"Alright." I dropped down in the sand. "I get it. Maybe you guys are right, but you know how I feel about blonds."
"And, we think it's dumb." Dedra turned to look at me. "Brandon's an asshole and deserves to rot in the deepest parts of hell for what he did to you, but Brody isn't Brandon. You have to try again sometime, Cora. You're going to spend the next few years by yourself trying to make sure you don't get hurt, and what if Mr. Right comes along?"
Tears burned my eyes, and I was grateful for my sunglasses. "I know. I'm just not sure Brody is that guy. We barely know him."
Cindy reached over and squeezed my hand. "Then get to know him. If you think sex will mess that up, then tell him that you're willing to go out sometime, but not sleep together."
Emily turned and propped up on her elbow. "Well, don't tell him I told you this, but Clay told me this morning on the phone that Brody hasn't slept with a girl for the last few days, which is a record for him. I'm thinking there is a reason for that."
"His herpes are flaring up?" I smirked, but the expression faded as I got a look from all three of my friends. "Really? All of you guys are in support of me giving this man-whore a chance?"
"Yep." The response was done in unison, and I was without a leg to stand on. They saw something in this crazy hot guy that maybe I didn't. Or perhaps I did, and just didn't want to admit it.
"Alright fine, but when he breaks my heart, you guys are going to be held fully responsible." I shrugged and closed my eyes, letting my thoughts drift back to the kiss. I wanted another one, and now that it was on someone besides me when the shit hit the fan like it always did, I was planning on getting at least one more kiss.
*
"You wanna come in and shower with me before our date?" Brody wagged his eyebrows at me as I stood at the bottom of the stairs by their cabin.
"Um, no, but thank you. I'd rather wash the sand from my crevices alone." I smirked as he chuckled.
"Come on. I wouldn't mind helping you clean up." His eyes moved across me, and my desire for a few kisses turned into the need for a long night pressed to the bed beneath him.
"Nope, but thanks. Are you picking me up or what?" I turned and walked to the car where my friends were waiting.
"I'm getting us two bikes for the evening. I want to show you the far side of the island. You up for a late-night ride after the show?" He pulled his t-shirt over his head, and I almost lamented over not getting to stare at his beautifully sculpted chest for a few more minutes.
"I'm up for it. Are we eating?"
"Each other?" His brow lifted.
"Dinner." I rolled my eyes and opened the door to the car.
"Anything you want." He shrugged. "I'll be there in an hour with your lovely pink bicycle and a handsome escort for your evening. Sound good?"
"Oh, Daniel's going with us?" I chuckled and got into the car, ignoring the smirk on his mouth that was likely to drive me mad.
"God, he's hot. Please tell me if you guys decide not to go any farther than just being friends." Dedra waved as I pulled out of their driveway.
"I thought you were starting to talk to some guy at church?" I glanced over at her as I slowed my turn for a group of bikers.
"No, that guy was all hands. I swear those church boys can be the worst." She huffed and glanced into the backseat at Emily and Cindy. "They're already sound asleep. I need a man. That's why they're tired and you and I are wide awake up here."
I snorted. "True that."
"What do you think about Daniel? He's already in our little friend group we've created, and he's really good looking under that nerdy intellectual thing he has going on. No?" She turned her attention to me as I chuckled.
"Nerdy intellectual thing? I'm pretty sure that's just his personality, Dee." I pulled up to the stop sign and glanced over at her. "He's pretty inexperienced, you know. I mean, not that I know, but just from what I can tell."
"Yeah, I gathered that, but I kind of like it. It seems like most guys are over-experienced nowadays, and you get some dumb ass that won't listen to you in the bedroom because he knows so much. Ugh. Drives me nuts." She huffed and rolled down the window. "I think I might start hitting on him a little and see what happens."
"I think that's a great idea, but if you
want to wait a few days, I'm sure Brody will be available." I pulled up to our driveway and parked the car as she started in on me about how great Brody could be underneath his sexy playboy appeal.
"Not this again." I got out of the car and moved to the back door, pressing my hands to it and pushing. The car shook and the look on Cindy and Emily's faces as they jolted awake was almost priceless. "Get up, girlies!"
"Hey." Dedra tapped the top of the car, getting my attention. "You do what's best for you, okay? No matter what all of us think or don't think. Do what works for you and makes you comfortable and happy."