Chapter 9
Chloe was in her room putting the finishing touches on her makeup and hair for tonight. She put a black leather headband on to keep her hair out of her face, but left the rest of it down and flowing. She had just finished putting a layer of lip gloss on when she heard her mother call up the stairs for her. She took one quick glance in the mirror and ran downstairs to greet Brady.
Brady was standing in the doorway. The sight of him standing there with one arm resting on the doorjamb, wearing a black dress shirt with the top button undone, and a pair of black pants, made the butterflies in Chloe's stomach flutter harder. Sometimes it was easy to forget what a truly gorgeous man that Brady Black was. Deep down, she knew that this wasn't a date, but since it had all the trappings of one - she couldn't help but feel the same feelings that you get on a date. The butterflies, the shaky knees, the sweaty palms... it was all there.
Brady had been looking downward, but glanced up when he heard the sound of Chloe's feet hit the bottom step. The sight of Chloe made his jaw drop and stunned him into silence.
Chloe grinned and winked at him playfully. "So... is this sexy enough for ya?"
Brady shook off his amazement and winked back at her. "So sexy it should be against the law, Chloe Lane. You look seriously amazing."
Chloe smiled shyly. "I'm glad you think so. I wasn't so sure myself, but Belle insisted."
Brady chuckled softly. "Well, remind me to thank my sister later. So, are you ready?"
"Are you going to tell me where we're going?" She pouted playfully and gave him her best puppy dog face. "Please?"
"Nice pout, you must have learned that one from Belle. I usually don't fall for it, but since you have to know anyway... I got tickets to see this local rock band at a club. I know it's not opera, but they have a great dance floor at this place and I wanted to take you dancing now that I've got rid of my cane."
Chloe smiled apprehensively. "Well... sounds fun. But, am I old enough to get into a place like that?"
Brady grinned at her wickedly. "Chloe... looking like that... you look old enough to get in anywhere. Besides, it's 18 and over. You can definitely pass for 18 in leather pants."
"Now, now. Not a word about the leather pants. Please."
"Alright... I'm sorry. I have only positive things to say tonight."
Chloe raised her eyebrows. "For a change..."
"Awwww... Come on." Brady grabbed her hand and led her outside to the van. They spent the ride to the club chatting about music, school and how well Brady's physical therapy had been going. He no longer needed his cane, and even though he was still a bit slower than normal, he almost had full use of his legs again.
They arrived at the club and Chloe was let in without even being asked for an ID. She was standing on the other side of the rope waiting for Brady when she heard the bouncer say, "Can I see some I.D. please?" Chloe burst into a fit of laughter as Brady fished in his pocket for his driver's license and complained to the bouncer. "Come on... I'm 19... This has to be a joke." The bouncer handed the driver's license back to him and let him through to a waiting and still laughing Chloe.
"Oh Brady... if you could have seen the look on your face... that was so funny."
"Well, he let you in because you're a hot girl... If I had been a hot girl, I wouldn't have been carded either."
Chloe laughed again and pinched his cheeks, and spoke in a babyish-voice. "Awww... poor wittle Bwady..."
Brady's frustration washed away and he couldn't help but laugh at the site of Chloe Lane making babytalk with him. He rolled his eyes at her and she moved his hands away from his face. He grabbed her hand again and led her to a table close to the empty dance floor. The waitress came over quickly and both ordered bottled water.
"So, Brady... how did you hear about this band?"
Brady hesitated for a moment. "Mmm... Michelle told me about them. They're supposed to be great."
"Michelle told you? And why aren't you here with her?"
Brady smiled and touched her hand for a second. "Because I'm here with you."
Chloe rolled her eyes at him. "Well, that was nice and cryptic. Please make some sense."
"Why do you need to know, Chloe? Just know that we're here, and we're going to have a great time."
"Okay, okay. If you say so... It's just... you calling me was rather unexpected."
The waitress dropped off their water and Brady slipped her a few bucks before continuing his conversation with Chloe.
"Actually... there is something I wanted to talk to you about."
Chloe wrinkled her forehead in confusion. "There is?"
"Well, more like something you wanted to talk to me about? You said like a week ago that you needed to talk to me about something, and we haven't talked about it yet. What's going on?"
