The week has gone by fast. It’s crazy how long it’s been since I’ve been back, but damn it feels good to be here.
I know my momma is happy to have me, and even though Brea’s a guest, she hasn’t let me forget while I’m here I’m still responsible for helping with chores. I’m pretty sure she just wants to put me to work so Randy isn’t out there all day.
Pulling my gloves off my hand, I use the sleeve of my t-shirt to wipe the sweat dripping from my brow as I take a drink of the water from my thermos.
“You talked to your brother today?” Randy asks.
“Yeah, I called him earlier and talked to him. I’m so glad to hear Ellie is doing better and is finally home with Callum. I know he was relieved, too. I mentioned to him Dad was in town. We’re going over to his place tomorrow for dinner.”
“Is that right?” Randy says. “That’s good to hear, son. It’s about time you all put this to rest.”
“Yeah, I’m staying out of it from here on out, but I’m just looking forward to catching up with him.”
“I think it’s probably for the best, let the two of them handle it. You and Brea doin’ anything tonight?”
“We are going to head into town to Brodie’s. I want to meet up with the gang for a few beers while I’m still in town. We’ll probably grab something to eat while we’re there.”
“Well, if you’re wanting to head out soon, we should probably call it a day. It’s about a quarter ‘til five and I’m sure you’ll want to clean up before you go.”
Ready for a shower, we make our way out of the stables and across the property up to the house. I brought Brea down earlier this week and we went for a ride on the horses. She absolutely loved it, and I have to say, it made me incredibly happy to see how well she fit in with my life here.
My phone vibrates so I pull it out, checking the screen in hopes of seeing Brea’s name, knowing she’s just a few feet inside. My mom kicked me out the door earlier this morning, telling me to leave them be while she spent some time with Brea. I loved the way Brea smiled as she put on the apron my mom gave her and started helping her in the kitchen. I’ve been thinking a lot about the future and what life after college would look like. I can’t lie, having Brea here with me sounds perfect.
I see Halle’s name on my screen and I swipe to answer the call, raising it to my ear. Holding a finger up to Randy, I let him know I’ll be inside in a minute before I answer.
“Halle, how are you?”
“You weren’t going to leave town without saying bye, were ya?”
I chuckle. I wouldn’t make it out of the county without her knowing and raising hell, I’m sure of it. “I wouldn’t dare.”
She laughs. “That’s right. You’re going out to Brodie’s tonight, right? Kinsley mentioned Wes was meeting you and Brannon there.”
“Yeah, Brea and I are going to stop there for dinner and a beer or two. You and Kins want to join us, too?”
“I was already planning on crashing your party, but I appreciate you offering. Such a gentleman,” she jokes.
“I should’ve figured as much.”
As soon as she hangs up, I slide my phone in my pocket and take the stairs up the deck. Swinging the screen door open, I smell the scent of my momma’s homemade brownies and my stomach rolls in hunger. I regret telling the guys I’d meet them for dinner, and I immediately head over to the counter where they are arranged on the plate.
“Mason Thomas Reid, get your dirty hands out of there and go wash up.”
Holding my hands up, I take a step back and flash her an innocent smile.
“You ain’t foolin’ me with your crooked grin. Get out of here. I’ll have one for you when you get done.”
“Yes, Momma,” I say, turning on my heel and heading down the narrow hallway toward my bedroom. Brea has been sleeping in Callum’s old bedroom this week. I told her it didn’t matter, but she insisted it wasn’t respectful. It’s been killing me to have her so close, yet not close enough.
Stepping around the corner, I peek into the bedroom and watch her hands in the air as she runs the curling iron through her long brown hair. With a light knock, she puts the iron down and steps out of the way, watching as I walk into the room.
I haven’t even looked in the mirror but by the look on her face, she likes what she sees.
“You sure law school is for you? I have to say, you make a damn fine-looking farm hand.” She grins, looking me up and down with her grin taking over nearly half of her face.
“Oh, really?” I say, walking toward her, holding my hands out as if I’m asking her for a hug.
“Oh, no, no, you don’t. I just finished getting ready. I’m not letting you get me all dirty.”
“Mm, I’ll be getting you dirty later, baby,” I joke, raising my eyebrows suggestively. I love the way her cheeks flush a beautiful rosy color, complementing the color of her shirt perfectly
Truth be told, having Brea this close all week and not getting to touch her has me going out of my damn mind. I had to sit and watch her in her boxer shorts and t-shirt last night, looking fresh faced and gorgeous. I’m not letting another night go by without having her.
