Shit! I lifted off the seat riding shotgun. sitting up straight trying to discretely adjust myself. I closed my eyes for a second, just a freakin’ second and there he is – Brady. The eyes, those lips, I can’t stop staring at those plump lips. It’s like a playback reel in my head. Brady reached out quick as lightning pulling me to him, one hand slid around my neck his fingers curling into my hair gripping, holding it in place while his other hand cupped my face, crushing our mouths together. Faaarrrk! I could see Brady’s eyes gazing into mine, pupils were blown, both of us breathing heavily. Ugh! Surely my mind is playing tricks on me, it can’t be real. So good, so, so, good. Twenty years of crap melted away, in one kiss. I felt my entire body relax into his. Brady’s tongue speared into my mouth, more, I need more… need to get closer, want to feel him. Nobody has ever felt or tasted so good. God, it felt so real. Brady moaned as our groins come into contact, “Ember…”

“Ember!”

“Ember, dude, are you okay?” Aaron glanced over at me with a concerned look while he was driving.

“Uh… yeah,”

How much did I drink last night, Fuck! I still feel like crap, at least the ibuprofen this morning helped my head a little, but I need greasy food. The gentle hum and motion of the car ride are really doing a number on the queasy factor of my hangover. The auction today was a bust for young AJ, either the cars were out of our budget, or we were outbid, everything else was junk, I wouldn’t let a snake make a home in. I feel bad because I haven’t really been present for AJ all day, this was one doozy of a hangover. It’s not that I’m a lightweight, but I really overdid it with the hard liquor last night. I’ll really have to make it up to him, not that I think he’s noticed. He was too busy getting excited over the cars or in conference with Brady’s son about the cars. Brady! When did I stop hating the guy and want him, seriously when?

“Yeah, mate, I just need food, how much further?” My voice was thick, I let my head fall back on the headrest in defeat.

I want to keep hating Brady, but a wall somewhere has come down, all I can think about is him, how does he taste? What does he look like when he cu…

“We’re here,” Aaron said louder than usual nudging my shoulder.

Ugh! “Dude, volume. My head, how about a little sympathy for the dying,” I reminded Aaron. He just rolled his eyes at me.

Aaron pulled into the carpark at ‘The Yard,’ then cut the engine.

“You ain’t dying,” he said with absolutely no sympathy whatsoever. “Let’s go eat I’m starved.”

Every door click, glide, and slam agitated my head as my companions hopped out of the car, I released the catch on the seatbelt then dragged my arse out of the car. I say a car, but I mean seven-seater family van. I am more than grateful for my sunglasses because sunshine is the enemy today. I dawdled following the same path the others had taken. My eyes were partway closed to defend themselves against the bright light even though I was wearing sunglasses. Aaron held me back from the others as we walked through the carpark to the entrance.

“What the hell is going on with you today, Ember?” Aaron sounded pissed. “You haven’t drunk to have a hangover this bad, since… well ever, I don’t think. What the hell happened yesterday?”

I slumped in defeat, I was hoping I wouldn’t have to talk about it.

“I kissed him,” I said sheepishly.

“Huh?” Aaron looked confused, and of course he would because I hadn’t told him anything. Idiot!

“Brady, I kissed Brady.”

“Fuck off! Why? How?” Aaron yelled incredulously, a few people stared at us as they passed by.

“Dude, volume, Jesus.” I rubbed my temples to try and soothe the thumping.

“Screw you, dickhead! What the hell happened?” Aaron was now smirking.

“I don’t know… he pissed me off and then…” I scrubbed my hands down my face, “I pushed him against… and then… you know.” I gestured with my hands. “He just looked so… you know!”

The whole damn thing re-running in my head from yesterday at work, immediately following a snippet from last night. That can’t be real. Crap, it really happened.

“Oh my god,” Aaron said as he bent over laughing hysterically. “This is awesome. I can’t wait to tell April.” He sobered quickly standing up straight looking at me seriously. “You know what this means right?”

“You’re a crappy best friend?” I asked annoyingly.

