Matt & Brooklyn: A Standalone in the "Again for the First Time" Family Saga (AFTFT Book 2) (24 page)

“You play too much,” she complained.

I laughed. “You were right. The news was good.”

She squealed quietly into the receiver. “I knew it! Tell me everything.”

I slipped off the tie I’d worn to match my suit, hoping to impress Glastenburg. “He doesn’t mind me leaving Nick out of it.”

“That’s perfect,” Brook said, sounding relieved. “I’m so happy he understood.”

I nodded. “Me, too. And to keep the film interesting, he suggested a new layer. Backstory.”

“Backstory?” she repeated. “Like with our grandparents?”

I finished changing and went to the kitchen to grab a beer. “Yes and No. He suggested that I do a little research and find out if there’s more to it than that.”

She loved the idea, which built my confidence even more. “That’d be so interesting. My sisters and I have always wondered about why our great-grandmother, Sophia, kept her guard up. My mother thinks it was just that she’d seen so much racism, had seen so many bad things happen to blacks where she came from, that she was just scared. Didn’t want her daughter to go through what she’d seen
others
go through.”

“That’s pretty much what Granddad said, but I guess we’ll know all that for sure soon.”

“I suppose we will.”

There was a pause in conversation and I took a seat on the living room couch, not bothering to open the curtains first. Actually, this felt like the perfect spot to take a nap.

Yawning into the phone, I got Brook’s attention. “I hate to cut this short, but I’m exhausted. Mind if I give you a call when I get up? While I’m getting ready for the premier?”

“That’s right. You did say you had an event tonight.”

As usual, I didn’t necessarily feel like attending, but they were definitely great networking opportunities, so I knew I should go. Besides, I missed the last one because of the argument between Brook and I. It seemed silly now, considering how we’d progressed.

“It doesn’t start for a few hours, so I figure I can catch a couple z’s first.”

“Yeah, I totally understand. All this rain makes for good sleeping weather, doesn’t it?”

I yawned again and nodded, not initially catching what she said, but then I did and fell silent. She laughed.

“Are you… you’re here?” I stuttered, listening intently. “Where? The airport? I’ll come get you.”

I sat up and felt my pocket for my keys, forgetting I’d already set them down. However, instead of responding to any my questions, Brook answered me with a knock on the French doors right across from me. If I hadn’t been so lazy and had opened the curtains, I would’ve known sooner that I had company. I got up from the couch so fast I almost tipped my drink over on the floor.

On the other side of the glass, a familiar smile met me, accompanied by wiggling fingers as she waved. I let her in so she could come out of the rain. The awning had kept her mostly dry, but the wind still blew some of the downpour her way.

I stood there, staring at her, probably smiling big like a kid. Her arms looped around my neck and I held her, too. “How long can I keep you?” I asked.

Her breath breezed over my skin when she laughed. “Unfortunately, only until tomorrow night,” she answered.

I loved this, having her here again—even if it was only to take care of the not so small business of initiating the annulment. Still, the element of surprise was nice.

We stayed in the embrace and Brook spoke against my neck. “When you said you had another premier invitation, I figured I owed you for making you miss the last one. If you’ll have me,” she said, “I’d like to be your date.”

It made me smile that she was now so comfortable with that word—
date.

“Are you kidding? Of course.”

She squeezed my neck. “Now, about that nap. I’m beat, too,” she said with a nervous laugh. “I hope you don’t mind me hogging your guestroom again.”

That seemed silly to me, considering. “Actually, I do kinda mind,” I answered, taking her waist now, looking into her eyes. “I’d much rather have you hogging my bed
.”

She smiled and looked away when I made her blush.

The last time she visited, I fantasized about this, about sharing my bed with her. But now that we were in a better place, I found the courage to put the offer out on the table.

After only a brief deliberation, Brook nodded. “I think I’d like that.”

It was settled. I grabbed her bag and carried it into my bedroom. Instead of worrying about trying to unpack, she climbed on top of the comforter beside me. And she wasn’t lying about being tired; I’d say we were lying there about five minutes when her breathing deepened. I inched closer to her and rested my chin in the crook of her shoulder, placing a kiss there first.

With her, I felt like I had it all, everything I needed all rolled into one exquisite woman—a friend, a lover. Somehow we’d managed to find our way here and I told myself I’d never lose that. As long as there was life in my body, Brook would know she was loved. She’d know that she had someone constant.

