Matt & Brooklyn: A Standalone in the "Again for the First Time" Family Saga (AFTFT Book 2) (4 page)

“You as well,” Raj replied. “Brooklyn was one of my brightest students. Offering her a position as my assistant was a no-brainer.”

That made Daddy smile big. He made no secret of how proud he was. Every time someone had something good to say about me, his chest swelled just a little more. “All my girls are something special,” he replied, winking an eye when I glanced up at him.

“Spoken like a true father,” Raj concluded.

Remembering that I’d taken my dad from another conversation, I let him get back to it.

Raj’s light touch on my elbow brought my eyes to him. He wore a huge smile that left me curious as to what he was about to say. “I’m not completely sure this is the best time, Brook, but there’s something I wanted to run past you, if you’ve got a moment.”

Yes, that was definitely excitement I detected.

Feeling my brow crease a bit as I wondered what this was about, I pulled Raj off to the side, closer to the fence where we could talk without others overhearing.

He lifted his tablet where I could see the screen; I hadn’t even noticed it in his hand until now. I stared on as Raj turned it on and typed in a web address. Something was up—something that had him grinning from ear to ear. When the tablet was handed over, I only became more confused as I read.

“I started to tell you yesterday after the ceremony, but things were quite hectic,” he interjected, momentarily taking my attention from the site.

With my interest piqued, I examined the page. The banner at the top of the website was a close up of an old building—beautiful with arches lining the covered walkways on the first level, stretching from one side of the screen to the other. Scrolling down, I passed images of students crossing a grassy courtyard with books in hand and smiles on their faces. Everything was written in English, but the site also had smaller print written in what I recognized to be Afrikaans, although I couldn’t read it. This was the homepage for a university in Johannesburg, South Africa. I clicked from one page to the next, reading the school’s stats and testimonials from current students, staff, and alumni. Still, I didn’t understand why Raj was showing me this.

He went right into explaining. “I think you may already be aware of this, but our
university’s Sociology and Anthropology Department started a program a decade ago. Every year, two professors in the field are selected to teach abroad.”

He was right; this wasn’t the first time I’d heard about this program. Still, I didn’t understand what any of that had to do with me—a newbie on the university’s staff. These opportunities were reserved for well-seasoned instructors.

Raj’s voice came back, full of excitement, gesturing with his hands while he spoke. “This year, I was among those selected,” he explained. “Well, actually… I’ve been chosen as a stand in for another professor who had to pass at the last minute due to personal circumstances, but I’ll take it!” he added with a laugh. He was right to be giddy about this. It was no small thing to be selected.

“Oh my gosh, Raj! Congratulations! You definitely deserve this.”

It would suck having to be assigned to another instructor in Raj’s absence, but I was sure I’d get over it.

“Thank you,” he replied, graciously accepting my compliment. “But there’s more.”

More?

“We each get to hand-pick our own teams,” he went on. “Three support staff members apiece. Naturally, my first picks were Charlotte, Malcolm… and
you
. I couldn’t think of three better candidates.”

My head spun with a million questions, but I didn’t ask them quickly enough, so Raj cut in again.

“This would be great for your resume, Brook; I know you’re hoping to be offered a full-time position in a couple years once you’ve finished your studies, and, well… this would be an excellent research opportunity for your dissertation.
Excellent
,” he reiterated.

He was absolutely right; this opportunity was huge. And to have been considered so early in my career? I knew it was only because Raj could account for me personally, knew how passionate and dedicated I was. He said once that the semesters he had me in his classes were always the hardest because he was sure I knew just as much as he did, if not more. School had been such a big part of my life, my
only
life honestly, for so long I had a tendency to make all my decisions around it. I was fully prepared to make many more sacrifices these upcoming years as I embarked on the journey toward completing the Ph. D. program.

Still in a bit of shock, I blinked several times before firing off questions. “…When? What’s the timeframe?”

Some of his excitement dulled, which I knew was probably a bad sign. “With classes beginning in a few months, we’d be expected to arrive mid-August.”

