"You look rather lovely Miss Stanton." Stan complimented Amelia as she stood by the fountain that sat near the entrance of her house.
"Thank you." Amelia smiled at the old man.
Amelia looked down at her pastel yellow, knee length body-con dress, matched with white pumps and a white coat as the days were drawing colder.
"Would you like for me to drop you somewhere?" Stan asked.
Amelia shook her head. "No thank you, someone is picking me up."
"Alright then, shall I wait with you?" Stan asked politely.
Amelia shook her head. "No thank you, I'll be off any time now."
"Very well." Stan smiled. "Enjoy the rest of your day."
"You too." Amelia responded with a grin.
Amelia glanced at her watch and it was a little after two pm and Brady said he would be there around two or so. Amelia was early she knew but she couldn't help it, she was pretty much nervous and a little excited for this 'friendship date' with Brady.
"I wonder if he got my text." Amelia thought out loud as she read over the text she sent to Brady.
'Instead of driving in, rather text me when you're here and I'll meet you at the gate.'
What if he got offended by that text? What if he thought I was embarrassed for him to be seen on my property and he decided to not come at all? I mean he didn't even respond to the text.
Amelia glanced at her watch again and it was already fifteen minutes after two, that was pretty late but she decided that if he didn't arrive by two thirty one, she would go back inside and consider that the 'date' was called off.
The clock ticked and for Amelia each second fell like forever, she didn't understand why she was so anxious, she's been on many dates and real dates not an 'as friends' thing but this date was the first that made her feel on edge.
She looked at her watch again and only five minutes had passed. She let out a breath, "eleven minutes more and I'm going back inside." She murmured to herself.
A minute or two passed when her phone vibrated, her heartbeat quickened by a fraction as she reached for her purse and grabbed her phone.
'Here'
The text was from Brady and Amelia found herself letting out a breath of relief and smiling to herself. She put her phone back in her purse and made her way down the long driveway towards the front gate.
When she reached the gate, the guard opened it for her and she saw Brady's truck idling just outside.
Amelia thought for a second that Brady might get out of the truck and open the passenger door for her but logic kicked in and she knew better, after all she was dealing with Brady Ryland and she knew he didn't even know the meaning of chivalry. So rolling her eyes at him she opened the door herself and got in.
"Hi." She greeted politely with a small smile as she took a moment to scrutinize Brady's attire which consisted of a simple pair of black jeans with a plain white t-shirt underneath a dark denim jacket - which looked a little worn out. Amelia wondered if she overdressed but then she remembered that it was Brady she was with so maybe he was just underdressed as usual.
"Hey." Brady greeted back but he didn't return the smile. "Buckled up?" he asked.
She frowned. "Huh?"
"Wear your seatbelt so I can drive, I don't want to be the reason for your death." He answered in true Brady style.
"Oh, yeah. Okay." She responded and as soon as her seatbelt was on Brady put the truck on gear and drove off.
There was a brief silence and Amelia knew Brady wouldn't break it so she decided to. "I'm sorry." She blurted the first thing that came to her mind.
"For what?" Brady asked casually without tearing his eyes off the road.
"For asking you to wait outside instead of driving in." she answered feeling a little guilty. "I thought you felt offended for a while."
'What made you think that?" he asked in a flat tone.
Amelia wasn't too sure if Brady was being sarcastic or serious, she could never tell his mood easily because his tone was mostly always so flat and nonchalant.
"Well for starters you didn't reply to my text this morning." She answered.
"And?" he asked.
"And you didn't come on time to pick me up so I thought you changed your mind." She replied.
Brady didn't say anything for a long moment. "You tend to overthink things too much." he simply stated.
"Pardon?" Amelia frowned.
Brady glanced at her for a second before he looked ahead at the road in front again. "I'm getting to know you better and I've just discovered that you're an over-analyst."
"Okay." Amelia drawled, still frowning. "That doesn't really clear things but ok." She whispered more to herself.
Brady half grinned to himself. "It's alright, I understand."
Amelia didn't say anything but waited for him to continue and he did.
"Even though I don't normally explain my actions, I feel I should now." He started. "I didn't reply to your text because I'm not a fan of texting so I keep that at a minimum and I didn't change my mind at all about today, if you remember correctly I didn't say I'll be there at two, I said two-ish which means any time between two and two thirty in my vocabulary."
"I'll be more specific next time if you wish." He added.
"So you weren't offended?" Amelia asked.
"Nah." He shook his head. "I get it, I can imagine how your mother would react if she saw you get in a truck with someone like me, you just avoided drama." He turned to grin at her. "I admire that, especially since you're the drama queen type."
"That was a joke right?" Amelia asked raising a brow.
"Nope." He answered honestly. "But it was teasing." He winked at her.
