Page 46 of Force of Nature

Chapter Sixteen

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“You look beautiful,” Brylan tells me as I step out onto the front porch into the muggy evening air.

“Thanks.” I look down to my casual top and dark jeans, not sure what exactly is so beautiful about me today.

I certainly didn’t try as hard as I would have if it were Thad I was having dinner with. And even then the little effort I did put forward was in hopes of seeing him later.

“You ready?” Brylan offers me his arm. I hesitate for a split second before taking it, allowing him to lead me to his car parked a few feet from the front porch.

He opens the passenger door, making sure I’m settled inside before closing it and crossing around the front of the car.

I can’t help but feel like he’s hoping for more out of this than he’s leading on. I can’t remember a time when we were dating that he ever opened a car door for me. The thought makes me a bit uncomfortable but knowing I can’t escape now I try to push it away and focus on something else.

Unfortunately that something else comes in the form of a tall, mysterious, incredibly sexy man. It’s become a thing here recently–me thinking about Thad. More so than when I was only crushing on him a bit. Now that I’ve had him inside of me, felt the deliciousness of his weight and the power of his touch, he seems to be the only thing I can think about.

After our little romp in the woods yesterday you’d think I would have been satisfied, but truth be told it only made me want him more. And it certainly didn’t stop me from practically attacking him right after midnight when I came storming into his camper like a ravenous animal.

It’s like I’m a completely different person with Thad. I swear I don’t recognize myself at all when I’m with him. He makes me feel wild and unhinged. I’m completely swept up in all that he is.

“So I was thinking maybe after dinner we could swing by the old theater.” Brylan disrupts my thoughts as he pulls his Mustang out onto the street. “There’s a rendition of Grease going on there that doesn’t totally suck, or so I’m told.”

“I really shouldn’t.” I force a smile so he doesn’t sense my unease. “I have to be up extremely early tomorrow to help my dad.”

“Ranch work is never done.” He nods, not pressing the matter. “Maybe another time then.”

“Yeah, maybe.” I turn my gaze out the window, watching the beautiful countryside pass by through the dark tint.

I’ve been dreading this outing all day, and as much as I didn’t want to go, I have to admit watching Thad try to act like he didn’t care that I was going out with another man was quite entertaining. It seems I’m not the only one that’s affected.

Brylan chats freely on the twenty minute drive to the diner. I only retain a fraction of what he says, doing more nodding than actual listening. I can’t keep my mind in the here and now and I’m not so sure that’s a good thing. It’s only been three days since my first time with Thad and already I’m walking around like a love sick zombie. I haven’t been able to focus. I spend all of my time thinking about him. I swear it’s like he’s cast some sort of spell over me.

“Well, we’re here,” Brylan announces as he pulls into a vacant spot in the small diner parking lot and kills the engine. “You okay?” he asks, pulling the key from the ignition.

“Yeah.” I offer him a reassuring smile.

“You seem...distracted.”

“I do, don’t I?” I shake my head. “Sorry about that. I’ve just got a lot on my mind right now.”

“What do you say we leave the actress and law student in the car and have dinner as Laken and Brylan, the same two kids who used to come here twice a week after school.”

“You know what? I like that idea. And in the spirit of the past I might even splurge on a mint chocolate chip milkshake.” I smile.

“There she is.” Brylan chuckles, waiting for me to exit the car before joining me on the sidewalk.

—-

Dinner turned out tobe way better than I expected, especially given how distracted I was in the beginning. After we entered the restaurant, it took less than five minutes for the outside world to fade away.

As soon as we slid into our old familiar booth a sense of nostalgia washed over me and for the first time since returning to town I remembered how much I really did love my life here.

Sure, it wasn’t all sunshine and roses and I spent more days dreaming about the day I could leave than I did anything else. But that’s not to say that I didn’t also have it good.

The longer we sat there, the more I remembered the things I loved about Brylan too. How much fun we used to have together. The football games and school dances, lake parties and bowling nights. He reminded me of the girl who loved him once, even though that girl feels more like a stranger than someone I used to be.

Now, lying in bed hours later, I can’t seem to stop replaying the events of the last few days on repeat in my head. Brylan, Thad, who I was then, who I am now. I don’t even recognize this life anymore.

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