Page 11 of Indescribable

“I was having a night to myself,” I explain.

“Naked?” Corbin just can’t help herself. “By yourself? Or were you expecting someone who wasn’t us to stop by?” She keeps pushing and prodding, being nosy and basically all up in my face to find out how I was spending my evening. That’s the problem with best friends. They never leave you alone.

“Yes, naked. And by myself. No, I wasn’t expecting anyone, obviously.”

Brock still hasn’t said a word and when I glance at him now, he’s smirking but no longer staring at me. Thank goodness.

“Why didn’t you answer your phone?”

“I turned it off. Part of my plan to have a night to myself.”

She huffs. “Well, you could have told me so I didn’t worry.”

I roll my eyes. “What did you have to worry about? I talked to you at lunch.”

“You signed divorce papers last night, Naomi. Lots of emotions go into that whether you’re ready to sign ‘em or not. Of course she worried.”

My eyes shoot to Brock. “And she brought you in on it?”

“Obviously,” he says with a cheeky smile and winks at me. “Kinda glad she did now.”

I growl with narrowed eyes, trying to pass off my embarrassment for anger. “I can’t believe you two. I’m not a child. Remember, I’m the one who asked for the divorce. We’ve been separated for a year. I would have signed divorce papers the day we separated, even.”

With eyes that are so soft and gentle I almost crumble, Brock says gently, “We understand that, Naomi. That doesn’t change the fact that it’s brand new. It’s okay to grieve and feel the end. And just to add, I was worried, too. Doesn’t matter that you and I haven’t been as close these last few years as we used to be.” He pauses and I know him well enough to know that he’s pausing because he doesn’t want to say something he’ll regret. That something being about my ex-husband driving a wedge between the two of us and our close friendship. “You’re still my girl. Still my friend. I still love you like I’ve always loved you and yeah, I worried when Cor called me scared out of her mind that you didn’t answer your phone. It wasn’t like we thought you were gonna do something to yourself. We were worried that you were sad and needed someone’s shoulder to cry on. Grieving the end of years together is good and normal, we know that. Doesn’t mean we feel good about you being here alone.”

“You’re right. It is okay to do that. And maybe that’s what I was doing tonight. Feeling for the first time. Giving myself something that I haven’t had the chance to have. Quiet. Peace. Doing exactly whatIwant to do for a whole night without consulting anyone else. Is that so wrong?”

“There’s nothing wrong with that, but there’s also nothing wrong with us being concerned,” Corbin argues. “I know you’re strong and capable but I called and texted so many times and I just… I got nervous, okay?”

“Nervous about what?”

Corbin makes a face and Brock steps closer. “That Wyatt came back.”

Rightfully horrified, I gasp. “Eww! No! Of course I had a few moments today but not about regret over the divorce, for pity’s sake! Good grief, Cor. I’m not looking to get back together with him now or ever.”

“Praise Jesus!” she shouts.

We all share a laugh and as much as I do appreciate my friends stopping by, though I could have done without Brock seeing me naked, I am ready for them to go.

I was enjoying my me time, dammit!

“If that’s all…”

“You’re kicking us out?” Brock asks, sounding a little shocked and hurt.

“Well, I was having a quiet night here,” I remind them both.

“Yeah, but…” Cor starts but I wave my hand in a shooing motion.

“Nope. Tomorrow we’ll have a big divorce party or something but tonight I’m chilling by myself. I’m okay. Better than okay. I promise.”

“You’re sure?” Brock asks, stepping closer to me. Too close, considering my lack of clothing, but then again, it’s Brock. Next to Corbin, despite what Wyatt would have liked, he’s still my best friend. He’s the only one who’s been by my side my entire life.

Wyatt had a problem with that, he was just sure that Brock had feelings other than friendship for me, but I knew better. He never once looked at me like a man interested in a woman should look. And trust me, I examined it plenty closely when I had a major crush on him in high school. In fact, until Wyatt and I started dating, I’d been well on my way to head over heels in love with the man. But we were friends and I didn’t want to do anything to risk our friendship so I stuffed the feelings deep down inside me. Then Wyatt and I happened and, well… the rest is history.

“I’m sure, Brock. Y’all are too sweet to care this much but I’m good. I’m happy and ready to start this new chapter of life.”

“If that changes, day or night, you call me, understand?” Brock demands.

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