“You remember how April and I were in high school before we got together?” Aaron said slapping me on the back. Ow! dammit my head. “Yep, you and Brady, mate. That’s right,” he said as he wandered off singing. “Going to the chapel and we’re, gonna get married, going to the chapel of love.”

I could still hear the asshole laughing once he entered the bar. Ugh! I need to throw up.

Entering the pub my eyes scanned for Aaron, Basher, and the boys. It was all I could do to make my way over to them; my poor screaming head was still trying to decide if the pub was a good idea. Usually, I quite like this pub, but today, the loud crowd, clanking of silverware against the plates, the smell of stale beer, not to mention food cooking. Not Good!

The guys managed to find a quiet out of the way table. Thank you! My companions were in a debate between GM vs. Ford, no one ever wins. Instead of getting involved, pushing my sunglasses up onto my head, I let my eyes wander around the room. Only one table away from us, yep, I was looking directly into the eyes of last night. Those piercing eyes, the ones that looked into my soul, a shiver ran down my spine, my palms started sweating it made me wonder why. Yep! Dammit, last night really happened.

Shit! He’s with Hawko and Pix. What the hell?, There’s a guy next to Brady. He looked young, well dressed, kinda nerdy hot college TA. Hawko was almost asleep in his chair, whatever Brady’s date is going on about clearly wasn’t too captivating. The man is oblivious to his audience. Who the fuck is he? Jealousy was whirring through my body, as well as confusion, I don’t want anyone else touching Brady. Fuck! Where did that come from? Uck! My head hurts.

Brady’s date stood up saying, “I have to tinkle, back in a minnie Babe,” then touched Brady’s shoulder, my stomach turned. ‘Hands off little nerdy guy – He’s mine!’

“I’m going to the bar,” I mumbled. I need ginger ale or something to settle my stomach, standing I clumsily made my way toward the bar, half-way there my stomach turned again, I was going to hurl, so I changed directions to the bathroom. I made it to a stall just in time. . After that delightful turn of events, I wiped my mouth with some loo paper then flushed it with the other incriminating evidence that I shouldn’t drink hard liquor. Well, atleast I feel a little better. Coming out of the stall, Brady’s date was standing at the sink washing his hands. His eyes grew to the size of saucers, I’ll give it to him, he stood his ground, there was about a foot difference in our height, and I easily outweighed him by sixty pounds.

The mouthy munchkin turned on me, his head held high and his chin out defiantly as I washed my hands, “Don’t think I don’t remember you, come to push me around some more?” he sneered with his hands on his hips, “if you touch me I’ll have you for assault.”

Cocking my lip and an eyebrow, I looked at him in the mirror, “Have we met?”

“Yes, we’ve met, we met last night. You shoved me on the dance floor, I still don’t know why. Are you following me or something,” he accused me but didn’t stop there. I finished washing my hands and pulled some paper towel from the dispenser to dry my hands as he continued, “or are you stalking my date,” the man gasped, “Oh my god, he’s involved with someone else, that’s it isn’t it?”

I didn’t say anything but I know I must have shown amusement, this weird little guy could talk with a mouthful of marbles in a clear, articulate voice. He was still talking as he left me there standing alone drying my hands mumbling about some crap. I was going to apologise for pushing him last night if he had shut up, I don’t remember the incident at all.

Weird guy!

Forgetting I was headed to the bar when I got derailed by my stomach, I just headed back to the table. I took a long way around, so I didn’t have to walk past Brady, his date was blocking my path anyway. As I sat down, I couldn’t help but listen to the munchkin berate Brady about dating when he was involved with someone. When the little guy stormed off Brady’s eyes pierced mine with a look I couldn’t decipher, I just glared at him. Basher slid a glass of ginger ale in front of me grabbing my attention.

“Thought you might be able to use this,” Basher said quietly to me as he pushed a ginger ale in front of me.

“You’re a life saver, mate, thanks,” I took a sip.

“That must have been some bender last night,” he stated.