Flashing her a wink, I slowly walk backward out of the doorway and into the bathroom. After I strip out of my clothes, I make quick work about getting in and out of the shower. We don’t have a lot of time before we are set to meet up with everyone.
I didn’t bring any clothes with me into the bathroom so I wrap myself with a towel. I quickly brush my teeth and use my electric razor to trim the hair on my face before exiting the bathroom.
As soon as I open the bathroom door, I wasn’t expecting to find Brea standing in the hallway. By the look on her face, she is taken a little off guard seeing me, too. I watch as her eyes roam over my bare chest, down my stomach to where the towel is knotted at my waist. The not-so-subtle way her throat moves as she swallows before tracing the path up to meet my eyes has me fighting off a huge grin of my own.
“Find what you were looking for?”
“Shut up.” She narrows her eyes at me before looking away, making sure no one is coming.
“Is that a no? If so, you can come with me into my room and I’ll help you find it.”
Stepping forward, I twist my hand around hers and pull her closer to me. “I know I promised you dirty later, but I’m not as gentlemanly as you think. Come here,” I say, drawing her closer, pressing a kiss against her lips.
The sudden inhale of her breath gives her away. I know she doesn’t want to say no, so I don’t give her a chance to try. With her hand clutched in mine, I pull her into my bedroom and shut the door behind her.
“You look so beautiful. I promise I won’t mess it up before we go out, but you have had me going out of my fucking mind. Seeing the flushed look on your face, I can’t wait any longer.”
My voice comes out a low whisper as I lean in closer, running my nose along the column of her neck up toward her ear. “You have to be quiet though. I can’t have Momma hearing you.”
She lets out a low whimper and I quietly shush her in response. The towel wrapped around my waist is doing very little to hide how my body is reacting to all the little noises she makes.
“Unzip your pants, Brea.”
The only light in the room is from the sun, casting a soft glow in through the bedroom window. Running my hand along her hip, I press my body closer to her so she can feel how much I want her. She presses her palm against my growing erection, and I bite down on my bottom lip to conceal a groan.
“Careful,” I grunt.
Sliding my hand along her stomach, I gather the material of her shirt up around her chest and skim my fingers along the soft skin. As soon as my fingers line the lace of her underwear, I tilt my head closer and press the palm of my hand against her.
“Are you wet, Brea?”
It takes her a second to reply to my question as her head nods yes.
“I want to hear you say it.”
“Y-yes,” she whimpers.
“Let’s see.” I smile, whispering in her ear as my hand slides lower. Dipping my finger into her folds, I can’t contain the grunt when I find her so fucking wet and waiting. I think she’s been wanting this as bad as I have.
“Shit,” I moan into her ear. My breath is coming out in heavy pants as I press my aching cock against where my hand is.
My fingers don’t stop their appraisal as they slide lower and lower. She takes a step, widening her stance, which allows me more room to explore her.
When my finger dips into her wet heat, I know I’m screwed. I hold on tight to her, knowing I’m going to have to make this quick before we both blow our cover.
“Hang on, baby,” I murmur, as I draw my finger out and add a second one.
“Damn, you’re so fucking tight,” I grunt, pressing the palm of my hand against her clit as my fingers set out to do what they were meant to do. Curling my fingers deep in her pussy, I hear as her breathing picks up and her body trembles. She’s close; I can feel it.
“Does it feel good?” I groan.
Her muttered “yes” has me grinding my dick against the palm of her hand pressed between us.
“Come for me, Brea,” I moan into her ear as I struggle to keep myself standing upright. Her fingers squeeze the shaft of my cock through the towel. The feel of her tight grip and the sound of her heavy breathing has me teetering on the edge.
“Mason,” she whispers.
“That’s it,” I say, speeding up each thrust, matching the way my fingers ease in and out of her pussy. “Come, Brea. I’m coming.”
Locking my knees, I press her further against the wall and use my weight to hold both of us up. Even in the muted lighting, I see the fireworks go off in front of my eyes as I follow her over the edge.
I’m thankful for the towel between us and the way her hand grips my dick because I’m certain had there been nothing, I would’ve made her a whole lot dirtier than I had originally promised.
Easing my hand out of her underwear, I slip the button back on her jeans and slide the zipper up. Raising my hand to my mouth, I slide the two fingers in. The sunlight streaming into the bedroom window highlights the soft skin on her face. I watch her eyes go wide as she takes in the way I suck all her juices from my fingers.
“I’ve been thinking about this all day,” I grunt before leaning in closer, pressing a kiss against her soft lips.
Holding my hand out to Brea, I help her out of the Rover. I don’t move to let go and neither does she as we make our way into Brodie’s.
