"Um, okay." I began to chew on my lip, wondering if this was the right thing to do. I knew how Rand felt about Cody. Could she be there for me now? I had to take the risk, or lose my mind. "Rand, I uh," I swallowed, wishing I'd grabbed some water for this. Hell, I wished I had grabbed a bourbon and coke for this. "I kind of kissed Cody." I pulled the phone away from my ear when a piercing burst of laughter erupted into my eardrum. Okay, not exactly the reaction I thought I'd get. As the laughter continued, I became more agitated. "Rand, I'm serious." The laughter stopped, which surprised me. I barely heard myself.
"Wait, what?" Any humor was gone from her voice. I felt beads of sweat burst out onto my forehead.
"Yeah."
"What happened?" She was keeping her voice carefully bland, not allowing me to get at anything that was going on in her mind.
"She came over to tell me that she had been accepted into college, and we kissed."
"Well, it was probably just congratulatory..."
"The first time was," I interrupted. The line went quiet. "Rand?"
"The first time? Babe, how many times were there?" She sounded as baffled as I felt.
"Just twice."
"Honey, how did it happen at all?" There wasn't the judgment in her question that I feared I'd hear.
"I don't know, Rand." I covered my face with my hand, eyes squeezed shut. "I'm just, god, I'm so confused."
"What do you mean?"
"I couldn't, I don't know. I just couldn't help myself. Last week we went dancing at that bar that Kristine had talked about, Spunkies."
"Dancing?"
"Yes. Together."
"Whoa. Brooklyn, what's going on, sweetie? What is this between you? I think that's one of the main reasons I didn't like her."
"I don't understand." I got up, craving a beer. Grabbing the Guinness from the fridge, I popped the top and took a long swig of the dark brew, my nose scrunching from that initial strong taste.
"Well, I don't know. I guess I just sensed something between you two."
"Rand, it's not like that." I padded back to the couch, flopping back into the soft cushions, mindful of the open bottle.
"No, honey, I don't mean like that, but now. Shit, I have to wonder."
"Rand! Stop." I could hear her laughter on the other end, instantly soothing my nerves.
"I'm playing with you, so don't get your panties in a twist." She sighed, then crunched on a cheese ball. "Honey, I can't say I totally understand what you're telling me, and I'm not so sure you understand fully what you're telling me, but I want you to know, despite my... dislike of Cody, I'm here for you. So, with that said, why don't you start from the top and talk it through. I'll just listen, and make smart ass comments every now and then, then take everything completely out of context just so I can torture you to the absolute extent of my talents." I giggled.
"I love you, Rand. When are you coming back to visit me?"
"Soon. Don't change the subject."
Sighing, knowing full well that I could never get anything past her. So, I began my long, sordid tale.
"And, so she won the bet, so off to Spunkies we went."
"Where you guys danced together?" she clarified.
"Yes." I really wasn't sure how much I was ready to part with yet in regards to my feelings toward Cody. I didn't really understand them, and as of yet hadn't really dissected them that much. And, part of me felt like I was being unfair to Cody, ruining something by telling someone else about it. "I don't know what it is, Rand. I just," I sighed, sipping from my beer again. "We have so much fun together."
"Didn't we have fun together, Brook?" she asked, her voice unusually small for such a larger-than-life person.
"Oh, honey, you know we did, do. Comparing you and Cody is like comparing apples and oranges. There are differences that I just can't explain."
"Well, that's obvious. You kissed her, and I can't say that we've lip-locked as of yet." I grinned.
"You looking for a mamma, little girl?" I drawled. Cody's line was just too good not to steal. Plus it made Rand laugh.
"Hurt me, daddy, hurt me."
"Ew, Rand!" I threw my head back and laughed. Oh, it felt so good. Life had gotten entirely too serious lately. "No, but seriously." I may as well just be straight with her. "I don't know, Rand. I can't explain it. She just makes me... feel."
"Wow," she breathed into the phone. I could hear what was probably her setting the can of cheese balls on a table, and then her adjusting herself on whatever she was laying on. "So. Sweetie, what do you want?"
