Chapter 37
My head pounded as I rolled over in bed. I had the strangest dream that Brant showed up at my house just to carry me back to bed and give me medicine before tucking me in. Besides the part where I was sick, it had been a nice dream. I had stretched my arms over my head as I had given in to a big yawn. A hint of pine and leather had hit my senses when I had taken my next breath. I sat up straight in bed more quickly than I should have, making me light-headed. I held my head in my hands until I regained my equilibrium before slowly swinging my legs around to place my feet on the floor.
I sat on the side of my bed, making sure I wasn’t going to get dizzy while I tried to figure out why my room smelled like Brant. Was the dream I had, in fact, not a dream? Did Brant come here to take care of me? If he did, where was he now?
I was getting ready to stand up when I heard a commotion downstairs. What in the world? I thought dad went into the office this morning.
I stood up, sliding my feet into my coziest pair of slippers, and glanced at myself in the mirror next to my closet door. I was wearing an oversized T-shirt with shorts. My hair was haphazardly thrown into a bun on top of my head, and leftover mascara smudged under my eyes.
Based on my appearance, I really hoped it was a dream and that Brant hadn’t shown up at my door with me looking like this. Even with the knowledge that Brant may very well be downstairs right now, I didn’t have the energy to make myself more presentable, so I left my room and followed the noise that was coming from the kitchen. I made it to the bottom of the stairs when my eyes landed on the source of said noise.
A handsome Brant stood in my kitchen, putting mac and cheese into bowls. His back had been to me, allowing me to take him in. He was wearing his navy blue uniform with his standard black hat containing his messy hair.
I couldn’t believe Brant was standing in my kitchen, making me macaroni and cheese. “Hi,” my voice sounded awful, but I blamed it on this darn sickness.
Brant turned around slowly and gave me a tentative smile. “How are you feeling, Peach? Are you hungry?”
I nodded as I slid into one of the chairs at the island, and Brant placed a bowl in front of me.
“I’m feeling a little better but had the weirdest dream.”
“Oh yeah?” Brant asked as he took the seat right next to me.
“Yeah. I had a dream that you showed up at my door and carried me to bed. You gave me medicine and tucked me in before I fell asleep again.” By then, I was pretty sure that hadn’t been a dream, seeing as Brant was cooking me food in my kitchen; I was just curious what he”d say.
”That doesn”t sound like me,” Brant said with a knowing smirk. “But if it was, I”d wonder how long you”ve had that poster ofNSYNCon your bedroom wall.”
I felt the heat rushing to my cheeks.
”As a teenager, I really believed I would marry Justin Timberlake one day,” I laughed.
The deep rumble in Brant”s chest made my smile grow. ”I hope I can measure up,” Brant winked before taking a bite of his food.
I looked down at my bowl and realized I hadn’t eaten in a while. I slowly lifted the spoon of noodles to my mouth as I said, “You didn”t have to do this.”
”Do what, Peach?”
”Come here, take care of me, or make me food,” I said hesitantly. I didn’t want him to think I wasn’t grateful; I just felt guilty that he wasn”t at work.
”I don”t do anything I don”t want to do, Karis,” the use of my actual name had me pausing. Maybe I had offended him.
”I really appreciate it. Thank you,” I gave him a small smile.
Brant nodded his head before taking another bite. I followed his lead, and we had sat in silence, eating our lunch. When we finished, Brant gathered our bowls before placing them in the sink.
”Do you need to get back?” I asked.
Brant dug his phone out of his pocket before checking something on the screen. ”I have some time.”
”We could sit on the couch and watch something if you”d like,” I offered.
”Lead the way,” Brant replied with an easy smile.
Brant and I got comfortable on the couch as he flipped through the channels. Once we agreed on what to watch, we both sunk deeper into the couch. I was lying sideways with my head against the armrest and my feet draped across Brant”s lap. He was massaging my feet, and even though everything in me wanted to stay awake and enjoy this time with him, the exhaustion pulled me under.