by Roe, Amy
“You’re seriously not wearing that, are you? Take that hoodie off, Reese.”
“It’s going to be cold later,” I argue. Really, it’s my security blanket, so to speak. I feel safe when I wear it.
“It’s not cold now, so take it off. You can put it on later.”
She’s not going to let up until I take off the damn hoodie. Rather than give her ammunition to make a scene when we get there, I give in.
Once we reach The Pit, we make our way down the trail to the open area where everyone is. We haven’t been there for ten seconds, and Chelsea is already standing on the tailgate of someone’s truck, doing what she does best—making a scene.
“Everyone, listen.” She’s holding her bottle up as she waits for every single person to pay attention to her. “Hey!” When she has everyone’s attention, she continues, “Today is my best bitch’s birthday! Let’s all wish Reese a happy birthday!” She starts a chant before fifty or more people join in, “Here’s to you, and here’s to me. The best of friends we’ll always be. But if by chance, you disagree, then fuck you all, and here’s to me! Happy birthday, Reese!”
They hold up their drinks as I stand there, red-faced, wishing that a hole would open beneath me and swallow me up.
“Get your bottle, Reese!” Connor says, nudging me.
I dig frantically through my purse until my fingers find the little bottle. I pull it out and twist the cap off.
“Happy birthday, Reese!” they all shout again before taking a drink of whatever they have in their hands.
I empty the bottle into my mouth and swallow hard. It burns like a mother. Connor laughs and pats my back as I nearly cough up a lung. Thankfully, while I’m attempting to compose myself, everyone is back to doing whatever they were doing before all the attention was on me.
The next hour or so, I wander around and talk to a few friends from school. I’m surprised to see so many kids who I thought wouldn’t be caught dead here. Everyone—from cheerleaders and football players to the marching band kids as well as the stoners—is socializing with one another.
Eventually, I find my way back to Chelsea and Connor. I sit on a log next to them while they make out. I zone out, watching a few guys playing their guitars on the other side of the fire. The more they drink, the more they screw up the song, and we all laugh.
I can honestly say that I’m having a pretty good time. Everyone is super nice, and even though a few of them are friends with Kyle, they don’t seem to act any differently to me here than they do when I see them at my house or at school. A few of them are even a little flirty. Kyle would die if he knew that his friends were flirting with me.
Just as I’m about to tell Chelsea that I’m ready to leave, my attention is directed to someone sitting next to me. I look over and see that it’s my brother’s friend, Brady. And, he’s looking at me!
Brady!
“Reese Manning, right?” He sets his beer bottle on the ground and reaches down by his feet to pull a beer out of the half-empty six-pack. He twists the cap off and offers it to me.
“Yeah. Brady Fisher, right?” Ha! I act as if I had to think about his name as I accept the beer.
“Don’t tell your brother, okay?” He winks and shoots me that awesome smile. He taps the neck of his bottle to mine. “Happy birthday, pretty girl.”
Pretty girl…pretty girl…
He just called me pretty!
He takes a big gulp while I sip on the bottle in hopes that I don’t do something stupid like I did earlier.
“You already told me that last night.” I look down at my beer, trying like hell to fight the smile that he so easily brings to my face.
“I guess I did. How old are you, Reese?” His voice is smooth as silk and draws my eyes right back to his.
The way he looks into my eyes when he talks to me makes it hard for me to speak.
I pause for a minute. Either the alcohol is starting to affect my thinking, or I am turning into Chelsea. I want to say, Kiss me. Instead, I say, “Seventeen.”
I take another drink of my beer, thinking that I wouldn’t mind if he wanted to make good use of that shot of Peppermint Schnapps I had earlier. I can still taste it, so I’m sure he would, too.
He drops his head and gently shakes it.
What is that supposed to mean?
When he glances back up, he meets my gaze and chuckles. “You could get me into a lot of trouble, girl.”
I try to pull my eyes away from his, but for some reason, I can’t break the connection. I’m really confused. How could I get him into trouble? The words finally leave my lips. “How is that?”
