Page 190 of Defend Me

“It was a fucking joke. Sen, stop stirring up trouble, god damnit.”

The front door banged open, making us jump. I was prepared for a horrible sense of déjà vu, but it wasn’t Brooks’ mom this time.

“What big event are we missing?” West asked loudly. “Brooks, why is everyone treating you like a princess in the group chat? You can’t have a mental breakdown every day. It’s Sen’s turn, god damnit, and I claim tomorrow.”

Linc came in after him and grimaced. “Sorry. He’s… I don’t have to explain it to you guys.”

“Your other friends,” Noah noted. He looked sort of amused and terrified about the situation.

Brooks groaned. “How the hell do you all keep getting into the building without a key card?”

West lifted his shirt to reveal stupidly nice abs. “Have you seen us? I have those office people swooning. They’d probably let me into any apartment I wanted.”

“That’s not true,” Linc said. “I think they almost kicked us out when you told them you’d sign the body part of their choosing so they’d be able to say they knew you before you were famous.”

“Well, kumquat, they could have.”

“Kumquat?” I mouthed to Brooks.

He just rolled his eyes. “So, Dad, this is Linc. He’s a dignified piano player and was also the quarterback for the last four years. And somehow, he’s with West, the current quarterback and incorrigible problem child with a face blessed by Apollo himself.”

“Damn,” West shouted. “Linc, I’m leaving you for Brooks. You called me Lucifer.”

“You are,” Kai muttered.

“Portland,” Brooks said, jumping to his feet. “We’re going to Portland. You all… have fun. I’m tired of your faces.”

He picked me up bridal style and I wanted to protest, but I was a strong supporter of setting gender stereotypes on fire, so I didn’t have a good reason to.

“It was nice to meet you,” Noah called after us. “Be safe.”

“See you in a couple days!” I shouted before Brooks closed the front door.

“Everything’s in the car already. Let’s dip.”

“Okay but put me down.”

“Hm. No.”

“Brooks.”

“I made you cry today and I’m going to worship the ground you walk on until I make it up to you.”

“Only until then?”

“Afterward, we’ll take turns. I’m never giving you a reason to doubt me again. Never.”

*****

The sound of the waterfall was extremely loud, but I didn’t mind it. Brooks didn’t seem to either. He went back and forth on the bridge, mesmerized by the view.

“I know you grew up in the city,” I said, “but have you never been anywhere like this?”

He came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, pressing me up against the railing. As his tongue traced the fresh mark that he’d made on my neck this morning, I let out a breath.

“I’ve been to beaches,” he replied. “Central Park- overrated and it doesn’t feel natural like it does here. Rome, London, fucking Louisiana. Nothing like this. My family isn’t really into nature. Bugs and dirt and all that.”

“That’s unacceptable. We’re going on hikes, a new spot every week. I don’t even know where any hiking trails are, but I’m gonna Google them and make a list.”

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