One Trip Around the Sun (5 page)

“Where are you going?” I ask Kyle.

He passes me while I’m sitting on the barstool in the kitchen, eating an apple.

“The gym. Come with me.” He throws some clothes into a gym bag.

“Um, no.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s Sunday, and I think it’s illegal to work out on Sundays, Kyle.”

He tips his head and gives me the same scolding look that our parents give us. It’s insane just how much he looks like our father.

“Besides, gyms are full of skinny people. I’m in no mood for hot people today.”

“Reese, that’s bullshit. Come on. Put on some workout clothes.” He’s leaning against the bar beside me, checking his messages on his phone.

“I’ll go for a walk.”
Now, that is bullshit.

“No, you won’t.”

Busted.

I throw up my middle finger as I walk over to the garbage can to dispose of my apple core. “I don’t have a membership anyway.”

“It’s raining, Reese. Please come with me. I can bring a guest. I leave tomorrow. Hang out with me.”

As soon as the words come out of his mouth, I know I’m giving in. “You’re gonna play that card?”

“Yes, I am. Let’s go.” He smiles as I pass him on my way upstairs to change.

Just like I told Kyle, the gym is full of hot skinny people—well, aside from the few middle-aged men who are probably going through their midlife crises. He walks off in the direction of the front desk to sign us in.

“I’m not doing anything crazy, Kyle. See those treadmills? That’s where you can find me.” I make my expectations clear to him right away, so he doesn’t even think about torturing me today.

“That’s fine,” he agrees, only humoring me. Then, he continues walking away from me.

I get situated on the treadmill. My earbuds are in, and I start increasing the speed until I’m at a fast-paced walk.

I see Kyle talking to someone across the gym. I swear, he can’t go anywhere without finding someone he knows. I wouldn’t think that his friends would be at the gym on a Sunday morning.

He turns and walks toward me with his friend at his side.

Great, I’m a sweaty mess on a treadmill, and he’s bringing his stupid friend over here.

As they get closer, I recognize
him
.

Are you kidding me?
“Brady.” I’m burning hot all of a sudden, and it has nothing to do with working out.

“Reese.” Brady nods his head and smiles.

“Of course you would be here,” I say softly. It comes out snobbier than I intended it to. I look into his eyes for any sign that he’s also thinking of our little interaction last night.

“Yeah, I’m here a lot.”

“I can tell.”
Oh God, I did not just say that out loud
. “I mean, you’re always dressed in your gym clothes,” I stutter over my words. Finally, I just shut my mouth.

“His parents own the place, Reese. He works here,” Kyle says as he opens his water.

“I work here, and I work out here.” His stares are so intense that they make me uncomfortable. “So, if you need anything, just let me know.” He smacks his hand on the bar at the top of the treadmill.

“I signed us up for a family membership, so you and Mom can come anytime you want,” Kyle says.

“Wow, that’s great,” I say sarcastically.
Although, if I get to look at Brady while I work out, then maybe I will start coming more.

“What would be great is if you got off that treadmill and tried some other things,” Kyle says in a smart-ass tone.

“I will another day.” I narrow my eyes at Kyle, hoping he gets the hint and leaves me alone.

He shakes his head as they walk away. I admire Brady’s body. It’s obvious that he spends a lot of time working out. His shoulders are broad, and his biceps are more defined than any of the guys at school. Even the guys who play sports aren’t built like Brady. His tank top dips down far on his sides, exposing the muscles. Even his calves are sculpted. As they pass a cooler, Brady opens it and reaches up to the top shelf to get a drink. I notice the bulging muscles under his arms.

I feel an electric shock straight between my thighs.
Whoa
.
What the hell?

Every damn time I’m around him, this happens. I’m breathing fast and shallow yet again.

He grabs something out of the cooler and walks back to me.

I meet his gaze halfway and then quickly look away. I worry that he’ll notice my rapid breathing and know what I’m thinking about. I increase the speed on the treadmill, hoping he’ll think that I’m just working out harder than I am.

“I didn’t want to say anything in front of Kyle, but if you’re gonna drink alcohol, you need to drink a lot of water also. Alcohol dehydrates you. It can cause you to get sick or even pass out, so push the water.” He drops the bottle into the holder on the treadmill and walks away, backward, his glorious crooked smile blinding me.

“Just so you know, I didn’t drink that much, but thanks for the tip.”

“Just promise me, you’ll drink all that water.” He lazily lifts his arm and points at the water.

Lucky me, I get to see the side of those beautifully defined abs.

“Promise,” I say all breathy—well, like a teenage girl. Ugh!

