12. Brooke
Rookie: Laser tag this weekend?
Jay: Hell yeah.
Clay: I’m too old for this shit.
Atlas: Ask Nova what she thinks.
Clay: Nova wants to know if Brooke’s coming
Brooke: I could get out some aggression.
Clay: Then we’re coming.
Rookie: You’re so much more fun since you got married.
* * *
“You’re not so hard,” I mutter as I click on my tablet and navigate to my online banking.
Part of the appeal of beautiful outfits and filters is that you don’t have to look too hard at what’s underneath.
I’ve been afraid to go through my finances with clear eyes and face up to what things really cost, but I need to understand.
Now, I’m perched at my marble kitchen island with a drip coffee as I scan through my expenses.
There’s lots of travel. Dining out. But the biggest one is rent.
My two-bedroom apartment has been my happy place since I left college. My mom told me not to worry about the cost, so I didn’t.
The thought of losing it is impossible. It’s in a fabulous location, close to friends and shopping.
But as I compare my money coming in to what’s going out, it’s increasingly obvious that I need to not only step up my game going forward, but I might need to make magic happen to cover rent for the next few months.
My chest constricts at the idea of having to give up the life I took for granted.
I’m still struggling when a knock comes at my door. I answer it to find the concierge there with a wrapped box.
As a creator, I get mailed stuff from brands, but this is different. Simple, wrapped in brown paper. I rip the paper off.
Inside is a pair of sparkly red Louboutins.
I pick up the shoes and examine them. I can see the spot where they were mended. It”s barely visible, but it”s there. They look as good as new. Maybe even better than new. The stitching is tighter, the crystals shine with a new luster.
The small card with them reads:
Bent but not broken.
– M
Miles did this. He had my shoes fixed after the party.
I’m surprised, grateful, and touched.
As I slip the shoes on, I feel a sense of warmth spreading through me.
It’s such a small thing, but Kevin only made an effort when there was a public payoff, or if there was something in it for him.
This is a private detail that means the world.
I make my way back to the kitchen, my heels clicking on the tile as I whistle.
Last night, I caught the Kodiaks basketball game on TV. They were hosting a hungry Dallas team. Miles looked good out on the court. He was quick, agile, and his movements were fluid.
He’s figuring out his shit. I can too.
I shift back onto the upholstered stool and return to my laptop.
First, I finish the seating arrangement so I can’t help running into Elise.
I most definitely do not put Caroline and Kevin at our table.
Next, I pull together a mood board of ideas from Elise’s teasers of the upcoming launch.
Scanning other social media, I look for connections in her brand and target market.
I asked a few friends about the budget Elise’s company would probably have to hire a spokesmodel, and they confirmed that it’s big.
Exactly what I need to kick off the next phase of my life.
Which is why I review my social account with a careful eye, making sure I have the perfectly curated feed.
I can see which of the photos my mom’s campaign didn’t like.
To be safe, I archive them. Just temporarily.
I’m satisfied with my work and start to type a text to Miles.
Brooke: Thank you for the shoes. It was very thoughtful.
I’m about to hit Send when a new image shows up in my feed.
Judging from the angle, the picture of Aliya and Miles is a selfie taken with her phone, and posted with the caption “When you know…” with two heart emojis.
His arm is looped casually around her waist, and she’s pressing close to him, her hand possessively on his neck.
It douses me in frigid water, like the icy pond at the gardens.
He said they weren’t serious, but still, it’s a reminder.
He’s not really mine.
I stab the “unfollow” button—I only followed her in the first place because she’s local, in the industry, and her campaigns occasionally give me inspiration.
But the sudden wave of nausea tells me it’s no longer worth it.
Jay: Pick you up on the way to laser tag?
As I reach for my phone to reply to Jay, I see a message from Miles.
Miles: Need a ride to laser tag?
I shouldn’t want to be alone in a car with Miles when a woman is posting cute pics of them on social.
My fingers hover over the keyboard.
Brooke: I”m going with Jay. I’ll see you there.
* * *
When Jay and I arrive at the laser tag arena, Miles is waiting by his car in a white T-shirt and faded jeans, and he could be the boy next door.
If the boy next door had a wicked smile, A+ genes and a devout workout habit.
“Shit, I have to take this,” Jay says, motioning to his ringing phone.
I shut the car door and start toward the building without him.
”Hey Princess,” Miles says as I approach.
”Hi.” I’m distracted enough I don’t correct the nickname.
I stop a few feet away, trying to reestablish boundaries.
“How was your week?” His gaze searches mine.
“Good. Fine. Perfect.” I force a smile I don’t feel. “We should suit up.”
We head into the arena and meet the others.
When I get inside, they’re deciding house rules.
“Fouls are same as basketball,” Rookie says.
“No way. The ref last night was way too tight with his damn whistle. This is full contact. Retribution,” says Atlas.
“Says the man with an injury who can’t play,” Jay notes.
Atlas frowns. “It’s my shoulder. I can run fine.”
“No one touch Atlas. We need him back yesterday.” This is from Clay.
“You get the ref isn’t here, right? You can’t take him out.” Rookie talks over Clay to Atlas.
”You realize we”re not ten years old?” I taunt as I suit up.
“Maybe your girl should get a head start since she’s so tiny,” Jay says to Clay, glancing at Nova.
“My wife might be small but she’s fast,” Clay grunts.
