Alice Cove

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

16.

I woke up that morning still in Brody’s arms. My eyes were stinging, I could barely open them they were that puffy. But I felt safe, Brody knew my story and he was still here. Even though I was in his van, he still hadn’t left my side. Even in sleep he hadn’t let go of me.

He was behind me but his arms were wrapped around me and his legs were in the crook of mine.

He was strong around me but not crushing me, I felt supported and safe. And I guess that’s why I came here. Nothing s****l happened don’t worry. But it seemed that opening up to him last night was more intimate than that.

“Morning,” Brody said into my hair, half asleep.

“Morning,” I whispered back.

I looked at Brody’s watch on his wrist. 9.30.

“s**t, I have work.”

“No you don’t,” Brody held onto me as I tried to move.

“Yes I do,” I didn’t have the energy to try and get up again.

“I messaged Candy a couple hours ago, she’s covering for you.”

Oh no, “what did you tell her?”

“Don’t worry, I just said you weren’t feeling up to it,” he said.

“You’re the only person I’ve told about my past,” I said, warning him not to say anything.

I could feel him laugh quietly against my hair, “you told me a million times. She probably just thinks you don’t want to see me.”

I smiled, thankful he had my secret safe, “or that we banged.”

He laughed again, “yeah that sounds more like her.”

I turned in his arms to face him, “thank you though.”

Brody smiled at me, and his face lit up, I hadn’t seen that for a while and it was nice. I felt that attraction to him once again. I felt bonded to him.

“Do you want me to make your breakfast?” Brody asked.

I could tell he knew I was fragile right now and wanted to do everything right.

“No, I just want to stay here a little longer,” I smiled sleepily.

“Okay,” he pulled me in tighter and we laid there a little longer.

I was broken and Brody was picking up the pieces and I didn’t feel guilty at all.

Not long later Brody got called in to do some work and I made my way back to my van, as I stepped in I quickly went to the mirror and saw indeed it looked like I had been punched in the face. I crawled back into my own bed and tried to go back to sleep. My head was banging and I really did feel sick. Not a moment later I heard a knock on my door and saw Candy’s head pop in. She had a mischievous look but it dropped instantly as soon as she saw my face.

“Oh my god you really are sick,” she cooed coming in to sit on my bed.

“Yeah,” I lied. Well didn’t, I felt it now but it wasn’t really why I wasn’t at work.

“Lucky I brought you this,” she dropped a plastic bag on my lap, “it was meant to be a joke because I thought you were faking it.”

I looked in the bag and there was two electrolyte drinks, chicken and corn soup and some chocolate and aspirin.

“Thanks,” I smiled.

“You look like shit.”

I laughed, “thanks Candy.”

“It makes me feel better about working,” she said, getting off the bed, “well rest up. And ill see you tomorrow hopefully.”

“You will.”

Candy gave me an unsure look before leaving. I looked that bad that she really thought I couldn’t make a 24 hours recovery.

I opened a Powerade and took a sip before placing it on my nightstand and laying back down. I couldn’t help but to see Jackson and the rage in his eyes when he stood over me at our front door. I’ve been seeing this face for years. But it was raw again after reliving it. So I kept my eyes open as long as I could, staring at the ceiling. And when my eyes starting to sting from not blinking I grabbed my phone and opened an ebook to try and transport to another life.

I made sure to not read my true crime and went for something romantic and funny, not my usual read. But I was trying to get away from the crime, hurt and murder.

I got quite far into the book before it disappeared on the screen and Josh’s name came up on caller ID. I had transported so far away I even forgot Josh. I don’t think he’d be happy to know where I slept last night, maybe if he knew the circumstance, but still doubtful. And I didn’t want him to know either story. I didn’t want to change the way he thought about me, even though I know it would soon.

I could not answer, claiming I was indeed at work, but then again. I know sometimes he calls the office if he thinks I didn’t answer cause I left my phone at home, which happens a lot.

“Hey you,” I answered on the last ring.

“El? I was literally just about to hang up,” I could tell his mouth wasn’t near the receiver to begin with so he was about to hang up like he claimed.

“Sorry I was asleep,” I lied.

“Oh sorry babe, I thought you would’ve had work today.”

“I did, but I stayed home sick,” I lied again.

“What? Are you okay? What’s wrong?” Josh was frantic.

“Hopefully just a 24 hour bug, I’ll be okay,” I smiled at how caring he was.

“I can come home-“

“No!” I cut him off, “don’t be silly, you need to work.”

“I really do, I’m glad I called though, I felt something was up so thought I’d check in.”

More than you know!

“It’s good to hear your voice,” that one was the truth.

“I miss you so much babe,” he told me.

I actually smiled, “me too.”

“I don’t think I’ll be able to get home tomorrow though, maybe the day after.”

“You got to do what you got to do,” I shrugged.

