua grinned and leaned closer.
"Uh…" I stepped back, just an inch, but his lips quirked at the movement. "Yeah, I'm graduating next week."
"So you're celebrating this weekend? I heard your classmates are having an all weekend bash."
"I guess, but I don't usually come to these things." A small group had congregated around a truck while a few girls danced to the music, their movements sloppy and drunk.
Joshua scanned the group too. "Is this your entire grade?"
"We come from a small town."
"My cousin's from here. He wanted to come back and see some old friends, but…" He hesitated to finish his statement, but I watched as his eyes darted back to Brady and harden. "Let's just say that I'm more welcome than my cousin."
"Who's your cousin?"
Joshua watched me intently. "Kidrick Stephens."
My eyes widened. "Oh."
"Yeah. Oh," Joshua bit out and glared over my shoulder. "That Brady kid busted up my cousin at a party. I didn't even know what was going on. I was too far away and by the time I heard Kid was taken to the hospital, that kid was already in handcuffs. Now look, he's back here and chatting her up again."
The fact that Brady had been chatting with Clarissa shouldn't have affected me. It wasn't a surprise. They were on friendly terms and sometimes more than friendly terms, but I couldn't ignore the stab of pain. I peeked over my shoulder and swallowed tightly when I caught Brady's glare. He wanted to know what I was doing.
As if he couldn't remember.
I rolled my eyes, this was his idea. He wanted me to loosen up, well I would. Joshua was going to help me.
"Oh, now look at him," Joshua said. "He must've heard that I'm Kid's cousin. Maybe he'll come over and try something with me."
I sent Brady a scathing glare before I turned back to Joshua. "Why'd they get in a fight?"
Joshua just looked at me.
"I mean if it was something Kid said or—"
"What makes you think it was something that Kid said? It was that guy over there. I know my cousin. He doesn't fight. That guy went psycho on him. That's what happened."
Brady got into his fair share of fights and most of them were his fault, but he never started one unless provoked. It was just that he was too easily provoked. "I know Brady and he doesn't react like that unless something's been said."
Joshua sighed in disgust. "I thought you were different. I mean, you look different. You don't look like them and yet, you're defending him—like the
m."
I WAS different.
Joshua taunted, "You'd probably sleep with the guy if given a chance. Wouldn't you?"
I sucked in my breath and froze. I blinked back tears, but Joshua saw it all and laughed. "See. You would, wouldn't you?"
"You don't know what you're talking about." I still blinked away more tears. "You don't know me or Brady or anyone here. Who are you to judge us?"
Joshua stared. "Sorry. You're right. It's none of my business if you like the guy or not. I don't know you. I don't need to care about you."
"You shouldn't judge, me or him."
Joshua shot me a look. "I wouldn't go that far. He put my cousin in the hospital. I can judge all I want."
"Yeah, but—" I'd been about to argue the same argument, Brady only fought if and when provoked, but Joshua silenced me when he leaned forward and put his mouth on mine. I gasped and then his lips moved over mine. He drew me against his chest and shifted closer with a hand around my neck. His head tilted for a better angle.
I did nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Joshua's hand slid down my back and pressed my hips against his.
Oh, God…I silently chanted in my head.
As he turned and started to press me against the tree, I wrenched my mouth from his and shoved him. He moved only a few inches, but I was able to breathe again.
"What are you doing?" I hissed.
Joshua gave me a smug look and leaned closer. "I couldn't help it. I've wanted to do that since I saw you. You're cute."
"Yeah, but…you don't just go around and kiss people because they're cute."
"I saw that guy coming over here. I didn't want to be polite to him or get into a fight with him."
"And kissing me was your best idea?"
"Well…yeah."
"Well…don't," I blurted out.
Joshua grinned, looking relaxed as he studied me. "You know," he started, "you're wasting your time if you're waiting for him. You're really cute. I could go for you, but if you're saying no to me because of him—you shouldn't hold your breath. He's into girls like that." He nodded in Clarissa's direction, but Brady was staring at us—at me.
I gulped and ducked underneath Joshua's shoulder to hide.
"And you're even cuter when you blush like that," Joshua whispered. I felt his breath cake my cheeks, but I didn't dare look him in the eyes. I knew he'd kiss me and, truthfully, I didn't know what I wanted. I just knew that Brady was watching. I could feel his gaze on us.
"You shouldn't do that," I finally said.
"Do what?"
Joshua didn't move.
"The leaning thing. You shouldn't do that. Not with me, anyway," I fumbled out my words.
Joshua barked out a laugh, but shook his head. "I like you. You're honest, but you're completely wrong. I think you're the only girl here who I should do that with."
I just shook my head. The guy was wrong.
"I mean it," Joshua insisted. "Most of these people are posers. They just 'pose' for what role they're supposed to be playing. Take a look at your Brady; he knows that he's the king around these parts. He doesn't even have a shirt on. He's too good for a shirt or something. And that girl with him, she's probably his flavor of the week or his recurring flavor of the week. Everyone's predictable. Not you, though. You're just…I don't know who you are. I think I do, but the more I talk to you, the more intrigued I get."
"You don't know anything."
"I think I do," Joshua retorted. "And I think that you're the girl who shouldn't be here. But I'm relieved you are. You don't belong with these people. You're not fake. You're better than them, but you don't think that. You're one of those girls that wants to be popular, but you have no idea how to do it. So you're here, awkward, and hoping that something will change because of your presence. I hate to say it, but no one else has come over to talk to you. There's probably a reason for that."
