I teared up, hating how emotional talking about Brandon left me. Did I still care about him or was it just the excruciating pain of rejection?
"Hey. We don't have to talk about this, but I'm telling you that I think Brody could be a different man. Clay hasn't stopped talking about how excited they all are to see a better side of him. He's the jerk in the group, and yet for the last few days, he's been chill, a totally different guy." Emily squeezed my shoulder.
"I'm not sure what to do about all of it." I glanced around. "If it's alright with you guys, I'd rather not talk about it. We can talk about anything but Brody, but I need some time to process what's up with us and what I want to do about it, first."
"Sounds good to me. Boys aren't the end all be all anyways." Dedra leaned up into the front seat and turned the radio up. "I'm saying let’s jam out, eat something greasy, and go lay by the lake and dream about the future."
"I like the sound of that." Cindy pipped in. "And maybe I can try and a new pasta dish on you guys tonight. Does that sound good?"
"Yep." I turned and smiled at them, forcing myself to let my nefarious thoughts subside. I wasn't going to bastardize the good time Brody and I had the night before—or this morning. Him washing me in the shower had been one of the most intimate times I could remember every having with a man. He'd been tender and almost loving. It probably scared me more than the scorching heat from the sex.
"And, no boys!" Emily declared and gave me a cheeky grin. "One more shitty subject and then we'll just have fun."
I gave her a sideways glance and nodded. "Sure."
"You need to call your folks today and tell them that you're not coming back early. Life is going to move fast once we leave this place, Cora. You need the summer to have fun. That's what we planned a long time ago. Fight against it and get the six weeks back that they are trying to take. We were supposed to have three months, and you're down to having just a couple of weeks."
I ran my fingers through my hair. My parents weren't going to relent. They never did.
"Maybe I can come back after we go through the case work that they are wanting me to see." I picked up my phone and read through Brody's message as a smile lifted my lips.
Brody: Just wanted you to know that I was thinking about you. I'm a little concerned by how badly I want to see you again. Feels like we could make a chick-flick out of our situation. I was trying to think of a title, but all the good ones are gone.
Me: How about, Beauty and the Beast?”
Brody: Don't talk about yourself like that, baby. You're only a beast in the bedroom. :)
I laughed and put the phone down. "I will tell you one thing: Brody Myers is the all-around package, isn't he?"
"He seems like it." Cindy let out a sigh. "What are his plans after this summer? Is he staying in Arizona or going somewhere else?"
My smile faded at the thought of him moving away. "I don't know. I haven't gotten around to asking him. We just started treating each other cordially over the last three days."
Dedra chuckled. "You mean you just started treating him cordially. He's been good to you since we met the guys. It's you who was fighting that sexy ass attraction between you two."
"It is sexy, isn't it?" I pressed my teeth into my lip and glanced out the window.
"Hey, are you going to talk to your folks or what?" Emily tugged at the sleeve of my t-shirt.
"No. There's no reason to. I'll try to get back out here, Emily, but they've made it pretty clear that they expect me there for these trials. As much as I hate it, it's my future for right now. Until I can figure out if there's something worth fighting them over." I shrugged, tired by the conversation. The lack of sleep the night before had to be adding to my weariness.
My phone dinged again, and I pulled it up to see Brody calling.
"Hey." I closed my eyes and tried not to grin like an idiot.
"Hey, am I being overbearing? I've never done this 'see someone after a night of fucking' thing before, so you'll have to tell me if I'm doing it wrong."
I laughed. "You're so ridiculous. You know that?"
"Yeah, I get that a lot." He let out a short sigh. "I'm sorry about my sister, Cora, but I'm not sorry, too. If things hadn't have happened between you and Brandon the way they did, then last night wouldn't have been mine. I'm greedy as fuck, I know, but it was the best night of my life. It felt good. Right."
He was being too open. I wasn't ready for the confirmation that something lustful was soon to turn into love for me.
"Me, too." I pressed my fingers to the bridge of my nose. "I'm headed out with the girls for the evening, but I'll call you later. Is that alright?"
"Yeah. Let me know if you're up for me coming over, or you come on over here. I'm tired as hell, but I wouldn't mind snuggling up to the back of you and letting you take advantage of me while I sleep." He laughed softly.
"Only beasts do that." I smiled and turned to watch Emily looking at me as we sat at a stop light. "Alright. I'll talk to you later."