Philip ran his hands through his hair and threw down his pencil in frustration. "I hate this math crap!" he yelled.
Chloe rolled her eyes and shoved the pencil back in Philip's hand. "You know how to do it, Philip. You just don't want to."
"Damn right I don't want to. I can't believe I'm stuck doing math homework on a Friday night."
"As opposed to getting drunk at one of those dumb jock parties?" Chloe asked with a smirk.
"They're not dumb jock parties," Philip countered. Chloe raised her eyebrows at him and he realized it wasn't exactly The Greatest Comeback of All Time. Chloe laughed when Philip ducked his head and she affectionally messed up his hair with her hand. It felt so natural and perfect to be with him like this again.
Philip grinned back at her and Chloe thought she was going to melt away in a puddle of goo...his dimples were like superpowers. Philip brought his face near hers. "I can think of other fun stuff we can do," he growled lowly.
Chloe giggled nervously. "In your bedroom? What if your dad--"
"Who cares?" Philip joked, tackling Chloe to the floor as she squealed.
"Philip! God, this isn't the football field here." But Philip wasn't listening because he was gently kissing her neck. Chloe responded by pulling Philip's face to hers so she could reach his lips. When their kisses deepened, Chloe felt the obligatory butterflies in her stomach start up. She always got so nervous being so intimate with Philip, no matter how much he loved her. It had nothing to do with him...Chloe just felt weird sharing so much of her body with another person. But Philip's hands, Philip's mouth...it seemed to make her thoughts turn to mush every time they kissed.
One of Chloe's hands began to rub the side of Philip's neck as another traced a line down his back. Philip let his hands find the buttons to Chloe's shirt and she didn't stop him from unbuttoning them. She was too busy with the belt of his pants, which surprised Philip. Chloe never moved this fast before. In fact, she seemed almost frantic. Her kisses grew hungry and rough as she began working Philip's zipper. Philip could have let himself get lost in this moment, because it definitely did not suck, but he could sense something was wrong. When he pulled away from Chloe's lips, he realized he was right.
Chloe's eyes were welled up with tears.
"Chloe?" Philip whispered, stroking her face with one finger. "What's wrong?"
"Philip...please. Just...don't talk, okay? Just kiss me."
"Chloe. What's wrong?" Philip repeated, in a tone that let her know that he wasn't going to drop it.
Chloe sighed and sat up, buttoning her shirt back up. Philip watched with interest at the disappointed look on her face...but for some reason, it seemed like Chloe was disappointed in herself.
"Huhlo?" Brady mumbled through a mouth full of food.
"Hiya."
Brady nearly choked on his sandwich. "Heather?"
"Miss me, Brady?"
"Why are you calling here? I thought you said you'd wait for me to call. What was that cute lil' comment? Oh, yeah, when I become a man."
"Well, I decided to check up on that process," Heather shot back.
"That's great. Now why did you really call?"
"I just wanted to see how you were, Brady," Heather said more gently.
"Well, I think I have a permanent hand-print on the side of my face," Brady replied bitterly.
"Oh, spare me."
"You know, maybe you and Marlena could go out for tea, share your most efficient slapping techniques."
"Or share reasons of why you're such a bastard," Heather said, not missing a beat.
"Trust me, Marlena will be sure to have plenty of those," Brady said, raising his voice.
"Okay, you're not impressing me or anything here. I've been hearing the same old lines from you for a while now. 'Marlena hates me, I hate her, wah wah'," Heather repeated in a whiny tone.
"Oh, now I get it. You basically called to insult me," Brady challenged.
"No! God! Why do you always think the world is against you?"
"Because it is," Brady muttered.
Heather grew an edge to her tone. "No, your against the world." There was silence on the line so she continued. "You bring all this crap on yourself, Brady."
"Don't even say that, Heather," Brady shouted.
"I did say that," she shot back. Heather paused and sighed. "Listen, this is going nowhere."
"You're telling me."
"I didn't call to argue, Brady," Heather said shakily.
"Really? You could have fooled me," Brady replied tensely.
There was an uncomfortable silence and Brady was about to continue when a soft voice came from the line. "I miss you, Brady."
Brady swallowed. It would have been so easy to tell her the truth--that he missed her, too. But she was part of his old life...he was a new Brady and Heather brought back too many memories. And he didn't need any distractions in getting revenge on Marlena.
