Cody kissed me on the top of my head, then was gone.
"Here goes." I looked around, trying to see what could go. Keith had given me free rein, taking anything out of here that couldn't be tossed last night.
I flipped on all the lights and looked through the place. It was basically one room with a little alcove for a kitchenette, and of course a small bathroom at the back. There was a nice balcony off the back wall, beautiful French doors opening up to it. The place was small, but it did have some potential, and I was determined to make it as nice for Cody as I possibly could. This was her first place, and that meant a lot.
Time went by, streams of sweat running down my neck and back as I made piles for the dumpster outside, and scrubbed the old, somewhat mottled hardwood floors, down on my hands and knees, a bucket of murky water next to me. I ran my forearm across my forehead as I looked around at my progress. It was definitely looking more livable.
Now it was time to start taking out the garbage. Load after load, even managing to get the heavy mannequin out. Hey, I may be little, but I was also determined.
Wiping my hands on the side of my shorts, I took a deep breath, and sat in the middle of the floor, waiting for Cody to return. I felt bad her having to go back into that house by herself. We had argued about it last night, and she refused to let me go, saying that they were her parents, and it was her problem and wasn't about to make me get caught up in it. Personally I think she was afraid of what I might say.
I heard some commotion out in the hall, and stood, wiping my hands over my butt to wipe off any dirt, and headed toward the door, nearly bowled over when it slammed open to reveal Cody and Tom on either side of a mattress.
Shit, Tom.
I swallowed, deciding to try and be as invisible as possible.
"Coming through," Cody called out, looking back over her shoulder to get her bearings. I moved over by the wall, wanting to make myself scarce.
"Where do you want it, Code?" Tom grunted.
"I'm thinking over in the corner."
Once they got in through the door, I squeezed out, and headed down to Tom's truck to start unloading it. God, I felt awful, like some sort of criminal, though I knew I wasn't. Tom and Rhonda had been so good to me, then what do I do?
Allow their daughter to be happy, that's what I did.
Filling myself with confidence, I grabbed a night stand, and headed up the long, narrow flight of stairs that weaved its way above the gallery.
That's how the next hour went. Tom and Cody loaded up the heavy stuff, and I ran around grabbing the smaller, lighter stuff, and arranging.
Tom stood in the center of the main room, looking around, finally his eyes settling on his daughter. He had yet to say a word to me.
"Well, Code, I have to get. Jake's T-ball starts in twenty minutes." He walked over to her and gave her a hug. "I love you, Cody."
"I love you, too, dad," she said against the cotton of his t-shirt. He pulled away from her, and glanced over at me, where I was starting to hang up the few clothes that they had managed to fit with this load. He walked over to me, reaching out to wrap an arm over my shoulder, and kissed me lightly on the forehead, then turned and walked out.
Cody looked at me, gauging my reaction, then smiled.
"I have one more load to go." She walked over to me. "My mom wasn't there. Want to go with?" She took me in a hug, leaning down to kiss me. I kissed her back and shook my head.
"No, thanks, Cody. I don't think that's a good idea."
"Okay." With one last kiss, she left. I blew out a breath and looked around. It was now filled with most of Cody's belongings, but that wasn't much. I was going through my own inventory in my mind, thinking of what I could help her with, or what we would be shopping for. The girl had nothing except for what had been in her room, which was the meager belongings of a teenager. Now she had to fill the apartment of an adult.
I started unpacking a boxes of odds and ends that had been quickly thrown together when I heard the door open.
"Back so soon..." My words died on my tongue. Jodi stood there, eyes wide with shock as she stared at me. It didn't take long for the shock to give way to anger.
"What the hell are you doing here?" she asked, her voice that deadly calm that I had heard Cody use.
"I'm helping Cody get settled in," I said, my arms crossing over my chest. Damnit.
"Well, if it weren't for you, Brooklyn, Cody wouldn't be stuck here!" Here it comes.
"Jodi, please don't. You of all people should know that Cody has to do what makes her happy," I tried to explain.
"Happy? With you?" She was goading me. "What happened to, 'I'm not ready for this, I don't want this.' Sound familiar?" Her hands went to her hips.
