Stupid Girl(49)
“No, not worried,” I said, and peered closely at him. “Who’d you make mad this time?”
Brax’s chuckle was throaty and male. “No one, smartass.” He looked at me, and those arresting eyes settled onto mine. “One of my frat brothers becomes an idiot when he’s shit-faced. His girl broke up with him tonight so, you know.” He shrugged and returned to the menu. “I let him get a few swings in, Gracie. Helped the guy let off some steam. No big deal. So what are you ordering?”
It felt strange, completely natural, and breathtaking having Brax sit right beside me in the booth. I hadn’t been close to anyone, except family, in so long. It felt scary and invigorating. I drew in a calming breath. “Breakfast, of course.”
Brax looked at me, ducked his head to meet my eyes. “Breakfast?”
“What will you darlings be having tonight? Oh, Jesus, son.” The waitress was older, with a gravelly voice and pixie-shorn salt and pepper hair. She leaned closer to Brax, inspecting his beat-up face. “You want an ice pack or something for that?”
Brax gave her a bright smile. “Nah, it’ll be all right.”
“Tough guy, huh?” She grinned, and looked at me. “Go ahead, sweetie. What’ll you have?”
“Apple pancakes and sausage,” I said. “And a large chocolate milk, please.”
Brax looked at me then gave an approving nod. “Same for me.”
“Nice choice, sweetie, although you don’t look like you can hold it all.Be right back.” The waitress left, and Brax turned sort of sideways in the booth, cornering me in.
“It looks painful,” I said, and nodded at his eye. It was discolored and swelling fast. It’d be black and purple by the next day. I fidgeted with my hands in my lap, cracked my knuckles. Unladylike, I know, but I couldn’t help it. Bad habit since I was a kid.
His gaze stayed on mine, but his grin was slow, sly and purposeful. He didn’t answer, didn’t respond. Just kept staring. Smiling. In the background, the clank of dishes and silverware and the low rumble of conversation barely infiltrated the intimate space Brax had created in the booth between us. I glanced away, then back to him, a little shy, a little curious. “Why are you staring at me like that?”
“Because you’re just so fuckin’ beautiful.”
Shock and heat shot through me at his frank, crude, and incredibly sexy confession. I felt my skin turn hot from embarrassment, and I gave him a quick look.
“How hard did that guy hit you anyway?” I lifted my hand. “How many fingers am I holding up?”
His gaze didn’t falter.
I fought a smile, lowered my hand. “You’re crazy.”
His mouth tilted. “Damn right I am.”
I just shook my head, the impact of his comment sinking deep inside of me. I liked the way Brax made me feel. Then my phone vibrated in my bag. No one called me. Ever. Unless it was family. I fished it out of my purse. “Sorry, its home. I need to take this.”
Brax continued to watch me. “No problem.”
Jilly’s name flashed across my tiny cell phone screen, and I answered it. “Hey, Jilly, is everything okay?”
“Hell, yes, everything’s fine, darlin’.” Jilly’s sandy old voice washed over me, and I had to keep from laughing. He had a lot of drama for an old guy. “Is there somethin’ wrong with a decrepit old man checkin’ on his baby girl?”
My eyes lifted to Brax, who studied me closely. I knew he could hear everything Jilly said; everyone within earshot probably could. He was loud as sin. “You are not old and decrepit, Jilly. And of course not. Do you miss me?”
“Hell yes, I miss you!” Jilly exclaimed. “When are you comin’ back home? I need someone to go target shootin’ with.”
I laughed. “Jilly, I just got here. I’ll be home during fall break.”
“Well, horseshit. That’s more ’n a month away, darlin’.”
My gaze rose to find Brax’s lips twisting into a seriously cute grin. “I know,” I appeased. “Maybe you and Mom can drive up and you can check out the Mulligan with me. It’s sincerely a sweet scope.”
Jilly heaved a big sigh into the phone. “Well, there is that, I suppose. Everything goin’ all right there? You ain’t turnin’ all fancypants on me, are ya?”
Again, I giggled. “No, Jilly.” I looked at Brax. His eyes were directly on mine. “Same old me.”
“Good. Keep it that way. It’s my bedtime now, gotta go. I love ya, darlin’.”
My smile pulled at my mouth. “I love you too, Jilly. ’Night.”