Chapter Thirty-Nine
Lexi
I’ve been dipped before, but not by Brock. There’s something different about his dips from the rest of the guys. I don’t know what it is, but I like it. A lot. There are so many raw emotions in his eyes. I love seeing Brock like this.
It’s like we’re in some sort of trance as we gaze at each other. Or like we’re in another world.
One of the guys clears his throat. Brock blinks, like he’s snapping back into this world, and sets me on my feet.
We continue dancing with our friends, having a good time. Brock’s smiling more than I’ve seen him smile in weeks and that makes me feel all tingly inside. He said he wants to be himself again. I think this is definitely helping.
He must notice me staring at him because he lifts a brow. He shifts over to me as he dances, bends close, and whispers, “Do I have something on my face?”
“Yeah, an adorable smile.”
He frowns. “Adorable?”
I lightly bump my hip into him. “Yes, adorable.”
He smiles that sweet, special smile of his and catches my hand, spinning me around a few times. I’m so not ready for that and lose my balance, crashing into his chest. His arms come around me. “Darn it. Why am I so bad at this? Sorry.”
I laugh as I press my face into his strong chest that smells so familiar and comforting. “Told you that you should have taken dance lessons with us.”
His chest rumbles as he joins my laughter. “And give up my books? Heck no.”
Glancing up, my smile widens. “Remind me never to come between Brock and his books.”
He lifts his finger to stroke my cheek. “I’ll make an exception for you. Only you.”
My cheeks warm. I don’t have a chance to respond because Vice Principal Rivera announces that it’s time for everyone to start going home.
There’s a collective groan from everyone. Even the guys grunt in frustration. Brock and I glance at one another, and from the expression in his eyes, I know he’s just as disappointed as I am that this amazing night has to come to an end. But I’m also looking forward to that conversation we need to have.
The vice principal shoos the kids who don’t move. With more grumbles, the students start to disperse.
The guys and I make our way to the parking lot. I spot Brock’s bike a few feet away from Finn’s van and I notice Brock follows my gaze. He gives me a shy smile. “Do you want me to take you home or are you going with the guys?”
“Are you kidding? Of course I want to ride with you on your bike.”
“Have fun, kids,” Cooper says as he slaps Brock’s hand and gives me a quick hug. The rest of them wish us good night before getting into Finn’s van.
Brock and I face each other. He pushes some bangs out of his eyes, adjusting his helmet under his arm. “Ready to go?”
“More than ready.” Walking over to the bike, I run my hand along it. “I’ve missed you.”
Brock comes to stand next to me. “It missed you, too. A lot.” His cheeks redden. “It actually…it was very lonely riding my bike all by myself. Felt like someone special was missing.” His eyes meet mine and he gives me another shy smile.
My insides once again get all tingly. “Special person? Me?”
He faces me, pushing some curls away from my face. “Of course, Lexi.” He gives me a cheeky smile. “It’s not like I let just anyone ride on my bike.”
I lift a brow. “Oh, really?”
He steps closer, taking my hand. “Really.” Still holding my hand, he brings me to the bike and helps me get on. “Sorry you don’t have your helmet. I swear I won’t let anything happen to you.”
I place my hand on his arm. “I trust you with my life.”
His eyes widen a little, but he nods seriously. After putting on his helmet, he swings his leg over his bike and climbs on.
I wrap my arms around his waist, once again feeling his strong muscles.
“Hold on as tightly as you can,” he tells me.
I squeeze even tighter and he laughs. “Not that tight! You know, my mom used to say she was making orange juice out of my dad when she held on too tightly.”
I loosen my hold and press my face into his back. “I don’t want to make Brock orange juice.”
“That’s better, but hold on just a tiny bit tighter.”
I do as he says. “You don’t have to worry. I won’t fall off.”
He turns his head a little, probably to check if everything is okay and that I’m holding on properly. “Okay. Ready?”
“More than ever!”