"That's a really great question, and certainly one that I've been asking myself over the last week. I know that I've honestly never felt like this before, but the problem is that I don't know what it is. How did you feel with Peter?"
"Peter." I could hear the smile in her voice. "I felt, feel, actually, exhilarated, charged and alive. I feel like I can do anything because I know that he'll be there no matter what, and I really want to be there for him. I want to be the first one he runs to if anything happens, good or bad. When I was still in Portland, just the thought of seeing him after my workday was a wonderful, and honestly what got me through a really shitty day at times. It was devastating if he was angry or upset with me. I mean, my usual instinct with anyone is to tell them too fucking bad and to get over it. Even you sometimes."
I smiled. Isn't that the truth. I remembered this dress she bought one time -
"And if you're thinking about that horrible pink prom dress that I got with the Dynasty-like sequins all over it, fuck off." I gave her an evil laugh. 'Yeah, so I thought I was Heather Locklear. Anyway, he just makes me smile."
I closed my eyes, hand covering my grimace. Shit. I'm screwed, aren't I?
"There's a little more, too."
"Okay. Hit me."
"If only. Well, after... well... I kissed her, she ran." I guzzled the rest of the stout, setting the empty bottle heavily onto the coffee table.
"Ran? As in turned tail and ran?"
"Essentially. But not really."
"Huh?"
"Yes, I know. I'm confusing myself. I took a step back from her..."
"Wait, you took a step away from her?"
"Yeah."
"After?"
"Yeah." My brows drew, wondering what the hell she was getting at.
"What kind of kiss was it?"
"Rand!"
"Come on, Brooklyn. I'm not getting my rocks off over here, I need to know." I could hear her shifting again.
"Okay, I guess kind of a lip over lip kind of thing."
"No tongue?"
"No." I felt shocked at the suggestion of such a thing, but not entirely too unpleasant a thought. Oh, Brooklyn, stop it!
"Well, you said there were two kisses. What was the first one like? And who did it?"
"She did. It was just a kiss, you know, a really overly excited Cody grabbing me and laying one on me."
"Okay," she drawled, tasting the information on her brain. "Then you grabbed her and gave her this lip over lip thing." More a statement than a question, so I said nothing. "Honey, maybe she felt like you were turning your back on her when you stepped away. I mean, when me and Pete kiss..."
"Rand, Cody and I aren't a couple."
"Doesn't matter. Friends don't kiss each other, Brooklyn. Anyway, if he did that, I'd be pissed."
"Why?" Wasn't this Rand talk supposed to help? I felt even more confused now.
"Because. It would mean rejection of my advance."
My brows drew as I contemplated this.
"Oh, shit, Rand."
"Yup, oh shit."
* * *
I walked into the Thomlin's house after Rhonda had whipped the door open, only to run after Jake who had stolen her wooden cooking spoon from somewhere dangerous. Letting myself in, I looked around. I hadn't seen Cody since the day we kissed, nor had I talked to her. That was over a week ago, and I missed her.
Even still, as I set foot in her mother's house, and that of my boss and friend, the possible ramifications of my actions closed in around me, and I felt like I'd suffocate.
Taking a deep breath, then another one, I headed toward the kitchen. I hadn't seen anyone but Ron and Jake, and wondered if either of the girls were here. Damn, I was just burning bridges all over the place.
"Can I help you with anything, Ron?" I asked as she hurried back into the kitchen, wooden spoon in hand.
"No." I had to smile. She looked so exasperated. "I'm going to kill that kid. I swear to you, Brooklyn. The next time you come over, Jake's head will be mounted on my wall."
"Oh, violence. Can I watch?" She chuckled.
"Sure. Hand me that squash, will you? I still need to smash it."
"Oh, I love that." I rubbed my hands together in anticipation.
"Good thing."
"Mom, I..." I turned to see Jodi standing I the kitchen door, her eyes on me. "Oh, hi, Brooklyn."
"Hi, Jodi." I gave her the best smile I could, though I knew it was weak. Rhonda please don't look at me. I think this would become my mantra for the night.
