21. Ro
Isat on the old wooden bench, swinging my feet, taking in the lake”s sparkle at the bottom of the hill. I loved the solitude of the graveyard. It was the place I came to think. The place where I felt at peace. The place I came to talk to Mom.
We had quite a conversation this morning. I’d told her all about Brody. About him creeping up on me when I stood at the stove. About him buying me derby skates. His injury, my elbowing him in the balls, the boxing ring, the gym, my hair in his zipper, and finally, my accidental strip show in the Crow. I couldn’t believe so much had happened in the space of a few weeks.
She’d giggled. Well, in my head, she had. But when I’d told her about Brody and me kissing, about his hands on me in my room, she fell silent. I explained how being with him made me feel. She knew how hard I’d tried to forget him over the years. How the whole situation crushed my heart.
But then I’d told her how much he’d changed. How sweet and thoughtful he was. And she’d smiled, her voice threading through the soft rustle of the leaves in the trees. Mom had given me her blessing. Her approval of Brody and I. She understood.
Still, just like any mom would, she’d given me a word of caution. She’d told me not to jump in too soon. To speak to Brody before I decided about my future. Our future. I wanted to make sure things were right for me before I even considered an us.
With a sigh, I rubbed my eyes. I’d been up late taking part in a full debrief with Eve. She was so thorough; I suggested she call Officer Brad Pecker at the station. Get herself on the Tuft Swallow police force. I always considered Brad a good match for Eve. Besides, she’d look great in the uniform.
Of course, she thought I was mad to have turned Brody down after the Dirty Hookers night, but she understood my reasoning. And frankly, she’d been more interested in details about his body and the way he kissed. I smiled to myself. If Brody and I ever got together, Eve and I would have to set some solid ground rules for our girl talk.
I fished my phone out of my pocket, the gentle breeze ruffling my bangs. My finger hovered over the home button for a heartbeat before I pressed it, bringing the screen to life. Aside from the selfie of me and Eve dressed as Elves at the Christmas fair, the only thing on the screen was an unopened text from Brody. One word that spoke volumes. Asked so many questions.
Brody: So?
We hadn’t spoken, hadn’t seen each other since last night. I’d snuck in after midnight, being sure not to wake anybody. He and Cooper had made it home safely. When I crept down to the kitchen at dawn, I’d found a couple of abandoned beers on the counter and an empty packet of Cheetos. They were Brody’s favorite.
I sucked in my lips and opened the message, typing a reply with trembling thumbs.
Ro: So? I think we should talk, but after the try-out. My coach wouldn’t approve of distractions.
I hit the send button, and nausea churned in my gut. Mom was right. I needed to look after myself first. Try for the spot on the derby team. Challenge myself, just like Brody had said. Only then could I think about the two of us.
I glanced down at the phone in my hand. The corners of my mouth lifted as three little balls danced in the window below my message. The wait for Brody’s reply was torture, like waiting for a broken heart to heal. Finally, my cell vibrated, and I pulled in a breath before I looked at the screen.
Brody: Agreed. Business as usual this afternoon. Tonight, we talk. Coach’s orders.