Saving Little Clark (Brave Daddies #4)

Chapter 5 Clark

As we made our way back to the main path, our arms still linked, I found myself growing more and more at ease in his presence.

"So, Clark," Brody said, breaking the silence that had settled between us. "Tell me, what's the most adventurous thing you've ever done? And no, getting lost in the woods for ten minutes doesn't count."

I laughed, bumping my shoulder against his playfully. "Damn, there goes my go-to story. Let's see... Oh, I know! One time, in college, Alex convinced me to go skydiving with him. I was absolutely terrified, but he kept insisting it would be a 'bonding experience' or whatever."

Brody's eyebrows shot up, clearly impressed. "Wow, that's hardcore. And here I thought you were just a mild-mannered Clark Kent type."

"I'll have you know I'm full of surprises," I said, giving him a coy smile. "I may not be Superman, but I've got a few hidden talents up my sleeve."

"Is that so?" Brody murmured, his gaze drifting deliberately down to my lips before flicking back up to meet my eyes. "I'd love to discover some of those talents."

I felt a shiver run down my spine at his suggestive tone, my skin prickling with goosebumps. "Play your cards right, and maybe you will," I replied, surprising myself with my own boldness.

Brody grinned, his hand tightening briefly on my arm. "I'll keep that in mind. But anyway, back to this skydiving story. How was it? Did you piss your pants or anything?"

"Hey, my bladder control is just fine, thank you very much!" I said indignantly, swatting at his delectable chest. "But no, I managed to keep my dignity intact. Mostly. I may have screamed like a little girl when we first jumped out of the plane, but in my defense, we were plummeting towards the earth at terminal velocity."

"Fair enough," Brody chuckled. "I probably would have passed out on the spot. Heights and I don't exactly get along."

"Aww, is the big, strong pirate afraid of a little altitude?" I teased, fluttering my lashes at him.

"I prefer to keep my feet on solid ground, or the deck of a sturdy ship," he said, puffing out his chest in an exaggerated display of machismo. "Leave the death-defying stunts to you daredevils."

Of course, Alex picked up on the charged energy between us right away. He kept shooting me these knowing looks, waggling his eyebrows and making kissy faces when Brody wasn't looking. I tried to convey my annoyance through subtle glares and head shakes, but he cheerfully ignored my silent pleas to cut it out.

"You two seem to be getting along well," he remarked casually, falling into step beside us. "I'm sensing a real connection here. A meeting of the minds, if you will."

"Alex," I said through gritted teeth, my eyes promising bloody murder. "Don't you have a treasure to find or something?"

"All in good time, my dear Clarkie," he replied breezily. "I'm just making an observation. You know, as your best friend and wingman extraordinaire, it's my duty to support and facilitate any potential romantic developments in your life."

Brody, the traitor, just laughed. "Is that so? Well, I appreciate your diligence, Alex. It's good to know Clark has someone looking out for his best interests."

I was saved from having to respond to that by a voice calling out Brody's name. We turned to see a tall, handsome man with artfully tousled dark hair and a neatly trimmed beard striding towards us, his expression equal parts exasperated and amused.

"There you are, man," the newcomer said, clapping Brody on the shoulder. "I've been looking all over for you. What happened to meeting at the coffee cart?"

"Sorry, Will," Brody said, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "I got a little sidetracked."

Will's gaze slid over to me and Alex, his eyebrows lifting slightly. "I can see that. Who are your new friends?"

"Oh, right! Will, this is Clark and Alex. We met at the treasure hunt thing. Guys, this is my buddy Will. We work together."

"Charmed, I'm sure," Will said dryly, giving us a brief nod. His eyes lingered on Alex, raking over his colorful parrot costume with thinly veiled disdain. "Nice outfit. Very festive."

Alex, never one to back down from a challenge, tilted his chin up defiantly. "Thanks, I made it myself. The ladies love a man who's confident enough to rock some feathers."

"Do they now?" Will drawled, crossing his arms over his chest. "And here I thought they preferred a man with some actual taste and style."