Amelia found herself smiling for some reason that she didn't even understand herself. She liked this side of Brady.
"Yeah I'd like you to be more specific next time." She told him. "In my world punctuality is a must."
"Well s'cuse moi Madame, but I'm not from your world." He pointed out light heartedly. "So I might not be able to fulfill that task very easily."
"Then you'll just have to accept punishment." He said snootily.
"And in which possible way could you punish me?" Brady challenged with a raised brow.
Amelia shrugged. "I don't know maybe a good ol' spanking." She blurted even before registering what she said.
It didn't take Brady a minute before he burst out laughing. Amelia realized what she said and her cheeks reddened and she felt so embarrassed.
Brady was in a fit of laughter, he couldn't remember when last he genuinely laughed like that. Amelia sunk in her seat and placed her head in her hands.
"Oh," Brady said as his laughter died down. "I'd love to see you try."
Amelia groaned and gathered the courage to look up again. "I didn't mean to say that at all, it just kinda slipped out."
"Sure." Brady remarked sarcastically.
"No I'm serious." Amelia was adamant to defend her honest slip of tongue. "Let me explain why I said that."
"Oh I have a pretty good idea what you meant." Brady said laughing again.
"No no, you've misunderstood me, just hear me out." She said. "There's this little boy-" she began to explain but Brady cut her off with a gasp.
"Little boy?" he asked glancing at her with wide eyes. "I never took you for that type Amelia, I'm shocked."
"What?" Amelia frowned before she caught on to what Brady meant. "Oh my God, you've got me all misunderstood, it's so frustrating!"
"It is, isn't it?" Brady asked seriously.
"Huh?" Amelia was confused.
"Being misunderstood." He stated with his eyes firmly placed on the road in front. "It can be very frustrating."
Amelia was about to agree but Brady's voice prevented her from doing so. "And when it becomes too common one tends to no longer care so they develop a certain type of attitude - one that many see as bad and one then generally becomes a social outcast and judged completely wrong."
Amelia remained quiet for a long moment, letting his words sink in. She knew he was talking about himself; there was no one else she could think of, no one else she knew of who fitted that description
"Maybe one should start caring then, prove everyone wrong." She said softly.
Brady tightened his hold on the steering wheel a fraction more and didn't say a word. Amelia tried to read his expression but he didn't give off any type of emotion, other than concentration on driving.
"What were you saying about a little boy?" Brady broke the slightly uncomfortable silence.
"One of my mother's friends has an eight year old son and-" she began but Brady once again cut her off.
"And you enjoy spending many long hours with him?" he asked seriously. "Sick, sick person." He added shaking his head.
"Brady!" Amelia exclaimed. "You're getting this all wrong!"
Brady laughed again and Amelia couldn't help but smile when she heard his laughter, she always got the impression that he didn't laugh much and she was glad that even though his reason was pretty twisted, he was still laughing because of her. Her smile widened a fraction when she noticed that he had a faint dimple on his left cheek when he smiled or laughed and she couldn't help but find that adorable.
"He's a cute little boy that I babysit occasionally when I'm free. He's a little mischievous and I babysat him yesterday and threatened to spank him because he was riding down the balustrades and could injure himself." She ranted and took in a breath before continuing. "For some reason my mind thought I was speaking to him for a moment and that's why I brought up spanking you. God knows I could never spank you." She finished.
"I wouldn't mind you know." Brady said with a cheeky grin and wink.
Amelia's cheeks flushed imagining that scene then she burst out laughing. "Yeah, I don't see that happening."
Brady joined in her laughter and nodded. "Yeah me neither."
After their laughter died down Brady glanced at her with a small smirk. "Although I could see it happening should we change positions."
Amelia raised her brows slightly at him. "Oh I see." She drawled. "You're that type."
"What type?" Brady asked amused. Brady for some strange reason found himself quite enjoying himself just talking and talking with Amelia Stanton of all people surprised him.
"Brady!" Amelia's yell broke his train of thoughts. "Watch out!"
Brady braked and the vehicle came to a stop.
"What the fuck?" Brady asked her. "What was the need to scream?"
Didn't you see it?" Amelia asked pointing in front.
Brady looked at her clearly puzzled.
She swallowed. "That cat... the black cat." She inwardly cringed.
"You made me stop because of a cat which I couldn't possibly knock over since we were far away?" Brady asked, slightly annoyed.
"Yes." Amelia stated. "Don't you know it's bad luck for a black cat to cross your path?"
"What?" Brady asked with a frown.
"Don't what me." she said sternly. "I saved us from bad luck, you should thank me instead."
Brady opened his mouth to retort and call Amelia mental but he closed it, he didn't want to see her cry again, so he kept it safe and shut his mouth. Instead he started the truck again and drove back onto the road. "Fucking rich folks." He mumbled in a whisper under his breath.
