Page 39 of The Write Track
“Knock it off. I’m being serious.” He carried my suit to the closet and hung it up, making sure it was straight on the hanger before turning back to me. “Have you ever considered, instead of giving me a hard time about my fiancée, that maybe you should find somebody to spend time with?”
“I do that most weekends.”
“That’s not what I mean. I’m talking about a real somebody.” He paused for one dramatic beat. “Maybe like Bella or something.”
Oh, geez. Did he think he was being smooth? I’d never seen anybody quite so heavy handed with ulterior motives. “Did Bree send you over here to talk to me about Bella before the retreat?”
“Of course not!” Brody sounded beside himself, something he obviously realized because he immediately adjusted his tone. “I was just wondering. You’ve gone above and beyond for her from the moment you met her.”
“So?” Defensiveness crept up my spine. “She needs help.”
“I don’t disagree. This whole thing feels… yucky.”
“Yucky? What an adult word choice.”
“What word would you use?”
“Bullshit,” I answered without hesitation. “It’s bullshit what he’s put her through. The biggest problem is that she doesn’t see him as a threat, just a nuisance.”
“Do you think he’s a threat?”
“Probably not physically. I would guess she’s right on that. The other stuff, though.” I touched my tongue to my top lip, hesitating, then barreled forward. “He wants to hurt her emotionally. He already has. She realizes it and thinks she’s already out from under his thumb, but he still has cards to play.”
“And you think he’s going to use this retreat to play them.”
“I do.”
“And you’re not going to let him.”
It wasn’t a question, but I answered anyway. “I can’t just sit back and let him hurt her when I know I can do something about it. My mother was bullied by my father the same way he’s bullying Bella.”
“Do you see your mother in Bella? Is that why you were so quick to offer your services?”
“I lose nothing from pretending to be with her. She gains everything. I can’t sit back and do nothing while this guy terrorizes her. It doesn’t feel right.”
“I want to help her too,” Brody assured me. “It’s just… are you sure you don’t have a thing for her?”
“No. I don’t have a thing for her. I just don’t want anything bad to happen to her.”
“Are you sure? Because if you like her, I can totally be your wingman.” He puffed himself out. “Just like you were my wingman when I was courting Bree.”
“You did not just use the word ‘courting.’” I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“What would you call it?”
“Banging and boning.”
His expression turned dark. “I am not calling it that.”
I laughed because I couldn’t help myself and dropped my hands on Brody’s shoulders. “I appreciate you looking out for me. I really do. I’m not interested in a relationship, though. I just don’t want anything bad to happen to her. If I can help, I’m going to do it.”
Brody nodded. “Okay. If you change your mind, though, I’m so ready to be your wingman.”
“I will keep that in mind.” I turned away from him. “Just out of curiosity, did Bree make you come over here to ask that question?”
“Yeah. She’s got a bet going with Hayley that you and Bella will be—how did you put it? Banging and boning?—by the end of the retreat.”
“She says we will be?”
