Finally, she closed her eyes for a few seconds before cutting her eyes to the man. “One room is fine.”
“All we have left is rooms with one king bed. That okay with you all?”
“Yes, that’s fine,” Brooke replied.
The man rung them up and handed them keys, and Brooke paid. Cole walked her to their first-floor room and made sure she was safely inside before he ran out to grab their bags. He knocked when he returned and said a soft, “It’s me.”
The door opened quickly, and the way her eyes darted around spoke of her anxiety. He hurried inside, set their things down, and locked the deadbolt behind him.
Brooke picked up her bags, carried them to the dresser, and set them down on it before rummaging through them. Taking off his hat, Cole tossed it on a table before running his hands through his unruly hair.
“You want first dibs on the bathroom?” he offered. “You could relax for a bit, and I could see if there’s anywhere to get food around here.”
She whirled around to face him. “You’re leaving?”
“I thought I’d see if anywhere would deliver first. If I do have to run out, I’ll make sure to let you know before I go. Or I could wait and you could come with me.”
He watched Brooke take a deep breath and lengthen her spine a little to reach her full height, which Cole guessed was at least a good six inches shorter than his own six-one.
“No, it’s fine. I’ll be fine with whichever you decide. We obviously need to eat. Oh, and here’s some money for it,” she said as she reached into her backpack, fished a few bills out, and extended them toward him. “This should cover it, right? How expensive can a pizza be? I’ll just stay here. I’ll be fine.”
Cole took the money out of her hand, but that didn’t stop her rambling.
“Maybe I’ll take a bath. That’s always relaxing. And I’ll just wait here for you to get back.”
“Brooke,” Cole said softly. Her arms were crossed, and she was swaying slightly. Cole wanted to move toward her, but he didn’t want to scare her.
“It’s not like you’ll be gone long. I’m sure there’s a place to eat close by. So nothing to worry about. I can even pack my new duffel bag if you’re gone for a while and I get bored. That’ll keep me busy. Busy is good. Busy—”
Cole couldn’t take it anymore. He took two steps forward and enveloped her in his arms.
She tensed for a second before she shuddered out a breath. He felt her body shake, but she made few sounds other than sniffling and a few sharp breaths. Smoothing his hands down her long hair, he shushed her and reassured her that it would be okay. That she was safe. That he’d keep her safe.
Eventually she settled and pulled away from him, rubbing her hands over her face. “God, I’m sorry. I cried all over your shirt.”
“I don’t care about the shirt.”
She looked him in the eyes then and seemed to decide he was genuine because she gave him a small smile before stepping back even farther. She scanned the room before pointing at the table across from them. “There’s a book over there. It may have some menus in it.”
Sensing that she needed a little time to compose herself, Cole backed away and walked to the table to leaf through the book. “This place says they deliver ’til midnight. Were you serious about wanting pizza, or do you want somethin’ else? They have all kinds of sandwiches.”
“Pizza is fine.”
“Okay. I’ll give them a call. Did you… You probably have time for that bath if you want. I’ll knock when it gets here.”
She gave him another small smile as she nodded and gathered some clothes. Once she had her things, she walked toward the bathroom but hesitated with her hand on the knob. Without turning to face him, she said, “I know I already said thank you, but I feel like there aren’t enough thank-yous in the world for what you did for me tonight. If you hadn’t shown up, I don’t even want to think about—”
“So don’t,” Cole interrupted. “Don’t let your mind wander to what could’ve happened. Thinking like that’ll make you scared of your own shadow before long.”
“You’re right. I’ll try.” And with that, she stepped into the bathroom and locked the door behind her.
Brooke sank low into the bubbles and warm water that filled the tub. She couldn’t even bring herself to care about when the tub had been scrubbed last. For now, she was content in her attempt to scald her body of the memories from the bar.