He finally breaks the stare and looks at the guys playing their guitars. He takes another drink of his beer. It’s obvious that he is not going to answer me.
I lean forward and try to get in his line of sight as I repeat the question, “How could I get you into trouble, Brady? Did my brother say something to you?”
He snaps his head my way. “No, he didn’t. You’re just…you’re very…mature on the outside, and I’m thinking not so much on the inside. That’s a dangerous combination, Reese.”
“Excuse me? What the hell does that mean? You think that I am immature? You just met me yesterday. Technically, it was today.” I thought that we had pretty good chemistry for having just met.
“No, no. I said that wrong. I meant that you’re young, and I’m guessing that you’re also inexperienced, not immature. I’m sorry.” He turns sideways, facing me. “I shouldn’t have said that anyway.”
Now that I can see his entire face, I notice a dark spot, a bruise maybe, under his right eye.
“How old are you?” I ask.
“Eighteen.”
“I’m just a year younger than you, Brady.”
He nods his head. “You were sixteen yesterday. I’m eighteen, and I get the distinct impression that you’re a pretty good girl.”
Hmmm…I can’t decide if I’m embarrassed or offended by his comment.
“So what if I am? Not everyone aspires to be a slut, you know?”
I hold my chin high, not backing down from my comment as our eyes meet. He doesn’t hold my gaze for long though, soon his eyes move to travel down my body. I feel electricity shoot to my center. And that’s when I lose my good sense.
I don’t care if you’re a man-whore. Kiss me. Please kiss me.
As if he can read my mind, he leans toward me, not taking his eyes from mine. My breathing quickens as he gets closer. It’s not like I haven’t kissed a guy before, but I have a feeling that Brady would put those kisses to shame. He dips his head down and presses his lips to my shoulder, never looking away from my eyes. He kisses me there, open-mouthed, with a little flick of his tongue, and then he sits up and smiles at me before looking away.
Oh, wow. Just fucking…oh my God.
I feel a ping of pleasure and pain deep in my stomach.
How could that feel so…so…insanely crazy good?
I want him to kiss my lips. It’s my birthday, so I should get what I want. I contemplate saying something, but I don’t want to beg, not out loud anyway. As good as that was, I feel cheated, and I want more.
He abruptly stands and looks down at me. “I gotta go.” And as quickly as the words are out of his mouth, he’s gone.
I sit in a trance, staring at the fire, as the flames dance over the logs. For the first time ever, I want more, so much more.
I guess a person has to drink more than one beer and one little bottle of alcohol to get a hangover. I’m not sure what I was expecting when I woke up this morning, but I figured that I would feel something—a headache at least.
As I get dressed, I realize that I might actually feel better than I have in a long while.
I’m starving, so I make my way to the kitchen for something to eat.
“Where are you going?” I ask Kyle.
He passes me while I’m sitting on the barstool in the kitchen, eating an apple.
“The gym. Come with me.”
He throws some clothes into a gym bag.
“Um, no.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s Sunday, and I think it’s illegal to work out on Sundays, Kyle.”
He tips his head and gives me the same scolding look that our parents give us. It’s insane just how much he looks like our father.
“Besides, gyms are full of skinny people. I’m in no mood for hot people today.”
“Reese, that’s bullshit. Come on. Put on some workout clothes.” He’s leaning against the bar beside me, checking his messages on his phone.
“I’ll go for a walk.” Now, that is bullshit.
“No, you won’t.”
Busted.
I throw up my middle finger as I walk over to the garbage can to dispose of my apple core. “I don’t have a membership anyway.”
“It’s raining, Reese. Please come with me. I can bring a guest. I leave tomorrow. Hang out with me.”
As soon as the words come out of his mouth, I know I’m giving in. “You’re gonna play that card?”
“Yes, I am. Let’s go.” He smiles as I pass him on my way upstairs to change.