I didn't know what emotion I was feeling first. Anger. Outrage. Disbelief. So I reacted on instinct and slapped him. Joshua's head was turned to the side from the force of my slap, but the first person to speak wasn't the two of us.
Brady rushed over. "What happened?"
I opened my mouth to explain, but Brady pushed himself in between us with me behind him. He wasn't listening and he was a breath away from punching Joshua.
I caught his fisted hand. "Don't."
"But—" Brady started, but I shook my head.
"I said no, Brady. It's my problem. I can handle it."
"You just slapped the guy." Brady glared at Joshua.
Joshua rubbed at his jaw, but his eyes darted between us.
"Contrary to what you're thinking, I meant all of that as a compliment." Joshua stood straighter, but he scanned him up and down.
Brady stepped closer. "You got a problem with me?"
Joshua smirked, waited, and then chuckled. "Yeah, I do."
Brady's hand jerked within mine, but I held tight and pulled him back. When he didn't move, I threw my entire body backwards. It hurt, but it worked. Brady jerked with me. I stumbled and was about to fall, but Brady wrapped an arm around my waist and held me against his chest. Then he glared at Joshua again. "You don't need to talk to her again."
"I don't think you have the right to tell me that I can't talk to her. In fact, I don't even know why you're over here. Our conversation had nothing to do with you."
Brady was quiet for a moment. My head fell forward on his bare chest and I watched his taut stomach muscles breathe in and out, but then I heard, "I have all the right I need. She's my girlfriend."
"What?" I pushed myself away.
Brady ignored me.
His hands reached out to encircle my wrists and I closed my mouth. His fingers slid down and entwined with my own and twirled me around. He wrapped our arms around my front, with my back to his chest, then propped his chin on my shoulder and smiled. "You can leave without a beating. I don't give this opportunity to the other guys who hit on my girlfriend. You're only getting it once."
I bit back a groan, but waited as Joshua took in the sight of us. Brady was the only person who felt comfortable touching me—or I should say that he was the only one I wanted to touch me.
His eyes jerked to mine before he headed towards the cars.
"Can I be the first to congratulate the happy couple?" Clarissa had sauntered up to us.
Brady laughed and kept me in place when I tried to step out of his arms. He moved his chin to my other shoulder and smiled widely. "You could. I don't think that guy was too happy to hear that I was off the market."
Just like that. It was a flip of a switch and broiling Brady had reverted to his old joking self.
I shook my head and sighed.
"What's the matter, Ray?" Brady asked in my ear. His voice tickled me and I couldn't stop a shiver. "Are you cold?" He wrapped our arms tighter, bringing me closer against him. "I was being cool about it, wasn't I?"
Clarissa watched the two of us.
"What do you mean?" I turned my head to the side and tilted my eyes to meet his.
"You know, what I said before—I didn't actually mean it."
Wait—he didn't want me to loosen up and sleep with guys? Really? I rolled my eyes. "What do you expect of me? I'm supposed to read your mind?"
"Yeah." It made perfect sense to him. "That's what best friends do."
I shook my head. "Come off it, Brady. You told me to loosen up. Now you're saying that you didn't mean it."
"Well, I just said that because—" He sputtered to a halt, remembering Clarissa's presence. "We can talk about that later."
"I'm sure we will."
"So…" Clarissa's eyes lingered on our enjoined hands. "It looked like you were enjoying yourself, Rayna. Until you slapped him, I mean. What's up with that?"
"Nothing," I said primly. "He just said some stuff that I didn't like hearing."
"About what? Or who?" Her eyes sparked at the 'who'. Something told me that Clarissa knew exactly who we had been talking a
bout. And when her eyes snapped to measure Brady for a moment, I knew I was right.
"About me." I WAS different. I didn't fit in with this crowd, but what infuriated me was that he had put Brady in one group and me in another. He said I didn't belong with him. Maybe he was right. Maybe I wasn't experienced or sophisticated like Clarissa, but I had something going for me that Joshua or Clarissa couldn't take away.
Brady was my best friend.
I repeated that statement to myself. It was true. He was my best friend, not Clarissa's. Joshua was wrong. I did belong; at least I belonged with Brady.
Brady might've sensed my inner turmoil, or maybe he did that 'best friend mind reading' thing, because he turned me around and started to move us beyond the trees. "What's wrong, Ray?"
"Nothing." I gritted my teeth and hoped he'd let it go.
He didn't when he turned me in his arms, gripped my shoulders, and forced me against a tree trunk. The bark bit into my skin, but I didn't feel it. My eyes were entranced with his as his bore down on me. "Don't lie to me, Ray. What's wrong?"
"Nothing." I slapped his hands away.
Brady grinned as he caught my wrists with his, but I wrenched them free. When he tried to capture them again, I slapped away his hands—and Brady slapped mine away instead. Before long, his deep laugh came out and I was grinning when I dodged one of his playful slaps. It wasn't long before he wrapped his arms around me, squashed my hands between our chests, and rocked back and forth in a soothing motion.
It felt good. It felt comforting.
I chuckled and rested my head on his shoulder. Then I closed my eyes when Brady soothed a hand down my hair. "I don't know what that guy said, but he was wrong. Whatever he said, he was wrong."
I tightened my hold. Joshua hadn't been wrong about all of it.
"And I'll make sure that he leaves you alone, okay?" Brady whispered.
I looked up. "You're going to beat everyone up if they say something that pisses me off?"
"Depends."
"On what?" I couldn't hide my grin.
Brady smiled back. "On whatever he said to hurt you."
I saw a clear genuineness in his eyes right then. It took my breath away. "It's done with. It don't matter anymore."
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