“Triscuits?” I offered.
16
BRANDON
As soon as I sent that picture, I regretted it. I was so damn nervous. I’d never done anything like that before, and I assumed Lexi would be into it. But when she didn’t reply, I started to panic.What if I’d gone too far? What if I crossed a line?I knew she didn’t want anyone to know about us, and we had to keep things casual, but I thought she’d enjoy a little teasing via text.How could I have read her so wrong?
My spiraling thoughts continued throughout the morning. I did my best to stay present for the kids’ sake, though. It wasn’t their fault that their pseudo Santa for the day was having a mini mental breakdown. At every lull, I checked my phone, but she still hadn’t seen the message by the time I took my lunch break.
When I was ready to pack up for the day, I checked again and saw that she had seen the message but still hadn’tresponded.Well, fuck.I sent another message, trying to do some damage control.
Me
Hey, sorry if that was out of line.
I hoped she wasn’t too pissed about the photo, and that I could make it up to her later. But it was late afternoon, and I had to get to the shop for an appointment.
When I entered the shop, Dylan and my dad were both working on clients, and Paige, our receptionist, was at the desk. Dad had only recently come back to work after taking an ‘early retirement’ after Mom died. We all sort of knew he wouldn’t be able to stay retired, but supported his decision to have his time away. Coming back to the place they had built together must have been hard, but I could tell my old man was bored senseless sitting at home. And since coming back into the shop last month, he’d been all smiles.
“Hey,” I raised a hand as I entered to greet everyone.
“Hey, Brandon,” Paige said with a wave back. “Your appointment called and said they are running a few minutes late.”
“Okay, thanks. You can send them back whenever they get here.” I stopped at Dad’s station near the front. “How’s it going, Pops?”
He looked up over his glasses, which he only used when he was working or reading. “Pretty good, son. How was the hospital?”
“Busy today. The kids were all so excited to see me.”
“You’re probably making their days, Brandon. You know better than most how awful it can be being stuck in the hospital during the holidays.” Dad’s gaze shifted out of focus, likely recalling the countless days spent in hospitals with Mom.
“That’s why I keep going back. It’s hard to see the sicker kids, but the smiles on their faces make it all worth it.” I glanced at his client, who was looking a little annoyed at my interruption. “Sorry, I’ll let you get back to work.”
“You’re fine. Bill here doesn’t have anywhere to be,” he laughed. “Isn’t that right, Bill?”
“Speak for yourself, you old fuck,” Bill chuckled, clearly not as annoyed as I thought.
I moved back to my station, throwing a nod to Dylan as I passed him. My next client was for a touch-up, so I didn’t really have anything to prepare for them. I sat and pulled out my sketchbook, opening it to the last page I had been working on. I stared at the image in front of me. It was one of many drawings I’d done since I first laid eyes onherat that club. She was a work of art all on her own, and every sketch I did seemed to fall short of capturing her beauty, but that didn’t stop me from trying. Footsteps approaching had me quickly closing my sketchbook.
“Whatcha working on, bro?” Dylan asked, looking over my shoulder.
“Nothing.” It wasn’t like me to hide my sketches, but those were for my eyes only.
“Bullshit,” he said, exaggerating the word for added effect. “Don’t be so secretive. I’m not going to steal your designs. Remember, I’m the talented brother.”
What an ass.
“Very funny. You done for the day?” I asked, attempting to change the subject.
“Yeah, I was thinking about heading out for a drink. When are you done? Want to join me?” he asked.
“I’ve got a client coming in any minute. Shouldn’t take me too long, though. I’ll shoot ya a text when I’m done to see what you’re up to, okay?” The last thing I wanted to do was play wingman for my man whore of a brother. I’d rather end up balls deep in Lexi, but since she wasn’t returning my messages, I wasn’t sure that was even an option.
He slapped me on the back. “Yeah, sounds good. I’ll try to save ya some pussy.”
“Dylan!” Dad called from the front.
Dylan leaned down and whispered, “How the fuck did he hear that?”