I slept so much better with her beside me. When she slipped out of bed maybe an hour and a half later, I woke up immediately, quickly latching on to her wrist to keep her in place. A content laugh left her mouth when she let me hold her again.

“We have to get up and get ready,” she protested. “I have to do my hair and make sure my dress isn’t wrinkled.”

Kissing the side of her neck, I released her. “I know, but I have to be honest; we definitely found something better to do the
last
time we were supposed to go to one of these things.”

She smiled at me, remembering the first time we made love. “Nope, we’re going. I got a new dress and shoes specifically for tonight. If we don’t go for any other reason, we’re going for that.”

I laughed and pretended to shove her from my bed. “Fine. Whatever. Go.”

She lingered in my doorway, showing off her perfect smile, but said nothing. I didn’t’ move right away. I stretched a bit and thought about her being here with me. I knew she’d be gone again soon and once she left, ‘
the wedding incident’
would be behind us. Still, I liked the idea that one day, probably years from now, we would maybe walk back down the aisle—preferably sober. As I forced myself up, I had a good laugh at how crazy that was.

Of course, I was ready before Brook, but I smelled her perfume drifting down the hall and into my room from the bathroom where she chose to get ready. I stood at the dresser adjusting my bowtie, making sure I looked presentable.

“Ready!” she beamed, bursting in. There was a stark contrast between her excitement the first time—or lack thereof—versus now. Tonight, she was ready to be on my arm, soaking up all the attention, enjoying herself. I was so caught up in how happy she was, I hadn’t even checked out her new dress yet.

“Wow…” was a fitting response to the black, strapless number she picked out. It was short and fit snug across her breasts, but then it flared out at the waist, stopping about mid-thigh. My eyes lingered there, on the skin I loved to touch now that I was actually allowed to.

“You like it?” she asked, seeming unsure of herself. “It’s not too short?”

I shook my head. “No. You look great.”

My brothers and I were all suckers for curves and great legs. Brook had both.

“Then I really am ready,” she said with a smile. And so was I.

While I locked up, Brook stood close by, quiet. It wasn’t a loaded silence necessarily, but I still felt something.

“Everything good?” I asked, turning to face her as we took slow steps toward my car.

She shrugged casually, but forced a smile. It was definitely forced.

“Eh… everything’s good, but…” she hesitated, rethought whatever she was about to say, and then changed her mind. “It’s nothing. We’ll talk about it later.”

Holding the passenger-side door open, she climbed in without another word. I was right to think something was amiss, but like she said… I guess we’d talk about it later.

Chapter Eleven

Brooklyn

I didn’t know how celebrities did this all the time. After one night of smiling, posing, and schmoozing, I was over it. Matt was a trooper, though. He was gracious when fans asked for pictures, although I got the impression that most of them didn’t really know who he was, but wanted a picture with him because he’s hot.

“I cannot wait to get out of these shoes,” I groaned, already imagining how good it would feel to set my feet free from them. I was starting to learn my way just a bit, enough to know we weren’t far from Matt’s house now.

“Yeah, chicks definitely get the short end of the stick.”

I smacked his arm playfully because of his word choice. It may be the undercover feminist in me, but I
hate
to hear people refer to women as ‘chicks’.

“Damn, I forgot. You know what I mean, though—the shoes, pushing out kids… all of it. Dudes definitely win when it comes to physiology.”

He was ridiculous, but funny as hell. “Oh, gosh. Quit while you’re ahead, Matt. Quit while you’re ahead.”

“You know it’s the truth,” he reasoned.

While I gazed out the window at the palm trees—my third favorite thing about California, in line after Matt and the ocean—I felt his hand slip into mine. I squeezed it and tried to settle my nerves. When we got back to the house, I was gonna tell him about Johannesburg. I stalled long enough, a fact that was brought to the forefront when Raj’s reminder text came through last night. He needed an answer within the next five days. After that it would be a whirlwind of vaccinations, paperwork, and packing I was sure.

It was time to speak up.

Matt needed to know,
deserved
to know… now if I could only find the words.

“Almost forgot to tell you; Luke got in touch with me this morning. He’s been talking to Nick and got him to agree to check into a rehab facility.”

I turned to face him. “Really? That’s great!”

Matt didn’t seem so sure about that, though. I knew he was concerned about his brother, but he had this deep-seated anger that had a hold of him. He knew Nick was so much better than this, so I couldn’t blame him for being upset.