As soon as we enter, I spot the table toward the back of the bar. Wes and Brannon are seated at the high-top table with two tall-boy glasses of beer in front of them. Halle and Kinsley are standing near them, laughing at something, but with the two of them you never know what they are up to.
The worry I saw on their faces earlier this week is gone, knowing their friend is okay and is home with my brother.
I pull Brea along behind me as we navigate through the tables toward where everyone is seated.
“Ahh, there he is. For a second we were thinking you guys had run off and weren’t going to show.” Brannon smirks, remembering the night of the bonfire when Brea and I took off to be alone. He knew better.
Rolling my eyes, I turn to Wes. “Hey, man,” I say, wrapping my hand around his and clap him on the back.
“Good to see you again,” Wes replies before looking behind me to where Brea stands. “Hi, Brea. Here, you can have my seat. I’ll grab another.”
Wes moves down from the barstool and slides it over to Brea who mutters out a thank you before she climbs onto the seat. I pull a stool from an open nearby table, taking a seat next to her.
“How are you, Brea?”
“I’m good, how are you, Brannon?” Brea asks, giving him an amused smirk.
“I can’t complain, although I’d be doing a lot better if that firecracker friend of yours was here. How’s she doing?”
I watch as Brea bites on her bottom lip, smothering a grin. Despite the fact we all warned him she’s taken, Brannon didn’t let up getting to know Lissa that night.
“She’s doing good. I’ll tell her you said hey.” Brea laughs.
“Yeah, you do that.”
Halle and Kinsley approach and I extend my arm out for Halle as she slides up close, giving me a hug.
“Hey, Mason,” Halle says, pressing her head against my chest.
“How ya doing?”
“A lot better now that Ellie’s out and home with Callum.”
“Yeah, I think we can all rest a little easier knowing she’s doing okay.”
The waitress walks past our table and I flag her down, ordering us two drinks and asking for her to bring us a menu.
“I talked to Sandy the other day and she wanted me to tell you to drop by if you can before you leave.”
Turning my head, I peer down at Halle as she presses the palm of her hand against my chest. Hearing her mention Graham’s mom has so many questions running through my mind.
I know Graham hasn’t spoken to Halle since before we moved to Chicago. Anytime her name is mentioned, he does his best to change the subject entirely.
“How’s she doing?”
“As good as either of us can, I guess. I go by and visit her every so often. I know she can get real lonely sometimes and it’s getting harder for her to get around. I try to help her take care of her garden, pull weeds, things like that to help out.”
Those are all things I know Graham would be helping her do if he was here, but he still refuses to come home. I know Sandy doesn’t let on she needs the help. He can be so stubborn sometimes, I think he doesn’t even see what’s right in front of his face.
“I’ll make sure I stop by on our way out of town on Sunday just to say hello.”
Halle moves to the other side of the table. I turn my head to where Brea is sitting, and although she’s lost in conversation with Kinsley, Wes, and Brannon, I can tell she was very much aware of the conversation I was having with Halle.
Running my hand along the back of her chair, I pull her closer to me and she eases her hand along my leg.
“When are you moving home?” Kinsley jokes. “It better be the next time I see you. I’m sick of all these people moving out of here. Don’t even lie to me either; you know that you love living in Arbor Creek. You can even bring this little beauty with you when you do. Oh, and tow the Big Lug with you, too.”
I know she is referring to Graham.
“I still have this year left before I start law school. I haven’t even decided where I’m going yet for sure,” I say, peering over to Brea. I see the question on her face. She’s wondering the same thing.
“There is always Des Moines, you know. It’s not far from here.”
“Yeah, I’m sure I’ll figure it out closer to when the time comes. I really enjoy living in Chicago though. I love the big city.”
We spend the rest of the evening shooting the shit. Brannon and Wes announce they have decided to officially go into business together. He sold part of the company to Brannon and they are equal partners.
Hearing them talk about the next step has me excited for my two friends. Wes has always wanted to get deeper into the Motocross circuit and having the financial backing with the second partner will allow them to do the expanding he’s always hoped to do. It also allows Brannon to focus on what he enjoys, which is working on dirt bikes and ATVs.
I watch as Halle, Kinsley, and Brea sit around the table talking together. I hear Kinsley quietly try to ask Brea if she would ever consider moving here to live in a small town. Brea’s eyes look for mine, I notice from the corner of my eye, but I keep my attention focused on Wes as he talks while silently listening to what Brea says.
When she nods her head yes, I feel my chest expand and my heart warm. I feel like we are one step closer to each other. I would love more than anything to bring her back here.
The one thing I’m certain of is no matter where the future takes me, I hope Brea is always right here by my side.