So roughly eight weeks from now.

“I apologize for the short notice, but like I said, I was asked to participate in place of another professor. My invitation came late as well,” he explained.

I understood, so I didn’t question him about that part any further. “O-okay,” I stuttered, trying to take this all in. “…And our living arrangements?”

“Already taken care of,” Raj replied quickly. It seemed to renew his enthusiasm when I didn’t immediately turn down the offer. “The university has housing available for us, so there’s nothing to worry about. In the next month or so there will be physicals, a yellow fever vaccination, and things of that nature for medical clearance, but that’s it! If you say yes, Brooklyn…” He paused and the weight of this opportunity fell heavy on me. “If you do this, your chances of being considered for a full-time position in the coming years increase greatly.”

This maneuver, the unmatched experience of it, could be my ticket.

“Take some time to think on it. Like I said, the medical examinations will not commence for some time yet, but it has been suggested that we take care of that part sooner rather than later in case someone doesn’t qualify. So… is three weeks long enough for you to decide?” Raj asked.

I stared blankly for a moment and snapped out of the daze to give a nod.

“Good,” he said with a smile. “And it’s not every day you’re offered an all-expenses-paid year in Johannesburg. Am I right?”

Wait… this was for an entire year? I assumed it was just for a semester!

Raj excused himself and linked up with a few of my former classmates I invited, leaving me to stand there, stunned.

I couldn’t imagine being away from home for that long, away from my family for that long… but this opportunity was nearly impossible to pass up.

I kind of wandered around my party in a daze after that.

A whole year?

In South Africa?

My nieces and nephews would change so much by the time I made it back.
What if someone got sick? What if there was a crisis and I’m thousands of miles away? Or what if they needed me here just because?

And then there was Matt…

I mean, sure, he no longer lived in the state and our time together was already limited, but that had mostly been by choice—
my
choice. Even with him gone, there was still comfort in knowing that he was just a short plane ride away if I just had to see him, or if he wanted to come into town just to visit. In Johannesburg, I’d be completely cut off from
everyone.

Isolated.

My stomach turned.

With my thoughts now scattered across two continents, time seemed to fly past in a blur. Even when Bean’s ex, Chris, showed up, I barely even noticed. He and Bean decided to try to work things out about six weeks ago. My other three sisters—and their supercharged opinions—convened in my parents’ kitchen to discuss their distaste for him and that conversation went in one ear and out the other as I debated internally about this whole
teaching abroad
thing. All I kept thinking was that I’d be gone, on unfamiliar soil, practically alone, for an entire year.

Before I knew it, it was time for me to leave if I was going to make my flight on time. As I attempted to make my exit, there was of course a last-minute interrogation from all four of my sisters about my motives for visiting the West Coast. I assured them once again that my stay at Matt’s place would be nothing like they were thinking, but they still stuck with their original conclusion:
there was more brewing beneath the surface of our relationship
. I gave up trying to convince them otherwise.

My goodbyes were quick and far less heartfelt than they should have been, but my mind was already in California. Thoughts of my time there managed to even overshadow the newly introduced Johannesburg situation.

“Call me as soon as you land,” Lissy said when we hugged near my car. She’d followed me out while our family continued to mingle in the backyard like I suspected they would late into the evening—like always. That’s just how we do.

“Will do,” I promised.

Lissy nodded. “I almost forgot,” she mumbled to herself while fishing something out from the pocket of her jean shorts. Confused, my eyes followed her hands. When she pulled out our grandmother’s necklace, I smiled.

“It’s just for luck,” she reasoned, although I knew better. She, and maybe the rest of my sisters, thought this necklace was somewhat of a love charm or something. While I understood how great things turned out for Lissy and Luke, I believed that had more to do with coincidence than luck, but I didn’t argue with her as she secured the piece around my neck, making me promise her that I wouldn’t take it off. When she was finished, she stared with a goofy grin on her face—one of many I’d received this afternoon.