"No, you miss the old Brady. You're still getting the two confused. And I think it's time that you realize that you don't get to me anymore," Brady bit out and instantly regretted saying it. There was a long pause and then a click and a dial tone.
Brady put his hand to his forehead...what was wrong with him? Heather was the best thing that ever happened to him and he was throwing it all away. For what? For some kicks at a stepmother's expense? But Brady had enough of being nice and getting nothing in return. He clenched his jaw and threw the phone against the wall in frustration. Brady shook his head fiercely...Heather was in the past now. He wasn't going to let anyone in again, only to get hurt once more. Brady sighed and turned on the radio and Vertical Horizon's "Gray Sky Morning" began to play. He plopped down on his bed and closed his eyes and he listened to the lyrics. Brady smiled sadly when he realized the song might as well have been called, "Wake the Hell Up, Brady Black."
So you sailed away into a gray sky morning
Now I'm here to stay...love can be so boring
Nothing's quite the same now...I just say your name now
But it's not so bad
You're only the best I ever had
You don't want me back
You're just the best I ever had
So you stole my world...now I'm just a phony
Remembering the girl leaves me down and lonely
Send it in a letter, make yourself feel better
But it's not so bad
You're only the best I ever had
You don't need me back
You're just the best I ever had
And it may take some time to patch me up inside
But I can't take it so I run anyway and hide
And I may find in time that you were always right
So you've sailed away into a gray sky morning
Now I'm here to stay...love can be so boring
What was it you wanted?
Could it be I'm haunted?
But it's not so bad
You're only the best I ever had
I don't want you back
You're just the best I ever had
Jason knocked on Mimi's front door and straightened out his shirt. He wanted to look presentable but he got caught up in a game of basketball before going over to Mimi's. Jason hoped that she wouldn't notice he was a little late.
The door flew open. "Lesson One: Don't be an hour late," Mimi demanded.
Jason could only respond with a frozen grin. Mimi looked amazing...she was wearing a light pink tank top with a knee-length gray skirt and it definitely flattered her in all the right places. Jason looked down at his sweaty t-shirt and blue jeans with grass stains on them. Now he hoped that she wouldn't notice he was a little underdressed.
Mimi crossed her arms. "Whatever kind of look you were going for, you missed. Lesson Two: Learn how to dress for a date."
Jason rolled his eyes and held up his hands in defense. "Okay, Date Nazi."
"So far, you've got a lot to learn, Welles. And this is only the beginning. How the hell do you expect to keep a girlfriend if you don't even know the basics of being a good date?"
"Hey, I've had plenty of girlfriends."
"Wrong. You've just had plenty of action...then you had Jan. Since she isn't human, I don't really count any of that."
Jason sighed. This was going to be a long night. Oh, hell, who was he kidding? He's never been so excited over a girl before...Jason just knew that Mimi would be putty in his hands by the end of the night. Romance lesson, my ass, he thought. Just a cute little ploy to get me to notice her. I'll play along before I tell her I've been noticing her for a while now.
"Hell-o? Jason?" Mimi's hand waved in front of his face.
"Huh?"
"I was asking where you plan on taking me."
"I have to take you somewhere?" Jason asked, confused.
Mimi leaned against her doorway in exasperation. "Do you think a date is just sitting on a couch, eating and watching basketball?" Jason grinned...that's exactly what he had planned for their special night. He knew Mimi was special.
Mimi let her mouth open a little. "Oh, my god, Jason, you have to be kidding me. You're gonna need more work than I thought."
"What's wrong with watching basketball?"
"On a date? That's more like what you like to do and there just so happens to be a girl sitting next to you. Probably a very pissed off girl."
Jason pointed to Mimi in defense. "Hey, lots of girls like to watch basketball, all right?"
Mimi threw up her hands. "I know that, you nerd. But this is a romance lesson, remember? Flowers, candy, candles...and the Knicks? It doesn't exactly fit, Jase."
Jason flashed a grin and also leaned against the doorway. "Fine, Meems. Teach away."
"OK. Let's do something easy so that you don't hurt yourself. How about...going out to dinner?"
Jason nodded thoughtfully. "Sounds good to me. I'm in the mood for some Taco Bell nachos right now." Mimi stared blankly at him. "What?"
"Please, please, tell me this is just another dumb joke of yours."
