15. Ro
Brody pulled into Gran’s driveway, and my heart sank. I’d never been so reluctant to see the porch lights shining in the dark before. The only way I could describe the last few minutes would be exquisite torture. Every single lump and bump in the road jostled Brody and me closer in the dark. And just maybe, I’d hung on to him a little tighter than necessary.
With a squeak of the breaks, Brody brought us to a stop, placing his feet on the ground to steady the sway of the bike. “Hop off.”
His breathy whisper, right beside my ear, sent a tiny shiver down my neck. He released one arm, giving me a clear exit, and I slipped off the crossbar, hoping he missed my sigh. I could’ve stayed balanced between his arms all night.
Once I was clear, Brody climbed off the bike with a low groan. He must be in pain. I knew this man well enough to know he hated to show weakness. “You okay?”
He grinned at me, his teeth glowing white in the porch light. “I’m fine. I guess I’m not built for beanbags anymore.”
He handed me Daisy Three, and I gently laid her on the dewy grass.
Brody huffed a breath. “I miss being able to do that. Knowing nobody’s going to come along and steal your stuff.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure. Have you seen the size of some of the local possums? They make pro-wrestlers look small.” I cocked a smile at him. “Don’t worry, big city boy. You’ll be back there soon, away from us weird country folk with our crazy ways.”
His brows drew together for a second, then relaxed again. I headed up the stairs to the front entrance, the lemony scent of his cologne following behind as he matched my steps. At the door, I paused and took a breath. I wasn’t sure what I was waiting for. For Brody to lean in and find my neck with his mouth? For him to slide an arm around my waist, turn me around, and claim my lips? Neither was likely to happen, but my body ached for his touch.
I shook my head, throwing off my thoughts, and turned the door handle. It swung open with a low creak, and once we’d stepped inside, I shut it again. We both stood in the dark, our breath mingling. He was the first to speak.
“I guess everyone is asleep.”
“Yep. Gran most likely fell asleep reading one of her murder mysteries, and Coop probably has an early start at work.”
Brody just nodded, and I gripped my lip with my teeth. You could slice the air in the hallway with a knife, but neither of us moved or said a word. The porch light coming through the door glass highlighted his lashes, and I could sense his eyes on me.
Damn, we were old friends. Why did this goodnight feel so awkward? Like we were on a first date.
At a loss for anything scintillating to say and worried I’d blurt out something silly, I stepped away, moving down the hallway to the stairs. Brody fell into step behind me, but when we got to the den door, he reached out and touched my arm. I held my breath and froze with my back to him.
“Well, this is me.” His voice was barely louder than the whir of the refrigerator in the kitchen beyond, and its gentle lilt soothed the drumming of my heart.
I turned my head to see him leaning against the door frame, every glorious inch of him outlined in the moonlight. I slowly let out my breath. “Goodnight, Brody. Thank you for coming with me tonight.”
He shrugged, and the balls of his cheeks lifted. “My pleasure. Goodnight, Ro.”
I hesitated a long beat, waiting for him to say something, anything else. To draw the moment out. To give me a reason to stay and hang out with him a little longer, but when he remained silent, I turned and headed to the stairs, taking one slow step at a time. A clunk rang out in the stillness behind me. It was the sound the den doorknob made when it was twisted. I’d heard it a thousand times before, but when I looked down to see if he’d gone inside, Brody stood in the hallway, watching me, too.