by Louise, Tia
If he tried to knock on the door, I didn’t hear it. The brushes are still on the tray. He finished rolling paint on the walls, and a text is waiting on my phone.
Sorry if that was too much just now. I’ll give you some space.
Lowering to sit, I stare at his words a full minute.
My fingers tremble and weight presses against the battered inside of my chest as I reply, My fault. Thanks for finishing the walls. Thanks for all your help… I inhale a shaky breath, and my nose heats as I send the next part. Maybe you’d better not come over anymore.
Gray dots glow, and I die as I wait for his response. It’s one word. Seriously?
Wiping my sleeve over my nose, more tears are on my cheeks. Please.
He doesn’t respond and I lower to lay on my side in the middle of the room. My stomach feels like it’s full of cement, and I pull my knees to my chest.
I haven’t felt pain like this in a long time, but it won’t cancel his flight to L.A. It won’t change my deal with Spencer. It’s my fault for feeling this way, for letting my dream get twisted, and only I can fix it.
Ten
Scout
I can’t leave without saying goodbye. My thumbs move quickly over my phone face.
It’s been three days without seeing her, and I’m worried I’ve caught a bug. My stomach keeps cramping, and when I think about eating, my throat closes.
I haven’t slept since Monday.
I’ve had a headache since Tuesday.
On Wednesday, I walked over just to check on her. I only wanted to be sure she hadn’t fallen or inhaled deadly fumes. She is working with paint, after all, and who knows what else? She nearly cut her arm off with that fucking rooster.
Okay, it was just a scratch, but what if she lost her balance on a ladder?
When I arrived, a note was on the door. It was like she’d anticipated my visit. It was one word, Please.
Yes, this is my fault. Yes, I never should’ve fucked her… five times in two days, but shit, I’m only human. She kept looking at me with those big brown eyes and wrinkling her cute little nose and shaking that ass… Then she said she was bad at sex. I mean, come on.
Check this out. Student production at Clemson. I text her a video of me as Macbeth, standing in front of an audience of people.
My hands are out, and I’m saying, “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hands?”
I loved that production. It was the performance that sealed my decision to give it a shot in L.A. It was the first time I’d ever had a crowd of people cheering for me outside of football, and it was like next level shit.
I’d hoped to show it to her before. I’d wanted to tell her how it made me feel, because of everyone I know, she’d understand.
She texts back, and I feel like I’ve won the lottery. Will it?
A grin splits my cheeks. Sadly, no.
You’re really good. Can’t wait to see you on the big screen.
Instead of pride at her response, a cramp hits my stomach. My throat aches and is dry.
Clearly a bug.
Thanks.
I’ve transferred my savings to the bank in L.A. where I’ll be living, and I’ve checked in with my roommate Crenshaw. I don’t know if that’s his first or last name.
Tomorrow I’ll get on a plane, but if I don’t see her one more time, if only to tell her goodbye, I’ll feel like I left the water running in the bathroom or the front door unlocked.
I need closure.
Aunt Regina and Sly are coming over tomorrow for lunch and a walk-through. You could join? Noon?
“Yes!” I stand off the couch like my team just scored a touchdown. I quickly text back I’ll be there.
My stomach growls, and I walk to the kitchen and eat half a cold pizza out of the fridge.
“Do you have enough money?” My brother doesn’t smile as he straightens the lapel on my denim jacket.
“Yeah, I saved up a couple thousand to get started.”
“Is that going to be enough for rent, food, gas?”
“Hell, it ought to be. I have a roommate, so that cuts the rent in half.”
“What about utilities?” His dark brow is lowered, and I study his blue eyes for a beat.
“You pretty much raised me, didn’t you?”
Dropping his hands, he puts them on his hips. “We raised each other. We looked out for each other. Why?”
“Just trying to decide if I’m going to bust your balls for acting like an old lady or not.” I exhale a laugh. “You know I’ve been through all this with Gran.”
