Page 54 of Falling for Brody

Brody turned his head to look at his cousin. "You are not helping, man."

"I'm being reasonable."

"You're being a jerk." Brody started to laugh. "At least that hasn't changed."

Gabriel moved closer to Rhea and leaned in. "Sorry, I couldn't help poking the bear. It's unfair since we've been doing this push and pull since before we were Chip's age."

She shrugged. "I'm an only child. So, I'll take your word for it."

"I'm going to leave before I rile him up more than I have already, but please consider coming on Sunday. We should have Roland by then."

She grinned at his cousin. "Will he be okay with the kids wanting to touch him? I want to prepare Chip before we go."

"He's great with kids. The trainer has three under ten, and they make sure that they're trained around children."

"Okay," she nodded. "I'll think about it. I just want to make sure that we have dinner ready for Bea so-"

"Bring her along." Brody felt his heart swell in his chest, and he had to admit he was happy at Rhea's smile. "We can set another place, and I know our family will enjoy having her there."

Gabriel leaned in and gave Rhea a pat on her shoulder. "Think about it. We'd love to have all of you."

He left and suddenly they were alone again.

Brody felt like he should clarify something. "You know I don't mind calling her Bea, right?" She didn't answer back, and he continued. "It's just a little strange as I feel like I've known her my whole life. Even though it wasn't my 'whole' life."

Still nothing.

He turned around. "Are you okay?"

He could tell that his question surprised her.

She went from smiling to tense in a minute and he hated it.

"Rhea? Have I done something?"

Her gaze lowered to the floor and moved about a bit.

"Or have I not done something?"

He wanted to reach out to her, but he had a feeling that it would be the absolute wrong thing to do. So he kept his hands at his sides.

"All I know is that you've been on edge the whole shift so far."

Her gaze lifted to meet his eyes in a heartbeat. "Do you think that people noticed?"

He knew that look. She was afraid.

"You've been great with the patients we've had, I'm not complaining about your work, Rhea. You're always great when we're working but every time it's just been... it's just been 'us' in the rig I feel like you're on the verge of running in the opposite direction. I'm just glad you’re seat belted in, and the door was closed." He let out a breath. "I'm not trying to push you, but I'm worried."

She looked back at him, and he could see something in her eyes. It was hesitant, but it was there. He fought himself from reaching out to pull her into his arms.

"You know, we're going to spend downtime together in the rig and at the station house during our shifts. I just want you to know that I'm here for you."

She managed a little smile. "You're fun to be around."

Why did those words hit him like a sucker punch?

"And I'm not complaining about fun," she told him, echoing some of his words. "I like talking to you and yes, normally we talk during the down time and that helps pass the time. I'm just... I’ve got something weighing on me and I don't want to dump this on you. You're still you, Brody. You're single. You shouldn't have to deal with me rambling on about kid stuff."

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