Brooke
I’m so excited! My big brother is coming home today and it feels like I haven’t seen him in forever. He’s bringing a friend with him. They’re renting a car and driving here for their leave since they can’t afford to fly. I run to the bathroom to take a quick shower and throw on my bikini with some clothes. My parents have a pool, and I’m so grateful, because in this weather it’s totally necessary. It’s summer here in Georgia, and it’s been extremely hot. I throw on a tad bit of makeup and run down to see if Rem is here yet. I’m the only one in the family allowed to call my brother Rem. His full name is Remington, but his friends and family call him Remy. I smile to myself. Rem and I have always been close. He’s extremely protective of me and we talk over the phone as often as possible. I have two other brothers as well. They’re both local but I’m nowhere near as close to them. There’s Dawson, who is married with kids, and Keaton, who is single and will probably stay that way forever.
“Mama, I’m home.” I hear Rem’s voice coming from the front door. Mama and I both go running into the living room. Mama hugs my brother and he kisses her on the cheek.
The second she steps aside, I jump into my brother’s arms like I always do. “I’ve missed you, Rem!” He kisses me on the cheek and puts me down on the floor.
“Rem?” the tall, dark-haired man behind him questions.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Mama, do you remember Vaughn from my boot camp graduation?” Remy steps to the side and points to his friend.
Mama gives him a welcoming smile. “Of course. Welcome.”
I can’t help but look the guy up and down. He’s toned, and his hazel eyes are like a curse; they lure you in and hold you. “I’m not sure we’ve met. I’m Brooke.” I hold my hand out to him.
He looks down into my eyes, holding out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Remy slaps his arm. “Come on. You can stay in my brother’s old room.” The trance is broken and Remy pulls him away from me. I can’t help but watch them run up the stairs together carrying their bags.
“I’ll be out by the pool. Let me know when you need me to help get lunch together, Mama.” I slip off my clothes and lay on one of the loungers we have set up on the patio. I take my time rubbing sunscreen into my skin before I lay back and close my eyes. The second I do, visions of Vaughn pop into my head. His hazel eyes with the golden freckles and his perfect smile. His short, wavy, dark hair that he gels and slicks back to control. His lips look so soft and full, I bet they would feel heavenly on my body. Damn, I have to stop this, my bikini bottom has grown damp from my visions. I smile with my eyes closed, the sun’s warm rays tan my skin. It’s beautiful out here today. I’ll have to take a dip in the pool soon to cool off before I flip to tan my back.
When I can no longer take the heat, I get up from the chair. I peek up to my brother’s bedroom window and sigh when I see no one there. I jump into the pool, do a few quick laps, and then climb back out. At this time of year there’s no need for a towel since the sun will have me dry in no time. When I get back to my chair I begin putting on more sunscreen, this time making sure I pay extra attention to the back of my legs, shoulders, and neck. I can’t reach my lower back, but I won’t be lying on my stomach for long, so I should be fine. My mind starts drifting to Vaughn again and his big muscular hands when I hear his voice.
“Want some help with that?” I jump, not realizing he was there. I look up. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. Remy told me to pack a suit, and I’m glad I did. It’s so hot here and we’ve been cooped up in the car. I asked him if I could take a swim. He told me to go for it.”
“Of course you can take a swim, and I’d appreciate the help.” He picks up my sunscreen and I get settled on my stomach. Suddenly his hands are on my back rubbing the lotion into my skin, but it feels like so much more than an act of help. His touch sets my skin on fire. My body suddenly overheats.
“What are you doing?” I hear my brother’s stern voice from behind me.
“Relax, Rem. He’s just putting sunscreen on me so I don’t burn.” This is when I hate my brother’s protectiveness. Now Vaughn will probably never touch me again.
“You’re good. I’m going to cool off now.”
“Thank you.” If your body reacted anything like mine did, I’m sure you do need to cool off. Shit, I need to cool off, but with my brother here, I certainly can’t get up and jump in the pool now. He’ll be all over us, and the only person I want all over me is Vaughn. I chose to lay in the sun for a few more minutes. I want to be nice and tan. Once I start college there will be little time for this stuff.
“Brooke, can you help with lunch, please?”
“Yeah, can I cool off quick?” I squint my eyes to see Mama standing in the slider.
She gives me a knowing smile. “Sure.”
