There’s not really much further it can go without bigger freak-outs, and who wants to deal with that?
As if reading my mind, Brody assesses me. “Did you sleep okay?”
I don’t answer him.
“Did you sleep at all?”
“Well, no, but I didn’t have a panic attack. That’s something.”
“But you didn’t sleep.”
“Did I mention insomnia is one of my many diagnoses on a long list of ailments? This isn’t unusual for me.”
“You weren’t sleeping well last week either.”
“That was because of my door. I’ll nap later. I promise I’ll be fine.”
The concern on Brody’s face is adorable and annoying at the same time. I love that he’s concerned but pissed off he even needs to be.
“Why didn’t you go to your own room after I was asleep?”
“I liked being in here with you and didn’t realise how much time had passed until I noticed the sun coming up.”
“Anders …”
“Brody,” I mimic.
“You have to look after yourself first. I’ll understand if I wake up alone.”
“Why are you so good about this? I don’t understand.”
Brody stretches again and climbs out of bed. “You have to know by now that I care about you. If I was after a random lay, I would’ve gone for the easy target, not you.”
“But why me?” I practically whisper.
Brody smirks.
“No, I’m not trying to fish for compliments here or have my ego stroked—”
“I’m going to say it like it is. Are you ready? Because it’s a bit of a mind-fuck. A completely left-field notion that will explode your brain and make you see the world differently.”
I expect him to ramble something about maybe being sent from God or it being fate or what-the-fuck-ever.
Instead, he looks me in the eye and says, “I like you.”
I roll my eyes. “Completely mind-blowing.”
Brody stares at me like he wants to say more, but he doesn’t. All he does is find some sweatpants on the floor and pull them up his thick thighs. “I’m going to make us breakfast, and then you can sleep until lunch. Then I was thinking we could do something this afternoon.”
“Do something? Like what?”
“I’m guessing you hate surprises.”
“Duh.”
“Usually on my rare days off I go indoor rock climbing to let off steam.”
Ah, that explains the muscular arms.
I’ve come a long way from the guy who didn’t want to leave his apartment. Outings are good for my psyche, and an indoor rock-climbing place will have a lot of people there. Blending in with the crowd is something I thrive at, and it’ll show Brody that side of me for once instead of, well, this version of me.
“Sounds good.”
“Stay here,” Brody says. “I’ll make us breakfast, then you can sleep, and then this afternoon, I’ll spot you.”
“You just wanna see how my ass looks in a harness.”
“Hell yes.”
“Spoiler alert: it looks awesome.”
A warm smile breaks across Brody’s face.
“What’s that look for?” I ask.
“I think that’s the first time you’ve actually flirted with me.”
I smile back. “Progress.” It’s small, and might not mean much to anyone, but it’s progress.
* * *
Apparently it doesn’t take a lot for my flirting switch to be turned on, and even less for me to enjoy it.
Flirting, I can do. I’ve mastered it over the last few years of dating superficial guys who want superficial banter. I thought it’d be different with Brody, because while he can be light and easygoing, he’s completely different from the guys I’ve dated since Kyle. He’s mature, he’s got his shit together, and there’s an air of seriousness about him.
And it turns out he’s one competitive motherfucker on the rock wall.
He scales the bloody thing like a spider monkey in heat … if spider monkey horniness is a thing. I don’t actually know.
Bonus points for the harness though. I joked about Brody using this an excuse to check me out, but I totally forgot it’d be the same for me. And damn, his bubble butt. I’d legit bite it if I was close enough, which I’m not, so it’s probably a good thing I can’t reach it.
Near the top, Brody reaches for a climbing hold and pulls himself up, moving swiftly with an air of grace. I could watch his muscles work all day.
At one point he turns his head and stares down at me over his shoulder. His eyes smoulder, and those lips turn up. “A little slack, maybe?”
Oh. Right. I loosen the rope enough for him to be able to keep going without me giving him a giant wedgie. Tightening that harness to make his butt pop even more is tempting, but that’ll probably leave us both uncomfortable. Not exactly in a position to rearrange my dick so it’s not tenting for everyone to see.
The climbing centre has an awesome and laid-back atmosphere. There are easier climbs for kids and more advanced ones for experienced climbers. Brody chose one in the middle, though by the way everyone knows him by name and how fast he is, I assume he could tackle the huge wall with the almost ninety-degree overhang.