Nova smiles sweetly and shoulders her rifle.
I feel Miles’s eyes on me as we get ready, but as we strap on our gear for the game, anticipation builds in me.
I”m ready to kick some ass.
“Let’s make it interesting,” Jay suggests. “Loser buys dinner.”
He names an expensive restaurant nearby.
The last thing I need is to pay for a pricey dinner, but I’m competitive.
We split up into teams. It”s Atlas, Rookie, Nova, and me. My brother has Miles, Chloe, Clay, and Sierra.
It”s intense, and I find myself dodging and weaving through obstacles, trying to avoid getting hit by the laser beams.
I take out Chloe first. It’s almost too easy.
My brother is my next target.
I”m excellent at hiding, but I have to run through an open area in pursuit of Jay.
Rookie”s laughter catches me off guard. He”s closing in.
I run into another figure and lose my balance, sprawling toward the floor, and the wind is knocked from my lungs when I hit the ground.
I gasp, but no sound comes out. It takes a minute for me to inhale normally, and when I do, I realize someone’s on top of me.
He’s straddling me, strong thighs on either side of my hips. His chest presses against my breasts, his warmth seeping through my clothing. His hand is on the floor next to my head.
”You all right?”Miles murmurs.
The walls around us are dark, the sound of shrieking and laughter in the background.But in this second, the game feels far away.
”No thanks to you.” My voice comes out like a whisper. “Goddamn, you’re heavy.”
He rolls me so I’m on top in a move that’s surprisingly agile.
“You’re mad.”
My pulse pounds as I try to collect my thoughts. I press the flat side of the rifle into his chest. “Are you going to shoot me, or is this chatting thing how you usually win at laser tag?”
Miles ignores my question. “Did they fix the shoes wrong?”
Dammit.
He shifts at the same time and my hand slips against his pec.
“They were fine. Better than fine.” His concern only annoys me more. “And I’m not ‘mad.’” I inhale roughly. “We’re not kids.”
I start to shift away but he rolls us once more so he’s on top.
Miles leans over me. “Extremely aware of that right now, Princess.”
There’s the usual teasing in his voice, plus a charged edge that’s new.
We’re playing a game, but it’s a different one from before.
My pulse doesn’t slow.
“You and Aliya looked pretty ‘more than casual’ on her socials.”
The moment I say it, I feel exposed. More so than I do beneath Miles on the hard floor.
My rifle is trapped at my side and he’s ignoring his. I squirm, trying to reach if but that only makes our good parts run distractingly.
“Aliya and I aren’t anything. I ended it.”
His words throw me even more than when he knocked me over.
“Why?”
Someone hoots in triumph.
“That was a cheap shot!” Nova wails in the distance.
My entire world is reduced to Miles’s body, and mine.
“Like you said. Bigger things to think about this year, Princess.”
I want to be annoyed with him, but my brain keeps repeating they’re not together like a mantra.
He shifts back on his heels, pulling me up to sitting with him with a hand on the back of my neck, another on my waist.
Somehow my shirt has risen up.
Miles smooths down my hair. His thumb brushes my jaw, careless and perfect.
I arch into his touch in the dark. A whimper escapes my throat before I can stop it.
Miles’s hand stills.
Fuck.
He totally heard that. Felt my response.
So much for trying to appear unaffected.
Hollering in the background splits the darkness as the Kodiaks search one another out.
The sound of footsteps running nearby enters my ears. It’s Rookie, coming to hunt me down.
“B, get up! I’ve got you!” Atlas is behind me, crowing.
Everything happens fast. Miles’s vest lights up, and he groans in defeat as he falls back.
Atlas helps me up and high-fives me once I”m standing. ”Hell yes!”
We won.
I turn and offer Miles a hand up. He takes it, nearly pulling me over as he uses it for leverage to rise.
His hand lingers in mine.
“Good game,” he says next to my ear.
My hand tingles.
I don’t know what game we’re playing anymore.
* * *
All the way through dinner, I find my attention lingering on Miles across the table, grinning and making everyone laugh.
I”m still thinking about the sensation of having his hard body against mine. How I got caught up in the moment, gave myself up to how good his hands felt touching me.
It was barely a touch. The guy fixed my shoes and tackled me to the ground and I’m suddenly hornier than I have been in months.
The stress is getting to me. I clearly need to blow off some steam. A little me time with a vibrator or two, maybe some light porn, and I’ll be a whole new woman.
When the bill comes, he’s the first to reach for it.
I fall into step with Nova on our way outside, talking about her plans for a new art exhibit.
“Hey, Brooke.” We glance back as Miles catches up to us.
He shrugs under his jacket, a lingering grin on his face from the round of jokes and ribbing inside.
Clay loops an arm around his wife, and they break off with the others. I glance back only to realize everyone’s out ahead of us.
“I was thinking about this sorority thing.” Miles pulls the collar of his jacket up.“It”s one thing if you have a date, but it”s better if you have a boyfriend.”
“A boyfriend?” I echo.
“Yeah. A serious one. You want to put on a good show in front of these sisters, then let’s go all the way.”
My mouth drops open.
“You want to be my fake boyfriend.” It sounds even crazier out loud.
“Why not?”
I laugh. “I have a lot riding on this, Miles. And you’re not capable of that kind of deception.”
“Act like I”m in head over heels for you? Like I have been for a while?” His smile is heart-stoppingly sexy. “Game on, Princess.”