"Hey! My jokes aren't dumb," Jason said defensively.
Mimi's hand flew up to smack her own forehead. She had a feeling this wasn't going to be easy.
Jason's car pulled up to the Olive Garden and he quickly turned off the ignition. His head was spinning with suggestions for his "next girlfriend". Flowers are pretty. Balloons are nice, but only on special occasions. Don't overdo it. Don't get anything expensive for her until after a certain amount of months. Hold her hand. Hug her. Say sweet things. Jason shook his head...he was starting to wonder if Mimi had a book: 101 Ways to Be The Perfect Boyfriend. He sighed as his ego began to deflate. Jason was never the romantic type, but he was trying so hard. He hoped Mimi saw that in him and realized he was perfect for her.
Jason hopped out of the car and started walking towards the door of the restaurant. "I'm glad we decided on this, I love Italian," Jason started. He turned to hear Mimi's response only to see that Mimi wasn't behind him. She was still sitting in the car. Jason shook his head and jogged over to the passenger side. "Mimi! What the hell are you doing?"
Mimi glared at him from the window.
"Get out of the car! I'm hungry!" he whined.
Mimi dramatically rolled her eyes and pointed to the door handle. Jason nodded. "Yes, Meems, that is how you open the door!" Mimi clenched her jaw and swung the door open, narrowly missing Jason's stomach. "Woah, watch it, killer!"
Mimi shot him an evil look. "Lesson Nineteen: Open doors for girls."
"What? This isn't the fifties. You have hands."
"Jason...you're hopeless."
The waiter showed Jason and Mimi to their table. Before Mimi even decided which chair to take, Jason hurried over to one and pulled it out. He gestured to the chair and winked at Mimi, who responded with a proud smile.
"Wow, Jason, you're learning," she said as she took the seat.
"See? I'm not hopeless, after all." Jason said, flashing her a charming grin.
"No, there's hope for you yet, Welles," Mimi responded with a teasing smile. Jason swallowed. He was on a date with Mimi Lockhart. The realization hit him and he instantly felt butterflies in his stomach. Then his palms actually started getting sweaty. Jason's palms never sweated over a girl before. He had it bad. He watched as Mimi played with her spoon, twirling it between her fingers. Red alert, he thought. She's bored. Say something, stupid. Say something!
"Your chest looks really good in that shirt," Jason blurted out. He immediately closed his eyes. Please, please, God...please don't let that have been out loud.
Mimi looked up in surprise. "What did you just say?"
Dammit.
"Uh...I just can't wait for some...good dessert," Jason said hopefully, praying that it sounded close enough to his original, very not-suave, comment.
"Oh." Mimi laughed nervously. "Sorry, I could have sworn you said something else."
Jason laughed loudly in response, hoping to cover up his nervousness. Mimi gave him a strange look and he immediately shut up. There was an uncomfortable silence until an unfamiliar voice broke through.
"Hi, my name is Shalini and I'll be your waitress for tonight. Do you two need a few more minutes or are you ready to order?"
Mimi looked over at Jason, who shrugged. "Um, no, we're ready."
"Okay. And what would you like?" the waitress asked, turning to Mimi.
Mimi glanced over her menu. "Um...how about the...angelhair pasta?" She smiled up at the waitress, who nodded and wrote the order down. She took the menu from Mimi and turned to Jason, who was staring at his own menu.
"Thirteen dollars to put hair in your noodles?!" He shouted.
Mimi immediately turned red. "Jason!" The waitress tried to hold back rolling her eyes...there was always a couple where the guy never wanted to dish out too many bucks. "It's a very good pasta dish," Mimi muttered to him.
"Can't you just get a salad or something?" Jason continued, pointing at the menu. "Mmm...lettuce," he said hopefully, dramatically rubbing his stomach.
"I...want...angelhair...pasta," Mimi said through clenched teeth. The waitress crossed her arms and waited for the two to duke it out.
Jason swallowed when Mimi's eyes flashed. "I--I will also have a plate--of the angelhair...thing," he struggled to get out. The waitress nodded tightly and snatched the menu out of his hand. Jason sighed...its the only way, man. You need to impress her tonight, so suck it up. Remember, Lesson Fifteen was buy a nice dinner once in a while for the girl.
Mimi looked up at Jason. "I didn't expect you to give in so quickly."
