Chapter 19 Brooke
NINETEEN
Brooke
There was before the kiss and after the kiss.
Before, they were having fun and sharing secrets. Then Brooke saw that look. And yeah, maybe she’d instigated that dare. She’d been brimming with energy, full up on life. She’d anticipated what JJ was about to ask, and she’d be lying if she hadn't already thought about doing it anyway.
Hell, she hadn’t been able to keep her hands off her all day.
None of it made sense. She’d hoped the kiss would make it make sense.
That she just needed to get it out of her system, like she usually did.
Bring the energy down to a normal tempo.
But her system was broken, because now—in the after—all she wanted was to go back for more.
Slide back up and straddle the handsome masc painter, take her head in her hands and lean into the softest of lips.
But she couldn't do that.
Because this was JJ. Sweet JJ. Who specifically wanted and needed an emotional connection with someone to take things further. Not a one-night stand. Not with Brooke. And not now. Not when they were drunk. The last thing she’d ever want to do is hurt JJ or get her into something she’d regret.
And so she'd pushed away. Forced the space.
Now JJ stared at her, lips parted and chest still rising and falling.
Brooke prodded them out of the moment, asking, “Truth or dare?”
She flicked water at JJ, who opened and closed her mouth a few times.
Brooke couldn’t blame her.
After the kiss came with more questions than before the kiss.
She'd hooked up with a lot of people over the years. A lot. It was whatever. Part of life, part of her lifestyle. It was fun. And that's exactly what that was meant to be—a passing moment, vibing on the energy, a little teasing. A quick little dare. Harmless.
But right now, there was desperation scraping at the surface.
And Brooke wasn't desperate. She didn't crave a kiss like she was now.
Kisses didn't feel like they plugged you in like a Christmas tree with a train running around the base.
Brooke was losing her mind—over a less-than-thirty-second kiss.
“Truth,” JJ finally answered.
They stuck to safe zones: most embarrassing moments, weird habits and a dare to sing a favourite song out of key. No more sexual topics, no more touching. The heat of the water had become stifling, and Brooke needed out. Time to collect her thoughts and put a little space between her and JJ.
“Right, I’m calling it a night. We’ve got an early one tomorrow and I plan on trying to sleep as much as possible.”
JJ agreed, holding out a hand to help Brooke step out safely. How chivalrous. The cold night air had them towelling off quickly, both avoiding each other’s gaze. Maybe Brooke wasn’t the only one still affected by that dare? Would JJ want to kiss her again?
“Good night,” Brooke mumbled as she made her way into their house.
JJ stopped behind her in the tight hallway. “Almost feels weird having our own beds tonight.”
“Yeah.” Brooke laughed lightly. “Don’t worry, there’s still time for us to stuff up our future accommodation.”
JJ smirked. “I suppose you’re right. Good night, Brooke.” She turned, heading to the other end of the house.
Brooke moved to her own bed in the loft above the bathroom. It was just as well they were sleeping separately. Brooke didn’t trust herself to be anywhere near a bed with JJ tonight.
Brooke’s alarm blasted at 4am, the chorus of Best Day Of My Life by American Authors serenading the entirety of the tiny home. It was the wake-up song from a Contiki tour she’d ended up on years ago, and she’d stuck with it as her alarm ever since.
A groan sounded from the other end of the house. “Brooke?”
“C’mon, up you get,” she yelled over the noise before swiping to shut it off.
Brooke was out of bed in an instant. She switched on all the lights and shot off to the bathroom to get ready. Done in ten minutes, she emerged and—JJ was still in bed. “Oi, up!”
The lump at the other end of the house didn't move, so Brooke stormed down the narrow hallway and jumped on the bed on her hands and knees. She leaned over the form of JJ still hidden under the covers and hopped up and down on the spot, the whole bed bouncing.
“Urgh, no,” JJ mumbled. “I’m staying in bed. Wine was a bad choice. You go.”
“Wine was an excellent choice, as is today's activity. Now—up!” Brooke ripped back the covers as JJ faced away from the light, pretending to hiss like a vampire. Brooke jumped off the bed and ignored her. “We’re leaving in ten minutes.”
They left in twelve.
Once they arrived at the meeting site, a local Barossa hotel, it was go, go, go. They were ushered into 4WDs and zoomed through the early morning darkness to their destination. It was a race against the clock to be ready for sunrise.
“Are you sure this is safe?” JJ asked as they climbed out of the car.
Brooke zipped up her jacket and took in the big contraption. “Of course. These are the best of the best in the Barossa. They’ve been operating for years and it’s one of the safest forms of flying. I think you might enjoy it more than the helicopter ride.”
JJ stared at the basket. “But there's no glass—we’re all out in the open!”
“Wait and see what I mean, the basket feels safer than it looks.”
They’d pulled up to a big open grassy field with six other tourists—a young family from Korea, and a couple down from Queensland.
Their instructors gave them a quick run down, then it was all hands on deck to help roll out the massive rainbow striped balloon on the ground, ready to fill it with air.
This was only Brooke’s third hot air balloon ride, but she’d loved every single one of them.
The most unique had been in Cappadocia, when there were over a hundred other balloons in the air beside them.
