Page 4 of Falling For His Badass

Tara play slaps him. “Lizzy will never forgive me, if you keep trying to hook her up.”

John laughs. “Brody will never forgive me if I don’t.”

My alarm on my phone goes off. “Well, it’s time to go.” I jump off the stool.

I look at Tara for support. Her eyes narrow when she reads my silent plea, so she says, “I’ll walk you out.”

“John, I’ll come back Sunday around ten o’clock to get Tara and I can meet Brody then.”

He nods, clearly disappointed, but doesn’t argue. Instead, he opens a bag of chips, and begins to munch on them.

Tara and I walk into the foyer. “I wish you ….” Her voice drops off when we hear tapping on the patio door, then John walking across the tile floor. I grab Tara’s arm and drag her out the front door.

She doesn’t say a thing until we are standing by her car. “Lizzy, stay. If John says he’s a great guy, he’s a great guy.”

“He may very well be, but if he isn’t, I’ll be stuck all weekend.”

She frowns, then nods. “Ok. I get it.”

“Thanks.” I hug her neck. “Keys, please.” I hold my hand out to her.

She laughs, “I’m tempted to deny you anyway.”

I snatch them out of her hand, then run around to the driver’s side.

She shakes her phone at me. “I’ll text you if he’s hot and you can come back early.”

“Deal,” I tell her as I slide behind the wheel.

“Have fun!” She yells as I pull off.

I throw my hand up and escape.

The steady beatof my feet hitting the pavement along with the matching rhythm of my breath has always had a calming effect on me. I run because I have to, but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy it.

Five miles into my run, my phone vibrates. I pull it out of my pocket. It’s John. *ETA?*

*30.*

*30 minutes? Bro, you need to return asap.*

*Sup?*

*Trust me!*

I slow to a jog, frowning.

*What’s wrong?*

*Nothing is wrong. Something is right.*

*What?* I’m confused by his answer.

*Not what. Who! Turn around and come back now!*

*Who?*

*Just hurry, Hotshot!*

---