17. Bodhi
17
BODHI
M y fingers tap against the steering wheel in the parking lot of the gas station. Ella hadn’t even stirred when I’d pulled over. She’d looked worse when she got out of the shower, her eyes red and puffy, those beautiful brown orbs never meeting mine as she scurried around the room, packing the few things she’d taken out.
She hadn’t even fought me when I’d taken the keys, promptly passing out as soon as we’d gotten on the highway.
“When’s the last time you saw him?”
“It’s been about a year.”
Would I let a year go by without seeing Mason? Hell, until he was with Lana, we’d barely spent a night not under the same roof.
The thought lands like a lead balloon in my stomach as I glance over to the passenger seat where she’s curled up fast asleep. She looks nothing like I did yesterday, the sheer anxiety sending me into a spiral that had landed me in bed and praying for relief.
She’d taken care of me.
And then let me touch her…the memory burned into my soul like a brand.
God, she felt so good.
I should just get her home and hope that she can make it back to see him but…
I look at her again, her brows knitted together and her lips pursed like even in her dreams she can’t escape the sadness of missing him.
Fuck it.
BODHI: Change of plans
SORREN: Again? How are you feeling?
BODHI: I’m fine
BODHI: You know where Trappers Ridge, NC is?
SORREN: Never heard of it
BODHI: It’s like five hours from here
SORREN: And…
BODHI: Her cousin came home and surprised everyone—he’s in the military. He’ll be gone before we can get the counter, get home, and back out there.
SORREN: I’ll ignore that “we” for right now
Thank God.
SORREN: Go. I’ll call the guy and let him know you’ll be in when you can.
BODHI: Thanks
SORREN: I think she’s good for you
BODHI: We’re just friends
Friends.
The word seems so casual when it’s taken me years to let anyone besides Mason get close to me.
SORREN: Yeah, I was just friends with Rhea too
BODHI: We’re not doing this right now
SORREN: Fine but I’m saying I told you so when the time comes
BODHI: Can’t wait
SORREN: Text me when you get there
BODHI: Okay…
SORREN: Listen–you don’t just grow out of being protective, you just transfer it, so you’re welcome.
I want to be annoyed, but I can’t because the warmth spreading through my chest is too great.
BODHI: I’ll let you know when we get there.
SORREN: Thanks man, be safe
BODHI: I will
Grabbing my earbuds from my jacket, I pop them in and then push the call button as I ease out of the parking lot.
“Hey, brother, how’s the trip?” Mason’s voice is bright and happy like it always is, even more now that he’s found his forever.
“Hey, I need a favor,” I tell him as quietly as I can with Ella asleep.
“Name it.” It’s suddenly quiet on his end, like he walked out of the room to make sure he didn’t miss anything.
I recount the story of the last twenty-four hours to him—the drive, the accident that Ella had avoided, the hotel, and the call she’d gotten this morning.
“The roads are shit and I need you to?—”
“I’m here, man; how long we got?”
Swallowing hard, I grip the steering wheel, the leather squeaking under my hands. “Five hours.”
“Cool. Hey guys,” Mason says loudly, even though I can tell that he’s pulled the phone away from him. “Uncle Bodhi is on the line and he’s gonna hang out with us while he’s driving. Roads are bad so he probably won’t do much talking, but we can keep him company, right?”
“Hi, Uncle Bodhi!” Holland’s sweet voice fills the line, and I can’t help but smile.
“Hey, Sweetheart, how are you?”
“Good! We’re making waffles! And did you know the science fair is next week? I can’t wait to show them my solar system!”
She squeals and carries on about painting the Styrofoam balls and using wires to attach everything together. It reminds me of the time I helped Mason make one of those vinegar and baking soda volcanos.
He placed third for his grade, and I took him out for ice cream after school. It felt like a win for both of us that day.
Settling into the seat, I listen to Beck talk about the lifting program he’s doing for football and the girl he’s taking to the winter formal. Lana grumbles in the background, but I know she’s excited to fuss over him.
Lana humors me too, telling me about the book club meeting they just had and how Cal and Ellison got into a heated argument over the logistics of a particular sex scene while the rest of them just watched the entertainment. The book Sorren had given me is still in my bag, and I wonder what Lana and Mason would think about me reading a romance book.
Or that Sorren Mackay had forced me into his book club.
When did my life get so fucking weird?
And, honestly, awesome.
I’m so damn lucky and I know that. It’s just hard to let myself feel it—own it.
They talk to me for hours, all of them taking turns until the weather clears and I can breathe a little easier. I’ve only just hung up the call when Ella finally stirs.
”Where are we?” she asks sleepily, rubbing her eyes as she moves around in her seat.
“We took a detour.”
“A detour? Where?”
Unable to find the words, I nod at the approaching road sign, the one that’s welcoming us to North Carolina, and watch as Ella’s mouth falls open and her eyes widen to comic proportions.
“Bodhi, why are we in North Carolina?”
“Because family matters.”
“But the roads…” Her words trail off as she looks around, the pavement dry now that we’re finally out of Tennessee.
“I managed.”
She turns in her seat and looks at me, her gaze boring into the side of my skull. I know without looking she’s flushed and beautiful, and it’s confirmed when I chance a quick glance at her.
“You’re gonna make me kiss you again,” she whispers, the words not at all a threat.
Oh no, anything but that…
I’m about to say as much when she leans over and presses a lingering kiss to my cheek, the gesture scrambling my brain more than I’d like to admit.
But it doesn’t slow the smile that crosses my lips.
Or the way my heart seems to swell in my chest when her hand covers mine.
And it’s kind of terrifying because if I’m not careful, I just might fall for this girl.
If I haven’t already.