We make haste diving into our food, conversation lagging in our efforts to shovel the food into our mouths.
“How’s the steak?” I finally ask, finishing up my own. Broccoli and potato find their way into my mouth next. It’s all heaven on my tongue.
“Not as good as yours, apparently,” Hadley replies, drowning a chunk in A1 Sauce.
“Because you eat it burnt. That’s not real steak.”
“I’m not a vampire. I don’t want a side of steak with my blood,Edward.”
Here we go withTwilight. I won’t be surprised if I’m forced to watch that bad excuse for a movie tonight.
She speaks again before I can respond. “Oh, let’s see if we can watch it tonight!” Great. I summoned her desire for the ridiculous movie.Please God, no.
“If you make me watch that movie one more time…” I threaten, dropping my fork onto my empty plate. I inhaled my food, and now my stomach is a balloon fixing to pop.
“What are you gonna do?” she challenges, fixating her eyes on mine and setting her own fork down. She crosses her arms and sets them on the table, leaning in.
“It’s whatyouwill have to do.” I smirk. “Whatever I want for an entire day. Scrap your plans. Let me take the reins.”
“Sounds harmless.” Hadley’s laugh has ideas reeling in my head. “We’re watchingTwilight!”
“Youknow,Imayactually enjoy the movie more if you would quit playing every single role.” That’s a lie. It’s insanely adorable how she changes her voice for each character. Maybe I’d like the movie more if it wasTwilight: Hadley Dawson Stars in a One-Woman Show.
“So, what’s my punishment for making you watch this?”
I grin, turning my face to her. Mistake. We are too close sitting up in this single bed in a dark room. I swallow, then look away before answering. “You’ll have to wait and find out. That’s part of the deal.”
“I love surprises, Brax,” she says. “Did you forget that?”
“Sure didn’t, Bully. But maybe this one’ll make you regret that statement.” I still haven't solidified my Braxton’s Day yet. Yes, it has a name. And yes, it’s written in my notebook waiting for bullet points to appear beneath the bolded words.
“Try me,” she challenges. I dare to meet her eyes again. She has one eyebrow cocked up, and I want to take a finger to it and smooth it down. She turns her head back towards the movie. “Oh, I love this part!” The vampire guy steps into the sunlight and sparkles. Snorted laughter breaks through me, and she hits my arm. “Shh, you’re ruining the moment!”
“How do you think I’d look if I unbuttoned my flannel and sparkled in the sunlight?” I question through my laughter. That pretty pink color lights her cheeks, reminding me of the lollipops Hadley so often eats. She hits me a few more times before breaking out in her own laughter.
“Fine, it’s ridiculous,” she admits through fits of laughter. After the day we both had, I think letting loose is exactly what we needed. She tumbles over in laughter, falling into my chest. I wrap my arms around her instinctively, pulling her close as we laugh. Though our laughter quickly dies down with that action.
“Thanks for coming with me, Brax.”
Her head still rests against my chest, my arms holding her close to me as if I am never letting go. I don’t want to let go. “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I reassure her.
She sits up, and I unwillingly let her go.
“I felt like I kind of forced you into this,” she says. I sit up straighter, turning to look her directly in the eyes.
“No, you didn’t. I agreed to watch the movie. Besides, you gave me a day.”
“No, not this.” She gestures around the room. “This whole road trip.”
“I was going to say yes the very moment you asked me,” I say. “You never had to beg or fight me for it. I was all in.” Pausing for a moment, I add, “I am all in.”
“Okay,” she whispers, turning her eyes away. She yawns, though I think it’s fake. “Time for bed. You can sleep on the bed tonight. I’ll take the floor.”
“As long as you are rooming with me, you’ll never take the floor.”
Her attention snaps back to me as she stares, blinking as if she didn’t quite understand my words. The silence is only filled by the ongoing movie.
“Thanks, Braxton,” she says with a soft smile. Her skin is glowing in the shadowed room, and I realize…