“What now?” I asked.

A smile touched her mouth and she pushed her hair behind her ears. “Why won’t you just admit that you like him, Brook?” I rolled my eyes in between that statement and her next.
“It’s obvious that you—”

“The only thing that’s obvious is that you all need to get yourselves some business, so you can stay out of mine!” I cut in, laughing up into the air when I lifted my head, exasperated. “I promise you’re over analyzing this, which is why I was dreading having to tell any of you my plans,” I replied, taking a seat behind the steering wheel while she leaned her elbow on the open driver’s-side door. “Contrary to what you, Delia, Bean, and Aura think… it’s possible for a guy and a girl to just be friends. Straight up. No weirdness. No sex. Just friends. And that’s what Matt and I are. Friends.”

I was really getting sick of having to defend myself.

Judging by the look on my sister’s face, I gathered that she still had her own ideas about the situation, so it didn’t make sense to keep arguing about it.

I smirked at her. “Bye, girl. Call you in a few hours,” I promised. She leaned in and kissed the middle of my forehead before mussing my hair a bit, scattering curls where they didn’t belong.

“Quit playing and go check on your kid or something. Get out of here,” I joked, closing the door. She waved and started back toward the house, still wearing that look on her face, trying to convince me that she knew or sensed something I didn’t.

Whatever…

My sisters think they know everything.

Chapter Two

Brooklyn

The landing gear touched the runway with a slight jerking of the plane and I yawned, taking note of the fact that it should’ve been dark by now. My watch was still set to Lindmore time, three hours ahead of L.A. So, while my body believed it to be eleven at night, it was only eight here—still relatively early.

My eyes went to the empty seat beside me as the stewardess directed the passengers on how to leave the plane in an orderly fashion. It would’ve been better, more fun, if Matt and I had gotten to fly together, but his schedule hadn’t allowed for that. Seconds after I accepted his invitation, his agent, Cliff, began calling, scolding him for skipping town without saying a word. Apparently, producers like Matt need agents, too, not just actors, singers, and models like I used to think. It was as I suspected; the meeting Matt blew off
was
more important than he’d let on. Long story short, he couldn’t stay any longer than he already had. I’d never forget what he did for me, though, whisking into town just long enough to be there on such an important day in my life. In fact, that was what convinced me to make this trip. I couldn’t tell him ‘
no’
after he came so far to ask me in person.

After claiming my luggage, I stepped outside into the warm California weather—sunny but not overwhelmingly hot like I expected. The short, strapless sun dress I’d worn to my party was perfect for these conditions, too, seeing as how there was maybe a ten degree difference in temperature between here and home today.

This was my first time on the West Coast and despite how highly Matt had spoken about it, how much he kept saying I’d like it, I didn’t anticipate getting attached. I liked being able to tell when the seasons had changed instead of them all kind of running together, the possibility of waking up to snow on Christmas morning, and I preferred to avoid places where the ground shook violently on a very regular basis.

Call me crazy…

There were cars lining the drive across the front entrance of the airport. Matt was supposed to be here to pick me up, but I didn’t see him anywhere. A flutter in my stomach forced me to acknowledge that I was at least a little nervous. I’d been around him almost daily before he relocated. Why should this be any different? With that thought, I stopped worrying. It’d be fine.

Two light pumps of a horn startled me out of my thoughts and I clutched my chest, feeling my heart race beneath my palm. I glanced to the left to find Matt grinning at me through the lightly tinted windshield of his baby, the same red pickup truck he’d driven out here months ago. It did my nerves good to see that he hadn’t upgraded yet, hadn’t gone all
Hollywood
on me already—even though I knew he could definitely afford to now. I needed this, though, the normalcy. It was like he hadn’t changed. Despite the recognition and taste of fame, he was still the same old Matt.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” I yelled, half laughing as I scolded him through the open passenger-side window when he pulled closer. Country music, his go-to genre, lulled softly from the speakers, low enough that words could barely be heard. While I, myself, wasn’t a fan, the sound of it today brought me nothing but comfort.