Jason gripped his fork, trying to keep his nerves about him. This is it. Now or never...okay, speaking might help. Just...say it. Speak, dammit!
"Well, um, angelhair pasta is perfect for...an angel like you." Jason immediately hung his head. God, where the hell did that cheese come from?
"W--what?" Mimi asked, surprised.
"I'm sorry...that--that was really dumb," he stammered, putting his hand to his forehead.
Mimi stared at the guy in front of her in shock. Was this really Jason Welles sitting there? And what was going on with him?
"Jason...are you all right?"
Jason took a deep breath. "Mimi...I have...I have something I need to ask you."
"What is it?"
Jason looked up at her and decided to get it out all in one breath. It's the only way.
"Mimi, I...I really--"
"Hey, you two!"
Jason bit his tongue. He must have really done something horrible if God insisted on punishing him like this.
"Heather!" Mimi said happily, waving the girl over to the table. Heather walked over, dragging another boy by the hand. Both Jason and Mimi were shocked to see that the guy wasn't Brady.
"Mimi, Jason, this is Ethan. Ethan, this is Mimi and Jason, friends of mine," Heather said, grinning.
"Hey, guys," Ethan said, flashing a heart-stopping smile. He was wearing khaki pants with a sweater vest pulled over a crisp white shirt. Also, no one could miss the super-shiny loafers on his feet. "You seem to have a beautiful date here, Jason," Ethan said smoothly, staring at Mimi. He took Mimi's hand and kissed it lightly. "Pleased to meet you," he whispered, winking.
Mimi just gaped at the beautiful dark-haired boy. "Uh-huh," she drew out, mesmerized. Jason glared at Ethan and his dumb pretty-boy preppy outfit.
"Yes, I do have a beautiful date here. Why don't you just look through some more J. Crew catalogs so we can get back to it?"
Before Ethan could respond, Mimi spoke up. "Jason!" She kicked him underneath the table. "He's just kidding, Ethan. We're not here on a date. Jason's just my friend."
Jason continued to shoot Ethan dirty looks. "Good to know," Ethan murmured towards Mimi, who blushed.
Before Jason could make another smart comment, Heather giggled. "Um, well, anyway! Ethan is an ex-boyfriend of mine. We met after I broke up with Brady," she said casually. A little too casually, Mimi noticed. She also noticed that Ethan shifted his feet uncomfortably at the mention of Brady's name. "But me and Ethan are just friends now," Heather continued, smiling at the boy beside her. Heather looked over her shoulder. "Oh, I better get back waiting at the hostess stand," she said.
"I'll catch up with you, Heath," Ethan said, never taking his eyes off Mimi.
Heather smiled at the obvious attraction between the two. It didn't bother her since she didn't have any feelings for him anymore. She never really had any feelings for Ethan, actually. Unfortunately, their relationship was very short when both realized she was just using him to get over Brady. Luckily, Ethan wasn't upset about it at all since he knew it wasn't intentional. Heather shook her head as she walked to the hostess stand. Brady. What does she still see in him? She thinks about him everynight and he obviously couldn't care less about her. Heather sighed as she tried to erase him from her mind.
At the table, Jason was digging his fork into the tablecloth. "So, Ethan, do you play any sports?"
"Um, actually, no, I don't."
Jason grinned. "Oh, well, I guess that figures. Pretty boys are never known to do any damage on the courts or the fields."
"Well, Jason, I never had time for sports," Ethan shot back.
Jason raised his eyebrows as Mimi desperately tried to send him the message to shut up with her eyes. "What, too busy shopping?"
"No, actually, I've been too busy studying to become a lawyer," Ethan said calmly. Mimi tilted her head to the side in interest as Jason grimaced.
"A lawyer? That's so cool," Mimi said, hoping she wasn't gushing.
Jason rolled his eyes. "Like, lawyers, are just, like, so this season," he mimicked under his breath.
Ethan brushed Mimi's hand with his own and Jason instantly put his protective face on. "So, Mimi, I really would like to see you some time."
"Yeah, right," Jason muttered under his breath, knowing Mimi wouldn't fall for this guy's act.
"I'd love that," Mimi breathed.
Chapter 28
Chloe grabbed Philip's face and kissed him fiercely. Philip never thought he'd do it, but he pushed Chloe off of him.
"Chloe, we're not going to do this while you're crying." She looked down and took a shaky breath. "Please, tell me what's wrong."