"It's Friday night, honey." Rhonda looked at her daughter as if she should be able to read her mother's mind of when it was "family dinner" night.
"Oh, I guess so." She gave me a quick, albeit genuine smile. "Mom, Cody can't get Jake into the tub, and he's nearly pulled her in twice."
Rhonda sighed heavily, I chuckled. About to open my mouth to offer to go save the girl, Rhonda turned to me.
"Brooklyn, can you finish this?" She held up the potato masher.
"Sure. Go get 'em, tiger." I smiled, beginning to work on the squash. Jodi followed her mother out.
I sighed. How had I managed to screw things up so badly in a matter of months? Now the two sisters were at odds with each other, and both of them hated me for rejecting them. It was a no-win situation, and I was about to just cut my losses, and keep my friendship with Ron intact. But then there was Cody. If nothing else happened, I did not want to lose my friendship with her.
As I pounded on the vegetable, poor defenseless squash becoming victim to my warped life right now, I thought about Jodi. I had a feeling that she didn't often pursue women, being more shy and stand-offish. Now look what I've done to the poor kid. Told her that I wasn't interested in that, and then three months later I kiss her twin sister. Talk about feeling defective.
"He's dead. His head will fit perfectly between the pictures above the mantel. He's just lucky that our vacation is coming up soon."
I looked up, taken from my self-deprecating thoughts. Rhonda ran a hand through her hair, looking weary. "I thought kids did this shit in their terrible twos? Not at three."
"Late bloomer." I smiled.
"At this rate, he'll be lucky if he reaches puberty."
"Well, I don't think you'll look good in an orange jumpsuit, so take this and pound instead." I handed over the potato masher. "I'm going to go wash my hands."
"Okay. Use the bathroom in our room. The girls are bathing Jake in the big one."
"Will do."
I snagged a paper towel, trying to wipe the gook off my hands as I headed upstairs. I walked down the hallway, the door to the bathroom almost closed, the sounds of water being splashed around, and voices drifting into the hall.
"So, I saw your girlfriend downstairs," I heard Jodi say, her voice soft, yet harsh.
"She's not my girlfriend, Jodi. Drop it." There was a short pause, then, "And if you say anything like that about Brooklyn again, I'll kick your ass," Cody growled.
"Ohhh, trouble in paradise already." I could tell Jodi was smirking.
"Jodi, I'm going to kick your ass if you don't knock it off." I was surprised at the venom in Cody's voice.
"You said a bad word!" Jake yelled from the tub.
I took this as my cue to continue on to Tom and Rhonda's bedroom.
* * *
I pulled my riding gloves on tight, flexing my fingers to make sure they were snug, then pulled on my new riding helmet. The one I had bought with Cody had been destroyed in the accident.
Taking a deep breath of the August air, filling my lungs, and building my courage, I pushed off down the driveway, the ticking sound of the bike as I coasted filling my ears. I had missed that sound.
I had put on a smidge of weight during my hiatus from riding, my gear a little more snug than I would have liked, but I knew that within a few weeks I'd be back to where I was before.
The familiar street passed me by, a little skittish when a car would come near me, but I knew I had to get over that if I wanted to get back to the level of endurance that I was before.
The path was the same, the scenery unchanged and beautiful in the late summer Oregon day. I took it slow, in no hurry as I had nowhere special to be. As the park came into view, I felt my stomach tighten up in little knots of anticipation; some good, some bad.
The gate for the skate park was open, and I could see kids all over that place like ants on an ant hill. I stopped, resting my forearms on the handlebars. I watched some kid try and flip in the air, but his board got away from him, and he went down, hard. I grimaced.
"That had to hurt," I muttered.
My eyes, safely hidden behind dark Oakleys, scanned the area. I told myself that I was just looking around, but I knew who I was looking for, and it didn't take long. My gaze settled on blue eyes that were already looking at me. I stopped my scanning, concentrating on her. Cody stood with Jimmy and some of her other boys, who began to throw out cat whistles. I saw her turn to them, saying something, because they immediately began to look away, or head off to the ramps, not giving me another glance.