Cole was right. Thinking about what had almost happened—would have happened had he not shown up—wasn’t going to help her. But she couldn’t keep her mind from remembering the stale, smoky scent in the bar, the terrifying things that asshole had said to her, the hard clench of his hand on her arm. She grabbed a washcloth from the rack and scrubbed herself clean. She drained some of the soapy suds and turned on the tap so fresh, hot water refilled the tub. Brooke closed her eyes and tried to calm her breathing. It wasn’t just the events of tonight. It was everything. Her temper, her stubbornness. She had to get a grip. Cole was going to leave her if she didn’t stop acting like a lunatic.
Though she supposed that wasn’t true. She’d given him an opportunity to leave once already, and he hadn’t. Thank God he hadn’t. There was no doubt in her mind all of the horrible things her mother had warned her about when Brooke had first taken off and called to let her parents know she hadn’t been kidnapped would’ve come true had Cole not shown up.
“Fake it ’til you make it” was one of her mother’s favorite phrases, and Brooke had become a master at it. Snark, sarcasm, and sharp wit were not just her trademark; they had become survival skills. Necessary in a business that allowed grown men to stare lasciviously at teenage girls under the guise of an “audition.” Necessary in a world where parents cared more about social-media metrics than the well-being of their own child. She had vocal talent and yet for so long, no real voice of her own. But her attempt to find her own way, or at least step away for a moment to find herself…well, that had been humbling to say the least.
A soft rap on the bathroom door startled her, but her heart rate slowed when Cole’s voice came through the door. “Pizza is here. No rush. I just wanted you to know.”
Brooke inhaled and willed her voice to sound steady when she replied. “Okay. Thanks.” She allowed herself to soak for a little while longer before climbing out, drying off, and getting dressed. She wrapped a towel around her hair and glanced in the mirror. She looked tired even though her body felt a little like a live wire. Unable to dredge up enough care to do anything about her appearance, Brooke opened the door and joined Cole.
He was lying back on the bed, one arm tucked behind his head as he clicked through channels. The pizza boxes sat unopened on the table. She wasn’t sure why the fact that he’d waited for her to eat—that Southern charm making itself known again—made her eyes prickle, but she wasn’t up for analyzing it either.
Cole sat up. “Hungry? It’s still warm.”
She gave him a small smile. “Yeah. Starving.”
Returning her smile, Cole stood and opened the pizza boxes. “I wasn’t sure what toppings you liked, so I got one with half sausage and half plain, and the other half pepperoni and half pineapple.”
Brooke quirked an eyebrow. “Pineapple?”
Cole shrugged. “I thought it was somethin’ a princess might order.” Her eyes were drawn to his lips, which seemed to struggle against a smirk.
She let out a laugh, and the sensation rippled through her, chipping away at some of the rust that had felt stuck to her bones. “Do princesses like pineapple?”
Releasing a full laugh then, Cole said, “I honestly wasn’t sure if you liked meat on your pizza, and it was the only other topping that came to mind. Though I’m thinkin’ now that mushrooms or peppers would’ve been more normal.”
“Well, as much as I hate to admit it, I do like pineapple on my pizza,” she said as she walked over to the table and grabbed a slice. Glancing over at Cole, Brooke couldn’t miss the s
atisfied look on his face. She bumped his shoulder. “You’re really proud of your pizza-picking skills, aren’t you?”
“You have no idea,” he answered, causing them both to laugh again.
They settled on the bed with their slices on plates the pizza place had provided. A sitcom rerun played on the television. Other than getting up to get more pizza, both of them were quiet and still. Brooke realized she felt at ease with him. She felt like she’d known Cole much longer than two days. She’d trusted him almost from the beginning—at least as far as being confident he wouldn’t harm her. But now that she knew he’d also defend her and was supremely qualified for such a task, whatever other walls she’d built up were beginning to crumble. She wasn’t willing to tell him her life story, but she did want to know him beyond his being a passing body in her chaotic world. He’d made his way into her orbit, and despite the fact that she knew he’d be better off if she jettisoned him out into space, part of her—a big part—longed to keep him.