She leaned in close to him again. "Let's--let's just get this over with, okay?"
Philip widened his eyes and leaned back. "'Get this over with?' You make sex sound like a trip to the dentist."
Chloe swung her legs underneath her and tried not to let her tears fall. Everything was perfect between her and Philip, in emotional terms. But physically, it was a different story. "Philip, I think it's time we--we...I mean, that we..."
"Chloe, maybe it's not time to have sex if you can't even say it," Philip said pointblank.
"I'm ready, Philip," Chloe pleaded. Her eyes were full of desperation. Philip bit his lip and stared down at the floor. He couldn't believe he was turning down a beautiful girl who was practically begging for sex. But it just wasn't right.
"I--" Philip struggled to get the words out when Chloe absently licked her lip. Temptation was a killer. "I don't think you're ready," he said slowly. Chloe wiped the tears that refused to stop falling. Philip smiled sadly and pulled Chloe near him. He leaned against his bed and Chloe sat with her back to him between his legs. Chloe leaned her head on his shoulder as Philip wrapped his arms around her waist. "Chloe, please, tell me what's going on."
"I...I want to be normal," Chloe said softly. "For you, I mean."
She felt Philip tense up. "Chloe, that's not like you. You're not the type to want to change for anybody. Besides, I don't want you to change. You're everything I want."
"I don't mean my personality. I mean...Philip, you've had...had girlfriends before who were...ready for...this."
"So? What does that have to do with anything?"
Chloe fidgeted. "It has to do with everything! Sex is so important to everyone now. And I bet it's important to you. Philip, you deserve to be in a normal relationship with a normal girl."
Philip spun Chloe around to face him. "Normal? Chloe, what are you talking about? I mean, we survived chicken blood, a bet, my singing voice," Chloe let out a laugh and Philip continued, encouraged. "Jan Spears, your mom, Brady freakin' Black...now, I don't know any 'normal' couple who's been through all that and lived to tell about it. Hell, I don't know any 'normal' couple who's been through all that, period. But we went through so much together and we've stuck it out. So I think you and me, babe, we have a one-up on all those so-called 'normal' couples."
Chloe laughed again and wiped her nose with her sleeve. "I'm just so dignified tonight, aren't I?" she joked, pointing to her shirt.
Philip grinned. "Hey, welcome to my world. Soon, you'll be crushing cans against your forehead."
Chloe giggled shakily and ducked her head. "So...so you're not disappointed that your girlfriend isn't ready yet?"
Philip smiled reassuringly. "No. I never regretted that you're my girl."
Thoughts of her kissing Brady and her telling Philip flashed through Chloe's mind. She decided not to point that out, since he already forgave her. That's in the past now, she reminded herself. Chloe had been struggling to keep things in the past for a while--her mom giving her up, for one. But now that she was with Philip, he seemed to unknowingly be able to help her gradually get over that--among other problems she had to deal with.
Philip continued. "Sure, a booty call would be nice," he joked as Chloe swatted his shoulder. Philip smiled and then grew serious. "But, Chloe, when you're ready, that's when I'm ready."
"What?"
"If you're not ready, you're gonna remember your first time as a horrible experience, or a big mistake. And I don't want that for you. I want you to be completely sure about it, whenever the time comes. And I'm willing to wait."
Chloe shook her head. "I can't believe I'm hearing this from a sixteen-year-old heterosexual guy," she teased.
"Well, believe it," Philip replied. Chloe nodded seriously. "I do. And thank you for understanding," she said, grabbing his hand with a wide smile. "So, do you want me to hold you over while you wait?"
Philip's eyebrows rose. "What do you have in mind?"
Chloe crawled over to where they were originally sitting and grabbed a textbook. "Finishing this math homework." Philip rolled his eyes and scooted next to Chloe, opening his notebook. Chloe watched as he intently worked on a problem, muttering about the annoyance of matrices. Even though Chloe felt relieved about getting the conversation out of the way, she knew she still had to think a lot of things through.
The next day, Belle bounded down the stairs with a goofy grin on her face. Brady looked up from his newspaper and put down his orange juice. "Hey, kid." Belle flew into her brother's arms, nearly knocking him over. "Good morning, Brady!" she chirped.