“You’re my little brother. It’s my job to be sure you’re okay.”
“Is it your job?” I squint an eye at him.
I actually am just messing with him. It’s nice to have people care, even if I don’t need it.
He throws a muscled arm around my neck. “Don’t make me take you down.”
“Did you get on your tiptoes for that?” I make a fist like I’m about to ram into his side when my grandmother appears.
“Boys, stop this at once! You’ll break the whole house.” Her tone is sharp and high, and I almost laugh at her choice of words.
J.R. releases me, and I re-straighten my jacket before walking over to our petite grandmother and grabbing her around the waist in a bear hug. She immediately starts squawking, like always.
“Bradley Scout! Put me down this minute!” She weighs next to nothing, and I lift her off her feet, swaying her side to side as I hug her.
“I’m going to miss you, Gran. I love you so much.” I’m laughing as I say it, because she’s slapping my arm.
“Put me down before you break my back!”
I kiss her firmly on the cheek before returning her to the earth. “You can’t do that. You’ll break all my old bones.”
“I would never. I love you too much.”
She opens her refrigerator and peers inside. “Did you eat the rest of my pizza? I was saving that for lunch today.”
“I’m sorry. I was hungry last night.”
She presses her lips together and turns to face me, pushing back on her white helmet of hair. She’s tiny and feisty like a shrunken Betty White. “I guess you are a growing boy.”
“Growing round,” my brother quips, and I start at him, which just makes Gran yell more.
“Take that horseplay outside, now!”
But I don’t. I pull my brother into a hug and we slap each other’s backs. A twinge of nostalgia clenches my chest. For so long it was the two of us hanging together as a team, the Dunne brothers with our little gran on the front row in the stadium yelling her head off anytime we made an outstanding play.
I’m surprised she has any voice left.
“Call me when you get there.” J.R. walks out with us to where his black truck is waiting. “I’ve got to head down to the gym.”
“I’ll send you a text, Grandpaw.”
He shakes his head, exhaling some grumpy noise, and I laugh at his curmudgeonly ways. My older brother has not made the leap to modern technology.
“Why don’t you walk over to Ms. Regina’s BnB with me. I think they’re making lunch.” Catching my grandmother’s arm, I give her a gentle tug.
“I don’t want to be a burden.” She shakes her head, frowning. “Who all’s going to be there?”
“I think it’s just Sly and me and Ms. Regina. And Daisy, of course.” Just saying her name has me ready to get walking.
“Joselyn’s in town? I haven’t seen her in weeks.”
“So, come on. If you feel awkward, don’t eat anything. I’ll take you to Taco Bell.”
“That is not food. Bradley Scout, when you get to Los Angeles, you had better not eat that trash.”
I just grin taking her arm and escorting her to the sidewalk. Nothing like my grandmother’s constant fussing. She’s like a little hen. I’m going to miss her.
“You didn’t give me a chance to put on my walking shoes.” Gran’s still going two blocks later. “I�
�m going to have blisters all over my feet…”
“Hop on my back.”
She only slaps my arm. “Don’t be ridiculous. Do I look like a twelve-year-old child to you?”
“Well, hey, stranger!” Sly comes jogging up, dressed in oversized overalls, her auburn hair in a long ponytail.
She stops and gives me a kiss on the cheek before hugging my grandmother.
My grandmother’s entire demeanor changes on a dime. “Joselyn Winthrop, you just get prettier and prettier. Look at this hair! Scout, why didn’t you ever ask Joselyn out?”
“I asked her out repeatedly, Gran. She always shot me down.”
Sly narrows her navy eyes at me. “Liar.” Sliding her hand in the crook of my and my grandmother’s arms, she walks between us. “I couldn’t date Scout, Gran. That would be like… incest.”
“Nonsense, why I declare…” My grandmother goes off on another speech, but we’re at the house.