"What are you doing?" Amelia asked.
"Driving." Brady answered.
"Maybe we should take a rain check." Amelia almost insisted. "I mean a black cat just crossed our path, that's a bad sign."
"Don't be ridiculous. All of that is hocus pocus." Brady said coolly.
"I beg to differ." Amelia stated. "No, change our path or something; I refuse to let anything untoward happen."
"What could possibly happen?" Brady sighed, trying his best not to snap.
"I don't know but it can't be good." Amelia answered.
"Stop being superstitious." Brady told her. "Nothing bad will happen."
"Stop mocking me." Amelia snapped.
"I am not mocking you, just saying all of that is bullshit." Brady felt his patience wearing thin.
"It is not." Amelia insisted before taking in a deep breath. "Please Brady, change the route."
Brady was about to snap but he glanced at her and all he could see was the desperation and slight fear in her big grey eyes. "Fine." He huffed and took a U-turn.
Amelia let out a breath and relaxed in her seat while Brady rolled his eyes. "This is a slightly longer cut." He pointed out.
"Only by fifteen minutes." She shrugged casually. "Besides I don't mind the fifteen minutes if we'll arrive in one piece."
"I can't believe you're superstitious." Brady said. "You don't walk under ladders either?"
"Never had the opportunity to." Amelia answered honestly. "But I'm not superstitious with everything, just cats."
"What's wrong with cats?" Brady asked.
"Nothing, I just never liked them much since a little girl." She answered honestly.
"So because of your dislike you label them bad luck?" Brady ridiculed.
"No I don't. I'm just playing it safe. Besides I didn't start the lore about black cats." She answered.
"Funny." Brady mumbled.
"What?" Amelia asked.
"I always took you for a cat kinda girl, you know lonely, old with a bunch of cats." Brady teased.
Amelia gave him a look. "Ha ha you're hilarious. I don't see you loving cats either so don't judge."
"I love pussy." He turned to her with an innocent grin and continued after a long moment before she could say anything and added, "Cats."
Amelia rolled her eyes at him. "Oh I got what you meant pretty well."
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Brady said innocently. "I just said I liked pussy," he paused for a long moment again and finished, "Cats."
"Brady just drive." Amelia huffed in feigned annoyance and turned on the radio.
Brady chuckled at her, he never thought in his wildest dreams that he'd ever find Amelia of all people amusing.
"Your taste in music sucks." Amelia said after going through Brady's few cd's he had in the truck.
"I like old school, sue me." he said smugly, turning the volume up to a Lionel Richie classic."
"It's ancient." Amelia scrunched her face and turned down the volume.
"It's classic." Brady retorted turning it up again. "Haven't you heard old is gold?"
"Haven't you heard it's the twenty first century?" Amelia raised a brow.
"Oh come on." Brady said light heartedly tapping his fingers against the steering wheel. "It's what me and my old man used to listen to while working on-" Brady immediately stopped talking and glanced at Amelia's curious eyes before turning down the volume.
He cleared his throat and with his eyes fixed steadily on the road he said in his usual nonchalant voice. "You can turn on a radio station of your choice and take out the cd."
Amelia ignored what he said and stared at the side of his face. "While working on?" she asked softly.
She noticed his jaw tense and waited a long while for an answer but in vain because she never got one.
There was silence for a long while until she spoke. "Brady-" she began but he cut her off.
"I never thought you'd ever willingly sit in my truck." He said hoping to make her forget what he said.
Amelia caught on to what he was doing, averting the subject. She wanted to press and ask him more about what he was about to say about his father or grandfather she presumed but she thought otherwise, Brady's mood was good all along and she didn't want to ruin that so she chose to ignore her curiosity for now.
"I have to admit, I gave it too less credit." She said. "For a piece of crap, it's not a bad ride."
"Hey." Brady playfully warned. "You're talking about the only form of transport you currently have to the city. I could easily just leave you in the middle of the road."
"I find that so ironic since you met me in the middle of the road." Amelia said. "But should you leave me here on the side of the road, don't think I'll be stranded, all I'd have to do is call Stan - my personal chauffeur - and I'll be home in no time." She added smugly.
"Oh right, how can I forget? The cat woman has money and servants at her disposal too." Brady teased.
"But all jokes aside, that's how we met right." Brady stated with a small grin. "Seems like such a long time ago."
"Yeah." Amelia agreed. "We've surely come a long way since then."
"And Stan isn't a servant, he's like family to me." she added.
Brady found it quite sweet that she thought of Stan as family rather than a servant but he didn't voice it.
"Just admit it, you couldn't resist my charm." Brady said cockily. "No wonder you tracked me down with an excuse of paying me for the ride."
"You caught me." Amelia said sarcastically. "Keep dreaming Brady."