Just like I told Kyle, the gym is full of hot skinny people—well, aside from the few middle-aged men who are probably going through their midlife crises. He walks off in the direction of the front desk to sign us in.
“I’m not doing anything crazy, Kyle. See those treadmills? That’s where you can find me.” I make my expectations clear to him right away, so he doesn’t even think about torturing me today.
“That’s fine,” he agrees, only humoring me. Then, he continues walking away from me.
I get situated on the treadmill. My earbuds are in, and I start increasing the speed until I’m at a fast-paced walk.
I see Kyle talking to someone across the gym. I swear, he can’t go anywhere without finding someone he knows. I wouldn’t think that his friends would be at the gym on a Sunday morning.
He turns and walks toward me with his friend at his side.
Great, I’m a sweaty mess on a treadmill, and he’s bringing his stupid friend over here.
As they get closer, I recognize him.
Are you kidding me? “Brady.” I’m burning hot all of a sudden, and it has nothing to do with working out.
“Reese.” Brady nods his head and smiles.
“Of course you would be here,” I say softly. It comes out snobbier than I intended it to. I look into his eyes for any sign that he’s also thinking of our little interaction last night.
“Yeah, I’m here a lot.”
“I can tell.” Oh God, I did not just say that out loud. “I mean, you’re always dressed in your gym clothes,” I stutter over my words. Finally, I just shut my mouth.
“His parents own the place, Reese. He works here,” Kyle says as he opens his water.
“I work here, and I work out here.” His stares are so intense that they make me uncomfortable. “So, if you need anything, just let me know.” He smacks his hand on the bar at the top of the treadmill.
“I signed us up for a family membership, so you and Mom can come anytime you want,” Kyle says.
“Wow, that’s great,” I say sarcastically. Although, if I get to look at Brady while I work out, then maybe I will start coming more.
“What would be great is if you got off that treadmill and tried some other things,” Kyle says in a smart-ass tone.
“I will another day.” I narrow my eyes at Kyle, hoping he gets the hint and leaves me alone.
He shakes his head as they walk away. I admire Brady’s body. It’s obvious that he spends a lot of time working out. His shoulders are broad, and his biceps are more defined than any of the guys at school. Even the guys who play sports aren’t built like Brady. His tank top dips down far on his sides, exposing the muscles. Even his calves are sculpted. As they pass a cooler, Brady opens it and reaches up to the top shelf to get a drink. I notice the bulging muscles under his arms.
I feel an electric shock straight between my thighs. Whoa. What the hell?
Every damn time I’m around him, this happens. I’m breathing fast and shallow yet again.
He grabs something out of the cooler and walks back to me.
I meet his gaze halfway and then quickly look away. I worry that he’ll notice my rapid breathing and know what I’m thinking about. I increase the speed on the treadmill, hoping he’ll think that I’m just working out harder than I am.
“I didn’t want to say anything in front of Kyle, but if you’re gonna drink alcohol, you need to drink a lot of water also. Alcohol dehydrates you. It can cause you to get sick or even pass out, so push the water.” He drops the bottle into the holder on the treadmill and walks away, backward, his glorious crooked smile blinding me.
“Just so you know, I didn’t drink that much, but thanks for the tip.”
“Just promise me, you’ll drink all that water.” He lazily lifts his arm and points at the water.
Lucky me, I get to see the side of those beautifully defined abs.
“Promise,” I say all breathy—well, like a teenage girl. Ugh!
As soon as Kyle and I are home and walking through the back door, my heart skips a beat, and it’s not for any good reason. This day has just gone from bad to worse. As if going to the gym wasn’t a shitty enough way to spend a Sunday morning—minus all the parts that included Brady Fisher—we have company.
I hear uncontrollable loud laughter. It’s the kind of laughter that is only heard when a certain person is in this house. My sister, Kara, and my dad are sitting at the dining table. They’re laughing hysterically.
Tonight is Kyle’s going-away party, and I knew she was coming to town. I just hoped that it would be later—much later. Both their heads turn to Kyle and me. Kara dabs the corners of her eyes and stands excitedly. She hugs Kyle, and then she approaches me.