“So where’d you learn to fight like that?” Watching Cole handle himself earlier had been nothing short of amazing. While most of the fight was blurry in her memory, her fear cloaking it in fog, she did remember how adept he’d been. The fact that he could take down a man so easily should have made her uneasy, but it didn’t. She instinctively knew Cole would never hurt her.
“Army,” he said simply.
Brooke turned and appraised him. She could definitely see the soldier in him—his confident posture, the way he seemed to be alert even when he was relaxing. “How long did you serve?”
“Seven years. Just finished my last tour about nine months ago.”
“You didn’t want to make a career out of it?”
Cole looked down at his plate and toyed with his napkin. “Nope.”
Brooke could tell there was a story there, but it was obvious he didn’t want to share it. And while her curiosity was killing her, she also had things she didn’t want to talk about, so she respected his privacy. “What’s in Oregon?”
The way he sighed let her know this wasn’t a better topic. “A buddy I met in the service.”
“You thinking of moving out there with him?”
Something dark passed over Cole’s face, but Brooke didn’t know what it meant.
“That’s not really an option. But I haven’t ruled out settling down close by.”
Brooke racked her brain for a topic that wouldn’t make Cole seem so uncomfortable. “What do you do for work now that you’re out of the army?”
Cole looked up at her. “I thought you didn’t want to play Twenty Questions?”
He didn’t look angry or irritated though, so she didn’t let it deter her.
“I figured we’d be less likely to murder each other on the road if we knew each other better. But anything you don’t want to tell me, just let me know, and I’ll drop it.”
“So we’re travelin’ together again?” The question sounded sincere, but it made Brooke fidget regardless.
“Uh, yeah? I thought we could, at least. Clearly I can’t be trusted to be on my own,” she said with a smile to hopefully make light of what had happened, even though it wasn’t the least bit funny.
“It was as much my fault you were in that bar as yours. Nothin’ that happened today made me think that you couldn’t take care of yourself,” he replied.
She inhaled deeply, knowing she didn’t deserve his kindness and wanting to repay it in some way. “I never have,” she said.
“Never have what?”
“I’ve never taken care of myself. Not really. And I wanted to prove I could, which is why I got out of your truck. But really it only reinforced what my parents have been saying to me for years.”
“What do they say?” Cole’s voice was quiet, but the sound of it echoed in her head.
She toyed with a frayed piece of the comforter as she replied. “That I’d be nowhere without them.”
Cole inhaled sharply. “Sounds like your folks and my dad should hang out. They’d probably get on real well together.”
“What does your dad say to you?”
“That I’m a bum who’ll never amount to anything.” Cole let out a humorless laugh. “Coming from the town drunk, it really shouldn’t get to me the way it does.”
They were quiet for a second before Brooke found the courage to say the words that felt like they were about to explode out of her chest. “For what it’s worth, you’re quite possibly the best guy I’ve ever met.”
Rubbing the back of his neck with his hand, Cole looked almost pained. “I’m not sure whether that makes me really fucking happy or really fucking sad.”
Brooke studied his face. “Why would it make you sad?”
“Because I’m nothin’ special. And you deserve to be surrounded by guys who’ll treat you well.”
Unsure of what to say in response to the compliment, Brooke said the only truth she knew. “I think you’re plenty special.”
By silent agreement, they both turned back to the TV. A peacefulness washed over Brooke, and she sank into it so much that Cole clearing his throat startled her, though she tried not to show it. And Cole, bless him, didn’t comment on it.
“We’re going to be heading through some beautiful country over the next few days. Any interest in sightseeing along the way?” Cole asked.
She smiled at him. “I’d like that.”
“Good.” He stood and dropped his plate into the trash. “I’m gonna grab a shower. You okay out here for a bit?”