As soon as Kyle and I are home and walking through the back door, my heart skips a beat, and it’s not for any good reason. This day has just gone from bad to worse. As if going to the gym wasn’t a shitty enough way to spend a Sunday morning—minus all the parts that included Brady Fisher—we have company.

I hear uncontrollable loud laughter. It’s the kind of laughter that is only heard when a certain person is in this house. My sister, Kara, and my dad are sitting at the dining table. They’re laughing hysterically.

Tonight is Kyle’s going-away party, and I knew she was coming to town. I just hoped that it would be later—much later. Both their heads turn to Kyle and me. Kara dabs the corners of her eyes and stands excitedly. She hugs Kyle, and then she approaches me.

“Hi, Reese.” She hugs me like I’m a feral cat that’s going to rip her eyes out.

The prissy little bitch is probably afraid that my fat ass is contagious and that she might catch a molecule of cellulite in her toned little body before she leaves.

“How are you, honey?” she asks.

“Great. You?” I drop my gym bag and bend down to untie my shoes.

“Good. I’m really good. Actually, I have something to tell you and Kyle. Can you come and sit at the table?” She waits for me to finish and then walks to the table with me.

Kyle and I exchange looks and sit next to each other, across from Kara and Dad.

“Where’s Adam?” I’d rather see her husband any day.

“He’s out of town for work. He’ll be back this weekend.” She smiles and looks at our father.

I nod my head and wait for her to continue.

She places her hands on the table in front of her and interlocks her perfectly manicured fingers. She looks at me and then at Kyle. “Adam and I are going to have a baby!”

She’s smiling from ear to ear, and so am I. I’m picturing her as big as a house.

“That’s awesome, sis. Congrats!” Kyle jumps up and runs over to hug her. He talks in a baby voice, patting her belly, as he introduces himself.

Kara looks at me. “You’re going to be an aunt, Reese. What do you think of that?”

“I’m excited. We haven’t had a baby in the family in so long. Congrats, Kara. I bet Adam’s excited.”

“He is so excited, Reese! He wanted me to wait to tell you guys, but I just couldn’t.”

“Where’s Mom? Does she know?” I look around the kitchen for any sign of her.

“Yeah, I told her and Dad a little while ago. She went to the store to get a cake. You know how she is. She has to have a cake to celebrate everything. She’s going to make me fat before the baby does.”

Yay, Mom.

“So, what do you want—a boy or a girl?” I ask.

“I want a girl, so I can dress her up! Of course, Adam wants a boy.”

Of course, she wants a girl—a perfect girl just like her.

“Well, I’m so happy for you. I’m going to take a shower. I’ll be right back down.” I run up the stairs with no intention of coming back down.

My parents invited our family and friends over for a cookout to see Kyle off before he leaves for the Army. There’s tons of food, and I’m so hungry that I could eat the ass end of a chocolate buffalo, but I refuse to eat in front of these people. Instead, I’m irritated and a little grouchy. Kyle’s friends have been in and out all afternoon. A group of people is standing in a big circle out on the patio. I recognize most of them. His best friend since forever, Alex, is standing to his right, and Brady is to his left.

“Come here, Reese.”

I’m gathering empty soda cans when Kyle grabs my arm.

“Everyone, memorize this face.” He puts his arm around my neck and pulls me close, grabbing and squeezing my face. “If anyone fucks with one little hair on this girl’s head while I’m gone, you’d all better handle it.”

“You know it, brother!” Alex says.

“We got this, Kyle! Hell yeah!”

I’m not even sure who’s agreeing with him because I’m trying to squirm away from Kyle as he and his friends have a testosterone-fueled rant.

“How’s it going?” Brady asks as I break free.

“Awkward.” I roll my eyes.

Brady reaches out, brushing his fingers over the spot where he kissed my shoulder last night. I watch his fingers make contact with my skin. With my heart racing, my first instinct is to pull away, but I don’t.

“Yeah, big brothers are good for doing that.”

I slip away from the group and hurry straight to my bedroom. I pull my phone out of my pocket and text Chelsea.

When are you going to be here?

Pulling into your driveway now.

Thank goodness!
I need a distraction from all that’s happened today.

The next day, we drive Kyle to the Army recruiting office in Chicago. The drive feels like torture. I don’t want him to go.

Why couldn’t he just go to college this summer like everyone else in his class?

Kyle and I sit together in the backseat, and it’s awkward. I guess we are all so stuck in our own thoughts that we’re having trouble communicating with one another. I know Kyle is anxious about the unknown that is about to become his new life.