Nikki and Linzy were getting Nikki ready for her date with Cody. Bradin waited in the living room until he heard the doorbell ring. He got up and answered it.
"Hi," the young boy said.
"Hey. You Cody?" Bradin asked.
"Yeah." Bradin let Cody inside and shut the door behind him. Cody turned towards him. "Are you Nikki's older brother?"
"I am," he said.
Linzy came down with Nikki a few steps behind her. Cody smiled at how amazing Nikki looked. She was wearing denim shorts with a blue spaghetti stringed tank top. Her eyes were done with a hint of blue eye shadow, and light mascara and eye liner. Her hair was straight and flowed bac kas she walked.
"You look gorgeous," he said.
"Thank you."
"I'll have her back around 10:30?" Cody asked Bradin.
"Not a problem," Bradin said making his sister smile. He watched as Cody and Nikki walked out the door with smiles on their faces. Bradin turned to Linzy. "Baby?"
"You knew this night was important to her," she said, "Why did you make me late?"
"I was greeting you," he told her.
"I was already running late. It couldn't have waited?"
Bradin studied his girlfriend. She wasn't acting like herself one bit. She never would get mad at anyone for making her late. He placed his hands on her arms. "Baby, what's wrong?"
"You made me late!" she shouted. tears began to form in her eyes. She turned to leave when Bradin grabbed her arm.
"Baby, talk to me," he said worriedly, "Talk to me. What happened?"
Linzy broke down into tears. All she could do was sink down until he took her into his arms. "I don't know what I'm going to do if he leaves, Brae," she sobbed.
At that moment, it hit Bradin that something happened with her father.
It was getting close to 10 and Nikki and Cody were sitting on the beach just talking. Nikki was having an amazing time. Cody was treating her like he normal self. She was hoping that he was starting to like her the same was she was liking him. Nikki finished laughing at something Cody said before turning towards the water.
"You're so gorgeous," he whispered. She looked at him. He leaned in and pressed his lips against hers. She smiled and kissed him back.