"Oh, I've got plenty of both," Alex fired back, planting his hands on his hips. "But I wouldn't expect a stuffed shirt like you to recognize true fabulousness when he sees it."

I watched in fascinated horror as the two men glared at each other, the air practically crackling with tension. But beneath the hostility, I detected a subtle undercurrent of... could it be? Attraction?

Brody leaned in close, his breath tickling my ear as he whispered, "Is it just me, or do those two totally want to bang?"

I let out a startled laugh, clapping a hand over my mouth to muffle the sound. "I was just thinking the same thing," I whispered back. "It's like watching a nature documentary about angry, horny birds."

"Should we intervene before they start pecking each other's eyes out?" Brody asked, his eyes dancing with mirth.

But as it turned out, our concern was unnecessary. Will and Alex's verbal sparring match had somehow morphed into a heated discussion about the merits of different fabric dyes, of all things.

"Synthetic is far more consistent and cost-effective," Will argued, jabbing a finger at Alex's chest. "Not to mention more environmentally friendly. Or do you enjoy contributing to water pollution?"

"Oh, so now you're an eco-warrior?" Alex scoffed. "That's rich, coming from a man wearing leather shoes. Do you know how many innocent cows died for your fancy footwear?"

Will threw his head back and laughed at something Alex said, the sound rich and genuine. Alex looked momentarily startled, then pleased, a slow grin spreading across his face.

"Well, well," I said, smirking up at Brody. "Looks like we might not be the only ones feeling a spark today."

"Hey lovebirds!" Alex's voice cut through our charged moment like a bucket of ice water. "If you're done making googly eyes at each other, we've got a treasure to find!"

"We were not making googly eyes!" I sputtered, glaring daggers at my best friend.

Alex just smirked, clearly not buying it. "Sure you weren't, Clarkie. Just like you weren't drooling over Brody earlier when he bent over to tie his shoe."

"Alex!" I yelped.

"Oh really?" Brody drawled, arching a brow at me. "See something you like, Clark?"

Alex, the absolute bastard, jumped in before I could formulate a reply. "Oh, he definitely likes what he sees," he said, winking at Brody. "In fact, our boy Clark here has been single for so long, I'm pretty sure his right hand is about to stage a mutiny."

I gasped, torn between throttling Alex and melting into a puddle of mortified goo. "Please kill me now," I whimpered, burying my burning face in my hands.

But Brody, bless his heart, just laughed.

We set off through the park, following the clues on our treasure map with renewed enthusiasm. The first led us to a towering oak tree, where we found a small pouch of gold chocolate coins dangling from a branch. The second brought us to a burbling fountain, a plastic treasure chest filled with costume jewelry submerged beneath the sparkling water.

Each discovery was met with whoops of joy and triumphant high-fives. Even Will seemed to be getting into it, his earlier grumpiness replaced by a fierce determination to win. He and Alex made a surprisingly effective team, their bickering giving way to grudging respect and even a hint of camaraderie.

Finally, after what felt like hours of crisscrossing the park, we arrived at the X marked on our map - a secluded grove of trees near the edge of the lake. There, half-buried in the soft earth, was an ornate wooden box, its surface worn smooth with age.

Brody dropped to his knees to dig the box free. We crowded around him, jostling for a better look as he lifted the lid with a flourish. Inside, nestled on a bed of shimmery fabric, was an assortment of old-fashioned candy and glittering trinkets - a plastic tiara, a fake pearl necklace, a handful of gold-foil-wrapped chocolate coins.

"We did it!" Alex whooped, pumping his fist in the air.

In a fit of elation, Brody leapt to his feet and swept me into his arms, lifting me clear off the ground and spinning me around. I let out a yelp of surprise, instinctively clinging to his broad shoulders as the world tilted and blurred around us.

"Put me down, you lunatic," I laughed breathlessly, my heart pounding against my ribs. But even as I said it, I found myself wanting to stay right where I was, wrapped in his strong embrace, my body pressed flush against his.

Brody just grinned up at me, his eyes sparkling with mirth and something deeper, something that made my stomach swoop. "But you fit so perfectly in my arms," he teased, giving me a gentle squeeze. "Like you were made to be here."