"Jodi, I know you're angry, but..."
"Angry? Brooklyn, you're tearing my family apart!" she yelled. I started at her, feeling that her words were true though I knew they were just the angry musings of a slighted girl. A slighted sister, that is.
I turned my back to her, feeling the tears rise in my throat, but not wanting her to see them. Slowly my body drifted down to the floor, and I sat, my hands resting in my lap. I could hear Jodi's footfalls as she walked over to me. I saw her shoes as she stood in front of me, then heard the popping of her knees as she knelt down.
Jodi sighed, then I felt a finger gently wipe away a lone tear that trickled down the side of my face.
"I'm sorry I went off like that, Brooklyn. My first priority here is Cody and my family, but especially Cody. I'm worried about her." Her voice was quiet, and I looked up at her, my eyes tortured from the weight on my shoulders.
"So am I." She looked into my eyes, trying to determine my honesty. "I didn't mean for it to happen this way, Jodi. Hell," I laughed ruefully. "I didn't mean for it to happen at all. It just did. Can you understand that?"
Jodi sat down, crossing her legs Indian style, and resting her wrists on her knees.
"I don't know. I mean, I thought you were straight?" I glanced over at her, a sheepish grin on my face.
"Me, too." She grinned at that, so much like Cody. "You know, this hurts me, too. Your parents were the mom and dad that I lost. I looked up to your mom, and treated her as I would have my mother. I miss her, and it's only been a day." I chuckled, shaking my head.
"I'm kind of scared now," Jodi said softly, her voice almost wistful.
"About?" She glanced at me.
"About coming out to them. I had no idea they'd react like this." She took a deep breath, and I reached out to pat her back, but she flinched away, so I dropped my hand back in my lap, feeling slightly dejected, but understanding.
"Well, think of it this way, Cody took the brunt of it."
"I know. I feel bad about that." She looked away, passing her hand in and out of a sun spot on the floor. "I was trying to get the courage to tell them. I actually, well, if things had worked out between us..." She looked at me. "I was going to tell them then."
"You know how to lay it on thick, don't you?" I smiled, so did she.
"Yeah, well. I am my mother's daughter." She groaned as she stood. "So, what's left to do?"
"Brooklyn?" The door slammed open, and an out-of-breath Cody burst through. She stopped when she saw Jodi standing next to me. She looked worried, glancing from one to the other of us. "Um, is everything okay?" she asked, her voice wary.
"Fine." I stood, wiping my shorts, and walking over to her. "Did you get everything?" She nodded, her eyes still on her twin. "Don't worry. We got it all worked out," I said quietly, laying my hand on her arm.
"Come on, girls. We don't have all day." Jodi smiled, but didn't look at us as she passed by to head out. Cody turned to me.
"I saw her car out there and nearly swallowed my tongue," she whispered.
"Yeah, well she nearly bit mine off when she got here."
"She better not. I need that." She grinned and leaned down, taking me in a passionate kiss, claiming her territory.
"Ummmm," I moaned into her mouth. "We better go, baby. Your sister's going to wonder what happened to us." She growled and let me go.
* * *
Jodi had left about an hour ago, and Cody and I had managed to get her bed together and made with clean sheets and bedding that I had brought for her. The space was slightly cramped, but definitely homey. It was actually cute. Cody sat in her chair, the one that looked like a hand, and looked around, a proud smile on her face. She glanced over at me, who stood by the window, bathed in the moonlight that was coming in.
"Come here," she said, reaching for me. I happily went, cuddling in her lap.
"How do you feel?" I asked, nuzzling her neck.
"Free," she said, her hand rubbing small circles into my back.
"Are you scared?" I asked as I trailed a line of kisses down her neck. She arched her head to the side.
"Me? Never." I chuckled into her skin.
"Riiiight."
"Okay, maybe a little. Hell, I never even went to camp as a kid."
"And you had a roommate at the nunnery."
"Mmm hmm."
My tongue slipped out and I tasted the saltiness of the skin of her throat, her hands getting bolder as they slipped under the hem of my shirt, caressing my back and toying with the underside of my bra.