"Now you're just covering it up." Brady said. "Come on Mia, admit it, you find me irresistible."
Amelia laughed. "I never knew you had a cocky side."
"It's not cocky, it's the honest truth." He said with a serious face which made Amelia laugh even more.
Amelia's and Brady's light hearted chatter continued right up until Brady pulled up at the cinema. Brady and Amelia both found that the ride went by too quick, even though they wouldn't admit it to each other, they both enjoyed the first half of their 'friend date' so far.
"A movie?" Amelia asked after getting out of the truck.
Brady placed his hands in pockets. "Yeah, friends watch movie's together right?"
"Yeah." Amelia answered. "I just thought... oh nevermind."
"No what?" Brady asked.
"Nevermind." She smiled and walked ahead of him towards the entrance.
Brady caught up in a few steps and grabbed her wrist instinctively to stop her from walking. Amelia turned around and glanced at his hold on her wrist before meeting his eyes.
Brady realized he was holding her hand when he saw her look down and awkwardly pulled away. "Um, what did you want to say?"
"It's nothing." She said.
"But I want to know." He insisted. "Friendship is about being honest and if you don't want to watch a movie we can do something else."
"No it's not that, I love the idea of watching a movie it's just..." she trailed off and bit her lower lip. "This is silly; I just thought you had something else planned." She glanced down at her dress. "I now feel kinda overdressed."
"You're right, that is silly." He said honestly and Amelia was taken aback with his bluntness. "I mean this isn't a real date, I'm not your boyfriend to plan something special." He added casually.
Amelia felt somewhat hurt by his words but she didn't argue it or let her feelings show because she knew he was right; they weren't a couple so it was stupid of her to think he planned something special.
She faked a little chortle and agreed. "Yeah, told you it was silly."
Brady could see through her fake laugh and felt a pang of guilt for sounding heartless so to cover it up he said, "I don't think you're overdressed," he paused to look her over, "I think you look very nice in fact." He offered a small grin.
Amelia's mood lifted and she was flattered by his compliment and she found herself genuinely smiling. "Thank you."
Brady, awkward with that kind of chatter cleared his throat. "Let's go find a movie to watch shall we?"
"Yeah." Amelia agreed and together they walked into the theatre.
"No way." Amelia stated crossing her arms. "I am not watching an action movie."
"Don't tell me you're superstitious about that now too?" Brady asked, utterly serious.
"Don't be ridiculous." Amelia rolled her eyes. "I just don't like action movies, with all the blood and god knows what else." She scrunched her nose.
"You do that a lot don't you?" Brady asked.
"Do what?" Amelia asked.
"Scrunch your nose." He stated.
Amelia shrugged. "Never really paid much attention, although it's sweet you take such notice."
Brady ignored her statement and continued to argue over the movie. "Don't tell me you're scared of blood."
"I'm not scared of it, I just don't like it." She replied honestly.
"Funny coming from a girl." He mumbled.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Amelia asked raising a brow.
"Well don't your species see it every month?" he asked casually.
"So?" she drawled.
"So shouldn't you be used to it, I don't see how the fake shit in movies should affect you." He replied.
"You know until you've been in a girl's body don't judge what we women go through. You think we enjoy it every single month?" she asked raising her voice slightly.
Brady put up his hands defensively. "Gee, calm down. I was just making a point."
"Point made, now can we move on?" she sighed.
"Yeah, we're watching the action movie." He smiled all too widely at her.
"No." Amelia adamantly stated.
"What happened to compromise?" Brady asked, irritated.
Amelia looked around her. "You chose the theatre - which I'll add I am not familiar with, in fact I've never been in this part of the city, and therefore I'll choose the movie." She grinned at him widely. "See a compromise."
"But it's Sylvester Stallone." He practically whined. "He's my action hero."
Amelia wanted to laugh at how childish Brady could be but she didn't want to give in, she was stubborn and enjoyed getting her way.
"No I want to watch a rom-com." She insisted.
"Brady frowned and looked at her as if she was talking in a foreign language. "What the fuck is a rom-com?"
Brady's reaction was hard not to laugh at but Amelia kept a straight face. "Romantic comedy."
"Sounds thrilling." He remarked sarcastically.
"It's obvious you've never watched one so don't knock it until you've tried it." She said. "I'm sure you'll enjoy it."
"Oh yeah, definitely." He kept his sarcastic tone.
"Brady it's obvious I've already won this battle so quit sulking and go with the flow." Amelia told him.
Brady accepted defeat silently and followed her trial but made sure to mumble a remark. "Oh yeah you'd know all about flows."
"I heard that." Amelia said seriously.
Brady flashed her an innocent grin. "That's what I intended."
"Go get the popcorn while I get the tickets." Amelia told him.
"You just wait here, I'll get both." Brady said.
