I took my time walking home and took in the scenery around me. Each building, every tree. I imagined how it would look through my camera lens. It calmed me. Centered me. I needed it before I made my way back home. If I had gone home directly from the restaurant, Brooke would have known exactly what was wrong with me, and Brooke despised my parents.
She begged me frequently to quit wasting my time on them at all, but for some reason, I apparently liked to torture myself. I knew the likelihood was practically impossible, but somewhere deep inside of me, I hoped that one day my parents would actually love me for who I was. It was a dream that would never come true, and I needed to stop wasting my time on it. I knew that. But it was easier said than done.
By the time I made it to our building, I was emotional, irritated, and exhausted. A long bubble bath, a large glass of wine, and a good book were exactly what I needed. What I wasn’t in the mood for was the loud music that filled the hallway as soon as I made it to our floor.
The sound of me knocking on their door could barely be heard over the music, so I continued to knock until I heard movement from the other side. I never thought I was such a picky neighbor, but the constant noise coming from their apartment was about to drive me insane.
The door jerked open and my jaw hit the floor. In front of me stood a very shirtless and very muscular Tucker. His hands were covered with yellow rubber gloves, and one hand held a bottle of cleaner while the other was latched around a rag.
“What have I done now, Firecracker?”
“Do you need hearing aids?” I dropped my gaze down his tan body tracing the ridges of his abs and practically drooled when I got to the deep V of his hips.
“I don’t think so.” He chuckled, deep and masculine.
I traced my way back up each ripple of muscle before I noticed he was watching me. My blush was creeping up my chest.
“Well, you’re going to if you don’t turn down your music. Are you always so loud?”
“I haven’t really noticed, but it’s good to know that you are noticing me.” He smirked, and I simultaneously wanted to suck his bottom lip into my mouth and smack the smirk off his lips.
“I wouldn’t take that as a compliment when you’re in everyone’s face.”
“I guess you’re right, but Brooke doesn’t seem to mind my ‘loudness,’” he actually did air quotes, “as much as you do.”
He was right, but Brooke rarely complained about anything. It was just who she was.
“I’m really not in the mood for this today, Tucker. Please just turn down the music.”
His smirk instantly dropped from his face, and he stood taller.
“Are you okay?” He actually looked concerned.
“Yes. I just need some peace and quiet.”
“Done.” He looked me in the eyes. “I’ll be here for a few more hours before I have to run some errands if you want to talk about it.”
“No, thanks.” I tucked some loose hair behind my ear. “I’d rather go listen to the characters in my book.” I hitched my thumb over my shoulder.
“Well let me know if Fabio has any tips for me.” He laughed softly and started to run his gloved hand through his hair but thought better of it.
“Will do.” I chuckled, and he smiled at me.
By the time I made it to my door, I could no longer hear the music, and I could kiss Tucker. I liked to think it was only about the music and that it had nothing to do with his pouty lips or scruff on his face. I just needed alone time with a good book to get my head back in line. It would do the trick like nothing else could.
I set my bag down next to the door and Brooke looked up at me from her place on the couch.
“You’re home early.” I hadn’t expected her to be home from work yet. She managed a trendy salon that was just down the road from us, and she absolutely adored her job. It was both great and torturous for me. I got to get my hair done for free by one of the stylists, but Brooke also liked to use me as her dummy for any new products that came in. Sometimes I smelled like a flower bomb blew up in my face. But I couldn’t refuse her. I never would.
“I’m actually not. You were gone a really long time.” She looked at me concerned.
I looked down at my phone, and I realized that she was right. It had been about two hours since I walked out of the restaurant where my mother sat with her head held high.
“Yeah. I lost track of time.”
“How did lunch go?” She watched me like a hawk, and I knew she was looking for any tells on how it really went in case I lied to her about it.
“Same old, same old.” I plopped down on the couch beside her, and she pulled me into her side.
“Want to talk about it?”
“Nope.”
“Okay. I know I’ve said this a million times, but you don’t need them.” Her voice was soft.
I nodded my head at her even though I couldn’t really bring myself to believe that deep down.
“We’ve got each other, and we’re all each other will ever need.” She pulled me in tighter.
Did I mention that Brooke was the best friend ever? Despite our difference in opinions on clothing, books, style, and who the hottest Hemsworth brother was, I couldn’t imagine anyone else being here with me. She was my person in this world.
“I know, babe.” I snuggled in tighter against her.
“Now go get one of your books, take a bath, and then we’re going out tonight. No arguments.”
I swallowed the one that was on the tip of my tongue.
“You don’t have a shoot until tomorrow evening, and we need a night out.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I got up and walked past her to head to the bathroom. She was right. A night out wouldn’t hurt us.
“Now that’s the attitude I like to see.” She slapped my ass and pressed play on her TV show.
She was completely right. We were all each other would ever need.