Page 141 of Resurrection
The truth sits like a brick in my pocket, and I can't ignore it much longer. There’s a part of me that wants to go back to touring. A part of me will always want that—the attention only the stage gives. It’s like charging up a dead battery. But right now, it’s not possible.
"Look, man," I tell him honestly. "I’d love to, and I think I’d jump at this opportunity if it was some other time, but I need to sort out a few things first."
"Bummer, Brady."
"Good luck."
"We’ve got two days before our official replacement announcement has to go out. Think about it, yeah?"
"Sure," I reply just to get him off my back.
We say our goodbyes and I end the call, no longer wanting to deal with him. He’s a nice guy and the band is solid. Could be a great opportunity, but Naomi’s in Sageview Ridge, and she’s the priority.
Just then, the front door swings open and she appears, beautiful and bold in a curve-hugging teal dress that makes my throat tighten. Seventeen years collapse into nothing. Or into everything.
I grip the wheel with both hands as she comes closer, then I remember about being a gentleman and rush to climb out of the vehicle and open the door for her.
She smiles, gives me a once-over. "Did I ever tell you that you clean up nice, Brady?" she supplies playfully.
I haven’t really done anything different except for putting on a pair of designer jeans, boots, white shirt, and a light jacket. "You may have mentioned it once before," I reply, pulling her to me to kiss her lips.
I know anyone passing by her place can see us, but we’re at the point where hiding seems silly. I told my parents, and she told her mother. The only person not happy with us seeing each other again is asshole Adri.
"Let’s go," she says, sliding into her seat. "Before my makeup starts melting."
It’s hot outside, typical for June in Coachella Valley. The only way to survive this heat is going from one air-conditioned space to another as fast as possible.
Her hair tumbles loose over her shoulders as she fumbles with the seatbelt while I slip behind the wheel. I can barely breathe, barely keep myself from kissing her senseless. The past few weeks have been like a dream, and I’m afraid I’m about to wake up.
This feels so much like that night. Prom. The taste of nervous excitement, the future just a heartbeat away. I remember us in the gym, our hands not knowing where to go, holding her tight while everything else fell away.
"You’ll stare me into a hole," Naomi teases, and I realize I haven’t blinked once since she got in.
"Don’t want to miss this look," I manage. "Can we just stay here? Skip the reunion?"
"Tempting," she admits, glancing around the driveway. "But the plan was to go, remember? We have a bet. If you skip it, then you lose. Plus, I heard someone’s super eager to show me off."
"True," I say. "Besides, I can’t wait to tell you my wish."
"You look amazing." She flicks the fabric of my shirt. "And we’ll see about that wish."
"Aren’t you the sweetest?" I grin.
"Okay, Tyler Brady. Let’s do this." Her eyes are daring.
I nod and peel out of the driveway.
The streets zip by outside, bathed in the bright afternoon sun. Her perfume fills the car, and I can barely keep my eyes on the road.
Our hands brush when we both reach for the radio, and I jolt like I’m still that kid who’s barely learned to flirt. She smiles, knowing the effect she has on me. Hell, and I’m not ashamed to show it.
"Same song?" she asks, raising an eyebrow at the old rock ballad that was topping the charts when we were in high school. It would always come up when we were either cruising around the neighborhood or making out in my Honda.
"Same song." I nod. "Only, now I have a car that actually runs."
"The other one ran fine too," Naomi protests. "Took us from point A to point B."
I grip the wheel with one hand and reach for her with the other, my nerves going wild when she meets me halfway. We’re in this together, I think. Really in this, and it scares the hell out of me.