"No, I insist on getting the tickets and you get the edibles." She insisted. "It's a perfect compromise."
Brady looked at her annoyed. "Don't fight me on this Mia."
"But-" Amelia began but Brady cut her off with a glare.
"Fine you win." She muttered.
Brady didn't say anything and together they got the tickets and popcorn. With a popcorn and soda in each of their hands, they made their way to the cinema before sitting down on their seats.
The future attractions were playing when they sat down and it went on for a while. "How long is this going to go on?" he asked annoyed. "I'll finish all my popcorn and the movie still wouldn't have started."
"You enjoy whining don't you?" Amelia asked. "It will start, for someone who hated the idea of watching a rom-com, you sure are eager."
"I'm not eager; I just want to get this over with asap." He retorted.
"Have you never watched a movie in a theatre before?" Amelia asked exasperated. "The movie never starts at the exact time."
Brady shook his head. "I actually haven't. This is the first time."
Amelia instinctively gasped. "You're a virgin?" she asked wide eyes.
"Hell no." Brady answered straight away. "Have you seen me?"
"What I meant to say was, you're a theatre virgin." She corrected herself with a small blush. "But thanks for that bit of information." She added.
"Oh." Brady said in understanding. "Well in that case, yeah I am." He bumped her shoulder. "Look at me sharing a first with the rich spoilt brat."
"Oh I'm so honored." She retorted sarcastically but internally she felt bad that she insisted watching a movie of her choice when it was Brady's first cinema experience.
"And you should be." Brady cockily said taking a sip from his large soda.
Amelia couldn't help but laugh at how cocky he was.
"Now shhh, it's about to start." She whispered to him.
"I'm not blind, I can see." He replied.
The movie started and Amelia seemed to enjoy it, she was laughing and 'awwing' at certain things whiles Brady on the other hand was bored out of his mind. All the girly, cheesy so called jokes weren't his thing, he had no idea how the word comedy was in this genre; he didn't even smile at the corny jokes.
"Mia." Brady whispered.
"Hmm?" Amelia replied in a whispered hum without tearing her eyes off the screen.
"How long are these rom-com's?" he asked.
Amelia gave him a look instead of answering.
"I'll take that as eternity then." He mumbled to himself.
Amelia chose to ignore him and Brady entertained himself by finishing off his popcorn and whatever Amelia couldn't finish of hers. By the time their sodas and popcorn were done with, Brady was bored again. He sighed and stretched his legs but to his disappointment there wasn't enough leg room for his long legs so he stretched his legs out and rested them on the headrest of the seat in front of him.
Brady placed his hands behind his head and made himself comfy, maybe he could take a nap he thought to himself and just as his eyes were shutting he felt Amelia elbow him in the ribs.
"The fuck?" he cursed under his breath and glared at her. "What was that for?"
"Take your legs off, someone is sitting there." she demanded.
"Did they complain?" he asked.
"No but it's rude." She answered.
"Hi, I'm Brady, please to meet you." He grinned at her humorlessly. "My middle name is rude, remember?"
"I don't care." Amelia responded.
"Neither do I." he said stubbornly.
Amelia elbowed him again earning herself a glare. "Off Brady."
"Fuck it woman, you're so damn bossy!" he whisper yelled but nevertheless did as she said.
Amelia smiled triumphantly but shivered when she felt Brady's hot breath in her ear. "Wipe that smug grin off your face, it's annoying."
Amelia turned in her seat and faced him, leaning over she whispered in his ear. "And what if I don't?"
She pulled away and looked at him with the smile still on her lips and her eyes challenging. Brady leaned in close to her, so close that their lips almost touched, he remained there for a long moment, just looking at her before he moved his mouth to her ear again. "Punishment." he whispered.
When he pulled away Amelia gazed into his blue eyes for a while before saying softly. "You don't scare me Brady Ryland."
Brady half smirked at her and moved in closer to her, he rested his one hand on her leg and moved his lips very closer to hers. He let out a breath and watched as her tongue ran over her bottom lip, Brady's smirk widened knowing that Amelia probably expected him to kiss her but he had other plans.
"Oh sharp mouthed Mia." He whispered.
"Arrogant Brady?" she whispered back.
He caressed her leg for a short moment and brought that hand up to her chin and gently moved her head to the front so it faced the large screen. "Watch the movie you insisted on seeing." He said to her and removed all physical contact between them.
Amelia found herself blushing because of what went through her mind when Brady touched her. Stupid Amelia, I need to control myself around Brady. He obviously knows he has an effect on me that's why he does such things. She mentally scolded herself.
Amelia didn't say anything but she noticed the smug grin on Brady's face so once again, without tearing her eyes off the screen she elbowed him.
Brady didn't say anything but just chuckled in response.
Brady forced himself to watch the movie but when he decided he couldn't take any more he decided to annoy Amelia - it was more fun anyway.
