19. Brodie
NINETEEN
brODIE
Ari’s quiet as we walk toward Main Street. I had to park in the alley behind my building because the street’s blocked for the Fling. My hand slots nicely into her waist, and it’s a weird mix of exhilarating and foreign to be holding her in public like this.
“You okay?”
She lets out a shuddering breath. “Just afraid of High School 2.0.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.” I flex my biceps. “That’s what I keep all these big muscles for.”
She rolls her eyes and laughs. “You’re ridiculous.”
I hold my hand out and she takes it, snuggling close to my arm. I’m awestruck looking down at her. Long lashes. Cheeks that turn into the cutest apples when she smiles. Lips perfect for kissing in the most lovely pinky-brown color.
My Aria.
She gave me another chance. The girl who didn’t turn away from my deepest fears, spoken in the stillness of the woods. The girl who held my innocence, my wildness, my heart.
I’m not doing anything to risk losing her again.
“What first?” she asks when we’re in the thick of the crowd.
I wave to a few co-workers, trying to figure out what will make Ari feel the most comfortable.
My high school experience was vastly different from hers, and I’m trying to put myself in her shoes.
How would I feel walking into a place that had been anything but welcoming to me?
I spy Mindy and Sue on the dance floor, nestled into the empty building space Iris so expertly turned into a pocket park. “Dance?” I offer. “I owe you one or two.”
Aria nods. “That’d be great.”
We stroll onto the dance floor and dance with Mindy and Sue during a fast song.
Skye and Simon filter in, as well as Iris and her crew.
Skye compliments Ari’s braid, and Ari leans in to tell her something, which Skye acts like is the sweetest thing.
Now I’m nosy and want to know what it is.
I want to know everything when it comes to Aria Johnson.
Things get rowdier. Sue and Aria have some conversation over the music, I think comparing notes on their social media followings and maybe collaborating on some content.
My heart swells. Sue’s a good friend, and I love seeing them hit it off.
They talk for so long, all while still dancing, that I might be a little jealous.
I want to show Ari off and I can’t do that when she’s busy making a new bestie.
Still, she’s laughing, thriving, and it’s great to see it.
When a slow song comes on, I’m eager to steal Aria back.
My hands settle on her waist and she loops her arms around my shoulders. She’s gorgeous.
“I’m really glad you came home, Ari.”
Ari nods and presses her lips between her teeth. “I’m starting to think I’m glad too.”
“And thanks for giving me another shot.”
Her eyes are soft looking up at me. “I’m happy you asked for one.”
That mossy green gaze fixes on my lips and I oblige, sliding my fingers into the back of her hair as I take her mouth.
I want this whole fucking town to see that Dr. Aria Johnson is mine. That I want her. That I choose her, and I’m lucky she’s choosing me too.
I lose myself in her, apparently so much so that she pulls away, giggling. “You’re making out with me like a high schooler.”
“Sorry. Making up for lost time. And I need everyone to know you’re mine.”
“Would you like to pee on me?” she asks, a teasing smile playing on her lips.
“Don’t tempt me,” I warn.
We laugh and I pull her closer. Her chin hooks on my shoulder, her head nestling against mine as we sway. I turn to kiss her temple, and whisper in her ear, “Stay over tonight?”
I feel her chuckle against me. “Clothing optional?”
“No,” I say. “Nudity mandatory. Blinds open so all these people can see us.”
She leans back to look at my face. “Exhibitionism much?”
“I don’t think kissing you’s enough. Balls deep or they won’t believe it.”
She cracks up. “How about we settle for kissing now?”
I lift one shoulder. “Deal.”
I kiss her until the song ends and she pulls away. “Brodie. Easy, boy. You and Templeton aren’t that different.”
My ears feel hot and I grimace. “Sorry.”
She pats my chest. “I’m kinda hungry. I’m going to grab something to eat. You want anything?”
I squeeze her waist. “Just get something to share.”
With a wink, Ari saunters off. I catch up with my sister and Simon, plus some of the folks from the fire department to talk about the fire at Mrs. Johnson’s.