My attention is completely diverted to the girl standing on the front porch with Sly’s mom. Daisy’s wearing a short dress that shows off her sexy legs. Her hair is around her cheeks in those cute curls, and when our eyes meet, something has changed. It’s subtle, but instead of the sassy defiance, she’s hesitant. I would say afraid if I didn’t know her better.
She’s not afraid of anything except spiders, and I’ve seen her boldness up close and personal.
Ms. Regina waves to us from the porch. “Come on up. You are not going to believe what Daisy has done with the place.”
“I can’t wait!” Sly leaves us to jog up the steps. “She’s kept me away every time.”
Gran holds my arm, and I take my time with her. When we reach the top, I’m face to face with Daisy. She blinks fast, but she doesn’t meet my gaze. Instead, she holds out a hand and motions the other women into the house.
“Just make your way around. Ask me whatever you want to know.” Daisy stays at the door as they pass through the entrance exclaiming and pointing out items to each other.
I stop beside her at the door. “Hey, Daisy.” My voice is low, and her shoulder rises slightly, almost like I touched her.
I want to touch her.
“How’s it going?” She blinks quickly and smiles, meeting my eyes briefly. “Ready to take off?”
“I think so.” I was pretty certain up until a week ago.
Her lips press together, and she nods. “Come on in and check the place out.”
“I’d like to see the master suite.”
Pink floods her cheeks. “It looks really good. I’ll be sure you get credit for helping hang the wallpaper and paint.”
“I don’t care about that.” Reaching out, I trace the back of my finger down the side of her arm. “I just wanted to see you one more time.”
“Here I am.” Her voice is quiet, and she holds out both arms, doing a little curtsey.
“Walk upstairs with me?”
Her arms lower, and she looks up the stairs. “Sure.”
I follow, watching her calves flex as she takes the steps, doing my best not to think about her naked little ass running all over the beach, bouncing on my pelvis as I fuck her… Last thing I need is a boner in front of my gran.
Clearing my throat, I banish those thoughts. “This should look great on your résumé.”
“Spencer already said Miles Klaut wants to hire me if I’m still interested.”
Spencer the douche. We’re on the landing, and I’m fighting these possessive thoughts. They’re inappropriate. I’m leaving in a few hours. She’s starting her life. It’s what should happen.
The door is open, and I stand behind her to peer into the elegant bedroom. Heat from her body radiates towards mine, and I want to slide my hands around her waist, lower my face and kiss her neck.
“I added these.” She steps forward, into the room and out of my orbit, motioning to ivory lace curtains. “Of course, you helped with the paper and the paint.”
A dark-wood king-sized bed is against one wall, and a matching dresser and armoire are arranged around the space.
“Call HGTV.”
She exhales a laugh, and I’m glad to see her smiling instead of looking uncomfortable all the time. “The bathroom turned out gorgeous. Come see it.”
I follow her, wanting her close to me again. I want to inhale her scent of caramel and magnolia. I want to curl my fingers in her hair and feel her warmth against my body.
It’s only going to make things harder, but I can’t leave this with her running out of the room after some pretty mind-blowing sex and hiding in the shower to cry.
We enter the open, white bath, and I have to admit, it’s luxurious. “Wow.”
“That’s my palindrome.” A smile hints at her lips, and the tension in my chest releases.
“It looks really good.”
“Thank you.”
“Not as good as you.” I try a wink, and her eyes narrow.
“It’s no use flirting with me. I’ve seen you in action.”
“I’m dead serious. You look amazing.” Stepping closer, I lower my voice. “I want to turn you around and flip that skirt over your cute little ass—”
“Shh!” She steps forward, placing her fingers just in front of my lips. Her cheeks flush, and she’s just so pretty.
Reaching up, I slide my thumb along a golden curl. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“You didn’t.”
Her chin lifts, and I can’t resist. Lowering my face, I slide my lips over hers, pulling them in for a teasing kiss. She clutches the front of my shirt, and our mouths open, tongues colliding, heat spiking…
“And this bathroom is…” Sly’s loud voice sends us breaking apart. “Very interesting.”
