ChapterTwenty-Eight
Liv
I roll over,feeling a little sore. I half expect to see Dax there, but it feels cold as I touch his side of the bed. I wonder what time he left last night. I look over to see that it is now eight a.m. I have a dull throb between my thighs, which reminds me of all the naughty fun we had last night. My skin flushes instantly, and my body tingles with the recollection. I lean over and take a deep breath in. I inhale his scent, which still lingers on it. Wow, I am such a creeper. Pushing myself up, I rest against the headboard and rub my eyes to wake up fully. As my brain catches up with the light of day, my breath catches in my throat. My eyes pop open, and my hand covers my mouth, stifling a gasp.
Oh. My. God. Did I tell him I loved him? Did I say that? Did he say it back? I rack my brain to remember, but the sleep makes the whole thing fuzzy. Clutching the bed sheets to my chest, I start to panic. Oh. My. God. Oh. My. God. What did I do?
Maybe he won’t remember, or perhaps he didn't even hear me. Yeah, that’s it. Maybe he didn’t hear me. If he brings it up, I will pretend I don’t remember saying it. I guess that’s the only thing I can come up with right now. Deny. Deny. Deny. I should be more concerned with the fact that he came inside me last night too. At least I’m on birth control, but ugh, it just makes me so sick. It’s just a multitude of problems for me to deal with. I try to pull myself together and think about the plan for the day. I also need to visit Brodie. It’s my usual Sunday Funday at Brodies’ house. Except nowadays, it seems to be more sad than fun. The girls will be here soon for a girl’s weekend, and I heard from Val that some of the guys were thinking about coming up to visit Brodie. He told me about it briefly, and I think it would do him some good to see everyone. At least, maybe it will cheer him up.
I quickly shower and get my things ready to head over to Brodie’s place. The apartment is eerily quiet. I look over at the desk in the foyer to notice that Emma’s keys are not in their usual place, and I realize she didn’t come home last night. I wonder what secrets she has been keeping. She has become more secretive since she moved in with me. Hopefully she will let me know what is going on with her. She is my best friend and I hope she knows she can count on me for anything. I get ready and head out. As I get closer to my Jeep, I see a note on the windshield. As if reading my thoughts, I see a message from Emma.
Hey, hooker. I saw Dax here. I got out early from work and decided to head out and meet a friend for breakfast. Don’t wait up. Xo-Em.
Well, that solves that. A smile forms, and I take off to see Brodie. It is a quick drive at this time of the morning. I park my Jeep in the circular driveway and am greeted by Brodie’s nurse, Melissa.
“Hi, Liv. Glad to see you. I was just getting breakfast together. I hope you’re hungry.” She takes my bag and places it on the hook. “Brodie is just getting ready. I’m giving him his space. Why don’t you join me in the kitchen, and I’ll make your favorite latte? Do you want it hot or iced today?”
“You’re a lifesaver. Hot would be great, thanks.” I follow her and place myself on the chair sitting on the kitchen island.
“Coming right up.”
I decide to ask her and see if she would divulge information on Brodie’s mental health. “How’s Brodie these days? I’m so busy with school and work that I haven’t been around much.”
I don’t make eye contact, but I kind of side-eye her so she cannot read my concern. Let’s pretend this isn’t me being full-on Inspector Clouseau hunting for tidbits of truth. Melissa hands me my usual angry cat mug that reads—Woke up, hated it. I look at it and giggle. So do I, I think to myself.
“He’s the same. I heard that some of the guys are thinking about stopping by, and he was looking forward to it.”
I perk up.“Yes, Val told me that too. I hope that it happens. He could use the friendship as a distraction.”
“Definitely,” she agrees. “I’m making Brodie’s protein shake. Can I get you a bagel?”
I nod and pick up my mug of coffee. “Sure, that would be great. I’m going up to see him. Can you call me when it is done, and I can grab them?”
“No problem, Liv. Don’t worry about coming back down. I’ll just bring them up. Please cheer that guy up, will you?” I heard her say as I headed up the stairs.
“I plan to,” I echo back down the stairs to her.
“Brodie?” I call his name as I enter the enormous suite—his room.
“In here,'' I hear a reply from the side of the room. Brodie is on the terrace overlooking the courtyard.
“Hey, you. I just grabbed my coffee and came up. I hear the guys are coming over to see you, huh?”
He looks over at me with a smile on his face. “Yes, that’s what they said. I could use the distraction from my boring life.”
I like seeing him like this. The last time he was so depressed, he seemed to be in better spirits, at least today.
“The girls are also coming, and I look forward to seeing everyone. I’ve been so busy with school and work that I couldn’t get together with everyone.”
He looks at me like he wants to ask me a question. He starts and then stops and looks away.
“What is it, Brodie? Do you want to ask me something?”
He looks up at me. “Liv, are you seeing anyone?”
This is not the question I was expecting, but I feel that honesty is the best policy and that he should know. So I decided to tell him the truth.
“Yes, I am seeing someone right now.”