I swallowed as Cody flipped her board up with her foot, catching it between her arm and her body, and looked at me again.
"Come here," she called out. I looked around, making sure she was actually talking to me. I really wasn't in the mood to make a fool of myself again. I locked my bike on a bike rail, and made my way over to Cody and Jimmy.
"Hey," I said. "Hi, Jimmy." I smiled at the boy, and he looked away, blushing.
"Hey. How's the leg?" he asked, finally finding his way back to me.
"Fine, thanks for asking." I turned to Cody, waiting for her to tell me why she'd called me over.
"You ever done this before?" she asked, indicating her board. I shook my head.
"Not when I didn't hurt myself," I said. She snorted.
"Come with me." We began to walk away from the busy skate park, finding a patch of empty sidewalk in the park proper. When we were alone, I glanced at her.
"I'm sorry, Cody."
"Don't." She held up a hand to stop me. "I'm not." We looked at the other, each challenging to look away. It was like this silent communication, heaps being said without a word being dropped. Getting the message, I smiled.
"So show me." I looked at her, and she held my gaze. The corners of her mouth worked almost of their own accord as she processed my request. Finally she nodded, her eyes never leaving mine.
"Okay. I will," she said, her voice quiet. I felt a wave crash through my body, I wave of relief, wonder, and something else. That elusive ingredient that had been there all week. "Get on," she said, her hand gently pushing on my lower back.
* * *
The doorbell rang, and I hurried to open it, hoping it was Cody. I knew she was leaving today with her family to head for their cabin near Mt. Hood. I had been invited to go, but refused for a few reasons. One, I felt like I'd be intruding on their family time. No matter how many times Rhonda had told me that I was part of the family, it still didn't feel right. And secondly, more honestly, I felt weird about it. My feelings for Cody, whatever the hell they were, overstepped boundaries, that much I did know, and I felt strange hanging out with Cody and her family, knowing full well what was on my mind.
So, I'd just deal. I was going into some strange territory, that much was obvious, but somehow this new bond with Cody seemed worth it to me.
Opening the front door, I saw a grinning Cody standing on the stoop.
"What are you smiling about?" I asked, stepping aside to allow her entry.
"Nothin." She walked in, looking around, almost as though she hadn't seen it in a year instead of the week or so.
"So are you excited to go?" She turned to me, shaking her head.
"No, not really. I really want to tell my mom to shove the whole thing, and them go. I don't care about the stupid mountains."
"Oh, Cody, come on. That's a horrible attitude. They're your family." I walked over to her, my hand on her arm. She shrugged.
"So?"
"Trust me. That's not something to be taken lightly. Besides, this is probably the last family trip for you guys. Once you start school, plus working on top of it, you'll have little to no time. Believe me." I grinned.
"Well, damn. Maybe school isn't where it's at." She winked at me, then took a small step closer. "Will I still have time for you?" Her voice lowered, sending a thrill through me.
"I should hope so. You can always hang out here and study if you want."
"Cool. I can't stay. I just came by to say goodbye."
"I'm glad you did." I reached up, my arms going around her neck, and pulling her close, my head resting on her shoulder. "You guys have fun, 'kay?" I could feel her nod. Slowly she pulled away, my arms still around her neck, hers around my waist.
"I really wish you were going," she said, her eyes darting down in embarrassment at the admission. "I, well, yeah. Just do."
"I missed you, too, Cody, and will miss you this weekend." One of my hands found its way into the soft hair at the nape of her neck and began to play with the tendrils.
"We can always get together Sunday night, right?" she asked. I nodded.
"Sure. Give me a call once you're back in town."
"Okay."
I felt myself drawn to her, with each word that came out of her mouth, my eyes flickering to the flash of white and pink as she spoke, her lips, teeth and tongue working together to form the words. Then my sight was fixed on the lips. I knew how soft they were, no matter how brief I touched them. I wanted to touch them again. I could feel Cody's hands on my back, slowly rubbing circles on my lower back, her nails lightly trailing over the cotton-covered skin, sending chills up my spine.