"You're ridiculous," I mumbled.

"Ridiculously charming, you mean," he quipped, finally setting me back on my feet with obvious reluctance. His hands lingered on my waist a beat too long to be purely friendly, his thumbs stroking over my hipbones through the thin fabric of my shirt.

"Get a room, you two!" Alex called, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.

"Ignore him," Will said, rolling his eyes. "He's just jealous because he hasn't been swept off his feet in ages. Too busy mooning over his own reflection, I suspect."

"Excuse you, my reflection is a work of art,” Alex huffed, striking a pose. "And I'll have you know I get plenty of action, thank you very much. The ladies love a man with plumage."

Hand in hand, we made our way over to where Uncle Nick was waiting by the makeshift podium, the other teams gathering around in anticipation. When we brandished our treasure box, the crowd erupted in cheers and applause, a sea of smiling faces and waving arms.

Nick ushered us up onto the podium, draping medals around our necks and plopping pirate hats on our heads. I beamed out at the crowd, my earlier self-consciousness forgotten in the thrill of victory. Beside me, Brody stood tall and proud, his arm slung casually around my shoulders, his warmth seeping into my skin like sunshine.

As the excitement died down and people began to disperse, I turned to him with a sudden surge of nerves, my throat tightening. "So, um... I had a really great time today," I said, fiddling with the edge of my medal. "With you, I mean. Not just the treasure hunt, but everything."

Brody's eyes softened, his smile turning gentle. "Me too," he murmured, reaching out to tuck a stray curl behind my ear. "In fact, I was hoping we could do it again sometime. Without the costumes and the crowds, maybe. Just you and me."

My heart stuttered in my chest, hope blooming bright and fierce. "Yeah?" I breathed, hardly daring to believe it. "I'd like that. A lot."

"Then it's a date," he said, his grin widening. He pulled out his phone, handing it to me with a wink. "Put your number in there. I'll call you later to set something up."

With shaking fingers, I typed my contact info into his phone, a giddy little thrill zipping through me at the thought of seeing him again, of exploring this crackling chemistry between us in a more intimate setting.

Of course, Alex chose that exact moment to butt in, draping himself over my shoulders with a sly grin. "Ooh, are we exchanging digits?" he cooed, batting his lashes at Brody. "You know, as Clark's best friend and wingman, it's my duty to vet any potential suitors. Make sure they're worthy of my precious boy's time and affection."

I groaned, shrugging him off with a scowl. "Alex, I swear to god-"

But Brody just laughed, taking it in stride. "I assure you, my intentions are nothing but honorable," he said, holding up a hand as if taking an oath. "I solemnly swear to treat Clark like the treasure he is, should he deem me worthy of his company."

"Damn straight," Alex said, giving him an approving nod. "You break his heart, I break your kneecaps. Capiche?"

"Alex!" I yelped, mortified. But Brody just nodded solemnly, his eyes dancing with mirth.

"Understood," he said, mock-saluting. "I'll guard his heart with my life, on my honor as a gentleman and a pirate."

Just then, Will sidled up to Alex, his expression uncharacteristically hesitant. "So, speaking of exchanging numbers," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I was thinking maybe I could get yours? You know, in case I ever need fashion advice from a tacky parrot."

Alex blinked, looking momentarily taken aback. Then, to my utter shock, a slow, pleased flush crept over his cheeks, turning them a soft pink.

"Oh," he said, sounding oddly flustered. "Sure. I mean, who else is going to save you from your tragic lack of style, right?"

As he fumbled for his phone, I leaned in close to Will, dropping my voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Just so you know, Alex is totally single," I said, feeling a wicked thrill of glee at the chance to give my meddlesome friend a taste of his own medicine. "And he definitely thinks you're cute, even if he won't admit it. He's got a thing for tall, dark, and snarky."

Will's eyebrows shot up, a surprised grin tugging at his mouth. "Oh really? How interesting."

Alex, who had overheard the exchange, shot me a look of pure betrayal. "Clark!" he hissed, his blush deepening to a flaming scarlet. "What the hell, man?"