I jump up from my chair and run toward the pool, doing a cannonball right between Vaughn and Remy. Mama bursts into laughter the guys spluttering from the splash I made.
“Oh, you’re going to pay for that.” Remy picks me up and throws me across the pool. I can’t help but giggle while Vaughn stands awkwardly at the other end. I wink at him and climb the ladder. I need to help Mama with lunch. I can feel his eyes on me, but when I turn back and look over my shoulder, Remy gives him crap. “Dude, watch yourself with my baby sister. I would hate to kick your ass.”
“Dude, relax. She’s eighteen, right? You’re not going to be able to protect her forever. Besides, even if I were to go with her, you know I’d never hurt her.”
“Yeah, well. It’s a good thing for you we’re leaving next week and I don’t have to worry about it.”
I shake my head and storm off into the house, slamming the door harder than I intend.
“Brooke Leah Bennett, what has gotten into you?”
“Sorry, Mama. It’s Rem and his meddling again. The man is never going to let me grow up.” I cross my arms and lean on the counter.
She walks over to me putting her hand under my chin forcing me to look at her. “He adores you and worries about you.”
“Mama, I’m eighteen and going to college in the fall. He needs to let me live.”
“I know that, so do you, but that’s his friend out there, and they are similar in age, which means he’s probably eight or nine years older than you. You need to find someone your own age.”
My brows shoot up. “Mama, you know darn well even if he were my age, Rem would scare him off.”
She chuckles. “You’re probably right, but he’s only here for a week, so enjoy your time with him. You know you love him as much as he loves you.” The woman is right, as always. This doesn’t mean I won’t be having a conversation with my brother the first chance I get.
When we sit down to lunch, Mama tries to make conversation. There’s a bit of tension at the table since I stormed off. “Are you three headed to the county fair tonight?”
“I don’t know, Mama.” Remy takes a bite of his sandwich.
I look at Mama. “I’m going. I’m not sure who I’m going with yet, but I’m going. It’s fun and I want to win me another stuffy.”
Mama laughs. “Brooke, I don’t think you have room for another one.”
“Yes, ma’am, I do. I donated some of my old ones.” She shakes her head with a grin because she knows I’m forcing my brother to go by saying I’ll be there.
Remy growls under his breath. “Dude, you good with going to the fair tonight?”
Vaughn shrugs his shoulders. “Sure, why not?” Vaughn’s cell phone rings. He looks and his eyes go wide. “Will y’all excuse me? I have to take this.” He answers with, “Yes, sir.” Then walks off to the other room, leaving the three of us at the table.
I scowl at my brother. He scowls back. “He’s too old for you. Cut the crap, Brooke.”
“I’m eighteen now. That’s not your decision.”
“Yeah, and when he leaves for his next tour, then what?” Remy’s brows shoot up, waiting for my response.
“I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.”
Vaughn comes back to sit at the table with us. “Everything good?” Remy asks nervously.
He sighs. “I ship out as soon as we get back.”
“Fuck,” Remy mumbles.
Mama huffs. “Remington Scott Bennett, language,” she reprimands.
“Sorry, Mama. I forgot my place for a moment.” Remy turns to his friend. “I guess we better make the best of this week, huh?” He nods but says nothing more.
When we arrive at the fair, we meet up with Amelia and her older sister, Kathleen, who has the hots for Remy. Of course I arranged that on purpose. We all walk into the fair, stocking up on tickets for rides. Remy enjoys the rides, but I like the games, so we argue for a minute over what to do first, but eventually Remy agrees to let us play some games. Kathleen walks next to Remy and Amelia, Vaughn and I are walking together. The guys always take the outside ‘to keep us safe,’ or at least that’s what Remy says. Vaughn and I have intentionally bumped hands periodically. Our fingers have even locked slightly from time to time and I couldn’t be happier.
We walk up to the squirt gun race and Vaughn takes a seat next to me while Remy watches from behind as Amelia and her sister duel it out on the game beside us. I beat Vaughn the first game, but we race again. I’m hoping to get a bigger prize, but he beats me. I look over at him with a full on pout. He gives the guy two more dollars and we race again…this time he lets me win. I turn in my small teddy bear for a much bigger one. I thank the man and we walk away. “Dude, you totally let her win.”
He grins. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
He shakes his head and we walk off to check out some rides. “I’m hitting that ride.” Remy points to this huge ride that would scare the crap out of me.