Another rumble goes through him as he chuckles, then he revs the engine and takes off. Whoa! I forgot just how much fun it is to ride behind him on his bike. The wind blows through my curls, messing them up even more than before. The wind is also blowing through my dress, but luckily, it’s not too bad.
“It’s so different at night,” I call to him. “Peaceful, but also a little scary because it’s so dark.”
He nods. “Yeah, I have to be very careful when I drive at night. Are you okay back there?”
I squish myself as close to him as I can. “Totally okay. This is the perfect ending to an already perfect night.”
“Only because you’re here.”
I give him another squeeze, but not too tightly because I don’t want to make orange juice from him.
Why is it that all good things must come to an end? If it was up to me, I’d ride with him on the bike forever. But it’s late and I don’t want my mom to worry about me. Also, I’m a little wiped from all that dancing.
Brock pulls up before my house and cuts the engine. I climb off, and then he does as well. He pulls his helmet off, placing it on the bike.
He turns to me with a smile. “I had a wonderful time tonight, Lexi. Thanks.” He steps closer to me, enveloping me in his arms.
I hold onto him, burying my face in his chest. “I had an amazing time tonight, too. Really, Brock. I didn’t expect it to be so...magical.”
He holds me close. “Magical doesn’t even come close to what it was,” he murmurs.
His words make butterflies invade my stomach. I’m so glad I listened to my heart and have decided he is the guy for me. There’s only him and no one else.
I draw back and play with the hair at the nape of his neck. “I wish we could live in the moment forever, but we need to have that talk.”
He nods.
“Does tomorrow sound good?” I ask.
“Sure. Do you want me to come to your house? Or would you rather us talk on the phone?”
I shake my head. “This needs to be done in person. If you don’t mind coming over.”
He takes me in his arms again, pressing his cheek to mine. “Of course I don’t mind. You know I’d do anything for you.”
“And I’d do anything for you.”
We stay in each other’s arms for a long time. It’s not until the front door of my house opens and Mom comes out that we remember we’re hugging outside.
“Lexi?” Mom asks.
Brock’s arms slowly drop from around me and we step away from each other. Mom seems a bit surprised, but happy as well to see me and Brock together. I haven’t really updated her on how I feel about Brock yet. Because I didn’t know until his evening how I truly felt about him.
Brock and Mom talk for a bit before it’s time for him to go home. I’m a little sad, but I’ll see him again tomorrow.
Mom returns inside, leaving Brock and me alone. He puts on his helmet, lifting the visor. His eyes are so bright and blue, even in the dark. “Have a good night, Lexi.”
I fling my arms around him. “You, too.” I find an empty spot of skin at the bottom of his neck and give him a light kiss. “That’s meant for your cheek.”
He laughs. “See you tomorrow?”
“See you tomorrow.”
His eyes narrow as he thinks. “But not too early. It’s Sunday.”
“Of course not. We can’t disturb Brock’s beauty sleep.”
He laughs again, then climbs on the bike.
“Drive safely,” I tell him.
“Always.” He waves, then revs the engine and zooms off. I watch him for a bit before entering my house. Mom’s at the window.
“What are you doing?” I ask. “You never peek out the window like that.”
“I couldn’t help myself. I got excited when I saw you with Brock.” She smiles. “So does this mean you and him are…?”
I head to the fridge for a drink. “We danced together and had a really good time. He’s coming over tomorrow to talk.”
“That’s great.”
I smile. “He’s the only guy for me, Mom. I’ve known it all along, but I guess I was too scared or confused to admit it. But I’m not scared or confused anymore.”
She stretches her arm around me. “I’m happy that you’re happy.”
I release a breath. “The only question is if he’s ready to be with me.”
She plays with my hair as she thinks. “That’s why it’s important for you kids to talk. Tell him how you feel and encourage him to be open with you.”
I nod.
We sit at the table and I tell her every single detail about the dance. Mom is so happy for me and tells me about memories she and Dad shared when they went to high school dances.
Then I get ready for bed and as I drift off to sleep, all I think about is Brock and the magnificent time we shared tonight.