"Mia." He whispered.
Amelia ignored him, thinking he was going to ask how much longer until the end again.
"Mia." He called again but Amelia ignored him.
He waited a long while before he called again. "Amelia."
"What?" Amelia whisper yelled.
"How much-" he began but Amelia cut him off.
"About half an hour more or so." She answered exasperated.
Brady looked at her distressed and sighed. "That long?"
Amelia gave him an annoyed looked.
Brady let out a breath before calling again. "Mia."
"Brady." Amelia drawled, keeping patient.
"I just remembered something." He said casually.
"That you should shut up?" she asked.
"Don't be silly." He replied. "Remember you said something about being in a woman's body earlier?"
"Yes." She sighed. "What about it?"
"Well," he began. "Technically..."
"I don't care nor do I want to know!" she said a little too loudly.
"Whoa, aren't you feisty." Brady murmured. "Calm down."
Amelia huffed in annoyance. "If you were in my shoes you'd totally understand why it's impossible to be calm right now."
"I haven't been in a woman's shoes but as for-" he began but Amelia covered his mouth with her hand.
"Silence Ryland." She said each word slowly. "That's the first rule in a cinema."
She removed her hand and he spoke again, much to her dismay. "If you wanted to feel my lips, you could've just asked instead of going about it this way."
"Come closer Mia." He gestured with his pointer finger.
Amelia rolled her eyes and pushed him away, holding in her laughter. As annoyed as she was she couldn't help but find this side of Brady very enlightening.
"Just shut up." She told him and for once he listened, throughout the remainder of the movie she didn't hear a thing from him again.
Once the credits came on screen and the cinema's lights came on, Amelia said, "It's done, let's g..." she trailed off when she saw that Brady was asleep.
She wanted to laugh but instead she found herself smiling, she gazed at him for a long moment, just watching him sleep.
He looks so much at ease and peaceful when he's asleep, he actually looks like a twenty one year old with no burdens on his shoulders - he looks so innocent. She thought to herself as she lifted her hand and ran her fingers through his hair.
Brady stirred and mumbled some inaudible things; Amelia pulled her hand away but didn't tear her eyes away as she watched him frown before he opened his eyes.
"Wha- where?" he murmured as she sat up straight and rubbed his eyes.
"Well good morning sleepy head." Amelia giggled.
"I fell asleep?" Brady asked, still a little confused.
Amelia nodded. "Clearly. Are you always this confused when you wake up?"
"What are you talking about? I'm not confused." Brady defended himself.
He looked at the screen and noticed that the room was much brighter. "Finally that fucking movie is over; I thought it would never end."
Amelia rolled her eyes. "You're such a drama queen, it wasn't that bad. I happened to enjoy it."
"Of course you did." He muttered more to himself. "The only good thing about this movie was that I got some really good sleep in what feels like ages." He added, again this time more to himself.
Amelia heard though and couldn't help but ask, "You struggle to sleep?"
Brady stretched his arms out in front of him and nodded. "Most nights as of recent." He answered honestly.
"It's because of those stupid fucking nightmares." He added bitterly.
"What nightmares." Amelia frowned.
Brady realized he spoke too much so he ignored her question and stood up. "Let's get out of this stupid place."
Amelia didn't find it amusing that he ignored her question but she let it pass again, he figured he didn't want to talk about it so she followed his trail.
By the time they reached outside the sun was almost set, Brady and Amelia got into the truck and both remained quiet for a long while before Amelia broke it, as usual.
"Where are we going now?" She asked.
"Home." Was Brady's simple response.
"So soon?" she asked.
"It's getting dark." He said.
"So?" she drawled.
"So it's time to go home." He said nonchalantly.
"Do you have other plans?" she asked him.
He shook his head. "No."
"So there's no rush for you to be home then?" she asked.
"Do you always ask so many questions?" he asked.
"Just answer."
"No Amelia, I do not." He answered.
"Cool, so instead of hitting the highway, take a right at the next traffic light." She instructed.
"Where are you taking me?" he asked her.
"To eat the best ice cream on this planet." She smiled.
Brady widened his eyes. "You eat ice cream?" he feigned shock.
"Of course I do." She answered.
"I thought your types don't eat anything with fats or carbs or sugar?" he more like asked.
"That's so stereotypical, I'm human too." She retorted.
"If you say so." Brady mumbled earning him a glare from her.
In no longer than fifteen minutes they pulled up on the sidewalk of an upmarket looking ice cream place.
"So you brought me into your world huh?" Brady said after the both of them got out of the truck.
"Just like you took me into yours by taking me to that theatre." She retorted cheekily.
"I only did that so none of your species would see you with my kind." Brady said honestly.
"We're of the same species Brady." Amelia said.