“Hi, Reese.” She hugs me like I’m a feral cat that’s going to rip her eyes out.
The prissy little bitch is probably afraid that my fat ass is contagious and that she might catch a molecule of cellulite in her toned little body before she leaves.
“How are you, honey?” she asks.
“Great. You?” I drop my gym bag and bend down to untie my shoes.
“Good. I’m really good. Actually, I have something to tell you and Kyle. Can you come and sit at the table?” She waits for me to finish and then walks to the table with me.
Kyle and I exchange looks and sit next to each other, across from Kara and Dad.
“Where’s Adam?” I’d rather see her husband any day.
“He’s out of town for work. He’ll be back this weekend.” She smiles and looks at our father.
I nod my head and wait for her to continue.
She places her hands on the table in front of her and interlocks her perfectly manicured fingers. She looks at me and then at Kyle. “Adam and I are going to have a baby!”
She’s smiling from ear to ear, and so am I. I’m picturing her as big as a house.
“That’s awesome, sis. Congrats!” Kyle jumps up and runs over to hug her. He talks in a baby voice, patting her belly, as he introduces himself.
Kara looks at me. “You’re going to be an aunt, Reese. What do you think of that?”
“I’m excited. We haven’t had a baby in the family in so long. Congrats, Kara. I bet Adam’s excited.”
“He is so excited, Reese! He wanted me to wait to tell you guys, but I just couldn’t.”
“Where’s Mom? Does she know?” I look around the kitchen for any sign of her.
“Yeah, I told her and Dad a little while ago. She went to the store to get a cake. You know how she is. She has to have a cake to celebrate everything. She’s going to make me fat before the baby does.”
Yay, Mom.
“So, what do you want—a boy or a girl?” I ask.
“I want a girl, so I can dress her up! Of course, Adam wants a boy.”
Of course, she wants a girl—a perfect girl just like
her.
“Well, I’m so happy for you. I’m going to take a shower. I’ll be right back down.” I run up the stairs with no intention of coming back down.
My parents invited our family and friends over for a cookout to see Kyle off before he leaves for the Army. There’s tons of food, and I’m so hungry that I could eat the ass end of a chocolate buffalo, but I refuse to eat in front of these people. Instead, I’m irritated and a little grouchy. Kyle’s friends have been in and out all afternoon. A group of people is standing in a big circle out on the patio. I recognize most of them. His best friend since forever, Alex, is standing to his right, and Brady is to his left.
“Come here, Reese.”
I’m gathering empty soda cans when Kyle grabs my arm.
“Everyone, memorize this face.” He puts his arm around my neck and pulls me close, grabbing and squeezing my face. “If anyone fucks with one little hair on this girl’s head while I’m gone, you’d all better handle it.”
“You know it, brother!” Alex says.
“We got this, Kyle! Hell yeah!”
I’m not even sure who’s agreeing with him because I’m trying to squirm away from Kyle as he and his friends have a testosterone-fueled rant.
“How’s it going?” Brady asks as I break free.
“Awkward.” I roll my eyes.
Brady reaches out, brushing his fingers over the spot where he kissed my shoulder last night. I watch his fingers make contact with my skin. With my heart racing, my first instinct is to pull away, but I don’t.
“Yeah, big brothers are good for doing that.”
I slip away from the group and hurry straight to my bedroom. I pull my phone out of my pocket and text Chelsea.
When are you going to be here?
Pulling into your driveway now.
Thank goodness! I need a distraction from all that’s happened today.
The next day, we drive Kyle to the Army recruiting office in Chicago. The drive feels like torture. I don’t want him to go.
Why couldn’t he just go to college this summer like everyone else in his class?
Kyle and I sit together in the backseat, and it’s awkward. I guess we are all so stuck in our own thoughts that we’re having trouble communicating with one another. I know Kyle is anxious about the unknown that is about to become his new life.