Chloe paused, remembering that she had planned to tell him that she loved him. She still wanted to do that, but not here in the middle of a crowded nightclub. "Everything's fine, Brady. We can talk about it later. Not here though. And, I'm really surprised you remembered."
"Of course, I remembered. I told you I wouldn't forget, and I didn't. Besides, I don't forget anything when it comes to you. I know every excruciating little detail." Brady smiled and brushed her hand. His smile and touch made Chloe melt inside, and she wondered what the heck he was up to. It wasn't like Brady to talk like that and to touch her when he spoke to her. She couldn't help but hold on to the hope that he still wanted to be with her.
Chloe grinned and replied. "Well, there are probably a few details about me that you might want to forget. Like the really terrible annoying things that I've done." Chloe took a long drink of water and tried not to look at Brady's amazing blue eyes.
Brady waved off her last comment with a grin. "Nahhh... Good, bad. I remember it all. The bad stuff only makes the good stuff even better."
Chloe chuckled softly. "Deep thoughts, Brady."
Brady shrugged. "Eh... I try. Just call me 'Chicken Soup for Chloe's Soul.'"
Chloe laughed and muttered under her breath, "Oh Geeeeeez..." A moment later the band was introduced and began playing their first song. They had a pretty female lead singer and began an upbeat number that resembled a Blues Traveler song. Chloe and Brady turned in their seats and watched the band as couples began to fill the dance floor.
Brady grabbed Chloe's hand and grinned at her. "Come on, Chloe Lane... you ready to get your groove on?"
Chloe looked at him with surprise. "'Get my groove on'? The words that come out of your mouth never cease to amaze me."
Brady stood up and grinned at her. "Would you rather I have told you to shake your bon-bon?"
Chloe shook her head vehemently. "No, definitely not."
"Well, then... stop talking and start dancing."
Chloe laughed and followed him out to the dance floor. She was truly amazed at some of the moves that Brady showed off on the floor. She had only seen him slow dance before, and she had no idea that he was this good on the dance floor. Chloe couldn't help but notice how unbelievably sexy it was to have Brady's hands on her hips swaying and moving with her. They danced closely for the first 3 fast songs, and the next slow song before sitting down for more water.
Chloe took a few drinks of her water and sighed deeply. "Sheesh, Brady... you're wearing me out."
Brady nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I better rest before my physical therapist comes crashing in here with a wheelchair to put me in. But... are you having fun yet?"
Chloe smiled widely at him. "Having fun? Are you kidding? This is... the most fun I've had in a long time. Thank you for bringing me."
Brady smiled back at her. "My pleasure... besides you're a great dance partner."
Chloe grinned wickedly. "Yeah, well I never knew you had moves like that..."
Brady grinned back at her. "Well, Belle used to watch Dirty Dancing a LOT when we were growing up."
"And I would have never pegged you as a Patrick Swayze fan..."
Brady shrugged. "Well, it had the guy from Law & Order too..."
Chloe laughed and they continued to watch the show in silence for the next half hour. Another slow song came on, and Brady reached for Chloe's hand holding it gently in his. Chloe silently prayed that this moment wouldn't end, and she could stay here with Brady's hand on hers for the rest of her life. Her reverie was interrupted when Brady stood up and invited her on the dance floor for another slow dance. She obliged and felt her whole body tingle when Brady pulled her in even closer than they had danced before. He put one hand in her hair and she laid her head on his shoulder. She realized that tonight had to be the night. Brady had to know what she felt. It was now or never. And all of a sudden, she was anxious to get out of there so she could get it over with. For better or worse, she was in love with Brady and he had to know it.
The song ended and they broke way from each other to applaud the band. Chloe attempted to leave the dance floor, but Brady had one arm around her waist and pulled her back towards him.
"Brady... I think I'm ready to leave."
"Oh, no you don't. Chloe. One more dance... then we can go."
The music started up and it was an mid-tempo song that was a cross between a 50's doo-wop song and a sexy blues song. Brady recognized it immediately and whispered in Chloe's ear. "Please, Chloe... I love this song. Dance with me."
Chloe sighed, but gave in and turned to face Brady. Even though she was ready to leave, she decided not to pass up a chance to see Brady in action on a dance floor. The two of them moved and swayed to the rhythm, and each of Brady's motions matched Chloe's perfectly.
**I was a troubled soul
I had a worried mind
Drifting from place to place
I was the restless kind.
