Surviving
Page 45
I ask D, “Who is that with Tyler?” D glances up and waves to them.
“That is Colby. He is Tyler’s cousin from North Carolina. He moved here about a month ago. He was over at the house today riding with me on the track.”
“Oh, I didn’t know anything about it,” I replied trying to sound nonchalant. Thank God that twelve-year-old boys are clueless with the attention spans of gnats. Dustin says, “Yeah, he is a physical therapist at the hospital, I guess, but he and Tyler just bought the parts shop and are expanding it.”
Wow, eyefuckingdelicious and ambitious. DAMN.
Chapter 3
Colby
Holy hell, who is that girl with Dustin? My jaw must have dropped because Tyler was staring at me and asked what the hell caught my attention. I nodded towards the light in front of the parts house where the object of my affection was jamming out to “Boys Round Here.” I mean jamming out to Blake Shelton.
Tyler turns to look and turns back towards me and says, “That is Brielle, Addy’s younger sister, and so out of your league dude. She is sassy, smart, stubborn, a smart ass . . .”
I chuckled and asked, “Is your vocabulary stuck on S today, Tyler?”
He looks at me with a smirk and says, “Screw you Sasquatch,” and we both lost it. Tyler is more like my brother than my cousin. He is a few colors short of the rainbow, if you get what I am saying. He has no filter. I am not sure he even understands half of what comes out of his mouth, so I don’t know how in the hell anyone around him is expected to. We just go with it though, because he is the most loyal person I have ever known. When I decided to move from North Carolina to open this business with him, I knew it was the best decision I could have made. I wasn’t running from anything; I have great parents and had a blessed childhood, but there was nothing keeping me there. Tyler has a business degree from the University of Alabama and has such ideas for the expansion of the parts shop. I really think we can make a name for ourselves. I have my degree in physical therapy, and I got a job at the hospital and at this new elite gym in town where I start tomorrow. I think it is for elite athletes or gymnasts; I am not really sure, but Addy asked me, and I love that girl like my sister, so I couldn’t say no. The fact that she told me there were lots of girls in little shorts and tops didn’t help sway my decision at all.
Brielle intrigues me though. I couldn’t see much, just tan shoulders with blonde hair in a baseball cap, but that smile just captivated me. Tyler is still staring me and says, “Really dude; Brielle is a firecracker. She and Dustin are thick as thieves. Hell, all of those Parker siblings are, but Brielle, she is one of a kind. After six years with Addy, I still can’t tell if she loves me or hates me.”
I just chuckle at him because the general consensus of the population of Centerville is that he is truly one of a kind.
“Seriously though, she just got home today from college, and Addy is upset because she only lasted a year. Addy can’t get her to open up as to why she came home early. She only dated one guy in high school, Trey, and she kept her comings and goings this past year really quiet. Everyone loves Brielle, or hates her a little, but any guy in Centerville would do anything for her.”
What? No other guy in this town will be doing shit for her; that will be my job. Hell no, that thought did not just come from my mind. I don’t even know this girl. I don’t want to do anything for her. Well, except have her scream my name over and over while she is underneath me. Whoa, brain STOP IT! I shake my head and clear my mind.
“I get it Ty, she is off limits, and she is a spit fire, hot piece of ass, but lots of work, not my thing.”
Tyler looks at me, clearly agitated, and says, “That is not what I said, asshole. She isn’t off limits, and if Addison ever hears you call either of her sisters a ‘hot piece of ass,’ she will KILL you dude. You know she has the land to hide your body.”
I have to get my head on right. What is up with my thoughts and speech since seeing her? I believe in relationships and love, but not at first sight. I am not opposed to marriage, I am still young at twenty-three and I need to at least meet the person first. See, what the hell. Marriage and kids, and I haven’t even kissed the girl yet. I think I need to hit the gym to clear my mind. “We still on for the bar tonight? I need to let loose and relax after I hit the gym?”
“Yeah man, about eight?” Tyler responds. I fist bump him to acknowledge my affirmative and head to my truck. Now this baby was love at first sight. She is a candy apple red Chevrolet Silverado. After I put a lift kit and tires on her, this baby is all I need. I hop in and start my girl up, and she blares “Something ‘Bout a Truck” by Kip Moore, and I just chuckle. We have that connection. I glance back at Tyler before I leave, and he is shaking his head and looking at his phone with a look that says, “Oh, shit.” He catches me watching him and holds up his hand for me to wait as he jogs over to me.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“Change of plans for tonight, something is happening at Parker Central and they aren’t going to the bar tonight. Addy said they are doing summer opener tomorrow, but doing spur of the moment bonfire and party at their place. You are more than welcome to come.”
I am all over that. “Sure, I will head over after the gym once I cleanup”
“Cool, man. Their bonfires are a blast. You never know what will happen.” Tyler smiles, lost in his memories.
“Do I need to bring anything?” I ask, and his grin gets bigger.
“Hell no, Brielle is back, and dude she can cook and bake, thank God”
I just nod and leave. Damn it. Now all I can think about is Brielle wearing an apron in my kitchen with kids running around. Throw in a dog, and I am so screwed. I am going to wear my body out at the gym so these thoughts leave me the hell alone. Then I am going to the Parker house, having a few beers, and not even thinking about Brielle.