Page 29 of Make You Mine This Christmas
A pleased smile breaks onto Brody’s face. “I know I’d like for it to happen again. You know, orgasms are a scientifically proven method of relieving headache pain.”
I squeeze his foot before standing to hover over him. “I think a less than five-minute window before you’re unconscious puts you out of commission. Sleep, Brody. We’ve got time.”
I lean down and brush a kiss along his forehead, watching as his eyes flutter closed and stay closed.
“Night,” I say softly, standing up straight and watching him lie there peacefully.
“Night,” he murmurs, before his breathing evens out and the medicine takes him under.
After gathering the pieces of his suit from the floor and hanging them in the closet, I walk out of the room and shut the door softly behind me. I think about what I said to Brody.
We’ve got time. Am I lying to myself, and even worse, to him?
* * *
The next morning I’m up at a much more normal time, in part because I didn’t sleep well. My mind raced with thoughts of the man across the hall. How it felt when he touched me. How badly I want him to do it again and touch him in return. But by not putting a stop to this, am I setting us up for a world of hurt when he eventually goes back to New York? Well, Stamford. But the point being, not here.
When I decide I can’t stare at the ceiling any longer, I get up and head to the kitchen, managing to avoid the creaky floorboard. It’s only been about nine hours since Brody fell asleep, and I don’t want to interrupt his recovery. I stare into the fridge, trying to decide what sounds appetizing for breakfast. The urge I have isn’t to eat, but to untangle this Brody mess in my head.
Right on cue, my phone pings with a text from Cole checking to see if we’re still on for dinner on Sunday. What’s the point of having a best friend who never sleeps if you can’t show up at their front door with all your problems?
“Austin?” Cole answers my call after the first ring, his voice concerned.
“If I bring coffee and pastries, can I crash your morning routine?”
“Even without coffee and pastries. You bring that cute ass over here with the gossip you’ve been denying me, and you’ve got a deal,” he responds, and I hear Blaire laugh in the background.
“You’ve been living in Holly Ridge for too long, my man,” I say. “See you within the hour?”
“See you then.”
I jump into action, putting the coffeepot on a timer to brew so it will be ready for when Brody wakes up. Not wanting to risk the noise of the shower, I throw some clothes into a bag, figuring I can shower at Blaire and Cole’s or worst case, at the high school, before I change.
Back in the living room, I stop short, realizing I’ve been on my own for too long. How will Brody get to Holly Ridge if I take the car? After a moment’s consideration, I turn over a notice from the building about snow maintenance and write a note.
Brody,
I hope your head’s better. I didn’t want to risk waking you up, so I went to Cole’s for a late breakfast. Here are the keys. I’ll see you in the locker room at 11:30.
X, Austin
P.S. Don’t freak out I’m not here. We’ll talk soon.
Setting the keys next to the note, I pull out my phone to order a rideshare. While I wait on the curb for the driver to pick me up, I worry over what I wrote. I didn’t want to promise him everything is okay, because I’m not sure it is. But talking to Cole will be one of the best ways to get me there.
* * *
I knock on the door, and moments later, Blaire and Melody open the door to greet me.
“Uncle Austin’s here,” she says, bouncing the happy little girl.
“With bribes,” I say, in the same overly excited tone.
“Uncle Austin’s the best.” She shuts the door behind me and embraces me in a side hug with her empty arm. “I’m heading out in a minute, but could wait a little while for a hug and a peppermint mocha.” I point to one of the cups with the hand holding the bag of pastries, and Blaire works it out of the cup holder.
“I think it’s more the coffee than the hug,” I tease, and she smiles slyly.
“I mean, isn’t peppermint mocha a hug in a cup?” She turns her attention to her daughter. “Let’s get you back to Daddy, and then Mommy’s gotta go to work.” I follow her into the kitchen, setting the remaining coffees and pastries on the table. As I expected, Cole has his hands full with Cassidy, so I hold out my arms to take the baby from Blaire. Melody immediately reaches for my hair, and I indulge her in one tug before gently prying her fingers free.