Right there in front of me
Bright as the light of day
You saw a broken girl
You loved me anyway**
Chloe moved with Brady and tried not to think about what she was about to do. She tried to concentrate on the music instead of Brady's soft but firm hands on her body and the glow in his eyes when she looked at him, but the words in the song only reminded her of exactly how she felt about him.
**And if I sprouted wings
I would not be amazed
Cause Faith is a mystery that rocks me for days and days and days and...
I could be in the street
I could be on a train
Or stuck in some doorway,
Down in the pouring rain
Now there is not one place
That doesn't feel like home
No matter where I go
I know I'm not alone**
It was as if God was trying to tell her something through the song that was playing, even though she knew it was just a coincidence. It was still true. When she was with Brady, she felt safe, and when they were apart she felt comforted just knowing that she had him in her life.
**I've never been so sure of love...
And if I sprouted wings
I would not be amazed
Cause faith is a mystery that
Rocks me for days and days and days
Oh you can ask me once
And I will tell you twice
No one's convincing me
This isn't paradise
And if I cause you pain
I'd only hurt myself
Cause we have a righteous love
I feel for no one else**
Chloe knew that she had never felt this way about anyone, not even Phillip. What she had with Phillip was puppy love, what she felt now was something entirely different. It was a deeper love. It was perfection. It was paradise. She only hoped that Brady could feel it to. She moved her head and looked into his blue eyes, Brady smiled at her and sang along softly to the last line of the song.
"I've never been so sure of love..."
Chloe smiled back and could only hope that he wasn't just feeling the music, that he was feeling the words. She knew that was exactly how she felt about him. The song ended and Brady pulled her into a strong embrace. The embrace lasted until the applause was through when Brady pulled back and looked in her eyes. "Ready to go, then, Ms. Lane?"
Chloe smiled and nodded. "Yeah... Definitely." Brady clasped her hand and led her outside. They walked to Brady's van on the other side of the street and Chloe paused before getting in.
"Brady... can we go somewhere... mmm, private? I'm ready to talk to you."
Brady nodded. "Sure... I know just the place. Hop in."
Chloe got in the van, and Brady drove off towards the one place that they could always call their own.
***
Chloe was in her room putting the finishing touches on her makeup and hair for tonight. She put a black leather headband on to keep her hair out of her face, but left the rest of it down and flowing. She had just finished putting a layer of lip gloss on when she heard her mother call up the stairs for her. She took one quick glance in the mirror and ran downstairs to greet Brady.
Brady was standing in the doorway. The sight of him standing there with one arm resting on the doorjamb, wearing a black dress shirt with the top button undone, and a pair of black pants, made the butterflies in Chloe's stomach flutter harder. Sometimes it was easy to forget what a truly gorgeous man that Brady Black was. Deep down, she knew that this wasn't a date, but since it had all the trappings of one - she couldn't help but feel the same feelings that you get on a date. The butterflies, the shaky knees, the sweaty palms... it was all there.
Brady had been looking downward, but glanced up when he heard the sound of Chloe's feet hit the bottom step. The sight of Chloe made his jaw drop and stunned him into silence.
Chloe grinned and winked at him playfully. "So... is this sexy enough for ya?"
Brady shook off his amazement and winked back at her. "So sexy it should be against the law, Chloe Lane. You look seriously amazing."
Chloe smiled shyly. "I'm glad you think so. I wasn't so sure myself, but Belle insisted."
Brady chuckled softly. "Well, remind me to thank my sister later. So, are you ready?"
"Are you going to tell me where we're going?" She pouted playfully and gave him her best puppy dog face. "Please?"
"Nice pout, you must have learned that one from Belle. I usually don't fall for it, but since you have to know anyway... I got tickets to see this local rock band at a club. I know it's not opera, but they have a great dance floor at this place and I wanted to take you dancing now that I've got rid of my cane."
Chloe smiled apprehensively. "Well... sounds fun. But, am I old enough to get into a place like that?"
Brady grinned at her wickedly. "Chloe... looking like that... you look old enough to get in anywhere. Besides, it's 18 and over. You can definitely pass for 18 in leather pants."
"Now, now. Not a word about the leather pants. Please."
"Alright... I'm sorry. I have only positive things to say tonight."
Chloe raised her eyebrows. "For a change..."
