Page 9 of Changing Lanes

“Oddly enough, I feel the same way. This just feels right. So, there’s time.” I tug Brannon’s hand to encourage him to begin walking with me again. I hope I’m tugging at his heart; I can’t help myself. I want him.

Again. He stops me. “Time. You okay with that? I mean, we don’t know each other. We should get to know each other.”

What does he want me to say? I respond the only way I know how. “No, we do not. So, with time, we’ll learn. Now, chill, country boy.” With a jerk of his arm, his feet move with mine.

An evening of Halo 3, pizza, and flirting made the hours pass hurriedly. Not what I wanted, but it worked out. Around one in the morning, we run to the corner for a quick food break. Nachos have never been so damn sexy until you watch a fucking god lick cheese from his fingers. Two fingers at a time. Wide tongue. Long, wide tongue.

He looks out of the corner of his eye, my mouth is agape as I watch him clean his fingers. He smirks at me as we walk back to my place. I don’t know what he’s thinking, but the look in my eyes announce loud and clear what’s on my mind.

He interrupts my inappropriate thoughts. “So, you think you can handle an all-nighter?”

“Oh, I can hang.” I shove a strawberry Twizzler in my mouth, instead of what I want to shove in there, making us both chuckle.

He holds the door open for me as we enter my apartment building. He asks nonchalantly, “How long you been in this building?”

“Since freshman year.” That’s it, keep the answers simple.

My one-bedroom apartment is located just one block from campus. It’s simple with a loft style, white with industrial accents. Large windows and an elevator, which is great when I buy groceries. My father’s idea because it’s safe and quiet, considering couples live here.

“How the hell did you swing that? I thought everyone’s supposed to live in the dorms until they’re juniors.” Before I can come up with an answer, it hits him. “Your dad.”

“Yeah, he’s a contributor to the university so they waived my freshman registry. My father thought I would focus more on my studies by living alone. He’s a controlling asshole, but we’ll not go there yet. Hopefully, you’ll meet him one day and come to your own conclusions.”

“He wants the best for you, Torrie. It’s a blessing.” He looks at me as though he’s envious. If only he knew.

“Well, after you meet my father, we can revisit the topic.” Sighing as the words come out, I decide for a different conversation. “What about your dad? Did he help you decide on VTech?”

Opening the door to my apartment, it takes me a minute to realize Brannon hasn’t answered me. I turn to find him standing in the doorway, his eyes downcast. His chest heaving as if he’s holding something back. I take a step toward him, drawing his eyes up.

I knew before his eyes found mine, he was lost. A lost little boy. My heart seized at the mere thought of him hurting so badly. His face is pained with a memory, and his eyes are filled with unshed tears. He shakes his head and averts his gaze as the first tear escapes.

“No. He didn’t get the time.” Two steps later, I wrap him in my arms. He fights his emotions, balking at my attempt to soothe him. I refuse to let go until he does. After a few moments, he puts his arms around me.

“I’m sorry,” I offer as I rub his back for comfort. He pulls away, running his hand over his face to remove any evidence of grief.

“Thanks. I’m good.” He walks over to the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of water. “I was fourteen.”

“Oh, wow. So, just you and your mom now?” The need to know his story is killing me, but I want him to tell me; I feel like I’m intruding if he doesn’t. For someone so open, it’s like pulling teeth for this information.

“Yeah, she’s amazing.” A smile as wide as the sun breaks across his face. He loves his mom. From what I hear, that’s a good thing.

“I bet she is. I’m sure she would say the same thing about you,” I prod, hoping to get him to open up about his life. I’ve had years of practice trying to get someone to share themselves. I surely don’t want another relationship that I put more into than I receive.

“She would.” He chugs the water, wiping his mouth before tossing the empty bottle.

Opening the fridge, I grab two more bottles of water. “What’s her name?” Handing him one as I turn for the living room, he takes it and follows suit.

“Joyce. She’s the strongest woman I’ve ever met,” he says as we sit down. I pick up the game controller, queuing our next game. His evasive answers only make me want to be more intrusive.

“Call of Duty. To shake off the feels,” I giggle as I shimmy in my seat, prompting him to continue to share.

“Sounds good. I’m sorry for ruining the mood with my family stuff.” His words catch me off guard, and I jerk my head around to gawk at him. His eyes are downcast, his mouth turned down as he sits looking pensive.

“Ruining the mood? For talking about your family? Man, my father is pretty much an asshole, but it would hurt if he wasn’t here.” Giving him my most sincere smile, I ask the tough question, “Do you mind if I ask, how did he pass?” I bite my lip once the words are out, praying I haven’t crossed that invisible line of ‘just getting to know you’.

“No. I was kinda wondering if you were gonna.” He laughs nervously. “He died in a farming accident. He’s my hero. Well, and my mom, of course.” There’s more to this story, but I guess I’ve pushed enough. He clicks a few buttons on the controller, starting the game. Before I lose him, I ask a question I’m sure he won’t mind answering.

“How did you both make it without him?” Ducking my head to get eye contact, he glances at me then raises his head. I’m in awe, truly. To continue with working the farm and deciding to leave home for college must take a lot of grit.