Chapter 4 Clark
I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my pirate hat and practicing my exaggerated accent. Alex had convinced me to attend the themed costume day event at the local Little-friendly park, also owned by Uncle Nick.
When I heard the doorbell ring, I made my way to the door and opened it, only to be greeted by a burst of colorful feathers.
"Ahoy, matey!" Alex exclaimed, striking a dramatic pose in his parrot costume. "Ready to set sail for adventure?"
"I didn't expect to see you so early. What's the occasion?"
He grinned, stepping inside. "Can't a parrot be excited to embark on a high-seas escapade with his favorite pirate?"
"I suppose so," I conceded, closing the door behind him. "But I thought you operated on fashionably late time."
"Ah, but you see," Alex said, tapping the side of his beak, "I couldn't risk my pirate captain setting sail without his trusty parrot. Plus, I wanted to make sure you didn't chicken out at the last minute."
I feigned offense, placing a hand over my heart. "Me? Chicken out? Never! I'll have you know I'm the bravest pirate on the seven seas."
He snorted. "More like the seven puddles in your backyard."
Soon, Alex was pulling us into the parking lot of the local park. We made our way towards the bustling crowd. The grassy expanse was dotted with costumed Littles, their laughter and chatter filling the air. They darted about, dressed as superheroes, princesses, and various adorable animals. The scent of freshly cut grass mingled with the enticing aroma of buttery popcorn wafting from a nearby stand, adding to the festive ambiance.
In the center of the park stood a small stage, where Uncle Nick stood proudly in his own pirate costume. With a broad grin, he announced the start of the treasure hunt and began handing out maps to the eager participants.
"This treasure is as good as ours, Captain Clark," Alex joked, nudging me with his elbow. "Unless you're too distracted looking for a Daddy to notice the X on the map."
I laughed, shaking my head. "Please, I'm perfectly capable of multitasking. Finding treasure and ignoring your matchmaking attempts will be a breeze."
But Alex wasn't paying attention. His gaze was fixed on someone over my shoulder, a slow grin spreading across his face.
"Well, well," he murmured. "Looks like the real treasure might not be in a chest after all. Get a load of Tall, Dark and Handsome over there."
I turned to follow his line of sight and felt my breath catch in my throat. Standing a few yards away was quite possibly the most gorgeous man I had ever laid eyes on. He was dressed casually in a fitted black t-shirt and jeans, his chestnut hair artfully tousled, a hint of stubble lining his chiseled jaw. But it was his eyes that really captivated me - a striking blue, like the ocean on a stormy day, fringed by long, dark lashes.
As if sensing my gaze, those mesmerizing eyes suddenly locked with mine, sending a shiver down my spine. It was like an electric current had passed between us, a wordless acknowledgement of... what, exactly? Attraction? Interest? All I knew was that I suddenly felt very warm, my heart doing a funny little flip in my chest.
"Clark? Hello, earth to Clark!" Alex's amused voice snapped me out of my trance. I blinked, realizing I had been staring openly at the handsome stranger like a lovestruck teenager.
"What?" I stammered, feeling my cheeks flush with embarrassment.
Alex smirked knowingly. "I was just saying, looks like Prince Charming over there might need a tour guide. Maybe we should invite him to join our merry band of treasure hunters, hmm?"
"What? No!" I hissed, elbowing him sharply. "Are you crazy? We don't even know him."
"Exactly," Alex said brightly. "What better way to get to know him than a rousing adventure? Come on, Clark, live a little. When was the last time you even flirted with a guy, let alone one as smoking hot as that?"
The truth was, it had been a long time since I'd felt even a flicker of attraction to anyone. After Sterling, I had practically become a monk, throwing myself into my work, convincing myself I was better off alone.
"I don't know, Alex," I said uncertainly. "I'm not exactly skilled in the art of flirtation. What if I make a fool of myself?"