"Awwww... Come on." Brady grabbed her hand and led her outside to the van. They spent the ride to the club chatting about music, school and how well Brady's physical therapy had been going. He no longer needed his cane, and even though he was still a bit slower than normal, he almost had full use of his legs again.
They arrived at the club and Chloe was let in without even being asked for an ID. She was standing on the other side of the rope waiting for Brady when she heard the bouncer say, "Can I see some I.D. please?" Chloe burst into a fit of laughter as Brady fished in his pocket for his driver's license and complained to the bouncer. "Come on... I'm 19... This has to be a joke." The bouncer handed the driver's license back to him and let him through to a waiting and still laughing Chloe.
"Oh Brady... if you could have seen the look on your face... that was so funny."
"Well, he let you in because you're a hot girl... If I had been a hot girl, I wouldn't have been carded either."
Chloe laughed again and pinched his cheeks, and spoke in a babyish-voice. "Awww... poor wittle Bwady..."
Brady's frustration washed away and he couldn't help but laugh at the site of Chloe Lane making babytalk with him. He rolled his eyes at her and she moved his hands away from his face. He grabbed her hand again and led her to a table close to the empty dance floor. The waitress came over quickly and both ordered bottled water.
"So, Brady... how did you hear about this band?"
Brady hesitated for a moment. "Mmm... Michelle told me about them. They're supposed to be great."
"Michelle told you? And why aren't you here with her?"
Brady smiled and touched her hand for a second. "Because I'm here with you."
Chloe rolled her eyes at him. "Well, that was nice and cryptic. Please make some sense."
"Why do you need to know, Chloe? Just know that we're here, and we're going to have a great time."
"Okay, okay. If you say so... It's just... you calling me was rather unexpected."
The waitress dropped off their water and Brady slipped her a few bucks before continuing his conversation with Chloe.
"Actually... there is something I wanted to talk to you about."
Chloe wrinkled her forehead in confusion. "There is?"
"Well, more like something you wanted to talk to me about? You said like a week ago that you needed to talk to me about something, and we haven't talked about it yet. What's going on?"
Chloe paused, remembering that she had planned to tell him that she loved him. She still wanted to do that, but not here in the middle of a crowded nightclub. "Everything's fine, Brady. We can talk about it later. Not here though. And, I'm really surprised you remembered."
"Of course, I remembered. I told you I wouldn't forget, and I didn't. Besides, I don't forget anything when it comes to you. I know every excruciating little detail." Brady smiled and brushed her hand. His smile and touch made Chloe melt inside, and she wondered what the heck he was up to. It wasn't like Brady to talk like that and to touch her when he spoke to her. She couldn't help but hold on to the hope that he still wanted to be with her.
Chloe grinned and replied. "Well, there are probably a few details about me that you might want to forget. Like the really terrible annoying things that I've done." Chloe took a long drink of water and tried not to look at Brady's amazing blue eyes.
Brady waved off her last comment with a grin. "Nahhh... Good, bad. I remember it all. The bad stuff only makes the good stuff even better."
Chloe chuckled softly. "Deep thoughts, Brady."
Brady shrugged. "Eh... I try. Just call me 'Chicken Soup for Chloe's Soul.'"
Chloe laughed and muttered under her breath, "Oh Geeeeeez..." A moment later the band was introduced and began playing their first song. They had a pretty female lead singer and began an upbeat number that resembled a Blues Traveler song. Chloe and Brady turned in their seats and watched the band as couples began to fill the dance floor.
Brady grabbed Chloe's hand and grinned at her. "Come on, Chloe Lane... you ready to get your groove on?"
Chloe looked at him with surprise. "'Get my groove on'? The words that come out of your mouth never cease to amaze me."
Brady stood up and grinned at her. "Would you rather I have told you to shake your bon-bon?"
Chloe shook her head vehemently. "No, definitely not."
"Well, then... stop talking and start dancing."
Chloe laughed and followed him out to the dance floor. She was truly amazed at some of the moves that Brady showed off on the floor. She had only seen him slow dance before, and she had no idea that he was this good on the dance floor. Chloe couldn't help but notice how unbelievably sexy it was to have Brady's hands on her hips swaying and moving with her. They danced closely for the first 3 fast songs, and the next slow song before sitting down for more water.
Chloe took a few drinks of her water and sighed deeply. "Sheesh, Brady... you're wearing me out."