“Sure.”
Cole shut himself in the bathroom, and she heard the shower turn on a moment later. Despite what had happened that day, Brooke considered herself lucky to have met Cole. After heading over to the closet, she grabbed two extra blankets that were stored there. She left one at the foot of the bed before lying on top of the comforter and covering herself with the other. She dropped the towel from her hair onto the floor beside the bed. Exhaustion threatened to pull her eyes closed, but she fought it. She wanted Cole to be next to her when she fell asleep.
He came out a little later, shirtless and in low-slung sweatpants. Approaching the bed, he looked hesitant. “I can take the couch if you want,” he said as he gestured toward the small, tattered monstrosity across the room.
Brooke patted the space next to her in reply.
Cole didn’t say anything else. He simply grabbed the spare blanket and lay down, leaving a large gap of space between them.
Brooke didn’t want to overthink the fact that she nestled closer to him, practically burrowing into his side. He wrapped an arm around her and held her close.
“You can sleep, Princess. I got ya.”
And because she knew he did, Brooke drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Five
Brooke hadn’t slept that well for as long as she could remember. It was true she should be used to being on the road—though in nicer places than she’d stayed with Cole the past two nights—but there was something about having him beside her that allowed her to relax in a way she hadn’t before. When she turned over to find he wasn’t in bed anymore, she whipped her head to either side in search of him.
Before she could react further, she heard the toilet flush in the bathroom, followed by the sound of a razor turning on. She instantly relaxed, the realization that he was still here comforting her. Though she couldn’t deny that part of her wanted him even closer. Cole soothed something inside of her. And while some of that had to be because of how he’d rescued her, some of it was also simply the man himself. Brooke felt herself opening up to him in ways that she might regret down the road, but damned if she felt like she could stop it from happening.
She knew she probably had at least a few minutes or so before Cole was done shaving, and that was more than enough time to give her sister a call and at least let her know she was okay.
Natasha picked up on the first ring. “Hey, Beck. What’s up?” Natasha asked, confusing the hell out of Brooke.
“What?”
> “Did you see the video I posted last night of that squirrel?”
“What the hell are you talking about? What squirrel?” Brooke asked.
“Hang on. Let me go outside. The service in my kitchen’s always spotty.”
Brooke was about to ask her sister what the hell she was talking about, when she heard a door close on the other end of the line and her sister’s voice drop to a whisper.
“You know it makes me seriously concerned for your well-being when you don’t even realize that I’m trying to pretend you’re someone else so Mom and Dad don’t know I’m talking to you, right? How are you possibly surviving when you’re so clueless?”
“Well hello to you too,” Brooke replied dryly. “We just woke up a few minutes ago.”
“We? You’re still with that guy?”
“Yeah. We decided to travel together. He’s heading to Oregon to visit a friend, and we could both use the company, so…” She let her sentence go unfinished, allowing her sister to draw her own conclusions about Brooke’s decision, which she was sure was exactly what Natasha was doing.
“Are you sure that’s the best idea?”
Natasha’s question was a valid one, and Brooke knew she’d asked it only out of concern. “I don’t know that it’s the best idea. But I do know it’s not the worst. I was on my own for a little yesterday, and…” When she felt her voice begin to shake, she tried to steady it, hoping like hell the person who knew her better than anyone wouldn’t hear the shakiness. “I’m safer with him here,” she said. “I trust him, Nat.”
Natasha was quiet for a moment, her lack of protest a silent acceptance of Brooke’s decision. “Just try not to get recognized, okay? Mom and Dad have been talking nonstop about how they can get you home as quickly as possible.”
“Well, in that case, I should probably cancel our plans for karaoke later.”
“Stop,” Natasha said. “That’s not funny.”
“It’s a little funny,” Brooke replied, glad to have a light moment. “I mean, could you picture me singing some of my own songs at a crowded bar?”
Misadventures with a Country Boy Page 5