Page 44 of Beautifully Used
“You and Brodie.”
“What about us?”
“Kissing!” she whisper-shouted.
I turned to stare at her, unable to figure out how she knew about the kissing.
She shrugged. “We saw you,” she said in a matter-of-fact way.
“You saw us?”
“Jackson and I were walking on the beach, too. We stopped when we got close enough to realize it was you and Brodie laying on the wet sand tangled in each other’s arms, faces smashed together like …”
“Shhhh,” I demanded. Lena giggled.
Resting my elbow on the table, I placed my forehead in my hand, unable to look up at her. I peeked a glance through my fingers at Brodie and sighed with relief to see he was still talking with Jackson and not paying any attention to what Lena and I were discussing.
“I think it’s awesome, by the way,” she added, still keeping her voice down.
I took in a deep breath. “I’ve liked him for a while now. Probably even since last year.”
“I know.”
I stared at her again, unable to believe what I was hearing. “Take a jog with me?”
“Sure.” Lena gulped the rest of her coffee and stood. “Jackson, Gabby and I are going for a jog on the beach. Be back in about half an hour.”
“Wait. I’ll come, too,” Brodie stood.
Jackson frowned at his brother.
“I don’t think they should go alone.”
“There are two of us,” I said.
“I’d just feel better if I tagged along.”
When neither Lena nor I said anything, his eyes caught mine. “Humor me.”
“I’ll come, too,” Jackson said while standing to leave with us.
“Okay,” Lena smiled, and I figured I might as well agree, as well.
I knew why Brodie wanted to come. I hated that he felt like I needed a babysitter. I never should have told him about that stupid phone call.
Chapter 35
Brodie
* * *
Jackson and I ran ahead of the women. Their strides were half of ours, and I took the hint that Jackson wanted to talk as he sped ahead first and gestured for me to follow. He slapped me on the shoulder when I caught up. “So, you and Gabrielle.”
“Me and Gabrielle, what?”
“You know.”
“No clue.”
