Chapter 7
Bryn
Me: Just message me when you get home?
Mitch: I can do that.
My hands were shaking as I lay in bed rereading the last messages Mitch and I had sent.
“This isn’t going to end well,” I mumbled to myself, rolling off my mattress to head to my bathroom.
“Morning!” Camden’s greeting made me jump out of my skin.
I threw my hand to my chest, leaning against the hallway wall as I looked into the kitchen where he stood in only his boxers, holding a coffee mug and leaning over the sink.
“What in the fuck are you doing up this early?” I asked, making my way into our tiny white and black kitchen.
He shrugged. “Couldn’t sleep.”
“It’s the baby, isn’t it?” On our last call the other night, we’d responded to an accident where a baby had been in the back seat. The car seat was not secured properly and the infant, along with the entire carrier, ended up crashing into the windshield.
He nodded, staring off out the window.
“The ones with kids are the worst,” he muttered, hanging his head. “I just wish we could have done something more for her.” His voice was low and his lips barely moved.
“Cam, you did all you could have.” I tried to comfort him, but I knew it was futile.
“What’re you doing up?” he asked.
“A bath with extra bubbles is needed.” I smiled at him as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
He kissed the top of my head. “Good idea, Bryn. You good?”
I wrapped my arms around his middle, biting my lip as I fought back the excitement of seeing Mitch soon. I hated that I couldn’t tell Camden about it and knew I was going to have to figure out an excuse for me to be leaving shortly. At least I would have some alone time in the bath to come up with something.
“Yeah, I’m good. Just another part of the job, right?”
With a little squeeze, Cam pulled his arm away and agreed. “Unfortunately it is. I’m gonna try to get some more sleep.”
“Good idea. Hope you sleep well.”
I ducked into my bathroom as he made his way back to bed. I knew most people questioned my relationship with Camden. We were close, and he was like my brother, but most people assumed there was a whole lot more to it than that.
The steaming bath filled with Dr Teal’s Restore & Replenish Pure Epsom Salt & Essential Oils Pink Himalayan Foaming Bath and the sweet fragrance took over the small space. I laughed as I read the name of the product out loud—how bougie.
Sinking down into the scalding water with bubbles popping around me, I leaned back to relax before shaving my legs, arms, pits and bikini area. I felt silly getting ready to hang out with Mitch like that, but I didn’t want to be a prickly sasquatch either. I hated that I had to shave as often as I did—such a first-world girl problem. I had looked into laser hair removal a few times, but my hair was too light in contrast to my skin so I wasn’t a good candidate. Being a natural blonde had its perks and a lot of women would kill to have my hair, but everyone wants what they don’t have,right?
My phone chimed on the bath mat next to the towel I’d laid out for myself. Leaning over the cold porcelain side, I read the notification banner from Mitch:Got home a few minutes ago. Head over whenever you want to.Right after, a location share popped up.
I checked all my shaved spots to make sure I hadn’t missed anything then leaned down to drain the water. I hated getting out of the bath; it was always so nice and warm in the water and way too cold in the bathroom. Goose bumps covered my entire body as I wrapped the plush towel around myself as quickly as possible.
Getting dressed, I didn’t want Mitch to think I had put too much thought into my appearance, but I totally fucking did.
Do I wear jeans? Should I go with a yoga top? Should I attempt to put some makeup on? Will he notice if I wear a thong? Would that be too suggestive?
Being a girl sucks monkey balls. Guys can just take a shower, comb their hair, throw jeans and a shirt on, and be out the door in seconds. Women have to shave, put makeup on, make sure their ass looks good in whatever they’re wearing, find jewelry—and that is just the tip of the damn iceberg.
Me: About to leave my place.
Mitch: See you soon, beautiful.
The sweetness soaked into me as butterflies crashed into my stomach.
Me: Laying it on thick, I see.
Mitch: Nah, it’s just the truth.