“I’ll take the credit,” I told Brody.
He walked toward me and offered a high-five, knowing I couldn’t reach his hand. I didn’t care to try, which meant I was in for a bear hug—one that would leave my feet dangling a foot from the ground. “I feel like it’s been a year since I’ve seen you, fireball,” Brody said as he placed me back down.
“Dude,” Brett interrupted him. “Stop calling her that.”
“Oh, it’s fine, Brett. I know your brother isn’t capable of remembering names, so I let it slide.”
“Ohhhh, snap,” Brett said, holding his hand over his mouth while he pointed at Brody with his other hand.
“I see you haven’t changed a bit,” Brody said.
“Did you finally graduate high school, or are you a third-year senior now?” I countered. My insults had no real meaning because I had no idea what he had been up to, but Brody was good at teasing, and I wasn’t the type to take it and not give it right back.
“I’ve already graduated, thank you very much.”
“Good for you,” I said, annunciating every word.
“It’s a good thing you have a beautiful smile, Journey,” Brody said, his words soft and under his breath, so no one else could hear, which caught me off guard.
My heart pounded in my chest, and it was unexpected. Completely unexpected. He was Brody Pearson. I had known him for longer than I could remember, and he had never made my heart beat any faster than a normal resting pulse.
I forced myself to turn away from Brody, needing a minute to adjust my thoughts. I straightened the various snack bowls and placed the columns of cups closer together, but Brody’s hand found my back as he stepped in beside me. “Sorry if I was inappropriate. The words just came out of my mouth.”
The touch of his hand had taken my breath away, and I couldn’t find the words to respond. I was acting like Melody, which wasn’t normal for me. “It’s okay,” I finally said.
“Look, it’s New Year’s Eve, and I will not start a new year by lying, so you should know that I’ve always noticed your smile. I just never said anything before now. We were in relationships with other people, and we had only seen each other like once or twice a year, and we’ve been in different towns, but I’ve always thought you’re beautiful and awesome.” I was ready for the laughter to roll. I was sure he was teasing me again, but not even a hint of a smile followed his comment.
Once I was sure it wasn’t a joke, I responded, trying to sound unaffected by his proclamation. “First, I’m not in a relationship. We broke up recently. Second, have you already been drinking?”
I didn’t smell booze, but Brody had never given me a look that would hint at feeling anything for me. “Interesting,” he said. “I just got out of a relationship too, and no, I haven’t been drinking...yet.”
I smiled again, which was the universal symbol for a person being happy. Maybe the thought of being with Brody had crossed my mind occasionally. We had known each other forever; he was hot and the quarterback of his football team. Practically, every girl wanted to be with him—from his school and mine. There wasn’t much to ignore about him. Evidently, rumor had it he was the best kisser in the four surrounding counties. I’m not sure who judged the poll, but a rumor always started somewhere. In any case, Brody was older and out of my league. There was no reason to pay attention to what I figured was just a lonely New Year’s Eve desire.
“A new year doesn’t sound like the worst thing in the world right now,” Brody said, leaving me to my obsessive organizing of party supplies. More people were arriving, and the basement was full within a half hour.
“What are you talking about?” Brody asks. “The accident?”
I guess I did a good job of keeping quiet after the party. I was sure I was going to jail or hell by four o’clock the next morning. Instead, I waited in the waiting room of the ICU, scared out of my mind.
“Yeah, the accident that sent my life on a downward spiral.”
Brody is in a clear state of confusion, and he’s pinching the bridge of his nose. “This is why I never saw you again after that night,” he says.
“Yes,” I answer.
“What happened?”
“I can’t go into these details, Brody. Not now. Every time I think about that night, I fall deeper into a black hole.”
Brody nudges me away from the sink and continues cleaning the dishes I hadn’t gotten to. He doesn’t ask another question.
“I’m sorry for barging in on you tonight,” he says, with his back to me.
“Eh, it happens.” I feel like letting him off the hook a little, especially since I’m not filling in the blanks of questions that will probably bug the crap out of him.
“People try to break into your apartment regularly?”
I sigh with the exaggerated sound of frustration. “No, only you would do something like that.”
