Code Name Shadow

Chapter 3

Brielle

Having Cody here has actually been really nice. It isn't nearly as awkward as I thought it would be, and he makes pretty good company.

After Beck left, he went around and checked all of the locks and security cameras before grabbing a book from his bag and sitting on the couch. I went to my room, and I've been watching Netflix on my laptop ever since.

I'm in the middle of a New Girl episode when I hear a knock on my bedroom door.

"Brielle?" Cody says. I stand up from my bed and open the door. He's leaning against the door frame and staring at the floor, but he looks up and smiles when he sees me.

"What's up?" I ask.

"I was thinking about helping set up your tv, might make it feel a little more homey." He looks behind me and notices Netflix open. "Might be nice to watch on the big screen too," he chuckles.

"That's really nice of you, I think Beckett was planning on mounting it over the fireplace though. I wouldn't want you to have to do that, that's too much to ask."

"Are you kidding? I'd love to help out. Plus, I've mounted a tv on more than one occasion. I'm good to mount it as long as you're willing to help." He smirks at me.

"Uhh, as much as I'd love to, I don't think I'm tall enough and I am definitely not strong enough" I laugh.

"Don't be ridiculous, with those guns? You're definitely strong enough." He gives me a goofy grin and I can feel myself blush as I let out a small laugh. "But, if it makes you feel better, all I'd really need you to do is hand me some screws and tools. Think you can handle that?"

I contemplate it for a second before ultimately grinning up at him. "Sure," I say.

"Awesome," he says as he turns and walks toward the living room. I follow behind him, trying as hard as I possibly can not to notice how good he looks in his shirt. God, it's so hard though. His black t-shirt outlines the muscles of his back perfectly, and the sleeves are tight around his strong biceps.

He is so attractive it's almost unfair, but I have to focus. He's Beckett's friend, and more importantly, he has a job to do. The whole reason he's here is to make sure I'm safe, and I can't be distracting him or myself while he tries to do that.

As we make our way into the living room, Cody grabs Beck's toolbox off of the kitchen counter where he left it. He brings it with him and sets it down on the coffee table in front of the fireplace, taking out the nails and screwdrivers he'll need. I stand off to the side, silently observing. A minute later, he has everything he needs and sets it down before looking up at me from where he's crouched down on the floor.

"Give me a hand getting this tv out of the box?" he asks. I smile and nod, making my way over to one side of the box while he goes to the other. He pulls a pocketknife out of his back pocket and slices it open before pulling out the styrofoam that was laying on top. "Count of three, ready? One, two, three!" 

We both lift our own ends of the tv at the same time, easily lifting it out of the box. It's a lot lighter than I expected it to be, but it's really awkward to hold since there really isn't anywhere to easily grip. Luckily, it's not that big, and Cody tells me to help him lower it to the ground so he can readjust and hold it himself.

Cody mounts the tv effortlessly after that. He stands on a small stepstool that allows him to get to the right height as he drills and hammers to nails into the wall. I stand right next to him, handing him everything he asks for. It only takes about twenty minutes before he's completely done. He steps down and backs up, wiping his hands on his jeans and admiring his handiwork with a smirk on his face. "Not too bad, huh?" He says as he looks over at me.