"Impossible," Alex declared. "You're a catch, Clark. And if Prince Charming over there has any sense, he'll see that too. Just be yourself. Your adorably awkward, nerdy, wonderful self."
I took a deep breath, steeling my nerves. "Okay," I said finally. "Okay, I'll do it. I'll ask him to join us. But you have to promise not to embarrass me, alright?"
"Scout's honor!" Alex said, holding up three fingers in a mock salute. "I'll be the very picture of discretion."
Somehow, I doubted that. But before I could lose my nerve, I was marching across the grass towards the object of my affection, my pulse pounding in my ears. The man looked up as I approached, a glimmer of curiosity in his stunning eyes.
"Hi there," I said, surprising myself with the steadiness of my voice. "I'm Clark. Couldn't help but notice you weren't dressed for the festivities. Didn't get the memo about the costume party?" I cringed inwardly at the lameness of my opening line.
But to my relief, the man chuckled, a deep, warm sound that made my toes curl in my boots. "Guess my invitation got lost in the mail," he said wryly. "I was just out for a jog and stumbled upon this merry gathering. I have to say, I'm feeling a bit underdressed now."
"Nonsense, you look great," I blurted out, then immediately wished I could sink into the ground.
The man's eyes sparkled with amusement, but there was no mockery in his gaze, only a gentle warmth that made my stomach flutter. "That's very kind of you to say," he murmured. "I'm Brody, by the way." He extended a hand, which I took in my own, marveling at the way his large palm enveloped mine.
"Brody," I repeated, liking the way his name felt on my tongue. "Nice to meet you. If you're not busy, would you maybe want to join my friend and I on this treasure hunt thingy? No pressure, of course. I just thought, the more the merrier and all that." I was rambling, and I knew it, but I couldn't seem to stop myself.
To my surprise, Brody's face lit up with a grin. "A treasure hunt? That sounds like fun! I'd love to join you guys, if you'll have me."
"Really?" I blinked, hardly daring to believe my luck. "I mean, yes. That would be great."
Just then, Alex bounded up to us, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Well, well, who do we have here?" he asked, looking Brody up and down appraisingly. "Didn't anyone tell you there's a dress code for this shindig, handsome?"
Brody laughed, running a hand through his artfully disheveled hair. "So I've been told. But I think I make a pretty dashing rogue even without the eyepatch and peg leg, don't you?"
"Oh, I definitely do," Alex purred, waggling his eyebrows suggestively. I shot him a warning glare, but he blithely ignored me. "Did Clark mention he's single, by the way? And a Gemini. Very compatible with Leos, I hear."
"Alex!" I yelped, my face instantly flaming crimson. Could he be any more obvious?
But Brody just smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Is that so?" he asked, his gaze never leaving mine. "I'll have to keep that in mind. I'm actually a Leo myself."
Was it my imagination, or did his voice drop an octave on that last sentence?
"Well, anyway," I said, trying valiantly to steer the conversation back to safer waters. "We should probably get started on this treasure hunt. Lots of clues to decipher, right?"
"Right you are, Captain Clark!" Alex said, giving me an exaggerated salute that nearly took out Brody's eye with his wing. "Onward to adventure. And maybe to love too, if the stars align." He shot me a wink.
I barely resisted the urge to facepalm. This was going to be a long day.
Alex sidled up to Brody with a mischievous grin as we followed the map to our clue. "So, Brody," he said, his voice dripping with false nonchalance, "are you single? Because my boy here is quite the catch, if I do say so myself. Talented graphic designer, killer sense of humor, and he can recite every line from The Princess Bride. What more could a man want?"
I shot Alex a desperate look, my eyes wide with panic. Was he seriously trying to sell me like a used car to this gorgeous stranger I'd just met? I made a frantic slashing motion across my throat, trying to signal him to cease and desist before he scared Brody off for good.
But Alex, being Alex, simply waggled his eyebrows at me and continued his sales pitch. "Plus, he's an excellent cuddler. Like, world-class snuggling skills. Just something to keep in mind, my good man."
