Page 52 of Love Never Happens with your Brother’s Best Friend

“Sure,” I shout from outside.

Memories of kissing Brodie swim like a dream around my mind as I cycle back to Mom and Dad’s. I’m not sure exactly what it is that I want to say. But anticipating Brodie’s answer is making me anxious. I don’t want Brodie to go and disappear out of my life again. How do I ask him what he wants without sounding desperate or needy?

I think about the heart he carved on our tree and our monumental kiss. He said that he loved me and has done since school, but still, I have doubts. I should just be cool. Be cool, Rita. Pretend I’m fine with him heading back to Boston, to pick up his life, minus accusations from a crazy lady. But I wonder how long it will be before we see each other again. I don’t want to come across as possessive. Long-distance relationships are hard. Could I live in a city? I don’t want to feel as if I’m waiting. But then, I have my own life too. And it’s here.

Maybe I won’t say anything and wait to see what happens when I see him today. Maybe we can just enjoy some precious time together without getting so wound up and emotionally intense. Yeah, lighten up, Rita.

I point my bike up the driveway, dismount and push the bike up the last few yards. The morning is heating up. I lean the bike against the barn at the back of the house where I hear laughter from the kitchen. I climb the steps to the back porch as Dylan appears in the doorway.

“Hey, Rita. Mom’s mad cos Brodie and I made pancakes.” He grins.

“Oh no! Dylan. The world is going to end. Poor Mom. Were you playing Motorhead up loud?” I laugh at my brother. “You guys haven’t changed one bit.”

I walk into the house, yell hello, and listen for a reply.

“Hey, Rita.” It’s Brodie. He walks toward me barefoot on the wooden floor looking irresistible in a fresh white t-shirt and Levis. “Where have you been so bright and early?” he asks, gathering me to him in a massive all-body hug. I breathe in his warm scent and melt into his broad solid chest.

“I didn’t want to wake you, so I cycled to town to see Kate.”

“Ah, yes, the lovely Kate at The Half Moon Café. How’s Kate?”

“She is well. And was more than a little over-excited at seeing me and you on TV last night.”

I step back and look up at Brodie. His soft golden-brown eyes smile down at me.

“That was quite a kiss, wasn’t it?”

“Uh-huh.”

“I think I want a replay.”

“Do you now?”

“Yes. In slo-mo,” Brodie breathes close to my ear, but it tickles making me giggle.

I wrestle free from the sexy football star, aware that I am less than fresh after my bike ride. I was in such a hurry to get back to see him, I forgot to pick up a clean set of clothes. Slightly embarrassed, I push past Brodie into the kitchen where I fill a glass of water at the sink.

Brodie follows and leans his body against me as I drink, then breathes into my ear, “What are your plans today, Miss Carmichael?”

“That all depends.”

“On what?”

Mom steps through the doorway. “Ooops! Sorry,” she says, turning on her heels and disappearing out of the kitchen. Brodie and I both look at her, then at each other, and laugh.

“I’d love to spend the whole day with you, if you don’t have plans,” Brodie says, leaning back on the kitchen table. “I don’t need to be back in Boston yet. So, I thought…”

“I’ll have to check with Dylan to see if he has any bookings coming up, or if he…”

“He doesn’t. I asked.”

“Then, yes. Hanging out sounds fun.” I drink some water and look at Brodie over the rim of the glass. “What do you want to do today, Brodie Kent?”

“I thought we might drive out somewhere. No plans. It’s a nice day.” Brodie’s smile turns into something more serious, like a sergeant major addressing his troops. “I think we should be prepared. Take some emergency food. A picnic blanket. Some water. And that purification thingy device you have, just in case. But I don’t think we need a tent.” He gathers me into his arms and nuzzles my neck. “I just want to spend my day with you. Whatever you want is… Kiss. Fine. Kiss. By. Kiss. Me. Kiss.”

Chapter 26

Brodie

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