“I wish I remembered half of it to tell you the truth,” I groaned, my head still hurts.

Basher smirked at me then talked around me, “See ya, Brady,” he chirped giving a quick wave. My head swiveled, I was able to watch Brady walk away.

<>-<>-<>

When I got home, Justin had left a note that he’d be out for the evening. Thankfully, he’d brought my car home sometime during the day because I don’t remember it being here this morning when the cab dropped me off. Even though I like the company, I couldn’t help but feel glad to have the house to myself for the night. I really needed to apologise to Justin for my behaviour last night. I have a nagging feeling I might have been a little hard to get along with. Well, let’s face it, from what I remember – and that isn’t much – I’m assuming I was a total arse. Chucking the note in the trash, then gulping down some more ibuprofen, it was time for a shower. Hopefully, I will feel a tiny bit human after that.

Once in the bathroom, I stripped then turned the water on in the shower. I took a leak while waiting for the water to heat up. All I want is to veg in front of the television. I do not watch much TV, I much prefer to read. My dirty little secret or guilty pleasure, if you please, m/m romance novels, I usually have one hidden between my mattress and bed frame. I also like mystery novels, good, bad, and in between, can’t seem to help myself. However, I am not opposed to reading the classics either. Sticking my hand in the shower, the water temp was perfect, so I jumped in ducking my head under the flow letting the water rain down over me. Closing my eyes feeling the drops against my skin, I was in heaven. One problem, once I closed my eyes, the playback reel started up where it left off.

Our lips were together, our tongues dancing in competition for dominance. Brady’s hands running all over me, moving one of mine under the hem of his shirt to feel his skin, I ran my hand up and down his back like he was doing to me. Without my knowledge, my hand came to the front of him running my fingers through his chest hair until I came across a nipple then pinched and flicked the nub. Brady moaned into my mouth, that did all sorts to my libido, releasing his head there was only one place I was going, and that was to undo his jeans. I flicked the buttons open, with my hand diving right in after, moving his boxers down I was on a mission to find the hard weapon that had rubbed up against mine. The second my hand wrapped around his rock-hard shaft, I squeezed, Brady pulled back breathless from our passionate kiss, resting his forehead on my shoulder for a moment, almost growling at the sensation. Fuck me!

Crap! I looked down, I had another problem, I was rock hard, my hand was stroking hard and fast, the memory of the noises Brady made was enough to push me over the edge. I screamed out as my orgasm jolted through my body, my release spraying down to the shower floor, I watched as the water washed it away. Leaning one hand on the shower wall, I waited until my breathing was under control, and I had calmed down from my high. Only then did I quickly wash so I could get out of the shower. Once I dried off, I put on some house pants and a t-shirt, then made my way down to the television, the sci-fi channel was binging a a popular show, I tossed the remote on the coffee table and laid back on the couch getting comfy. I wasn’t much into the show itself but who can resist the hotness of the lead character – not me. About an episode and a half in I could feel myself falling asleep.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The knocks came in loud, in quick succession, I thought it might be the cops. The banging had jolted awake. My heart was racing like I’d run a marathon. I jumped off of the couch, reaching the door in probably two strides I swung it open to have Brady, barge in all pissed off.

“How could you?” He roared, his whole body spun, so he was facing me.

“Come on in, by all means,” I said shutting the door. I took a defensive stance, feet apart, arms crossed, and my eyes narrowed at Brady, “How could I what?”

I swear I could see a vein pulsating at his temple. If his face got any redder, I think he is going to blow a gasket. Damn, he looks hot. He has changed since earlier today, showered too. His cologne hit my nose as he stormed into my house. I tried not to show my amusement at his outrage, for god knows what reason. He looked so hot in a pair of old Levi's, with a t-shirt that showed off his body, a pair of navy Chuck Taylors, and wearing his glasses, my god… those glasses. Pretty sure at this point my tongue was hanging out, and I am visibly drooling. But I stood my ground, pretending not to notice how hot he is. He is even hotter when he is mad. This should be interesting.