"Well, I know you're hyper, but this is an all-time high, Tinkerbelle," Brady laughed, picking her up by the waist as she screamed. Brady spun her around in circles. "So, what was so great about that cheerleading banquet that put you in a permanent sugar kick?"
"Oh! No, I was with Shawn." Brady dropped Belle onto the couch in one simple motion. "Ow! Brady!"
Brady sat down next to his sister. "Sorry, Belle. You just surprised me there."
"Sorry. I was surprised myself," Belle said happily, dropping her head on to Brady's lap. "Shawn set the whole thing up. We ended up at the beach."
Brady clenched his jaw. "Alone at the beach. With Shawn."
Belle rolled her eyes at Brady's reaction. "Nothing happened."
"Tink. You were alone with a high school guy who's been in love with you for God knows how long and nothing happened?" Brady demanded. Belle ignored him and played with a ring on her right hand absently. "What's that, Belle?"
Belle grinned up at her brother. "Well...it's what happened."
"What are you talking about?"
"Shawn gave me a claddagh ring last night," Belle said, raising up her hand so Brady could see it better. "He was so cute and nervous about giving it to me..."
Brady laughed. "Seems Prince Charming is breaking out all the stops for you."
Belle smiled at her ring. "Brady...I really love him. And he feels the same! I mean, I thank God every night for this. It finally happened," she gushed at rapid speed.
Brady tensed. "Belle...and don't take this the wrong way or anything...but you're both only juniors in high school."
Belle sat up so she could face him. "Yeah, I know that. So what?"
"So...you don't know what's going to happen. A lot can change in your senior year, or when you go off to college..."
"But--"
"I'm just pointing out reality, Belle."
"God, Brady, can't you just be happy for me?! I realize that there's a chance that Shawn and I won't be together in the future. But right now, everything is going the right way with us. Finally. Can't you just accept that without being such a grouch?"
"I just think all relationships eventually turn to crap. Just look at--"
"Just because Heather's mad at you doesn't mean Shawn and I are going to break up!" Belle blurted out.
Brady immediately shut his mouth. He should have known Belle would have figured out why he was being pessimistic about her and Shawn's relationship. But the more he denied missing Heather, the easier it would be to get over her.
"I couldn't care less about Heather," he said as a phone rang upstairs.
"That's my phone line," Belle said, getting up. "And, you know, it's good that you said that. According to an interesting conversation with Mimi this morning, Heather's been very busy."
"Busy being a bitch?" Brady muttered as Belle approached the stairs.
"No. Busy being with an Ethan-something," Belle said carefully.
"Ethan?! Ethan-Ex-Boyfriend-Ethan?!" Brady thundered.
"He's just visiting her, Brady! Besides, he asked Mimi out," she said, glancing upstairs. Luckily, the caller was persistent, as the phone kept ringing. She started up the stairs.
Brady crossed his arms. "So Heather was out with Gap Boy."
Belle rolled her eyes as she hurried up the last of the steps. "I thought you couldn't care less, Brady!"
Brady stood in the room alone, fuming. Sure, Gap Boy asked Mimi out. But he was with Heather. Probably staying at her apartment. Probably going out to eat with her. Just...being with her...when Brady couldn't. A knock interrupted his thoughts. Brady sighed and threw open the door to see a pretty familiar-looking face.
"Hi!" the girl said, smiling.
"Hey," he greeted. "Your a friend of Belle's, right?" Brady asked, leaning against the doorway.
"Right," she nodded. "We're both on cheerleading. I'm Christina."
Brady nodded, remembering that she was the captain of the squad. Belle forced him to a lot of the games, and this Christina girl definitely was a pro with those cool flip things.
Christina continued. "Belle forgot her uniform in the locker room," she said, holding up the gym bag.
It was a gym bag that Heather gave to Belle when she made cheerleading. Belle's words about Gap Boy and Heather pounded into his head until an idea slowly formed.
"I'll give it to her," Brady said, flashing a charming grin. Brady went to grab the bag and let his hand linger over Christina's. She rose her eyebrows skeptically in response. Belle had told her stories about Brady's many attempts to hit on girls, only to see if they'd flirt back.
"So, Christina. What have you got planned for tonight?"
Christina smiled. Ah, what the hell. He's gorgeous...just play along, she thought. "Nothing too exciting," she replied.
Brady leaned close to her ear. "Well, I'd like to change that, then," he said lowly.
If Heather wanted to play this game, Brady was going to win.