“I was just showing Scout how it turned out.” Daisy motions around to the walls, but her face is beet red. “You know he helped me with the paint and the wallpaper.”
“What else did he help you with?” Daisy’s cousin smiles in the way that reminds me how she got her nickname.
Sly’s no dummy. We are stone cold busted.
“Oh, will you look at this!” Gran walks in the room with her hand over her heart. “I just can’t believe the transformation.”
“I’m so proud of my niece.” Ms. Regina walks over and puts her arm around Daisy. “You sweet thing, look how red your cheeks are. Don’t be embarrassed! Accept the praise. You earned it.”
Sly exhales a laugh, and I clear my throat. “I hate to break up the party, but I’ve got to hit the road soon.”
“I just have some finger foods in the kitchen.” Daisy walks right past me, and frustration tightens my throat.
Sly’s eyes meet mine, and she calls after her as we head down the stairs.
“I had offered to give Scout a ride to Charleston, but I just realized I have a client at one. Maybe you could give him a ride, Daisy?”
Daisy pauses at the bottom step and looks up at us. “I don’t—”
“It’s okay, I can call a Lyft.” As much as I like Sly’s attempt, as much as I want us to have a proper goodbye, I don’t want to pressure her.
“That’ll cost you fifty bucks,” Sly exclaims. “Daisy, you can give him a ride. It’s only a half-hour drive.”
Daisy’s brown eyes meet mine, and she takes a breath. “I can do that.”
Eleven
Daisy
“What will you do when you get there?” My chest aches with every inhale, and I’m doing my best not to reach for his hand.
I’m driving him to the airport.
It’s over.
I should have found an excuse when Sly suggested I drive him to the airport, but I wanted these final moments. As painful as they are, I’ve missed him these last few days, talking to him, kissing him, touching him. He’s so beautiful in the passenger’s seat with the wind blowing his light brown hair around his temples. How could I not fall for him?
“I applied for a production job on set, but those jobs get snapped up fast. I’ve got a meeting with an agent. Wh
at would be ideal is if I got cast as an extra.”
“Sounds like a solid plan.”
“It’s still going to take a ton of luck.”
He’s so unexpected. Scout is one of the hottest guys anywhere and a total flirt, but he’s got this secret, vulnerable side. He’s not one hundred percent a cocky bastard. Just ninety-five percent.
“I wish I’d gotten to see you act more. You’re really talented.”
“Hopefully you will.” He gives me that killer grin, and it’s like a stab in the heart.
And I’ve got to stop.
I’ve been doing my best to recast how I think about what happened between us. I had a week where I made amazing, hot memories with a guy who is destined to be the next Brad Pitt. It’s a fun story I can think about when I’m an old lady and he’s a massive star. I can tell my grandkids a clean version of the story.
Still, it’s hard not to want to hold onto him. I imagine myself holding onto his ankle as he walks away dragging me behind him on the sidewalk.
“I wasn’t able to act as much in college because of football, but I hope I’ve done enough to get me started.”
“They’ll take one look at you and put you in everything.”
“I don’t know. There’s a lot of good-looking guys out there.”
We pass a road sign that says we’re five miles from the airport. I can’t remember this drive ever going so fast. Again, my heart clenches, and I think of all the things we never got to say.
“What movie do you wish you’d have been in?”
He leans back, sliding his hands down his thighs. A flash of memory, of those hands on me burns in my chest. “Too many… let me think. I guess… Signs.”
“Really? The alien movie?”
“It’s more than that.” He looks out the window, and the muscle in his jaw moves. “I like the quiet build, the look of it. It has a good message.”
“Aliens melt like the Wicked Witch of the West?” I’m teasing, but he’s unexpectedly serious.
“It’s about forgiveness and second chances; being a hero even when you strike out. It’s a cool film.”