I just smirked, feeling smug. "Payback's a bitch, isn't it?" I whispered, patting him on the shoulder. "Consider this karma for all the times you've embarrassed me in front of cute guys."

As Alex sputtered indignantly, Will tapped his number into his phone, his lips twitching with amusement. "There," he said, handing it back with a wink. "I expect regular updates on the latest tropical bird fashion trends."

"Looks like I'm not the only one who scored a potential date today," I teased, elbowing Alex in the ribs. "Better start brushing up on your mating dances, buddy. You'll need to bring your A-game to keep up with that one."

Alex just flipped me off, still blushing furiously. But I could see the beginnings of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes.

As the post-hunt festivities kicked into gear, the four of us made our way over to the refreshment table, drawn by the tantalizing aroma of buttery popcorn and sweet cotton candy. My stomach growled loudly.

"Easy there, tiger," Alex teased, elbowing me in the ribs. "Don't want to scare off your new beau with your ravenous appetite."

Brody chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he watched me load up on junk food. "I like a man with a healthy appetite," he said, winking at me. "Means you've got stamina where it counts."

I nearly choked on a mouthful of popcorn, my face flaming. Alex cackled gleefully, slapping Brody on the back.

"Oh, I like you," he said, grinning. "Anyone who can make Clark blush like a schoolgirl is alright in my book."

We settled onto a nearby picnic blanket. By the time we were done, a familiar voice rang out over the loudspeaker.

"Attention, guys!" Uncle Nick called in a jovial tone. "I hope you’ve had your fill, because it's time for our final event of the evening. An outdoor screening of the timeless classic, The Princess Bride."

A cheer went up from the crowd, followed by a flurry of excited chatter. I felt a thrill of anticipation zip through me. It was one of my all-time favorite movies.

I turned to Brody, suddenly feeling bold. "Hey," I said, trying to sound casual even as my heart raced. "Do you want to stick around and watch the movie with us?”

I bit my lip, feeling awkward and unsure. But Brody just smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners in that way that made my stomach flutter.

"I'd love to," he said softly, reaching out to tuck a stray curl behind my ear. His fingers lingered on my skin. "Let me just make a quick call to cancel my other plans, okay? I'll be right back."

As he stepped away, his phone already pressed to his ear, I felt a giddy rush of warmth bloom in my chest. He was cancelling his plans for me?

Alex, of course, picked up on my dopey grin immediately. "Well, well, well," he said, smirking. "Looks like someone's got himself a movie date. And here I thought you were just talking."

I rolled my eyes, shoving him lightly. "Shut up," I muttered, fighting back a smile. "It's not a date, it's just hanging out. As friends."

"Sure, sure," he said, nodding sagely. "Just like Will and I are 'friends' who just happen to be sitting very close together on this cozy little blanket."

I glanced over at Will, who was watching Alex with an amused expression. "Hey, I never said I wanted to be your friend, birdbrain," he said, quirking an eyebrow. "I'm just here for the free entertainment. And maybe the eye candy, if you play your cards right."

Alex let out a squawk of indignation, his face flushing beneath his bright plumage. "Excuse you!" he said, puffing out his chest. "I am not just a piece of meat, sir. I am a highly sought-after commodity on the dating scene. A real catch, if you will."

"Oh, I'll catch you alright," Will purred, leaning in close. "Hook, line, and sinker. But only if you ask nicely."

I watched, fascinated, as the two of them dissolved into a rapid-fire back-and-forth of flirtatious quips and barbs, their eyes locked on each other with an intensity that made the air around us practically crackle with tension.

As much as they tried to deny it, it was clear that there was a real spark between them, a chemistry that went beyond simple attraction.

Brody reappeared at my side, his phone tucked back into his pocket. "All set," he said, smiling down at me. "Ready to watch some classic cinema with me?"

"Always," I said, feeling a smile of my own stretch across my face. "Just don't judge me too harshly if I cry at the end, okay? I'm a total sap for happy endings."

"Duly noted," he chuckled, slipping his hand into mine and giving it a gentle squeeze. "I make no promises not to tease you mercilessly, though."