Page 102 of Collide

“Hello? Who’s this?” I answer, feigning disinterest, though a smile creeps onto my lips.

Damn it.

“Ouch, my ego. How will I ever recover?” Broderick teases, his deep voice playful. I can practicallyhearthe grin in his tone, and somehow, it makes me giddy.

I shift on the bed, aware of how ridiculous I must look, smiling like an idiot.

Get it together.

“Tell me you loved it,” he coaxes, voice low, like he already knows the answer.

“You wish,” I shoot back, gripping the phone a little tighter.

He chuckles softly, the sound warm and rich. “Oh, I don’t need to wish.I know.”

I roll my eyes, even though he can’t see me. “What makes you so sure?”

There’s a pause, and when he speaks again, his voice dips, teasing but smooth. “Because you answered the call.”

My breath catches before I can stop it.

Fuck.

He laughs—a real, full laugh that cuts through the tension. “And karaoke, really, El?”

El? What is this—some frat boy shortcut? It sounds weird.

“It’s Elena,” I mutter, but I bet he’s already smirking like he knows I won’t correct him again.

“You afraid of embarrassing yourself in front of me,Brody?” I say lightly, deliberately using his nickname, though my voice holds a hint of caution, Alex’s betrayal still too raw to fully lean into this game.

“I don’t embarrass easily. But I couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket. Unlike you, Songbird.” His voice dips softer, more sincere.

I freeze.Songbird.

“Stalking is illegal, you know?” I bite back.

“Hey, looking you up online is perfectly legal. I checked.” He chuckles. “You’ve got serious talent, El. You’ll put us all to shame. Please have pity on us.”

He says it again—El—low and sure, testing whether he can get away with it. Color rushes to my cheeks. I’m flattered, but wary.

“Okay, Mr. Internet Detective.” I shoot back with a grin. “Any other bright ideas for the weekend?”

“How about the Hamptons? The Montgomery Estate’s big enough for everyone, right?”

I sit up—it’s agoodsuggestion.

“That’s actually…perfect, Brody.”

He laughs, deep and smooth. “Aww, look at you calling me Brody. Are we gonna braid each other’s hair and be besties forever?”

A giggle bursts out before I can stop it, and for the first time all day, I feel lighter.

“I needed that,” I confess, softer than I intend, vulnerability slipping through the cracks.

His tone shifts instantly, more serious. “Everything okay? The boyfriend giving you trouble?”

I freeze. “He’s not my boyfriend,” I say quickly, shutting that down.