It was such a surreal sight, not to mention the views below.
Of course, Adelaide being Adelaide, it would only be the one balloon up in the air.
Possibly one other. That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
There had to be more solitude in the sky when it was less cluttered.
The balloon slowly filled with air and began to rise.
The nearby trees were still silhouetted against the dark sky, but the birds had started to wake as soft chirps echoed around them.
JJ rubbed her hands together and hopped on the spot.
The day was meant to warm up, but sunrise was still an hour away.
“Don't you have a warmer jacket?” Brooke asked.
“I’m wearing it.”
Brooke rolled her eyes, then grabbed onto JJ’s arm and pulled her close.
“Better?”
“Y-yep,” JJ stammered, whether from the cold or their current proximity, Brooke couldn’t be sure.
After climbing into the basket, JJ’s knuckles turned white as she latched onto the edge.
“You good?” Brooke asked.
“I think it’s just the whole take-off and landing thing in a new vehicle. Are balloons classed as a vehicle?”
“Sure.” Brooke smirked, then caught JJ’s look. “You’re going to be fine.”
The tight-lipped smile Brooke received in return didn’t have a shred of confidence in it.
Their pilot, Andrew, pulled down on a handle that caused a burst of flame to shoot up into the balloon.
This close, the warmth washed over them from above.
Brooke welcomed the heat after standing around on the dewy ground in the dark for so long.
As the basket began to lift, JJ’s hands gripped harder.
Brooke did the only thing she could think of to help further—she placed an arm around JJ and squeezed, hugging her from behind, while still holding onto one of the padded poles herself.
“I’ve got you.”
JJ relaxed back into her.
There were a few gasps from the others as the basket lifted from the earth, making Andrew chuckle as he explained what was happening and increased the heat. A floating feeling took over Brooke, reminding her of dreams she’d had where she could fly.
They ascended into the sky, the first inkling of light rising from behind the hills. She and JJ had picked the right side of the basket to stand for the glowing view unfolding right before them.
The higher they got, the wider JJ grinned each time she turned to say something to Brooke. It was good to see JJ relaxing, just like she had in the helicopter. Was Brooke meant to let go of her now? Because this was kind of comfortable, and maybe… maybe—she didn’t want to.
“Look straight ahead,” Brooke encouraged JJ.
The sun peeked over the horizon, shooting rays of golden light across all the vineyards.
Brooke inched forward, gazing over JJ’s shoulder to get a better look as they rose.
She had no qualms about peering over the side.
The balloon’s movement was so slow, calm and soft in comparison to riding in the helicopter.
“This is actually really nice,” JJ admitted once they’d gained ample height.
“Told you.”
Silence fell between them. Brooke’s mind replayed their kiss in the tub last night. Would it happen again? If something did develop between them on this trip, it’s not like it could continue when they got back. They’d be living their lives again, separately.
Brooke was an awkward puzzle piece that didn’t fit into JJ’s life.
Or anyone else’s it felt like. A little lost puzzle piece, hidden under the couch and forgotten about.
Her parents never even bothered to look.
They hadn’t reached out since Brooke had been back, and surely Hayley had told them by now.
Not that Brooke would answer the call if they tried.
She shook her head. Enough. It was time to brush off the dust, pull herself out from the shadows, and find where she did fit in the world. The answers had to come soon. Time was running out—she’d be back at Hayley’s before she knew it.
Arm still wrapped around JJ and heads close, she glanced at the woman who, a few weeks ago, had been a mere painter in her sister’s house. She played with the soft fabric of JJ’s jacket. Could there be a future there?
Her fingers froze. Stop. What was she thinking? She’d never even dated a girl. Or dated—period. Why was she considering it now?
JJ inhaled and closed her eyes for a moment. “I feel so free up here.”
Brooke felt like she couldn’t breathe, forcing the air into her lungs as she settled back into the present, back into JJ. Her chest eased.
The balloon sailed over one of the wineries they’d visited yesterday, the same one they’d walked arm-in-arm through the vines. Brooke smiled.
Everyone else had their phones and cameras out, madly clicking and posing against the spectacular backdrop. JJ and Brooke stayed in their own little bubble, tucked away in the corner.
JJ turned to Brooke. “So, about last night…”
Her stomach lurched. Brooke had wondered if JJ would bring up their kiss. It seemed the painter was gaining confidence as fast as their altitude. Brooke had been intent on sweeping it under the rug. She excelled at that.
“Mmm?” Brooke said, schooling her face. She wanted to know what JJ was thinking first. Her chest prickled with heat as she adjusted her grip on the pole, hand slippery with sweat. Was it Brooke or had Andrew just cranked up the burners?
JJ returned her focus to the view ahead, but a blush climbed up her neck. “I—wouldn’t be opposed to a repeat.” She coughed, sneaking a quick glance at Brooke for a reaction.
Brooke’s mouth parted. Was JJ suggesting what she thought she was? But what exactly? To just kiss her again, or more?
And was that… butterflies in her stomach? Pfft. They’d probably just hit a pocket of air. JJ didn’t do one-night stands, but… her gaze was definitely on Brooke’s mouth.
Loud claps drew their attention. “Right everyone, landing positions!”