“Okay, well rest up and I’ll message you tonight so I don’t wake you, I love you,” Josh said.

I paused, I couldn’t help it. Do I still love him? “Love you too.”

I woke up again that afternoon and my face felt much better along with the rest of me. I had a quick shower and then got some meat out to have a bbq. It felt like a good time to actually get out of the van and see the outside world.

I grabbed some marinated chicken and left it on the sink before grabbing a beer and heading out to turn on the bbq and jumped when I found Brody sitting in one of my chairs.

“You scared the living daylights out of me,” I held my chest.

Brody laughed, “sorry, I just wanted to check on you.”

“How long have you been out here?” I looked at him confused. He could’ve just texted, or knocked even.

He paused for a moment, “a while.”

I laughed, heading over to the bbq to turn it on, “well thank you, I’m good now.”

I spun around, a finger up at him, “but this doesn’t mean we talk about it now. I’m trying to forget.”

“We can talk when you want to talk.”

“Beer?” I asked him.

I wasn’t sure if he knew I meant my past, I didn’t want to talk about my past. Or did he think I wanted to forget that I came to him last night.

“Sure,” he nodded.

I went in and grabbed a beer for him and sat on the chair across from him.

“Did you want dinner? I’m having marinated chicken and salad. It’ll probably be an hour though.”

He thought about it and so did I, I just asked him to hang around and make small talk for an hour. Why did I do that? Am I trying to tempt myself.

“Sounds good, I was just going to get fish and chips from the shop,” he laughed.

“No worries, I always cook to much,” I laughed.

We sat and had a couple beers and talked while I got the chicken going in the bbq and get the salad sorted.

And then we ate dinner, and I forgot all my problems. It was easy being with Brody. We laughed and joked and had fun together like we always had. But I could see something different in his eyes, something I don’t think I cared to notice before. Or maybe I did, but I subconsciously pretended I didn’t, because if I acted on it I’d hate myself more than anyone else.

“So are you going to go on holiday once we get to winter?” I asked Brody.

Brody glanced at me as he ate his chicken, “I don’t know. We kind of live at a holiday destination I don’t see the need. Maybe go back home.”

I nodded, eating as well.

“What about you?” He asked.

I shrugged, “I always stay here.”

In hiding, but I didn’t add that.

Brody just nodded, still eating. I realised he probably knew why I just stayed here but he didn’t say anything. I could go away if I wanted, Jackson was in prison and I knew my family wouldn’t tell him where I was. I couldn’t go back to where we lived just in case someone recognised me, but Jackson was rich and knew a lot of people, he could have people looking for me for all I knew. Or maybe he didn’t care anymore, he clearly didn’t love me like I thought. But I wasn’t going to take that risk.

We finished our dinner and Brody helped me with the dishes and then we sat out with another beer, watching the near empty caravan park.

“So,” Brody started, not knowing what else to say, “maybe I should go.”

“Okay.” We both stood up, facing each other.

I didn’t even know how to say bye. I went to hug him and we both went the same way, we both awkwardly laughed and readjusted and both went the opposite way together. This seemed like de ja vu.

And something came over me and I threw caution to the wind.

“f**k it,” I said this time, but loud enough for Brody to hear, unlike the first time this happened.

And Brody knew what I meant, as soon as I got up on my toes and grabbed onto his jaw with both hands he held onto my hips and pulled me against him.

Our lips crashed together and moved my hands from the scruff of his beard to the back of his neck, opening our mouths we were closer entwined. I bent back and Brody leant forward as he cupped my ass. We were moving as one.

It all happened so fast but even though this kiss felt like a life time, almost in slow motion, because it was finished almost as quickly.

As we parted I almost felt dizzy. I sighed heavily and laughed as my hand went to my forehead.

“Well bye,” I laughed, trying to bring comedy to the situation.

Brody smiled and chuckled, “well now I don’t want to leave.”

I smiled, it was nice to hear, and I was sure now that’s what I wanted. But it wasn’t lost on me that I still had a boyfriend.

“But I know I should,” Brody finished.

He started to walk away slowly, finally letting go of the hand I didn’t realise til now he was still holding.

“Hey Brody,” I said lightly, if he didn’t hear and didn’t turn around I was okay with that.

But he heard, and he turned around expectantly.

“Do you feel the same about me after that?” That kiss solidified to me that I was making the right choice now, choosing Brody. That kiss was what made that choice even apparent to me. Choose myself, choose Brody. But maybe it made him realise he shouldn’t have even put that choice on the table.

“Yes, and much more.”

I hope he had turned and started walking before he could see the smile spread across my face. It was embarrassingly large I could tell, but I couldn’t stop it. I covered my mouth and went straight inside. I could feel my cheeks burning and I felt on the couch. I was like a giddy school girl. I kicked my legs and screamed. I liked this feeling, but I knew it wouldn’t last. There was something else I had to do now.