“Are you gonna call him?” I asked.

Matt shrugged and kept his eyes on the road. “Thought about it, but I may just fly out and talk to him in person,” he answered. “They’re checking him in in a month, so I have a little time to decide. I, personally, don’t think he should wait that long to go, but that was the best the family could do without him resisting”

That seemed reasonable enough, plus it would give Matt plenty of time to calm down a bit more, to get his thoughts together, and hopefully he’d be in the right state of mind. He was typically so level headed, but this thing with Nick had really struck a chord. We hadn’t had many conversations about this, seeing as how it was still a pretty new circumstance, but I knew that, more than anything, Matt was afraid. He was afraid that this addiction would cost Nick more than his relationship, his house, his cash. Matt was afraid it would cost Nick his life eventually and I couldn’t imagine what that must feel like. As much as my sisters nag and get on my last nerve, I had a hard time even
thinking
what it’d be like if one of them was facing a situation like this.

The engine died and I stared at the pitch-black windows of Matt’s house. By the time I got my seatbelt off, he already had my door open.

“Let me help you,” he said, offering his hand. I took it and was struck with a thought, well… more of a memory. Just a short time ago, it weirded me out whenever his skin touched mine, the intimacy of it. Now, I found myself craving the feel of him against me. As it turned out, he’d been right about everything—especially about how much sense we made together. I could feel that already. The awkwardness and distance I predicted would rear their ugly heads after we had sex were nowhere to be found. Most of that was because of Matt, though. As hard as it was to believe, he hadn’t changed, and I loved that about him.

He took a breath and stepped up onto the porch. “Okay… now listen… I know I’m drop-dead sexy in this tux, but you’re gonna have to try and contain yourself tonight, Brook. I’m not a piece of meat.”

I laughed and slapped his back as I stood behind him, waiting to be let inside. “Don’t flatter yourself. I had no intentions of laying a finger on you,” I lied.

“Dammit,” he whispered to himself, mocking frustration when I rejected him. Little did he know, if he wanted me, it would take very little coaxing.

“I tell you what.” I walked in and removed my shoes before going on. “If you rub my poor feet, I
might
be inclined to change my mind.”

When the front hall light came on, I saw him smiling. “I guess it’s true what they say about having to jump through hoops to get sex after you’re married.”

I wanted to say something smart, but I was laughing too hard. “You’re gonna milk this thing for all it’s worth, aren’t you?”

“Absolutely.” Matt leaned against the wall just outside his bedroom because that was as far as we made it. I was pulled into his arms and the weight of his stare made me feel like I’d have to pull away in order to breathe again. His mouth parted, but he hesitated to speak. However, the next second, he found the courage that evaded him a moment before.

“I love you, Brook.”

And I knew he did. I felt it. My fingers went to his hair and I tucked the length of it behind his ears.

“I love you back,” I answered, causing one corner of his mouth to hitch when he gave a crooked smile. Our lips touched once, twice, and then he released me.

“Why don’t we change and then I’ll take care of your feet,” he promised.

I followed him into his room and stared at my suitcase in the corner. When I dressed for the premier, I did so in the bathroom, but only because I wanted my dress to be a surprise. Now, though, I didn’t have anything to hide from him. He’d seen and touched every inch of me. When I pulled out a t-shirt, I decided to just wear that, leaving my panties on, too. It wasn’t like anyone would see us and I was technically more covered in this than I was in a bathing suit. Matt eyed me while pulling his own shirt over his head, tugging the hem of it down to the elastic waistband of the shorts he just pulled up.

He turned out the light and halted in the doorway just after I slipped on my flip flops. He stooped down a few inches. “Hop on.”

I smiled and caught on quickly. My arms looped his neck as I pressed my breasts to his back and let him lift me, spreading my legs at his waist so he could give me a piggyback ride out to the deck where we were headed. I felt so safe with him. Maybe it was because I knew who he really was, knew his heart. Because of how we started out, there were no false pretenses. With little to lose in the beginning, before we both had so much emotion tied to this relationship, so much invested, he allowed me to know the real him. For that reason, I allowed my heart to be completely open now.

Finally.

Matt pulled the French doors open, but didn’t stop at the loungers on the deck. Instead, he grabbed a folded blanket off the back of one and headed for the beach. Of course, I didn’t object.