"But not no,." I murmured, taking her earlobe between my teeth.
"Nope." She groaned, her other hand trailing up the leg of my shorts. "No one to walk in on us..."
"Plenty of privacy..." I nipped her pulse point, she moaned.
"Plenty of privacy," she agreed, her fingers finding the edge of my panties, her fingers finding the spot that was warm and wet. I moaned into her neck, my hips slowly beginning to stir. "So," she breathed, "feel like christening the new place?" I chuckled into her skin, low and sensual.
"Please?"
I changed my position and climbed onto her lap, straddling her hips and looking into her face, aroused, half-hooded eyes looking back at me, willing me. I cupped her face with my hands, and leaned in, taking her in a slow, languorous kiss, my tongue exploring her mouth, her moaning into mine. I felt Cody's body moving beneath mine, her hips reaching up to try and meet mine, which moved in turn with hers, the chair squeaking quietly with our movements.
Hot hands roamed over my back, again slipping under my shirt, and slowly pulling it up and finally over my head. Cody buried her face in my cleavage, causing me to throw my head back and press my breasts into her. Her fingers crawled up my back, and unhooked my bra, a shiver running through me as the loose ends brushed over incredibly sensitive skin. Cody's hand followed the ends, and finally pulled the garment off, tossing it aside to land on the shirt.
"Yes," I hissed as Cody took a hardened nipple into her warm mouth, gently sucking as I continued to ride her lap, almost smothering her with my excitement. She began to massage the neglected breast as she continued to suck and lick, lightly rolling the hardened skin between her teeth, forcing a groan out of my throat.
As Cody made love to my body with her hands and tongue and body, I forgot about what had brought us here, and only my world of Cody existed.
Part 15 (conclusion)
As the twin elevator doors opened, my stomach lurched, and I had to take a deep breath to try and keep my Cheerios from coming back up to greet the world.
I can do this, I can do this. I kept repeating this to myself like a mantra of courage.
Pulling the strap of my bag further up my shoulder, I walked toward my cubicle, putting myself in the state of mind to begin a new week, and stay out of what I was sure would be Rhonda's war path. It had been two days since that fateful Friday morning, and I had no doubt that the storm had not yet blown over.
I hit the on button on my computer, and logged in, sipping from my coffee as I waited for the program to boot up. Damn computer, got slower and slower. I decided to check my phone messages, having noticed the blinking red light on my phone.
Dialing my code, I listened as the recorded voice greeted me. I heard the first message, left by Deb in payroll regarding my bonus for the year, then a smile filled my face as the second message began.
"Hey, babe, it's me. I just wanted to tell you that I'm thinking about you, and good luck today at work. Um, I miss you."
I felt my chest swell with the sound of Cody's voice, and the sweet sentiment behind her message. God, she was almost a different person than the one I first met last February. Hell, almost even from a month ago. Who would have known that she was so sweet, caring and thoughtful behind that tough façade that she showed so many others. And even me to an extent.
I sighed, replaying the message, just to hear her voice once more, giving me the courage and extra little boost I needed for the day.
Cody started classes today, and I know she was nervous, despite what she told me. She had a somewhat heavy work load, but I knew she could handle it. That girl is as smart as a whip.
I heard the elevator doors slide open, and my heart began to pound within my chest as I looked at the time. I knew it would most likely be Rhonda coming back from her morning meeting.
Stay calm, Brooklyn. Stay calm and just concentrate on your work.
I did my best to try and comply, but I still wanted to throw up.
Sure enough, I smelled the coffee before she even reached my cubicle, the steaming brew a staple for Rhonda. Normally she would have two cups in her hand, and she'd beckon me to follow where we'd chat in her office for about twenty minutes before I officially started my day.
Heavy steps in the thick carpet, the coffee smell getting stronger until finally she passed by, her face stern, body rigid; my boss walked by my desk without so much as a glance in my direction.
I let out a breath, sad, but relieved that she was gone. This was going to be a loooong day.
* * *
Buzz
I looked up, started away from my copy, looking around to see what the hell that buzzing was.
