Page 44 of The Breaking Point

I knew Brady had a lot of complicated feelings about his mom. Of course he did. But if his mom did die, how would he cope? Would he just push us further away like he had when Ben had died?

“Oh, Brady,” I whispered to myself.

What made things worse was that my selfish, silly brain just wanted to know whether he still wanted to kiss me.

What would it be like if he kissed me? Would it be slow and gentle? Or would he kiss me until I couldn’t remember my own name?

I buried my face in my pillow. I was such a mess of emotions right then. Sadness but excitement because Brady had wanted to kiss me.

So what if he’d been drunk? He’d wanted me. I’d never thought he would.

“It doesn’t matter,” I said to myself. “You know it doesn’t matter.”

I could tell myself that until I was blue in the face. But my heart still filled with hope.

What if I’d been wrong? What if Brady could fall for a girl like me after all?

BRADY

I shouldn’t have been surprised to see Grace outside my door, waiting for me the following morning.

But I was. Because why would she get up so early just to see me off?

“I’m coming with you,” she said without preamble.

She already had two coffee cups in her hands, and she handed me one. It was an Americano with a shot of cream—my usual order.

“No, you’re not,” I replied.

She just smiled that smile that went straight to my cock. It was a smile that said,You can never say no to me.

“You need moral support. Besides, it’s a long drive to Las Vegas. I’ve done it a billion times, so I would know. And you and I both know you’re shit at driving at night, especially if you’re wanting to come home right after,” she said.

“I wasn’t planning on driving at night,” I said, even though it was a lie.

My astigmatism made it harder to drive at night, but it wasn’t impossible. I did it often. It’d really only been tricky when I’d first started driving as a teenager.

“Well, I know the best rest stops,” Grace continued. She then reached out to touch my arm. “Come on. I know you want the company.”

I did. The thought of going to see Mom in the hospital, to see her dying, to do that by myself ... I hadn’t wanted to think about it. But now, a wave of relief washed over me.

When I still hesitated, though, her eyes narrowed. That look couldn’t mean anything good.

“My mom saw you carrying me inside their house on the security cams,” she said.

She didn’t need to elaborate. “Did your dad see it?” I asked.

Grace shook her head. “No, but I’m not above using that to get you to say yes to me coming with me.”

Now I just laughed. “Dammit, Grace, you’re insane. I also am too terrified of you to call your bluff. But if you come, no back-seat driving, okay?”

Grace grinned. “Deal. But I get to choose the music.”

Luckily for us both, Grace had good taste. She started us off with seventies folk like the Mamas & the Papas and Fleetwood Mac. Neither of us was awake enough to talk much until after we’d finished our coffees, which was fine by me.

As we drove out of Los Angeles, I couldn’t help but wonder what the fuck I’d been thinking, letting her come with me. If Coach Dallas found out we’d gone on an impromptu road trip together, he’d have my head.

“How’s your mom?” Grace asked once we got out of the city, the Mojave Desert turning the landscape stark and bright.

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