Brady nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I better rest before my physical therapist comes crashing in here with a wheelchair to put me in. But... are you having fun yet?"
Chloe smiled widely at him. "Having fun? Are you kidding? This is... the most fun I've had in a long time. Thank you for bringing me."
Brady smiled back at her. "My pleasure... besides you're a great dance partner."
Chloe grinned wickedly. "Yeah, well I never knew you had moves like that..."
Brady grinned back at her. "Well, Belle used to watch Dirty Dancing a LOT when we were growing up."
"And I would have never pegged you as a Patrick Swayze fan..."
Brady shrugged. "Well, it had the guy from Law & Order too..."
Chloe laughed and they continued to watch the show in silence for the next half hour. Another slow song came on, and Brady reached for Chloe's hand holding it gently in his. Chloe silently prayed that this moment wouldn't end, and she could stay here with Brady's hand on hers for the rest of her life. Her reverie was interrupted when Brady stood up and invited her on the dance floor for another slow dance. She obliged and felt her whole body tingle when Brady pulled her in even closer than they had danced before. He put one hand in her hair and she laid her head on his shoulder. She realized that tonight had to be the night. Brady had to know what she felt. It was now or never. And all of a sudden, she was anxious to get out of there so she could get it over with. For better or worse, she was in love with Brady and he had to know it.
The song ended and they broke way from each other to applaud the band. Chloe attempted to leave the dance floor, but Brady had one arm around her waist and pulled her back towards him.
"Brady... I think I'm ready to leave."
"Oh, no you don't. Chloe. One more dance... then we can go."
The music started up and it was an mid-tempo song that was a cross between a 50's doo-wop song and a sexy blues song. Brady recognized it immediately and whispered in Chloe's ear. "Please, Chloe... I love this song. Dance with me."
Chloe sighed, but gave in and turned to face Brady. Even though she was ready to leave, she decided not to pass up a chance to see Brady in action on a dance floor. The two of them moved and swayed to the rhythm, and each of Brady's motions matched Chloe's perfectly.
**I was a troubled soul
I had a worried mind
Drifting from place to place
I was the restless kind.
Right there in front of me
Bright as the light of day
You saw a broken girl
You loved me anyway**
Chloe moved with Brady and tried not to think about what she was about to do. She tried to concentrate on the music instead of Brady's soft but firm hands on her body and the glow in his eyes when she looked at him, but the words in the song only reminded her of exactly how she felt about him.
**And if I sprouted wings
I would not be amazed
Cause Faith is a mystery that rocks me for days and days and days and...
I could be in the street
I could be on a train
Or stuck in some doorway,
Down in the pouring rain
Now there is not one place
That doesn't feel like home
No matter where I go
I know I'm not alone**
It was as if God was trying to tell her something through the song that was playing, even though she knew it was just a coincidence. It was still true. When she was with Brady, she felt safe, and when they were apart she felt comforted just knowing that she had him in her life.
**I've never been so sure of love...
And if I sprouted wings
I would not be amazed
Cause faith is a mystery that
Rocks me for days and days and days
Oh you can ask me once
And I will tell you twice
No one's convincing me
This isn't paradise
And if I cause you pain
I'd only hurt myself
Cause we have a righteous love
I feel for no one else**
Chloe knew that she had never felt this way about anyone, not even Phillip. What she had with Phillip was puppy love, what she felt now was something entirely different. It was a deeper love. It was perfection. It was paradise. She only hoped that Brady could feel it to. She moved her head and looked into his blue eyes, Brady smiled at her and sang along softly to the last line of the song.
"I've never been so sure of love..."
Chloe smiled back and could only hope that he wasn't just feeling the music, that he was feeling the words. She knew that was exactly how she felt about him. The song ended and Brady pulled her into a strong embrace. The embrace lasted until the applause was through when Brady pulled back and looked in her eyes. "Ready to go, then, Ms. Lane?"
Chloe smiled and nodded. "Yeah... Definitely." Brady clasped her hand and led her outside. They walked to Brady's van on the other side of the street and Chloe paused before getting in.
"Brady... can we go somewhere... mmm, private? I'm ready to talk to you."
Brady nodded. "Sure... I know just the place. Hop in."
Chloe got in the van, and Brady drove off towards the one place that they could always call their own.
***