Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
Rhodes
When I heard the knock on my door, I sat straight up on my couch and paused the movie. Who the hell could that be? I never had visitors, never invited anyone over, so for someone to be at my door was fucking weird.
I stood up with a large sigh, careful not to put any pressure on my hurt hand, the pain still unbearable without any pain medication.
The knock came again. “Relax, I’m coming.” I shouted as I made my way to the front door.
Grasping the doorknob, I yanked the door open, annoyed by the unexpected visitor, ready to give whoever was standing there a tongue lashing.
Until I saw her.
Brielle.
What is she doing here? How does she know where I live?
She stood on my doorstep with several bags in her hands and a large smile on her face. “Hi! I hope I’m not interrupting anything, but I wanted to see how you were doing.”
My stupid mouth betrayed me by stretching into a smile that I wiped off my face as quickly as I could. “I’m okay. How’d you get my address?”
“A lady never tells her secrets. Can I come in? I brought food, including dessert. And I’ll change your bandage if you need me to.”
Her generosity had me so floored that I let it go she somehow found out my information. It wasn’t that hard in a small town.
My biggest question was why? Why was she doing all of this for me? She barely knew me. People weren’t just this kind.
“Why are you doing all of this, Brielle?”
Her smile faltered. “Because I want to. You seem like you need some help, and I love cooking anyway so?—”
“I don’t need help. I don’t need your help or anyone else’s for that matter.” My gruff tone caused her to take a step back and instant regret filled me, my shoulders sagging. I ran my good hand through my hair and down my jaw, tugging at my beard. “Fuck, I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve that. Come in.”
I stepped back and waved her inside. A part of me thought she’d turn around and walk away and hell I wouldn’t blame her if she did.
But instead, she walked right in and stopped just inside the doorway to remove her shoes. “Show me where the kitchen is.” Her voice less gentle but still kind.
Stop being a dick already Rhodes. Your mama taught you better than that.
I led her through my living room and into the kitchen where Brielle placed the bags on the counter. She unpacked them without a word, and I watched her set the dishes down, three casserole ones and a smaller one I’m assuming was dessert. Lastly, she pulled out a bag with the Appleridge pharmacy logo on it.
“You really didn’t have to go to all this trouble.”
“It wasn’t any trouble at all. My roommate is out for the night, so I needed to keep busy. Are you hungry now? I can dish up some lasagna? Or some chicken noodle casserole?”
My stomach grumbled at the delicious smells filling the kitchen. “I’d love some lasagna.”
“Sure thing. Coming right up. Just point me in the direction of plates and silverware.”
I showed her where I kept everything and got her out a serving spoon. She scooped me out a large piece and a smaller one for her. “It’s still a bit warm, but you might want to heat it up.”
“I’m sure it’s great.” I said as I took a seat at the table. One bite sold me on her cooking, the Italian herbs and spices dancing with my taste buds. “Wow, this is delicious.”
“Why thank you. Does the grumpy man know how to be nice?” Brielle teased as she sunk into the seat across from me.
“Very funny.” I huffed before shoving another forkful of lasagna in my mouth.
Brielle ate her meal slower than me, a delighted look on her face as she watched me devour her food. “One of the best parts of cooking is watching someone else enjoy your food. It makes it all worth it.”
I chuckled to myself. This woman. So full of surprises. “Is it? I wouldn’t know. I’ve only cooked for myself for the past ten years or so.”
“I’d love to try your cooking.”
“It’s nothing exciting, believe me. Just the basics.”
“I doubt you’re giving yourself enough credit. So have you changed your bandage at all?”
“I think you know the answer to that.”
“Okay. Then I’ll change it after dessert. You have to promise not to pass out on me this time though.”
“I’ll do my best.” I finished off my lasagna and got up to get seconds.
Brielle radiated so much happy energy, it was damn near contagious. She watched me with amusement as I filled up my plate with a heaping serving of lasagna and she continued to watch me as I finished it off within a few minutes.
“Wow, you must’ve liked it a lot.”
“It was delicious. Thank you.”
“The third casserole in Shepard’s pie. A simple one yet a classic.”
“I love Shepard’s pie. My mom—” I choked on the words in my throat, the memory from my childhood bringing me right back. I could almost smell the hamburger cooking and the veggies sautéing.
Brielle waited for me to finish, not once trying to rush the words she could tell I was having trouble saying.
I cleared my throat and stood up, gathering our dishes with my good hand. “My mom made it a lot when I was growing up. It was one of our favorites.”
“Aw, that’s sweet. Does she live around here? I can save her some if you’d like.” Brielle said as she came up behind me.
I dropped the plates in the sink, a little too harshly, and they clattered against the metal. Brielle jumped back.
“Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to drop them like that.” I took a deep breath. “My mom…my mom passed away a while back. It’s hard for me to talk about.”
Brielle placed her hand on my arm and while normally I’d flinch away from someone else’s touch, hers felt nice. Warm. Comforting. “I’m so sorry, Rhodes.”
“Thanks. I miss her a lot. She raised me here in Appleridge and I feel her here with me. I have so many memories in town of me as a little boy with her.”
Brielle listened, her hand rubbing my arm with soft strokes, only her fingers brushing against my flannel shirt. “Aw, that’s so sweet. I bet she’s with you here. Every day.”
I turned and faced her, my eyes searching hers, so many feelings, feelings I never wanted to feel, pulsating between us.
How does she manage to work her way in?
I took a step, closing the distance between us, the fantasy of kissing her on repeat in my head.
Closer, closer…
But then the pain and hurt from past memories crashed over me and I backed up. Opening up meant getting hurt. I couldn’t do it again. “I’m sorry, but you should probably go.”
“But we haven’t even had dessert yet. And I haven’t changed your bandage.”
“I said just go, Brielle. I’m no good for you. You’re beautiful and kind and sweet and have so much light while I’m…I’m darkness. I’m grumpy, harsh, a loner. I’d only bring you down and dull your shine. It wouldn’t be fair to you, Brielle. My cold walls are no match for the warmest sunshine. Even sunshine as bright as yours.”