Page 41

Chapter 40

Brooks

The second Lia gives me the go-ahead, I spill my guts about anything remotely relevant to the Rebecca situation. Diving deep into the archives, it’s sort of like word vomit. I tell her about our relationship, the terrible breakup, and the lack of contact until recently. Anything Rebecca touched that has to do with me makes its way into the conversation.

Lia doesn’t ask any questions. She watches and listens, sometimes nodding, but not giving me more than that.

“I didn’t invite her. Didn’t know she was coming to the game tonight. Here, take my phone. Look at the texts. Log in to my social media if you want. You’ll see her messages, but you’ll never see me respond. I swear I didn’t.” I slide the phone toward her on the counter.

“Brooks, that isn’t necessary. I believe you. You’ve never given me a reason not to.” Her voice is level and calm but doesn’t give me much of anything besides that.

I let out a breath, one I’ve been holding in with a vice grip. Part of me was worried she’d hear this part and I’d still be fucked. Like she wouldn’t believe me or give me a chance to get it in front of her. Like she’d beg me to take her somewhere else tomorrow.

Fuck. She still might do that. I can’t let my mind get too far ahead.

She flexes her hands open and close. “I don’t understand why you wouldn’t tell me when it happened,” she admits.

“Honestly, I didn’t think there was anything to tell. Like, I didn’t reach out and don’t even have her number saved in my phone. I thought if I didn’t respond, she’d get the hint and move on. I have zero reservations about cutting her off or leaving her behind.”

Lia nods her head in understanding. She reaches for my phone, sliding it back to me.

“I almost told you the night you showed up, but everything was going so well,” I admit. “I didn’t want her to have any part in ruining it.” I look at my fingers as I rub my hands together, my knuckles turning white.

“Brooks, if she’s nothing, she can’t ruin this.”

I nod because she’s right. I know she is. Guilt creeps in because I’m supposed to be comforting her, but it feels like she’s taking care of me all over again.

“I trust you,” Lia says, her words soft and intentional.

The words warm me from the inside out.

“That might make me the most gullible and na?ve person, but it’s true. I trust you,” she reinforces.

Well, that makes me feel less good.

I stand to the side of where she’s sitting, turning the barstool so she’s facing me. “You can trust me. I promise nothing is going on with her or anyone else,” I insist.

She rolls her shoulders down and back. “Has she always been this bold?” I feel the trace of a joke sitting behind her words.

My fingers go through my hair before letting my hands hit my neck and sort of hang there. “I’m not sure if it’s boldness or her ability to make situations work for her. That’s how it’s always been. It feels good when you’re part of whatever situation she needs to work, but that tide can turn fast.” The pain of how Rebecca treated me rises; it’s quick, but I’m able to push it down.

Lia nods, trying to understand. “I know what you mean. I’ve met people like that. ”

“I want to be clear with this next part. The only person I want is you. Ever since that first night, it’s been you.” My words get quieter as I go on.

She tilts her head, eyes like emerald velvet locked on mine.

“You’re sure?”

And instead of answering with my words, I tilt her chin to mine and press a soft kiss to her mouth. She doesn’t push me away or resist; instead, she kisses me back. It’s the first time across the entire night I’ve felt like things are going to be okay.

“I’ve never been more sure of anything,” I promise, my forehead pressing to hers.

Lia’s lips pull enough to go from a pressed line to at least the start of a smile. I wrap my arms around her and she hugs me back. Rubbing small circles on her back, I kiss her temple.

“I’m sorry about your apartment.”

“Thanks. I don’t have the capacity to go there,” she admits through a yawn.

“Let’s get you to bed,” I suggest, reaching for her hand. She trails behind me as we walk up the stairs. Rocky follows, the jingle of his collar letting us know where he is. I stop in front of the guest room and swing the door open, but Lia pulls on me.

“If it’s okay, I’d rather sleep in your bed. With you,” she shyly requests.

Something in my heart flutters as I respond. “That’s more than okay. As long as you don’t mind Rocky. He sort of sleeps in my bed.”

“Sounds perfect,” Lia says as we walk to my room.

As we get situated under the covers, I make a promise to myself—one I’ll share with her when the time is right. I’ll never do anything that has her doubting us, if I can help it.

How does it feel like there’s barely any room in this king-size bed? Rocky sleeps at my feet on top of the blankets, and Lia is curled into me. The culprit is the sixty-five pound English bulldog who gets too hot to be under the covers, but him lying on top makes it almost impossible to move.

I look over at Lia, watching her chest rise and fall with her slow breaths. She sleeps with her hands curled under her chin.

Fuck. I’m so grateful this morning. Grateful she let me help her. Grateful I could get all the shit with Rebecca cleared up. Grateful she’s in this bed with me.

Her phone buzzes a few times on the bedside table, waking her up. Her arm falls to the side, reaching for it.

“Shit,” she groans at whatever is on her phone.

“What’s wrong?”

Lia wipes the sleep from her eyes with one hand, holding her phone in the other. “I’m supposed to go to breakfast with my brother. I completely forgot. Plus, I don’t even have my car. But it’s alright. I saw him yesterday. He’ll live if I cancel,” she sighs.

“I can take you to breakfast. That’s no big deal.”

“It’s all the way across town,” she protests while looking at me.

I turn and face the woman who refuses to let anyone do anything for her and place my hand behind the nape of her neck. When I pull her mouth to mine, she kisses me back and I can feel the trace of a smile.

I break the kiss. “Let me help you. Please quit making this so hard.” I kiss her forehead before pushing the covers off me as much as Rocky’s position allows and swing my legs out of bed. I reach up and stretch my arms over my head.

“You could come with me?” Lia offers quietly. “Like… stay for breakfast. We go to this hole in the wall back home. Our table is always tucked in the back.”

She wants me to meet her brother. One of her favorite people. My heart swells at the thought.

Her words run together as she continues, “It’s probably too risky, right? Not worth it. I can take an Uber.” She gets out of bed and starts to walk past me.

I lightly grab her arm and spin her to me, pressing my mouth on hers. This seems to be the only effective method I have to make her stop and listen.

“Lia, I’d love to go with you. This, right here,” I point between the two of us, “is an example of you making things hard.” I press another kiss on her mouth before walking to my bathroom.

I smile as I brush my teeth; it feels like we’re taking a step out of the Rebecca woods. I know other things may come up, but I was completely honest and transparent. With nothing to hide and everything to prove to Lia, I’ll take on the challenge any day.

Starting with breakfast.