That's it, I was going to murder my best friend with his own cheap plastic parrot beak. I grabbed Alex's arm and yanked him away from Brody, hissing through gritted teeth.
"Alex, seriously? You're laying it on a bit thick, don't you think?"
Alex just smirked. "Oh, I'm sorry, did you want me to be more subtle? Because I can totally do subtle. Watch this." He made to turn back to Brody, but I tightened my grip on his bicep.
"Alex, I swear to god, if you don't tone it down right now, I will tell everyone about the time you got drunk and made out with a mannequin at the mall," I threatened.
That wiped the grin off his face. "You wouldn't dare."
"Try me," I said, narrowing my eyes. "Now, can you please just let me handle this? I appreciate the wingman efforts, but I think I've got it from here."
Alex held up his hands in surrender. "Alright, message received. I'll back off, for now."
I breathed a sigh of relief as he sauntered off to examine a nearby tree, leaving me alone with Brody. I turned to him with an apologetic smile.
"Sorry about that," I said, rubbing the back of my neck sheepishly. "Alex can be a bit enthusiastic when it comes to my love life. Or lack thereof."
But Brody just chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "No worries, I think it's sweet that he cares so much. And for the record, I am single. Just throwing that out there."
I felt a flutter of hope in my chest at his words. Was he saying what I thought he was saying? Before I could overthink it, I blurted out, "Yeah? Well, me too. Single, that is. In case you were wondering."
Could I be any more awkward? I wanted to kick myself. But Brody just smiled, a slow, easy thing that made my knees feel a little weak.
"Good to know," he murmured, holding my gaze for a moment before looking back down at the map. "Now, where were we? Ah yes, the treasure. Onward!"
He said the last bit in an exaggerated pirate voice, making me laugh despite myself. Feeling a sudden surge of playfulness, I unsheathed my plastic sword from my belt and brandished it dramatically.
"Aye, onward to adventure!" I declared, swaggering forward with what I hoped was a rakish grin. "Keep an eye out, my loyal crew. Danger lurks around every corner!"
I continued my one-man pirate show as we traversed the park, ducking behind trees and calling out silly nautical phrases. I could hear Alex and Brody cracking up behind me, but I was too caught up in my own fun to care.
In fact, I was so engrossed in my fantasies that I completely failed to notice I was no longer being followed by my teammates. It wasn't until I reached a dead end at a dense set of trees that I realized I had wandered off the path and was now hopelessly lost.
"Alex? Brody?" I called out, spinning in a circle. But all I could see was an endless sea of greenery, the cheerful sounds of the festival long faded away. I was alone, in the middle of a huge wooded park, with no idea how to get back to my friends or the parking lot.
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I sank to the ground, my back against a towering oak tree. I felt so foolish, so childish for letting myself get carried away.
My hand drifted to my pocket, feeling for the secret stash I always carried with me for moments like these. I pulled out a colorful binky. I hated that I needed it, but I couldn't deny the instant wave of calm that washed over me as I slipped it between my lips, the familiar weight and texture soothing my frayed nerves.
I closed my eyes, letting my mind drift back to simpler times. Specifically, to the day I met Alex in our freshman graphic design class. I had been a wreck that first week of college, overwhelmed and out of my depth. But Alex had taken one look at me - all gangly limbs and nervous energy - and decided we were going to be best friends.
"You've got a good eye," he had told me, peering over my shoulder at the logo I was sketching. "Rough around the edges, but that's what I like about it. Stick with me, kid, and we'll take this place by storm."
And just like that, I had an ally, a partner in crime to navigate the treacherous waters of college with. Alex never once judged me for my quirks or anxieties - not even when he discovered my stack of pull-ups and sippy cups tucked away in my closet.
