“I guess I hoped looking after her would somehow change our relationship.Maybe she’d value me a little even if she couldn’t love me.”
“You do realize none of this is really about you?”Harper leaned forward, her green eyes narrowed.“How you grew up was all about your parents and their stuff.No part of you was lacking in any way.”
Harpers words twisted their way through the construct she’d built in her head.It wasn’t her.It was them.
“I’m starting to realize it’s okay to ask for help.It’s crazy how everybody is here.”
Cujo caught her eye.He said something to Trent, who stopped digging.
“People care about you.And for what it’s worth, I think he’d do anything for you.”Harper giggled.
“God, they look hot without their shirts on.”
“They could do a calendar or something.I’d buy it.”
“See something you like, Shortcake?”Cujo grabbed her off the step.
“Urgh, get off me… you smell gross.”
Cujo laughed and carried her to his truck and popped her down on the open tailgate.Cujo settled between her legs.“C’mon babe, you love it when I’m all hot and sweaty.”His eyes dropped to her breasts.“Cute T-shirt, Shortcake.Love the view.”
Drea shook her head.“You’re crazy.”
He encircled her waist, then pulled her up against him, hugging her close.She leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder, and focused on resisting the urge to kiss his neck.
“I overheard you talking to Harper,” he said, stroking her back in wide circles.“Have I told you how proud I am of you?”
“Why would you be proud of me?I hurt you.I hurt us.”
“That’s just one moment in our history.It won’t define us.I’m proud of you because you’ve persevered.I could never have done that on my own like you have.”
“I was a mess, Brody.Iama mess, but I’m working on it.I started seeing a therapist a couple of days ago.”Marlene had been wonderful, and even though it was only the first session, she’d come away feeling better and more positive about the future.
“See, reason two hundred and seventy-two of why I am proud of you.”
Drea pulled back and looked at him.She studied the stubble gracing his chin, the set of his shoulders, the way he licked his bottom lip.She saved his eyes for last.The honesty in them was breathtaking.
“I missed you, Brody,” she whispered.
Cujo wrapped a hand around the back of her neck and rested his forehead against hers.She could feel the restraint in the set of his arms.He wanted more but would never take it.
Drea turned her face upward, and brushed her lips against his.Cujo gasped, but didn’t respond.She tried again, gently running her tongue along the seam of his lips, and they opened softly.“Kiss me, Brody.”
“Be sure,” he groaned.
“I’m sure,” she gasped as he pulled her to the end of the truck and pressed up tightly against her.Nothing could have prepared her for the onslaught.Cujo’s hands were in her hair, then up and down her back before gripping her hips.His tongue fought its way into her mouth as he devoured her.
He pushed her back onto the truck bed and she wrapped her legs around his waist.Perhaps their friends could see.Definitely the nosy Mrs.Hernandes, who was likely on her porch right now saying a Hail Mary for Drea’s soul, but Drea didn’t give a shit.She fell into the kiss and took everything Cujo was willing to give her.
“Fuck, Drea, I missed you, too,” he said breathlessly, resting his head on her shoulder.
Wrapping her arms around him, she savored the warmth and security he gave her.
“Please tell me that wasn’t a mistake,” he said.
“It wasn’t, but I don’t think I’m going to be the same person at the end of therapy.What if you feel different too?The therapist said working through all this could take months.”
“Drea, I love who you were before.I love who you are right now.I’m gonna love you ten years from now.I hope you’re not the same, because it means we’ve grown.I just want to be the one who gets to do it with you.”