His grin turned into full-on laughter at the sight of me freaking out. “Couldn’t help myself,” was his explanation. “You were standing there looking like such a tourist.”

I glared at him playfully and then walked around to his truck-bed to set my bags inside it. However, he beat me to the punch and forced me to unhand the suitcase I clutched. Pulling my purse higher on my shoulder while I watched him, I caught myself smiling, undeniably happy that I made the decision to come here. Matt turned to face me when he was done, grinning again as he pushed his hair behind his ears. All this sunshine had lightened it a bit and his skin was more tanned than I’d realized in the short span of time I had to observe him the day before. With the length of his hair, and his carefree, laid back outfit—plaid button-down with the sleeves rolled to his elbows, khaki shorts that hit just below his knee—he looked like a Californian already.

“Well, ready to head to my place?” he asked.

His smile broadened and cool, gray eyes slipped over me quickly… but I still noticed, causing my cheeks to warm when I answered his question. “Yeah, I’m beat.”

Matt nodded and led the way to the passenger-side where he opened the door for me. I was just about to step into his truck when warm fingers encircled my wrist, drawing my eyes to his as I was brought back up onto the curb. As I was about to ask what he was up to, he tactically disarmed me with a smile. That was all it took. A smile. He had a way about him—a way of making you trust him with this one, simple expression. In a sense, his smile was his siren song—luring you in with its sweetness, distracting you, confusing you.

“Come here,” he beckoned, and slowly, willingly, I went into his arms. They slipped around my waist and I was pulled against his chest—hard, unyielding… comforting, just like yesterday. The warmth of the hug, the familiarity of it, worked together to make California feel a little less foreign.

“Just realized I hadn’t greeted you properly,” he explained with a laugh in his voice as he continued to embrace me. Gazing over his shoulder, my eyes darted around the sea of unfamiliar faces as they passed, parting around us like rushing water. Watching them gave me something to focus on, something other than the way Matt’s hands felt on me. The light grip I had on his shoulders loosened now as I became aware of the intimacy of the moment.

“You mean honking the horn and scaring me half to death wasn’t enough?” I asked, hearing a slight tremble beneath the words no matter how hard I tried to fight it. Flustered, I inhaled deeply, breathing in the hint of sandalwood and coconut scenting his skin. My eyes fluttered, threatening to close as a wave of contentment swept over me, but I quickly pulled away before Matt could misread the look on my face for something it wasn’t.

The soft, gray fabric of the passenger seat touched the backs of my thighs just below the hem of my dress when I climbed inside his truck. I’d been in here too many times to count, riding shotgun with him on quick runs to the store, to family functions (both his and mine), and now we were headed somewhere new. Well, new to me, anyway.

His place.

When we video chatted, he typically sat outside on his deck, drinking a beer while he unwound from a busy day. Even through the less than stellar speakers of my computer, I could hear the ocean. He was that close to it. Regardless of what his house looked like, that feature alone would’ve sold me.

The sun had finally set on the horizon. Varying shades of pink, violet, and tangerine created a backdrop to the picturesque silhouettes of palm trees and tall buildings. Swanky shops lined the road and I watched as men and women exited with bags cradled in the bends of their elbows. Everything looked so expensive—cars, clothing, everything. As I watched Matt’s city pass by, I was admittedly awestricken. It was just like he’d described.

We turned off a main road and the street slanted noticeably as we drove downhill, the shops and buildings being replaced with residences that looked nothing like what I was used to back in Lindmore. Even the terrain and foliage were different—far more hills than plains like I was used to.

“What do you think so far?” Matt asked, cutting into my thoughts.

I took in my surroundings again. “It’s pretty. Even better than on TV,” I added with a smile.

Beneath the thin, manicured beard of browns and golds, one far more tamed than I was used to seeing him sport, the corners of Matt’s mouth lifted into a smile. We hung a sharp right down another street that took us even further away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Traffic had decreased considerably and the atmosphere as a whole seemed to calm down a bit.