He didn’t let me down until we got to the shoreline. The sound of his neighbors having a get-together in the distance drew my attention that way. There was faint music and occasional laughter to be heard, but again the distance kept it from disturbing us. I turned to watch Matt spread the blanket and then I sat facing the ocean. Matt sat the opposite way so he had easier access to my aching toes. I leaned back and propped myself up on my elbows when he reached for my right foot, setting my shoe aside. His touch was so gentle, perfect for soothing.

I watched him, marveled really. He was just so…
good
, all the way to the core. I’d never met anyone with purer intentions in my life. He was always going above and beyond for those he loved. At the thought, I remembered what he did for Lia, getting her in touch with Mara. Lia’s face lit up when Matt’s message came through to my phone and I shared it with her. She friended Mara right away and even got to chat with her a bit. Needless to say, Lia’s friends thought it was so cool that she knew a real celebrity.

My heart felt full as I watched him, as I let it settle in that I had a near-perfect man who loved me for who I was; flaws and all.

“I don’t think I ever thanked you for what you did for Lia; she loved getting to talk to Mara,” I said, sounding lazy with my words because he was working his magic on my foot.

“Was she excited?”

“Excited? That girl ran a lap around my living room before she even got a good look at the picture,” I replied, laughing at the memory.

He smiled. “Good. The pic was Mara’s idea, though. I was just gonna get her autograph, but she quickly let me know that I know nothing about being a teenage girl,” he said with a laugh. “I’ll let her know she made a good call.”

“Please, and tell her I said thank you.”

“Will do,” he replied, but then shifted the direction of our conversation. “So… did you have a good time tonight?” he asked, staring down at my red-painted toes instead of into my eyes.

“Yes, as usual. The posing and whatnot got to be a bit much, but other than that… a girl could get used to all this.”

The content smile on his face led me to believe that my answer pleased him, but as soon as I said that, I regretted it. With what I had to tell Matt tonight, I didn’t want to start sending mixed signals.

“Listen, I—”

“We never—”

We both laughed when we tried to speak at the same time.

“You first,” Matt offered.

“No, go ahead. What I was gonna say can wait,” I assured him, stalling.

“I was just thinking; we never did talk about the whole… you wearing the ring… thing,” he finally stated. “I was under the impression you wanted to forget all about ‘
the wedding incident’.”

I smiled. We had both resorted to calling it that.

“I guess it just caught me off guard that you were still wearing it the last time I saw you,” he added.

I recalled him touching my hand while we made love. The truth was, I wasn’t really sure
why
I continued to wear it. I suppose, in a way, it just made me feel closer to him. It wasn’t easy, especially now, having him all the way on the other side of the country. How on Earth was I going to handle being on separate continents, then?

I shrugged and prepared myself to answer as Matt’s fingers slipped between my toes. “I think I just liked that it reminded me of you,” I confessed.

He didn’t seem to find that weird.

“Why… did it freak you out?” I asked with a laugh.

To my surprise, he almost immediately shook his head and answered, “Not at all.” He said nothing else after that and the air between us became thick.

The sensitive skin at my ankle blazed to life when Matt began to rub it, slowly moving his way up my calf. He stayed there a while, kneading his fingertips and palms into my leg. My stomach rose and fell rapidly as I watched. It felt incredible, just like everything else he did.

“Well… I fulfilled my end of the deal,” he said suggestively and I smiled, knowing what he’d expect now.

“Um… I do believe you only rubbed one foot, sir. If you don’t do the other, I’ll be walking funny tomorrow.”

He shrugged. “Sounds like a personal problem to me.”

I burst out laughing and shoved his shoulder with the foot he wasn’t holding. He didn’t say anything else, just continued to make his way up to my thigh. His fingers pressed into it, sending a chill up my spine. Glancing over at his neighbors’ guests hanging out on the back porch, I spoke. “We should probably take this inside. Don’t you think?”

Matt’s eyes lifted to mine. “They’ll never see us. We’re too far away.”

I looked over there again, but wasn’t sure. If the moonlight caught us just right, or if someone decided to take a walk down here, then—

…what was I saying again?

The thought escaped me when Matt touched me through my panties, running his finger over the imprint of my lower lips as I stared down my body at him. I wanted him,
badly,
but outside? With people so close? A few of them had even wandered into the water, but Matt was convinced there was enough distance between them and us.