I could still remember the look on his face when he found them - not disgust or mockery, but something softer, almost tender. "Hey, no shame in needing a little comfort now and then," he said, tossing me a pack of dinosaur-printed training pants. "I still sleep with my ratty old teddy bear from kindergarten. We've all got our things."
He never minded discovering my Little side, like drinking out of sippy cups or snuggling with a stuffed animal at night. He accepted me for who I was, quirks and all. Even when the whispers started spreading around campus about the “closeted Little”, Alex shut that shit down with swiftness and ferocity.
"Anyone who has a problem with my boy Clark can take it up with me," he declared once in the cafeteria, glaring around the room. "And trust me, you do not want to see my angry kitten impersonation. I've been practicing."
I smiled around my binky now at the memory, a soft chuckle escaping my throat. Regressing to my Little state, I wanted nothing more than for Alex to appear and scoop me up in one of his trademark bear hugs, promising me everything would be alright.
A distant shout pierced through the haze of my daydream.
"Clark! Where are you, buddy?"
I jolted back to reality, hiding the binky in my pocket.
"Over here!" I called out, my voice cracking slightly. I cleared my throat and tried again. "By the big oak tree!"
A beat of silence, then the crashing of foliage and pounding of footsteps growing closer. I pushed myself to my feet just as Alex and Brody burst into the small clearing, their faces etched with concern.
"Jesus Christ, Clark, you scared the shit out of us!" Alex exclaimed, pulling me into a fierce hug. "We thought you'd been kidnapped by pirates or something."
Despite my embarrassment at being found in such a state, I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of his statement. "Alex, we're the pirates, remember?"
Brody was now approaching me with slow, measured steps, as if trying not to spook a frightened animal. "Hey," he said softly, his brow furrowed with gentle concern. "Are you alright? You look like you've been through the wringer."
I realized my face was still streaked with tears, my eyes red and puffy from crying. Mortified, I quickly swiped at my cheeks with the back of my hand, trying to erase the evidence of my childish breakdown.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I mumbled, avoiding his gaze. "Just got a little turned around, that's all. Stupid of me, really."
"It's not stupid at all," Brody assured me, pulling a brightly colored handkerchief from his pocket. "Here, why don't you dry your eyes with this? It's much softer than your sleeve."
I hesitated for a moment, torn between the desire to maintain some shred of dignity and the urge to accept his thoughtful gesture. In the end, I reached for the handkerchief, my fingers accidentally brushing against his in the process.
A jolt of electricity shot through me at the contact. Brody's skin was warm and slightly calloused. I wondered what those hands would feel like on other parts of my body.
"You know," Brody said, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "I've been known to get lost a time or two myself. Once, I accidentally wandered into the women's bathroom at a bar because I was too busy texting to pay attention to the signs."
I let out a surprised laugh, some of the tension easing from my shoulders. "Oh yeah? How'd that work out for you?"
He grinned, his eyes sparkling with mirth. "Let's just say I got a lot of strange looks and one very indecent proposal. Apparently, drunk girls really like a man who's confident enough to barge into their restroom uninvited."
"I can only imagine," I chuckled, shaking my head. "Well, I'm glad I'm not the only directionally challenged one here. Makes me feel a little less pathetic."
"Hey, you're not pathetic at all," Brody said firmly, holding my gaze. "You just got a little overwhelmed, that's all. It happens to the best of us. And listen, if you want, I can stick close by for the rest of the treasure hunt. You know, just in case you need a hand or a friendly face."
My heart skipped a beat at his offer, equal parts thrilled and terrified by the prospect of spending more time in his intoxicating presence. "Oh, you don't have to do that," I said, even as a traitorous part of me screamed yes please. "I don't want to be a burden."
"You could never be a burden," Brody insisted, taking a step closer. His proximity made my skin tingle with anticipation. "I'd be more than happy to be your personal bodyguard. Or navigator. Or whatever else you need me to be."
The low, suggestive timbre of his voice made heat pool in my belly, my mind conjuring all sorts of scandalous scenarios.