Matt checked his cell phone when it chirped, the action followed by a heavy sigh. “I swear this guy never takes a day off,” he mumbled.

“Your agent again?” I asked.

Another sharp breath left his lungs and I watched as he answered. “Yeah, reminding me about an interview he scheduled me for tomorrow, despite the fact that I couldn’t forget about it even if I wanted to, seeing as how he programmed it into my calendar himself.”

The memory of Matt’s first televised interview came to mind again and I had to smile. “I never get tired of hearing you talk about your craft,” I told him, and that was the truth. For that reason, I made time to catch whatever magazine or entertainment news show I could manage. I even looked him up on
YouTube
every now and then just to make sure I hadn’t missed any. It dawned on me that, from Johannesburg, I’d probably have to watch them
all
online. When the thought hit me, I pushed it aside. There was no point in thinking about all that right now. Right now was about L.A., about Matt. I’d sort the rest out later.

“The world obviously loves seeing this face,” I added when I came to myself again, squeezing his cheeks in my hand. As soon as I got him to laugh, I let go and turned away.

He’d matured in so many ways over the years, but to the core, he was still the same person and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Even I had to admit that he’s handsome, ruggedly so, which women seemed to love, including those in the limelight like he is. Not only had I read and watched all the media coverage following his career, I read the comments that came along with them, too. Seemed like
everyone
wanted a piece of him, professionally speaking… and otherwise.

Twenty-six did look good on Matt, though. There was an air of
pretty boy
that he would probably never live down because he wore his hair kinda long, to his shoulders, but he was all man. I could only imagine these were the collective thoughts on the minds of those who were constantly chasing after him.

He grinned a bit. “I don’t mind doing the interview; I was just hoping we’d get to hang together your first day here. It’s bad enough I can’t completely stop my life while you’re in town, but I at least wanted to show you around tomorrow.”

“Please, Matt,” I said, waving him off. “You have obligations and I’m cool with that. I can keep myself entertained on your beach.” And, oh, did I plan to get my fill of the ocean and sun while I was here. By him having to be out and about tomorrow, I’d get to laze around without feeling guilty. The last few days had left me feeling drained; with all the prep for graduation, the party. Yup, a day on the beach sounded like music to my ears.

He was busy, I knew that before coming here and I had nothing but respect for that. This city, one notorious for crushing dreams and sending hopefuls spiraling when the rejection got to be too much, was opening up for him with ease. In my opinion, he should take advantage of any and every opportunity he could. Having me here shouldn’t hinder that.

Carpe diem.

“So, back to this wedding you mentioned earlier. These friends… anyone I might know?” I asked with a smile. He’d made a few well-known acquaintances since moving here and I kinda wanted to meet some of them.

He laughed a bit, knowing why I asked. “Well, it’s not public knowledge because they don’t want the media getting wind of their plans, but it’s Mara and Dean,” he explained.

“I knew it!” I squealed, which made him laugh again.

To say that I was stoked about this was a major understatement. And seeing as how I hadn’t heard anything about their upcoming nuptials online or on television, they’d done a pretty good job of keeping things hushed.

Mara was a star in her own right. She was hosting her own show now, one of those celebrity gossip-type setups, plus she’d basically been the red-carpet correspondent for every award show I managed to watch this year. She and Matt met when she interviewed him soon after the documentary was released. They hit it off and once she caught wind of him making his way to L.A., she and her fiancé, Dean, took him under their wing and helped him get acclimated to his new surroundings.

Dean had done a few indie films here and there, but was still waiting for his big break. I looked up his debut film when Matt made mention of it and he definitely had promise. In short, Matt’s friends were both a pretty big deal, especially Mara.

“Cool. You’re excited,” Matt said, sounding relieved.

“You didn’t think I would be?” I asked, confused as to why he assumed that.

His shoulders lifted with a shrug as he turned another corner. “I don’t know. Your text just seemed a little less than enthusiastic, I guess.”