I look at him wide-eyed. “You can go on that, but I’m not. As a matter of fact, here—you can have my tickets.”
Vaughn laughs, but Kathleen claps her hand. “I’ll go on with you. I love rides like that.”
I laugh because Remy flinches slightly, but Kathleen is too busy checking out the ride to notice. “There you go, Rem. You have a partner for the ride.”
Amelia follows him. “I’m in.” I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. Vaughn and I are finally going to be alone.
“Shall we get some cotton candy?” Vaughn smiles at me. I nod, he links his fingers with mine and we wander off to one of the small food trucks. “Can I get a cotton candy, please?” Vaughn says to the woman in the window. She hands it to him and he gives her the money to pay for it.
“Thank you.” We walk off with a huge cone of cotton candy. He pulls some from the cone and pushes it into my mouth. “What are you going to school for?”
I bite my lower lip. “I’m going to be a veterinarian.”
“That’s awesome.”
“Thanks. My dad and oldest brother are doctors, and I wanted to do something similar but I love animals, so I decided I would take that road. I’m going to have to bust my tail during my first four years of school to even get accepted, but I’m up to the challenge.”
His brows shoot up. “It’s hard to get into school for that?”
“Extremely.” I pluck some more cotton candy from the cone and plop it into my mouth. “I love cotton candy.” Vaughn chuckles. We lean against a tree beside a booth while we wait for the others. He looks down into my eyes, his thumb goes to my lip, wiping away the sugary treat that was stuck to it. I stick out my tongue, licking it, causing his breath to hitch. His eyes are bouncing between my lip and my eyes, waiting for permission to press his lips to mine. Lord, how I want to feel those lips on me. He finally leans in, my eyes are about to close, when once again he ruins it. “What are you two up to?”
“Your sister had something in her eye.” He backs away.
I take a deep breath. “I’m ready to blow this place.” I’m frustrated and my panties are once again wet.
Remy shakes his head. “I still have tickets left.”
“Well, hurry up and use them then.”
“Come on, dude. You hitting a ride with me.”
“Sure.” The guys walk off with Kathleen, who’s also ready to hit another ride.
Amelia and I stay by the same tree. “What’s up with you and that guy?”
“Nothing, thanks to my damn brother. Every time we get close, he breaks it up.” I sigh. “I would happily give that man my v-card.”
She laughs. “I don’t blame you. I’d give him mine too.”
***
It’s finally the night before the guys are scheduled to leave and Mama even made a special dinner for them. We’ve also packed food for them to take in the car. They leave at three a.m. to drive back to the base in Virginia. The remainder of the week has gone on in a fun, flirty fashion. Vaughn and I have rubbed legs under the table. He continued putting sunscreen on my back, and one night we all went out and he came so close to kissing me, our lips were about to touch when Remy appeared. We quickly pulled apart and he gave Remy some crap about removing a piece of hair from my face that was bothering me. I was so mad at Remy for ruining my moment with him. He may have nine years on me, but I couldn’t give a shit. This man is hot has hell and we have some serious chemistry together.
“I’m hitting the shower.” Remy runs upstairs to clean up before bed, leaving Vaughn and I in the living room with Mama and my dad.
Things get really quiet. “Come help me in the kitchen, dear,” Mama says to my dad.
“Yes, dear.” He gets up and follows her into the kitchen, leaving Vaughn and I sitting in the living room. Now things feel even more awkward. “Listen.” He looks down. “It’s been a fun week. Thank you.”
“Vaughn. I like you.”
He chuckles. “I like you too, but your brother is not too thrilled with the flirting we’ve done over the past week, and I have to take a road trip with him.” He chuckles. “I want to live long enough to deploy.” He looks down for a second and then looks back up at me. “You’re only eighteen, Brooke. Live a little, date some guys your own age.” I’m getting mad because I’m tired of everyone telling me what to do. “This deployment is dangerous, and I have no idea when I’ll be anywhere near here again. That’s no way for you to spend your first serious relationship.” He gets up from the couch, kisses me on the cheek, and walks up the stairs.
As much as it sucks, he’s right. A long distance relationship with a man eight years older than me is no way for me to live. Especially with me starting school in a few short months. I sigh, running up to my room to dream about the best week of my life with a man I can’t have.