Page 26 of Stirred Up

In need of a buffer, I turn the key, firing up the engine and rolling out of the loading lane. Focusing on the merging vehicles such as my own, I casually toss out, “You usually come home from those conventions wreaking of the last conquest is all. Lemme guess, somebody funked up the plane’s bathroom and ruined the final descent quickie this time?”

When several seconds pass without his usual witty comeback, I steal a quick glance his direction, expecting to find him dozing off.

I’m more than a bit shocked to find him silent, eyes adrift, pondering.Come on, the flight isn’t that long—surely you remember whether or not you get laid during it!

“Actually,” he mumbles, appearing dazed, “I didn’t touch a single girl the entire trip. Didn’t even realize. Huh,” he wonders aloud.

I’d call bullshit if not for the way his brow is tugged down low, lips twitching to the side. “Wow, must’ve been a busy convention,” I say instead.

“Not at all.” Brady clears his throat and leans the seat back. He rests his head facing me with a relaxed, growingsmile. “I got you something.”

My head shoots his way, as does the wheel, and his hand flies up to correct it. I smack it away, my full attention back on the road.

“Shit!” I sputter under my breath, ignoring the blare of the horn from the car beside me that I damn near sideswiped.

He bought me a something? On one of his trips? That’s a first.

“Damn, Moe, you okay?”

Eyes straight, I weave into the turning lane and finally merge onto the interstate. “Yeah, sorry. So, uh, let me get this straight, you didn’t get laid all week, but you bought your best friend’s little sister a gift? Youfeeling okay over there?”

He chuckles. “Never been better. I was just at the beach there and—”

“Shut up! No wayyouwent to the beach and didn’t take at least one surf bunny back to the hotel.” I laugh.

Brady’s always been into sports and with that comes the flocks of swooning girls, especially when he’s at the beach. Not gonna lie, I’ve gawked at him on his board afew times myself over the years. It’s purely human nature, appreciating a beautiful creature out in the elements—it can’t be helped.

“I stayed on land this time.” He digs around in his pocket. “Here.”

I glance over and see the tiny wooden surfboard attached to a key chain. “Addison engraved down the front surprises me, he rarely uses my real name.

He places it in my hand and my heart can’t help but swell.

“Thank you.” The air shifts, his scrutiny set my way. “So did you grab it in the airport gift shop? My name’s getting easier to find on those racks.” I chuckle in a vain attempt to deflect the becoming familiar but still undefined intensity. I quickly remind myself it doesn’t mean anything; he’s bought me birthday and Christmas gifts before, no difference.

“No, Moe, I had it engraved for you.”

I swallow. “Oh, well…um, I love it. Maybe one day you’ll get me on a real board.” I peek his way to find he’s still staring, a thoughtful smile in place.

“One day.”

Silence. That’s all there is for two and a half long drawn out minutes. Seriously, I’m watching the clock. I’ve never sat up so straight in my life, unsure of myself but intensely aware of every move he makes. His left hand slips down his thigh, resting on his knee. Fingers tap in an uneven beat. His other hand tucks under his head in a makeshift pillow. Then there’s his breathing that occasionally releases a slight “hmm.”

I hear it all, feel it all, and it leaves me with nothing but scattered thoughts and a tight grip on the steering wheel.

“So what’d you do while I was gone?”

I flinch at his words slicing through the silence. DO. NOT. JUST. ANSWER. ADDISON. STOP. DROP. AND THINK BEFORE TALKING.

“Read some,” I reply quickly. “Laundry.”

“Rebel,” he mocks me with a snort. “How’s Dyl?”

“Good question. I haven’t heard a peep. I’m hoping he’s swamped with a flourishing new business.” I peek over my shoulder, making sure I’m clear to switch lanes. “Why don’t you call him real quick, see if he’s up for dinner. My treat. Unless you’re too tired?”

“Dillweed,” his boom cuts me off, already on thephone. Not too tired. “You work too hard brother. Awesome. Yeah can’t wait to see. Hey, so Moe and I are picking you up in thirty for

dinner.My treat.”

---