30. Bodhi
30
BODHI
MONTANA: Bodhi type 1 if you’re all right or 2 if you need assistance
JENSEN: Why would he need assistance?
MONTANA: He’s been gone for DAYS
JENSEN: It’s not like he texts us every day
MONTANA: Because we see him almost every day
ARCHER: He’s a grown man he doesn’t have to check in
MONTANA: The fuck he doesn’t
ARCHER: You’re a lot of work
MONTANA: I’ll never deny that
“W ow, what is goin’ on over there?” Ella asks as I stare down at my phone.
“Montana is having a meltdown because I haven’t checked in. ”
“Really?”
“Uh-huh.”
“That’s honestly very sweet.”
“Yeah, he’s adorable,” I deadpan as I type out a message.
BODHI: I’m fine – we had to detour
MONTANA: WE huh?
BODHI: You knew I wasn’t alone
MASON: He’s just excited for you
BODHI: Excited for what?
MASON: He’s trying to ship you guys
BODHI: What the fuck does that mean?
MONTANA: Y’all would be real cute together
BODHI: Oh well in that case that’s good because we eloped
MONTANA: WHAT??
ARCHER: Dude that’s awesome
JENSEN: I’m calling bullshit
MASON: (heart eyes emoji)
BODHI: See you guys when we’re back from our honeymoon
MONTANA: Are you serious?
MONTANA: BODHI!
MONTANA: ARE YOU SERIOUS????
With a snort, I toss my phone to Ella, her eyes widening as she reads before doubling over with laughter.
“Wow, that’s amazing.” She giggles before pulling herself together. “They really love you.”
I open my mouth and then close it. “I resisted it for a long time.”
“It’s okay to be wary of people. And it’s okay to not be the life of the party.”
“It’d be easier if I could at least tolerate a higher level of socialization.”
“You, sir, are amazing and you make people earn your trust and time. There’s nothing wrong with that. You’re not broken, and you don’t have to force yourself to be someone else’s version of acceptable.”
“Ella.” Wrapping my arms around her, I bury my face in her hair and just breathe her in. “We’re gonna have to send them two fruit baskets.”
“What?” she barks, pulling back with amusement sparkling in her brown eyes.
“Sorren and Rhea. Make sure we send two to thank them for this.” Framing her face in my hands, I kiss her slowly, a brush of my lips against hers before deepening it, exploring and savoring her.
“I know we have to leave but…”
“You can’t wait till we get to the hotel?” I tease, my hand already toying with the top of her leggings.
“I’m not usually like this,” she pleads. “I don’t need sex and I give myself plenty of orgasms, but when you touch me it’s…ah!”
She throws her head back and cries out when I slip a finger inside her, grinding the heel of my palm against her clit hard and fast, her orgasm barreling down on her with a fury that has her knees buckling with the intensity.
My arm tightens around her back as she sags into me, a bone-deep satisfaction coursing through me that I have this effect on her.
“Think that’ll tide you over?”
“Yeah,” she sighs dreamily as she fixes her leggings before popping up on her tiptoes and kissing me, her lips turned up in a flirty smile. “Now what about you?”
“Get in the car, baby; if you don’t, we’ll never leave.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“It’s never bad, not when I’m with you.”
* * *
ELLA
Saying goodbye to my family always makes me sad, but something about getting in the truck with Bodhi eases the pain, making it bearable.
It solidified the feeling in my gut that I’d been waiting for him all this time—that he’s been the reason I felt tied to Tennessee outside my love for the Poppy Seed.
“What do you think things will look like when we get home?”
Bodhi’s gaze slides to me, his posture relaxed except for the slight flex in his forearm as he grips the steering wheel, “Story of My Life” by Social Distortion playing softly from the speakers.
“What specifically are you asking?” he says evenly.
“We both work a lot, and I don’t want to just fit time in with you whenever we get a chance. This trip has been a luxury—just having this uninterrupted time together has been amazing and it’s going to change when we get home.”
“Are you saying you don’t think we’ll make it?”
“No, I’m just saying that, in this case, the problem is me.”
“I’m gonna need more than that.”
Blowing out a breath, I stare out the window and watch the landscape change as we head back across the state line into Tennessee.
“I’m saying that while yes I take vacations and go for a week or two, I don’t know how to balance a life at home because I’ve never really had to. I like working, and it doesn’t feel like work so I don’t mind the long hours. But if we’re going to be together, I’m going to have to see you.”
He snorts. “I think this is one of those things where people say if you want it to work, you’ll make it happen.”
“And I’m telling you that there’s gonna be a learning curve.”
“I don’t think that’s a bad thing. People don’t generally just fall into something and have it be perfect. It’s work, but it should also be something that makes your life better, happier. ” Taking my hand, he squeezes it. “I want,”—he swallows hard—“to make your life better. Happier.”
“You already do.”
“Then what are you worried about?”
“I’m worried that I’m going to be so absorbed with work that I’m going to forget that this,”—I hold up and shake our joined hands for emphasis—“is more deserving of my time and conscious effort than what I’m doing at the Poppy Seed.”
“I’m pretty sure overanalyzing and preparing for all possible worst-case scenarios is my department.” He grins and it’s both self-deprecating and incredibly charming.
“So, you’re not worried?”
“I’m less worried than I was at the possibility of meeting your entire extended family.”
“So are you saying you already did all the overanalyzing and worst-case scenario stuff?” I huff and he chuckles.
“I’m saying, for right now at least, I’m all worried out.” When I don’t say anything, he continues, “Ella, I had a panic attack, needed my migraine meds, got thrown into a whirlwind weekend filled with people I’d never met, threw myself a pity party because I thought the woman I like wanted to be just friends, had pillows thrown at me by the same woman, and lost my virginity. I think I’m good for a while.”
This time I can’t help the laugh that bubbles up inside me, the sheer absurdity of the last several days summed up almost like a punch line.
And he’s right.
We’ve been through a lot already, but I guess maybe, selfishly, I’m just sad that we’ll be back to reality instead of this blissful little bubble we’ve created.
Pulling our joined hands to his lips, he kisses my knuckles. “Don’t worry, baby, this is only the beginning.”