Page 36 of New River Gorge(ous)
She stops at the top of June’s porch and turns slowly, her pink-streaked braid flipping over her shoulder. Her gaze connects with mine as I stand on the bottom step of the porch.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t expecting to see her today, or anytime, really, and I don’t want to give up.”
Brooke smiles softly. “You don’t have to give up.”
“Yeah, but you shouldn’t have had to deal with that on our first date.”
Brooke’s eyes widen. “Our first date, as in one of many, or as in the only one?”
“Could I take you on another one? One where I guarantee there won’t be … uh …her… there?”
“What happened to ‘I can’t date you’?” Brooke probes. Her eyes don’t shy away from mine. This is a woman who wants total honesty. And this is a woman Iwantto be totally honest with.
“I was giving up. And you called me out on it.”
“But what were you giving up on?”
I swallow. My throat must have a thousand jagged pieces of glass lodged in it.
She wants total honesty.She deserves total honesty.
“I was giving up on ever being happy. It didn’t have anything to do with you.”
“But didn’t it?” she challenges. “I mean, you took me on one date and then told me you couldn’t date me, and now you want to date me again?”
“Brooke.” I step closer to her. “I’m not the smartest person when it comes to women.” Her eyes twinkle at the self-deprecation lacing my voice, so I take the next step, bringing me to eye level with her. “Please, may I take you on another date that doesn’t have all that awkwardness?”
A shadow of something flashes over Brooke’s face, but it passes in a moment. “Ok. But you have to promise me that you’ll remember something.”
“Anything.”
“I am not, have never been, and never will be Addie.”
I can’t help it. I grin as I take in Brooke’s pink hair, her worn hiking boots, clothes that fit but aren’t luxury brands and have clearly been worn before, and the way she challenged me to be a better man despite only going on one date. Brooke and Addie are as different from each other as night and day.
“I think I can remember that.”
Brooke opens her mouth, then snaps it shut as her stomach rumbles what sounds like a dinosaur wail. Finally, she opens it again. “Are you hungry? We didn’t ever eat a snack, and it’s past my lunch time.”
“Clearly,” I tease before answering her seriously, “I’m starving.”
She inhales, then blows out a breath. “Then, come on in. Meemaw will probably have a million inappropriate questions for us, but she’ll be so thrilled to have you.”
I make up my mind right then and there to answer every single one of June MacCord’s inappropriate questions honestly because Brooke is absolutely right. June is going to ask questions, and there will be no filter.
Brooke unlaces her hiking boots and leaves them on the porch, so I do the same, then open the door and cross the threshold into June’s house. Brooke disappears into the kitchen. June sits on the couch, a knowing eyebrow cocked.
“Didn’t think I’d be here, did you, young man?” She lets the implication of Brooke and I being unsupervised hang between us while she smirks.
“Of course I knew you’d be here, Miss June,” I retort. “I had to come see how my favorite neighbor is doing.”
“Mmmhmmm.” She shakes her head. “I’m on to you. That’s my granddaughter. And if I catch wind of any hanky-panky, you’ll be marrying her.”
“Got your shotgun all ready?” I quip.
“Absolutely,” she says loudly before she lowers her voice. “I need a granddaughter to get married, so please hanky-panky. I always wanted to chase a man with ol’ Eddie.”
“Old Eddie?”
