Page 29 of Bad Boys After Dark - Brett
“Brett, why are you really doing this?”
“I told you.” He bit into his sandwich. He must have seen something in her expression, because he added, “Look, if you hadn’t punched me in the eye, we’d probably be making out right now, so don’t overthink this, Soph.”
“I’m not,” she lied, trying to dodge the sting of his hurtful words pinging through her. She picked up her sandwich, but she wasn’t hungry anymore and set it back down. Brett was watching her with a serious look in his eyes, making it even harder for her to avoid the pain of his words. Needing another distraction from her conflicting feelings, she opened the yogurt.
“Not hungry?” He handed her a plastic spoon from the bag.
“Not very, but I appreciate you bringing lunch.” She noticed the redness under his eye was still there. Good.
Ugh. She didn’t want to hurt him. She just wished he didn’t want to hurt her, either. The trouble was, he probably didn’t even realize he had. Why should he? He wasn’t leading her on. He’d been nothing but honest with her. She was the one with the runaway dreams.
“So, you’re going rowing?” she asked to keep from picking apart her thoughts.
“Beautiful day. Why not?” His lips curled up, and he waggled his brows. “Gotta keep the old bod in shape for my extracurricular activities.”
She didn’t enjoy how that comment made her feel like one in a long line of activities.
“How’s the book?” He reached for it, and his arm brushed against her chest, sending a different sensation skittering through her despite her heartache. He flipped open the pages and read what Kurt had written.
Having read too much hope into Kurt’s words, she’d memorized the inscription. Sophie, you must be a very special person to have gotten my buddy Brett in for a reading. Maybe you can bring him over to the literary dark side. I hope you enjoy the book. Kurt
“Yeah,” she answered absently. “I was totally into the story until you scared the shit out of me.”
“Sorry about that. Like I said”—a twinkle of heat rose in his eyes—“we could have been having even more fun right now.” He finished his sandwich and shoved the trash into the bag, promptly diving into the fruit and dipping it in his container of yogurt.
Are you frigging kidding me? You’re a fruit dipper?
He popped the dipped fruit into his mouth. “Hey, I’ve got an idea. Why don’t you come rowing with me? It’ll be fun.”
Even though she knew he was truly in their relationship only for sex, the urge to say yes was so strong, Sophie worried that when she opened her mouth that’s what would fall out. She shoved her empty yogurt container into the bag, determined not to be his afterthought, even if she’d seemed to be his first thought that morning. And when he’d decided to stop and bring her lunch.
This was so hard and confusing. She couldn’t make heads or tails of her thoughts. On the one hand, he was spontaneous and she loved being with him, but on the other hand, he couldn’t commit, which left her wondering why she was even bothering. She needed to protect her sanity and her heart.
“I can’t. I’m meeting a friend soon. But thanks anyway.” She began gathering her things, more to secure that excuse in her head than for his benefit.
“Oh.” His brows knitted. “Meeting Grace?”
“No,” she answered, shoving her book into her purse. She had no idea why she said no. Grace would have been the perfect excuse because Brett knew her other girlfriends, as they were attached to his brothers and friends.
“Amanda and the girls?” he asked as he pushed to his feet and picked up the blanket.
“No. Just a friend from work.” Shit. Seriously? From work?
“What about the game? Are you watching it later?”
“I don’t know, maybe. I’d better run so I’m not late.”
“Right, okay.” He handed her the blanket and stepped closer. “Thanks for hanging with me. It was great to see you.”
“Yeah, you too. Sorry about your eye.” A little voice in her head wished he’d say something about seeing her again.