"I beg to differ." He scoffed. "You're part of the rich fucking clan."
Amelia elbowed him in the ribs once again. "It's the twenty first century, there are no class divisions so shut up about it already and let's go eat ice cream."
Brady followed her but after rubbing over the spot Amelia hit and irritably mumbled. "You've got to stop doing that."
Amelia heard but didn't pay any attention instead she smiled to herself and went to order.
"I'll have two pistachios please." She ordered.
"You didn't even ask what I want, how can you just order for me?" Brady asked her.
"Trust me, pistachio is the best."
"No, what if I don't like pistachio or am allergic to nuts?" he retorted.
Amelia sighed. "Fine make it only one pistachio and a cookie dough for the big baby."
Brady grinned. "Now we're talking."
Their ice creams came and the cashier told them their total, Brady blinked hearing how much he had to pay for just ice cream but nevertheless he pulled out his wallet.
"It's on me." Amelia stopped him, placing a hand over his.
He looked at her sternly but she didn't budge. "You had your way with the movies; I'm having my way with this. Besides it was my idea to have ice cream."
"Hold the ice creams and wait for me." he told her authoritatively.
She opened her mouth but he cut her off with a stern tone. "Amelia."
She huffed in annoyance but still did as he told. When Brady met her at the entrance of the parlor, she handed him his ice cream and glared at him. "Do you have to always be so damn bossy?"
Brady placed a spoonful of ice cream in his mouth and he had to admit that the ice cream was the best he ever tasted. "Totally worth it, this is great." He said as he took another spoonful.
"And yes." He said after swallowing. "I always have my way."
"Friendship doesn't work that way, you can't always pay the bill." Amelia said as they left the parlor and walked slowly together down the quiet street.
"When it comes to our friendship it does." He said.
"That's not fair." She said in a whining tone.
"Frankly sweetheart," he looked at her, "Life isn't fair so deal with it."
"You're such an alpha male, it's annoying." She mumbled more to herself.
"It's not only that." Brady said honestly. "I don't want you flashing all your money in front of me, I'm the guy so let me keep my ego intact and just let me have my way with this ok."
Amelia somehow understood where he was coming from but she still didn't agree. "If this isn't a real date then it's only fair we at least split the bill, that's how friends do it."
Brady stopped walking and so did she. "Friends." He said the word as if mocking it.
He pointed between the two of them. "Is this friendship?"
Amelia didn't really understand what he meant but she still nodded. "Yeah." She said a little unsurely.
"Really?" he tilted his head to the side. "Does this feel like just two friends taking a walk eating ice cream after a movie?"
No, definitely not Amelia thought to herself but she didn't really know how to voice her answer.
"Your silence answers my questions." He said. "And I absolutely agree."
The just stared at each other for a brief moment before Brady gestured for them to start walking again, it was completely dark and they walked for a long while in silence as they ate their ice cream.
"This cookie dough is really good." Brady said casually.
"You should've taken the pistachio, it's a million times better." She said.
"A million you say?" Brady asked and looked at her.
She nodded and placed a spoonful in her mouth; she grinned at him and swallowed down the creamy dessert. "Yep, it's the best."
"Hold this." Brady told her and gave her his cookie dough before snatching her pistachio from her hands.
"Hey!" she exclaimed. "Give it back."
Brady ignored her and took a spoonful of pistachio flavored ice cream and put it in his mouth. His eyes widened a fraction. Correction, this is the best ice cream I've ever tasted.
"I'm taking this, you finish mine." He told her and ate more of her ice cream.
"Alpha male and a thief." She said and attempted to snatch her ice cream back but Brady lifted it high above his head so she couldn't reach.
"It's mine now." He said and ate more.
"I told you to take that flavor but you were being difficult." She scolded. "Now give it back."
"Nope." He shook his head. "I only ordered the cookie dough so you didn't have your way but that was my mistake, this pistachio is creamy frozen heaven." He licked his lips after eating more of her ice cream.
Amelia found that cute so with a playful glare she gave in and ate the cookie dough. "Now I have to eat your mouth germs." She teased.
"Funny you didn't mind those germs when you kissed me." Brady smirked.
Amelia blushed remembering their shared kiss. "I was emotional at that time so I didn't think straight."
"Oh I see." Brady said sarcastically. "That's what it was."
"Of course." Amelia said.
"My apologies for taking advantage of your emotional state then." Brady said feigning sincerity.
"I can forgive you for that but not for stealing my ice cream." Amelia replied matter of factly.
"Oh but I didn't apologize for stealing your ice cream." Brady cheekily retorted. "I have no regrets for that."
"But you do for the kiss?" Amelia asked seriously.
Brady just gazed at her for a few seconds before he shook his head. "I didn't say that."
"Brady." Amelia called softly.
