If he didn't allow himself to feel, he didn't have to face us at our weakest. My father might not have always been a loving, huggy, tuck you in at night kind of parent, but it's good to know he cares. Even if it took him all these years to show it.
“All right,” he says, flipping his hand in the air and then tucking it back under his armpit. “Go on, get out of here.”
I smile, then dart to him and give him a hug. He throws his arms out in surprise and grunts as I hit his chest. Letting him go, I look up at him and see him smiling. That's enough for me. That look right there on his face.
I turn and start to climb in my car when he calls out, “Oh, and your mother wanted me to remind you about dinner Saturday night. She said don't forget.”
“Got it, I'll be here.”
He gives me a wave as I back down the driveway. I honk the horn before pulling away. As I look in my rear-view mirror, my dad stays right where he is, watching me go. The house shrinks smaller and smaller, until it eventually disappears, blending in with the trees.
The wind whips through my hair from the window, and this overwhelming sense of freedom and excitement fills my body. This is it. My new start. My new career. My new life.
It's going to be incredible.
Smiling to myself, I reach over and pet Garlits. He's sitting beside me, his tongue hanging out of his mouth, and a happy grin on his face.
“We're doing this, Gar, we're really doing this.”
I drive to Brand's house, and just like I expect, he's halfway under a car on his creeper. He must hear my car, because he pushes himself out from underneath, and looks up with squinted eyes and a smile.
His hands and forearms are covered in grease, there are black grease smears all over his face. The mop on his head is tangled and messy, and there's a sheen of sweat coating his skin. He sits up, resting his arms on his knees as he wipes his hands with a rag.
I get out of my car, leaving my door open for Garlits. He leaps out, running at full speed to Brand. I'm not far behind him, laughing as my dog and my boyfriend have a reunion like you see in the movies.
Brand holds out his arms and Garlits jumps into them, licking him happily all over his face. “All right, come on. I don't want to make out with you, I want to make out with her.” He gently pushes Garlits down and stands up.
“Hey there,” I say. “I see you got some tongue already.”
“Not by choice.” Brand laughs and wipes his mouth with the back of his wrist. “But he's a good kisser, I can say that much.”
I wrap my arms around his waist, leaning back to look up. “I think it's my turn now.”
“Well, I do need to welcome you home. Maybe we can even christen the place, too.” He waggles his brows playfully.
“Ooh, I like the sound of that. But I think you might need a bath first.”
“A bath?”
“Yeah, look at you, you're filthy.”
“Hold on, I can fix this.” Brand steps out of my embrace and walks to the side of the garage. He comes out a few seconds later, holding the hose and spraying it in my direction.
“Hey!” I yell as I get hit with a blast of cold water.
“What? I thought you wanted a bath?”
“No, I was talking about you!” I'm laughing and trying to block the water.
“Oh, I'm the dirty one?”
“Yes, you are,” I say, launching forward and grabbing the hose from his hands. I spray him back, soaking him in icy cold water.
Brand turns his back to me, then spins fast and charges. He grabs me in his arms, causing me to drop the hose. Lifting me off my feet, he kisses me. Water is dripping off the ends of my hair and down his face.
But he doesn't care. He kisses me and carries me inside the house. Garlits follows us closely, darting inside between his feet. Brand kicks the door closed and carries me through the house to his bedroom—to our bedroom.
He slowly lowers me down. My hands start pulling off his clothes as he works to peel the wet shirt over my head, and my soaking shorts down my legs. The jean fabric sticks to my skin, making it even more difficult to get them off.
My skin is covered in goosebumps, and the hair on the back of my neck bristles as he runs his fingertips down the outside of my arms. Brand's eyes pierce mine, making it hard to breathe. I hold my breath as he caresses across my belly and up between my breasts.