Buzz
Longer, more impatient this time. Finally my attention was brought to my phone, and I saw a blinking red light with the next buzz. Drawing my brows, I tried to figure out what button to push.
"Hello?" I said, trying anything I could think of. "Hello?" Damnit.
"Do you not believe in answering when you're being called?" I looked up, startled from the harshness of the voice just above my cubicle wall. Imagine how much more surprised I was when I saw Rhonda's angry face.
"I'm sorry, I've never been buzzed before. I was trying to find the right button..." My voice trailed off lamely when I saw the look on her face. "How do I answer?"
"This." She reached down over the wall and hit the speak button. "It's written there in black and white for you. It's not that hard."
"Oh," I muttered. No idea how to deal with this Rhonda. "Are those reports ready? I told you I needed them this morning. It would be lovely if you could manage before lunch next time."
"Rhonda, I didn't get these back for second revision until forty-five minutes ago." I showed her the pages in question. She didn't bother looking at them, only stared into my eyes.
"On time, Brooklyn. No exceptions." There was a warning in her voice that was unmistakable.
"Unreal," I breathed as she walked back to her office. I saw people in cubicles close by looking over the tops, hearing and seeing. Just down the aisle Kristine was looking at me, a question in her dark eyes. I met her gaze.
"You, me, lunch, now," she ordered. I nodded, grabbing my wallet.
* * *
"What the hell, Brook? You've gone from golden child to red-headed stepchild in the span of a weekend!" Kristine exclaimed as she perused the menu at Tristan's, an action I didn't understand, considering she ordered the same thing every time - chicken fajita salad with a side of two tortillas.
"Oh, and what a weekend it was." I couldn't keep the stupid grin from my face, despite the seriousness of the situation.
"Uh, oh." She sat back in the booth, arms crossed over her chest. "What's going on, lady?"
"Where to begin," I muttered, running my hands through my hair. "Okay, well, you remember a while back when I talked to you about Cody?"
"Yeah, you mean that half-hearted attempt at telling me something that you really just fumbled around for an hour? Yeah, I remember." I chuckled at that.
"Yes, yes. I know. Well, here's the skinny - me and Cody are a couple." I looked her dead in the eye to try and gauge her reaction. Her mouth hung slack.
"You're shitting me?" Gaining her composure, she sat forward, hands flat on the table top. "You and Cody? As in Cody Thomlin, cute skater chick? Chick? You and a woman?" I nodded. She threw her head back and burst out laughing. I smiled at a nearby couple who were trying to eat.
"Can you keep it down at all there, Tonto?"
"Oh man, sorry. Wow. You sure know how to throw a curve ball, Fletcher."
"I do my best."
Suddenly Kristine sobered. "Ohhhh, I get it. Rhonda knows, doesn't she?"
"Yup."
"Holy shit..."
"Yup." I sipped from my water and snagged a tortilla chip.
"Brooklyn, how did this happen?" I could tell she wasn't grossed out or even angry, but she was worried. That made two of us.
"I don't really know, Kris. I mean," I sighed. "One moment she's just this punk teenager to me, not trusting me anymore than she trusts any adult, and then, hell, I'm hot for her." I shrugged. "I don't understand it, either."
"Wow." I could tell she needed a few moments to take it all in. "So did you guys sit Rhonda down and tell her, or...?"
"Not exactly. Not at all, actually. Um, she damn near caught us." Kristine's eyes went as big as saucers. "You remember my sick day Friday?" She nodded. "Yeah, no. We wanted a day to be together. It all happened Thursday night." As I told her vague details of our night, it all came rushing through me once more, and once again, the goofy smile that had been painted across my face for the last three days was firmly back in place.
"Oh my god!" She reached out and smacked me on the arm. "Good for you. Lord knows Cody's hot enough." I gave her an evil grin.
"You have no idea, my friend. No idea."
"So..." Kristine looked down, all serious now. "Does this mean you're a lesbian?" she met my eyes. I sighed.
"Ah, the million dollar question. I've been asking myself that for weeks now, Kris." I shrugged. "I have no idea. Right now I'm just going with it, you know? I mean, I have found myself looking at women in an entirely new way. I mean, hell, who knew, right?" She smiled, nodded. I knew Kristine had been with a woman once, back in college, but considered herself to be absolutely straight with a slight twist.