"Hmm?" Brady replied back as he ate ice cream.
"If this isn't just friendship then what is it?" she asked.
Brady, who had the little plastic spoon in his mouth, stopped walking and turned to face Amelia. He pulled out the spoon but didn't say anything.
Amelia looked up at his blue eyes, her gray ones wide and curious. She waited for an answer anxiously.
Brady took in a breath and stepped closer to her. "Honestly," he began softly and stepped closer, "I don't know."
Amelia didn't reply straight away, she took in his words and took in a deep breath too. She wasn't very happy with his answer but she appreciated his honesty - a trait she admired about him.
She eventually nodded and tore her gaze away from him. "Me neither."
Brady caught onto her slightly disappointed tone and for some reason he felt bad and guilty for ruining her mood. "Mia. He whispered and stepped even closer to her.
He held her cheek and she subconsciously leaned into his palm, liking the warmth it offered. Brady brought his face closer to hers, his thumb caressed her cheek softly and she looked up to meet his gaze.
Brady moved closer to her and his gaze dropped to her rosy lips, he had every intention of kissing her right then and there and she wanted him to do just that too.
Brady's lips were a breath away from hers, he lightly brushed his over hers, Amelia felt butterflies erupt in her stomach as she anticipated another kiss from Brady but just as she was about to close her eyes, someone caught her sight.
She looked over Brady's shoulder and spotted her friend Hugh crossing the street behind Brady; she panicked and immediately pulled away from Brady, putting a good distance between them.
Brady was taken aback from her fast movement and looked at her in confusion.
"Um," Amelia said tucking her hair behind her ears. "I'm sorry, it's just," she paused and looked around before looking back at him. "We're in public and I don't like public dis-"
Brady cut her off. "It's ok, I understand. Sorry for making you uncomfortable."
"No, no you didn't. I'm just a little self-conscious in public, you can say I was raised that way." She said in a hurry, her eyes watching as Hugh walked closer towards her. She knew if Hugh saw her with Brady, there would be a thousand questions and he would surely tell Hillary who would most probably tell her mother and that's the last thing she wanted.
"Um Brady." She said.
"Yeah?"
"Could you please throw this in the trash for me, I've had enough." She requested politely.
"The trash can is quite a walk away, let's just head back to the truck." He suggested.
"No." she said a little too sharply. "I mean, I want to walk more, I just don't want the ice cream. Please." She smiled.
"Alright." Brady sighed. He handed her his pistachio and took hers from her. "Don't get used to this kind of service."
"I won't." she grinned.
"Don't touch my pistachio." He playfully warned. "I'll be right back."
"It's safe with me." she said assuring, hoping Hugh doesn't see him.
Brady turned on his heel and once Brady was out of Amelia's way, Hugh spotted her. He frowned at first probably wondering what she was doing out alone in town in the dark but he spotted the ice cream cup in her hand and he understood.
"Lia!" he exclaimed and leaned in for a hug.
Amelia hugged him back. "Hugh."
"Out in the town for some of your favorite ice cream?" Hugh teased eyeing the ice cream in her hand.
"Yeah you can say that." She answered nonchalantly.
"Why didn't you call? We could've made a date out of it." He winked.
"That's why I didn't." Amelia said.
"Ah always so charming." Hugh held her shoulder.
"It was nice seeing you Hugh, but I've really got to go." She said in a rush and attempted to walk away, she needed to go before Brady got back.
Hugh held her arm. "Oh what's the rush, send Stan home and I'll drop you. Hang out with me for some time." He said politely.
"I'll take a rain check but I've really got to go." She said. "Sorry."
Hugh didn't let her hand go though and was insistent. "Oh come on."
"Hugh, I'm sorry. I promise I'll call you." She said.
"No I'm not taking no for an answer." He said, placing a hand on her shoulder and pulling her closer to him.
Amelia tried shrugging him off but she failed. "Hugh."
"Amelia." He said. "Stop being difficult, we hardly see each other. I'll drop you off before ten, I promise. Let's go to my place and we can even invite your bestie."
"I really can't." Amelia said.
"Why?" Hugh asked. "You're here with someone?"
Amelia almost mentioned Brady's name but she held her tongue and shook her head. "No, I'm here alone, no one else around."
"So no excuses, let's head to my place." Hugh said and Amelia had no choice but to follow him.
She remembered Brady and thought she'd catch up with him and tell him she'd find her own way home because she was going to visit her friend. "Hold on a sec, I'm going to throw this away."
Hugh agreed and Amelia was thankful he didn't insist on following her. Amelia turned on her heel and walked towards the trash can but Brady was nowhere in sight. She looked around and there wasn't a trace of him.
Just then she felt her phone vibrate and when she looked it was a text from Brady which read,
'Trashy excuse to get rid of me. Find your own way home Lia!'