Me: Proper is overrated. There’s not a thing I’d change about our impromptu second date.
Just the memory of Brady’s mouth on my throat is enough to raise my blood pressure.
Brady: Okay, then let me take you on a third date.
I grin as I type my reply. Classes will switch any minute and I need to get moving, but I’m having too much fun.
Me: I don’t know. A third date is kind of serious. What did you have in mind?
There’s a long pause and I’m about to put my phone away when another message pops up.
Brady: It’s a surprise.
Me: I hate surprises.
Brady: Are you serious? What kind of monster are you that you hate surprises? Do you also hate the Easter Bunny?
Surprises in my house were rarely a good thing, but I trust Brady. Whatever he has in mind, it’ll be something we both enjoy.
Me: No, but I’m not a fan of Santa. The Grinch is more my style.
Brady: I think it’s safe to say you have a type.
Me: And what type would that be?
Brady: Hairy dudes with dad bods. And before you ask, no, I will not dye my hair green.
Did he just? Yup, new kink unlocked.
The way I cackle at the thought of a green Brady isn’t even right, but it feels good to laugh. To let my guard down and just be a regular student with regular concerns. To not have to watch my every word for fear of slipping up and revealing the source of my income.
Me: Spoilsport.
Brady: I’ll make it up to you on Sunday.
Me: It’s a date.
And this time, I’m actually looking forward to it.
18
BRADY
“You still coolif I borrow the Jeep?”
Reid looks up from the couch where he and Coop are watching the Steelers-Browns matchup. “It’s all yours. I’m not planning to move my ass from this couch for the rest of the day.”
Yesterday’s game against Wisconsin was brutal and while I came home and crashed afterward, my boys hit up a Halloween party at Sig Chi. Looks like they’re paying the price for it now.
“Thanks. I’ll fill it up before I bring it back.”
He waves me off, like always. Reid’s father is an NFL legend and future Hall of Famer, but despite being raised with the kind of money I could only dream of, he’s one of the most chill guys I know. “Don’t worry about it unless you’re planning to empty the tank.”
It’s a generous offer, but we both know I’m going to ignore it. That he’s letting me borrow the Jeep is favor enough. I’m not about to take advantage of his generosity.
“Is it me, or is your beard shrinking?” Coop cocks his head like he’s trying to see it from a different angle and then his eyes go wide. “Oh, shit.” He nudges Reid. “He’s borrowing the car. He broke out the hedge trimmers.” The prick makes a show of sniffing the air. “And he smells like one of those pine tree air fresheners.”
Reid’s brows go flat. “I have no idea where you’re going with this.”