"Cody?" I said, looking up into the half-hooded eyes that seemed to be transfixed by my own mouth. They flickered up to look into mine.
"Yeah?" she breathed, the soft current of air brushing against my face as her breathing got a little faster. Without a word, forgetting what I had wanted to say, I leaned in, my eyes closing as contact was made.
I felt Cody sigh as our lips touched, her hands stilling on my back as she put all of her concentration into the kiss. One of my hands slid forward until I was cupping the side of her jaw, our lips sliding against each other, feeling. Her lips opened just a bit, the warmth from her mouth coming out to meet my lips, beckoning me. My thumb began to work back and forth just under her ear as I tentatively brought my tongue out, needing to see what it was like inside that heat, wanting to know what Cody was all about.
She groaned slightly when I gave her bottom lip the tiniest lick, soon after her own tongue reached toward mine. The moment they met, we both moaned, my hand burying itself deeper into the thick hair, Cody's fingers digging into the skin of my back in a pulse-like motion, a cat kneading in pleasure.
The kiss deepened, both of us tilting our heads a bit more to get even closer.
Soon, much too soon, Cody pulled slowly away, giving me a light, gentle, almost chaste kiss before she opened her eyes and smiled at me.
"Bye," she breathed, then headed for the door.
Part 13
I ran my hands through my hair, a slow, saucy smile spreading across my face as I turned the dial on my stereo, the sexy song pulsing through my bedroom as I padded to the bathroom.
I hummed along before breaking out into song, "She’s a lady, yeah, yeah, yeah, she’s a lady," and humming the rest as I turned the knob for the hot water, stepping in front of the mirror, looking at myself standing there in nothing but my underwear and a tank. Running my hands through my hair again, I arched my neck back, eyes closed as my hands ran down the sides of my face, then down my throat.
Today I felt different. Today I felt powerful, I felt good, I felt... sexy.
Pursing my lips to whistle, I headed for the shower, whipping the curtain back as I belted out lyrics from the next song playing.
"You’re once! Twice! Three times a lady!" With a giggle I turned on the shower spray, moaning as it caressed my skin. Never had I realized that a shower could feel so good.
I ran my hand across the cool glass of the mirror, seeing my smiling image looking back at me, blonde hair darkened and slicked back smooth by the water. I winked at myself.
I pulled the skirt up slowly over my freshly shaved legs, still smelling of the Irish Spring shaving gel, and stood in front of the full-length mirror as I tugged the zipper up in the back. The length was slightly shorter than my normal skirt, reaching to just below my knees instead of my normal ankle skirts. I liked the way they flowed around my legs. But not today.
Running my hands down my sides, the black shirt, not tight per se, but well fitted, and then the gray skirt, and black slip-on sandals.
"Lookin’ good."
* * *
The building was still relatively quiet, as I was actually early this morning. Hell, with Cody gone on vacation for a week with her family, I had actually gotten to bed early last night.
The elevator doors opened, and with a breathily whistled rendition of "Zippity Doo Dah," I damn near felt like skipping as I made my way toward my desk.
"Yo, twinkle toes."
I looked up and saw Kristine standing just ahead by her cubicle. She was grinning.
"Good morning," I said with a wave and a smile. She beckoned me over. "What?" My friend looked at me, chewing on the inside of her cheek as she sized me up. She nodded, as if coming to some sort of conclusion.
"You know, if I didn’t know better, Brooklyn, I would think you had gotten laid." She grinned, full of mischief in those dark eyes. I looked away, my cheeks burning. "Brooklyn..."
"I didn’t... get laid."
"Then what did you do?" she drawled.
"Nothing." I couldn’t meet her eyes, nor keep the smile off my face.
"Well, I know there’s something you’re not telling me, and I will get it out of you eventually. Got it?" I nodded. "Go to work, you pain in the ass."
I sat at my desk as the day went on, my mind nowhere near my job. My eyes kept darting toward the clock on my computer screen, then they’d edge toward the phone. I knew the Thomlins would be back today, which meant Cody would be back. God, I just want to call her! Why wasn’t she calling me?
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