"Wow. Well, hey, if you need to talk, you know I'm here, 'kay?"
"Thanks, Kristine. So far so good."
"Now back to Rhonda. What did she say? What did she do?"
"Well, she said some bad things - I wasn't that kind, either - and she made Cody choose."
"What? Between what, her cantankerous mother or being happy?" I nodded.
"Essentially."
"Oh man, that's bad. And Cody chose you?" I nodded. "Oh, how romantic!" She clapped her hands together.
"Well, we'll just see how this fairytale ends."
"I was shocked at how she was treating you today. Damn, I've never seen Rhonda say a bad thing."
"I know." I looked down, beyond sad by how things were progressing. I had seen Rhonda as so much more than a friend.
* * *
I headed home after an extremely long day. I hadn't had such a bad day at work since I had first started working there.
Blowing my bangs away from my face as I stopped for a traffic light, my thoughts returned to Cody. What would happen between us now? Would this last? What did I want from her? I knew that I felt happier around her than I had around anyone else. Ever. That included Rand. I loved Rand heart and soul, but it was such a different kind of love. Cody had seen parts of me that few had seen physically, and certainly parts of my heart that no one had seen.
She made me whole. She poured herself in, and filled a part of me that had been left void after the death of my family. True, no one could ever take their place, nor would I want them to, but Cody filled it as much as I believed anyone could.
I felt such pain now, feeling like my work world was upside down, and certainly my relationship with Rhonda. God, after just one day, she had made me doubt so many things that I had held dear regarding our friendship.
Was she the only one? I felt that Jodi and I had made our amends, and Jake, hell, Jake was Jake, and far too young to really understand any of this, let alone care. I missed him. Then there was Tom, who, though he hadn't said anything to me at Cody's over the weekend, had kissed my forehead like any father would. What had he said in that simple gesture?
The honking of the car behind me drew me out of my reverie, and I stepped on the gas.
Changing into a pair of sweats, the late August evenings were turning chilly, I started a fire to relax in front of until Cody got back from class. I was so proud of her, taking the initiative to start in school, and follow her dreams, and not those set by others who thought they knew what was best for her. She was determined, and I knew she would be a great success at whatever she did.
I looked at the picture of my family on the mantel, taken so long ago.
"Yeah, you guys definitely would have loved her," I said, just before sleep carried me away.
I saw monsters and felt pain and disappointment attacking me in my dreams. I was constantly running from something that I could not see, but which made me feel as though it were paramount for me to flee. Suddenly, it was as if a light was turned on, and I saw a crowd of people after me, yelling and throwing things at me. I felt their disdain as I tried to outrun them, but I never truly got anywhere as they continued to gain on me, finally overtaking me.
"No!" I shot up on the couch, my chest heaving, and jumped again when I saw Cody staring at me from the floor. I had forgotten I'd given her a key.
"Hey, you okay?" she asked, crawling over to me, and taking me in a hug.
"My god," I breathed, clutching her to me, feeling like I'd finally found my safe harbor.
"Shh. It was a dream. Apparently a bad dream, but a dream all the same."
"When did you get here?" I asked, resting my head against her shoulder.
"About an hour and a half ago," she said, rubbing my back, and sighing in my arms.
"Cody, why didn't you wake me?" I pulled back from her, studying her face.
"You were asleep. You looked so peaceful, I didn't want to disturb you.' She brushed my tousled hair back from my face, and leaned in and kissed me. I kissed her back, missing those lips all day long. Pulling away completely, I looked at her.
"So, how was it? I want to hear all about your first day." I planted a smile on my face, and waited for her to begin. Cody took a place on the couch next to me and began to tell her story of classes and professors, homework loads, and the term paper she'd have to do for her history class, which she was glad only had to be around five pages long. She even knew what she wanted to do it on.
Дата добавления: 2015-11-04; просмотров: 25 | Нарушение авторских прав
| <== предыдущая лекция | | | следующая лекция ==> |