Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Brodie
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Walking out of the cabin where the captain is, I take the stairs down to the lower deck and stop at the bottom, finding Reese where I left her, lying on one of the cushioned benches that encircle the front half of the boat. She’s beautiful, with the sun shining down on her, making her brown hair appear more red. She also looks miserable and almost green, which I thought was a myth when people talked about getting seasick. She’d been fine on the hour ride out to our fishing spot, but about ten minutes after the boat came to a stop and the captain dropped the anchor, the look she gave me let me know she was going to be sick. Two seconds later, she leaned over the side of the boat and lost her breakfast.
As I walk toward her, she opens her eyes. “I’m sorry. I suck,” she whispers, looking up at me pitifully.
“Stop apologizing.” I squat in front of her and smooth her hair out of her face. “Are you feeling any better after the pill?”
“I want to say yes, but no. I’m pretty sure I’ll be sick again if I move from this position.”
“You don’t need to move.” I stand and then sit next to her head on the bench.
“I guess I should have thought about how different ice fishing is from deep-sea fishing. You know, one being on frozen water and the other not.”
“I should have asked if you’d ever been on a boat.” I rest my hand on her forehead—cool to the touch despite the sun.
“Yeah, come to think of it, this is definitely all your fault.” Laughing, I look down at her. I haven’t laughed so much in a very long time. Her humor and honesty are both refreshing. She’s refreshing. And I’m still annoyed at myself about yesterday when I basically accused her of stalking me.
“I know better for next time. I’ll make sure to give you something to take before we get on the boat.”
“There isn’t going to be a next time. This was a one-time thing. I will never go out on another boat again.”
“We’ll see,” I mutter, watching her try to keep her eyes open, which is probably difficult with the pill she took. One of the side effects was making you tired. “Try to sleep. You’ll be on solid ground soon.”
With a nod, she pulls the towel I gave her up and over her shoulder, then curls into a ball, tucking her knees into her stomach. I try to resist touching her, but it’s difficult not to. It’s also impossible not to stare at her. She fascinates me. I don’t think any woman has ever fascinated me before.
When the boat finally reaches the dock and the bridge is in place, I attempt to wake Reese. But she’s so out of it she says something I can’t understand, and her lashes barely flutter open. With no choice, I stand and lift her into my arms, carrying her off the boat, down the dock, and to my truck that we came in together this morning. It’s a feat getting her inside, and I have to admit that when I try to wake her once more and she doesn’t budge, I’m a little concerned. I debate taking her to the hospital but decide to call my sister-in-law Maci, who is a nurse, instead.
“Brodie?” Maci answers on the second ring. “Everything okay?”
“I just have a quick question about Dramamine.”
“What about it?”
“If someone took it, is it normal for them not to wake up?”
“Define not waking up,” she says, sounding concerned. “Are they breathing?”
“Yes, she’s breathing, just completely passed out.”
“Some people have a more extreme reaction to diphenhydramine. Do you know if she is on any type of allergy medication?”
“I have no idea.”
“When did she take the Dramamine?”
“A little over an hour ago.”
“Give her a couple more hours. I’m sure she’s fine.”
“All right. Thanks, Maci.”
“Anytime.” We hang up after saying goodbye.
I glance over at Reese and then put my truck in reverse, heading toward our building. When we arrive, she is still totally out, so I carry her inside and ignore the strange looks I get from everyone I pass. Not knowing where she lives since we met in the lobby this morning, I have no choice but to take her up to my apartment. As soon as I get us inside, my Great Dane Jeb is there to greet us. Always curious, he refuses to give me an inch of space as I take her to the couch and put a blanket over her.
“Come on, bud, you’ll meet her when she wakes up.” I order him to follow me to the kitchen and then give him one of his chew bones that will hopefully keep him distracted for a while. If it fails, I have no doubt he’ll be on the couch with her, and she’ll wake up with seventy pounds of slobbering dog on her chest. Once I have him settled, I turn on the TV and plant myself on the sectional across from Reese, waiting for her to wake up.
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“Hey,” I hear through my subconscious. Blinking my eyes open, my gaze connects with Reese’s. She’s leaning over me and still looks sleepy but also alert, and the color is back in her cheeks.
“You’re awake.” I sit up.
“Yeah.” She laughs, looking at Jeb next to her. “Your friend woke me.”
“Shit, sorry about that.”
“It’s okay. Can I use your restroom?”
“Of course. It’s right around the corner on the left.” I jerk my chin in the direction of the hall.
“Thanks.” She gives me a smile and then turns on her heels. When Jeb starts to follow, I call him back. He has no regard for personal space and will follow her in there if she lets him.
Getting up, I walk to the kitchen and glance at the clock on the microwave. It’s a little after one. When I pass the window that looks out at the ocean, I can see that the beach below is filled with people.
I grab the jug of water from the fridge and two glasses from the cabinet. When Reese walks around the corner into the living room a few minutes later, Jeb trots her way with his tail wagging.
“Hey, new friend.” She pets his head when he shoves it into her stomach.
“That’s Jeb.”
“Jeb.” She grins, taking his face in her hands. “You sure are handsome.”
He woofs like he knows what she’s saying, and she giggles, looking up and meeting my gaze.
“How are you feeling?”
“Great.” She laughs. “I’m guessing you couldn’t wake me up.”
“You were out of it. I thought about taking you to the hospital, but I called my sister-in-law instead. She said you’d be fine but asked if you were on any allergy medication.”
“I am.”
“Apparently, that can affect how the Dramamine works.”
“Now I know.”
“Now you know,” I agree. “Do you want some water?”
“No. I’ll just get something at home since I’m starving.”
“I have food. Or we can order in.”
She studies me for a moment like she’s debating taking me up on my offer, then shakes her head. “That’s okay.” Her smile is small. “I’ll get out of your hair.” She picks up her bag from the coffee table where I put it. “Thanks for taking care of me and for today. The boat ride was fun...” She wiggles her head from side to side. “Until it wasn’t.”
“Yeah.” I laugh, scrubbing my fingers through my hair, at a loss for how to get her to stay—or why I want her to so badly. Sure, I’m attracted to her, but she honestly seems totally disinterested in me, and it’s fucking with my head and making me question if I really like her or if I just like her because she seems almost unattainable.
With her bag in hand, she starts to the door. Of course, Jeb begins to follow. I walk behind them to stop him from getting out and then pause when she turns to face me.
“ Scream is playing on the beach tomorrow night. I was thinking about going when I get home from work.” She rubs her full lips together. “Would you want to go with me?”
“Yeah.”
“Cool.” She smiles. “I’ll text you and let you know when I get home.”
“Sounds good.” I step around her, grab Jeb’s collar, and then open the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow.” Of course, she stops to give my fucking dog a rubdown and a hug while I stand there and watch, then her eyes meet mine, and my stomach muscles clench. “Later.”
“Later, Ree.” That gets me another smile, and then she’s gone. I close the door behind her and look down at Jeb, who looks like he’s pouting while gazing at the closed door. Then he meets my eye, and I swear he glares. “Hey, don’t look at me like that. I tried to get her to stay; she didn’t want to.” Letting out a huff, he turns his back to me and walks to the living room, sprawling out on the floor. “Are you so mad that you don’t want to go for a walk?” I grab his leash, and he’s instantly back up and dancing around my feet.
“Thought so.” I laugh.