I’m intercepted by Kyle Coleman from high school. I generally avoid him around town because, rather than maturing, he became a concentrated version of his high school self.
And he’s the one who made the “methhead” comment to Aria.
“Bro! We missed you at the golf outing!” Kyle bellows.
“Oh, yep,” I say. “Had some work stuff to take care of.”
“I mean, I guess I see why you haven’t been showing up. Looks like you’ve been busy.” He wags his eyebrows at me and I take back everything I said about wanting to fuck Ari in the window. It was a joke, but that joke doesn’t feel very funny right now. Guys like Kyle watching? Gag.
He barrels on. “Isn’t she that weird girl from high school? What’s her name? Ariel?” I’m so taken aback that I don’t respond right away. He whistles. “She got hot.”
“Aria has always been beautiful,” I say, looking around to make sure she’s not in earshot. But she almost is, coming back to my side with an oversized bag of kettlecorn.
“Ariel! It’s good to see you.”
My hand clenches into a fist so hard the nails bite my palm. “Her name. Is Aria.”
“Same difference,” he shrugs, turning back to Aria. “I was just telling Bro you got hot. I dig the dress. Not so meth-y anymore, huh?”
Aria stiffens and she shoots me a massive side-eye, silently deferring to me on how to handle this. I can feel it in the air: she’s ready to bolt at any second.
And I’m not losing her again.
I don’t have a polite bone in my body right now, and I will be handling this both aggressively and expeditiously.
First, he got her name wrong. Then he gave her the classic backhanded compliment that she “got hot.” Then, he had the gall to bring up the very word that he used to drive her away from me last time.
He’s the reason she disappeared from my life.
Well, I guess I had a hand in it since I didn’t stick up for her.
I can’t punch myself, but I can punch Kyle.
My fist cocks back and sinks into his cheekbone in seconds.
“Brodie!” Aria cries.
“What the fuck! I just complimented her!” Kyle touches his cheek.
Officer Tippens, out of uniform, wanders over, eyes rolling. “Bro, I’m off the clock. What’s going on?”
“He punched me!” Kyle squeals.
“He was being a dick,” I say, turning my palm up.
“What’s new?” Tippens sighs.
Aria’s eyes are full of tears and I come to stand next to her. “Sorry,” I say. “He pissed me off.”
“I want to go home,” she whimpers.
Fuck .
“ Now , Brodie.”
She drags me by the hand. I assume we’re going to my truck so I can take her back to Richard’s, but she makes a beeline for my front door.
“Home?” I try, making sure I understand what she means.
“Open the damn door,” she barks, stomping up onto my stoop.
People are staring as I fumble for my keys. “Yep. Okay.”
I get the door unlocked and she shoves me inside. I’m knee deep in the shit, and I deserve everything coming my way.
As soon as she clears the door, she kicks it shut, grabs me by my jacket lapels, and shoves me into the door. “I’m sorry,” I breathe. “I shouldn’t have punched him. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
Ari just growls, and I am genuinely afraid of her. Her eyes are still full of tears.
“Baby, I’m really sorry. I was trying to make it better.”
“Yeah?” she asks, and I cannot for the life of me read the tone of which way this is going.
“Yeah. I don’t like anyone saying anything remotely bad about you. Ever.”
Her lip quivers and I fear I’ve somehow made it worse.
Then, the back of my head slams against the door with the powerful kiss she launches. We soften, hands exploring, mouths fervent, melting into each other.
She pulls away and puts her hand on my cheek, forcing my eyes to hers. “I don’t need a knight in shining armor. I don’t need you to be smarter than me. The only thing I need, Brodie, is you being you.”
My jaw tightens and I swallow hard. She lifts my left hand, the one I used to punch Kyle, and kisses each swollen knuckle.
This woman. She’s kinder to me than I am to myself, and I’m lucky she thinks so highly of me after everything.
She needs me being me.
And I know what I need.
I know, as I carry her up the stairs to my apartment, as I remove her boots and dress, as I let out her hair and take her in my arms, as I pore over every inch of her skin and cover her with every ounce of the love she’s been missing, that I need forever with her to start right now.