Things Lost In The Fire (37 page)

To her left, she could feel Brody beside her. She opened her eyes and looked at him, embracing the quiet thrill that raced through her. He’d stripped off his white T-shirt and kept only the navy blue board shorts, and though she felt mildly embarrassed about looking, she couldn’t help it.

He rested back on his hands, his tanned legs spread out in front of him and a boyish grin on his face as he watched the people all around them. She loved the way he looked at the world, as though there was no detail worth ignoring. Everything from the gangly teenagers playing a rowdy game of volleyball to the exhausted parents passed out under an umbrella while their twin eight-year-old boys ran amuck in the surf was worth watching. For all his cynicism, she knew he loved life. He loved people and places and getting into the thick of things where all the action was happening. If he’d brought his camera, she was sure he’d be scoping around for everyday moments to capture on film.

She nudged him with her shoulder, smiling when he looked at her. She stared at her reflection in his mirrored aviator sunglasses, her pulse skipping at his quick grin.

“Having fun?” he asked.

She nodded, turning to watch the white waves crest and then crash into the sand. Squeals of laughter from children dancing out of the water’s reach blended with the roar of the ocean and the pealing squall of seagulls. “Thank you for this. I forgot how fun it could be.”

“The beach is always fun.”

“No, that’s not what I meant…” She bit her lower lip and wondered how to explain it. “I just feel so…free, I guess. I mean, we’re
exposed
out here. Anybody could recognize me, and yet I don’t care. Let them come. I’m just happy living my life and being here with you.”

He chuckled. “It
is
national celebrate freedom day.”

“True.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “I don’t want it to end.”

He glanced at his phone to check the time. “Well, it’s not over yet. In fact, I’d say it’s time for some tacos.”

“Tacos?” She met his eyes as he got to his feet and helped her up.

“Yep. We can come back here after if you’d like, but we gotta beat the lunch crowd if we want a seat on the outdoor patio.”

“Where are we going?” She gathered up her tote bag and her belongings, then shook out her towel to rid it of sand.

He took her hand, his teeth flashing in a charming grin. “To the Pier, McRae. It’s time you saw what you’ve been missing all this time.”

They got a prime seat on the outdoor patio of the Pier’s one and only Mexican food joint, which sat at the far west tip and offered panoramic views of the sea. Sadie stared out at the calm blue waves while Brody ordered them each a Corona with lime. Chips and salsa were dropped off, along with menus which Brody refused. Sadie eyed him curiously as the waiter walked away to get their drinks.

“What? I don’t get to choose?” she asked, eyebrows raised.

“Nope.” He reached for a chip and scooped up a big bite of salsa. “You’ll just have to trust me on this one. If you’re gonna enjoy authentic Mexican food, you need an expert.”

Sadie bit into a tortilla chip, fighting back a smile. “I see. How silly of me.”

The waiter brought them their beers and Brody placed the order—a big plate of carnitas tacos al carbón with rice and pinto beans on the side. When it arrived, Sadie watched Brody scarf down one of the tacos without taking a breath. Amused and a little daunted, she tasted one herself and was delighted by the flavor of roasted pork coupled with crisp cilantro and juicy white onions.

After lunch, they walked hand-in-hand down the Pier, Brody pointing out fun and interesting things for her to look at. There was Pacific Park with its colorful Ferris Wheel and roller coasters that she dare not try, hoards of visitors of all shapes, colors, and sizes, touristy bicyclists zipping in and out of the crowds, and an overwhelming sense of joy that could only be had under the sweet Santa Monica sun. She basked in it and the feel of her friend beside her, who kept his hand tucked firmly in hers.

For the first time, she felt content in her own skin. She didn’t worry about being recognized, about her mother’s stupid lawsuit or about the lunatic who’d defaced her father’s property just hours before. She’d even managed to forget about the police investigation into Walker’s death. In the end, what difference did it make? She was alive, and she was free.

Free at last.

Brody bought her ice cream which they enjoyed at the edge of the Pier, overlooking the ocean. She lapped up vanilla with rainbow sprinkles, unable to keep the smile from her face. And when he leaned over to steal a kiss from her, she wondered how she’d ever lived without him.

When they drove back to her father’s home, they sang along with Katy Perry on the radio, laughing at each other. Her cheerful mood continued until they pulled onto her street and made the ascent to the top, and the memory of that morning came flooding back. She fought the dread she felt at seeing the word again, only to inhale sharply with surprise when they pulled up and the word was gone.

Beside her, Brody let out a relieved sigh.

Sadie turned to him as he pulled into the driveway, brows creased. “Where did it go?”

He parked the car and shut off the engine. “I called in a favor. Not that he owes me anything, but he was willing to help you out.”

“Chase,” she murmured, tears springing into her eyes. Gratitude flooded her as she slipped from the car and walked over to where the word had been, finding Chase had painted over it. She couldn’t even see a trace of black.

Brody came up behind her, taking her hand in his. “C’mon. Let’s go inside and clean up. It’ll be dark soon and you don’t want to break tradition and miss the fireworks.”

She wiped at a tear that fell down her cheek. “Please tell him I said thank you.”

He nodded and led her inside, not wanting her to dwell on the situation anymore.

WHEN DARKNESS rolled in, they lounged outside on the patio with a box of pizza and a six pack of Corona. It wasn’t fancy, but it was quickly becoming the best night of her life.

Sadie laughed, sipping her beer and staring at Brody fondly. “Remember that time we took Hendrix out for a walk and we ended up all the way down Hollywood Boulevard and that creepy homeless guy tried to barter with us using an old pair of socks?”

Brody snorted, shaking his head. “Oh, yeah. We were both like, dude, we don’t want your socks.”

“But he wouldn’t leave us alone. I think you even offered him a five dollar bill and he still kept shoving those smelly socks in your face.”

“I can’t believe you remember that,” Brody replied, amused by her. “And Hendrix, wow. I haven’t thought about him in years.”

“He was the only dog I ever loved,” she told him, honesty softening her expression.

“He loved you, too.” Brody tipped back his beer and finished it, then set it aside and reached for another. “He
hated
my dad. But who doesn’t?”

Sadie smiled. “At least you got to have pets. I was always too nervous to ask for one and my parents were too clueless to see I needed it.”

“Parents can be that way.” He tapped his beer to hers with a wink. “Assholes.”

“Yep.” She drank, then let out a quiet sigh. “At least we turned out okay.”

“We did?” he mused.

She turned the beer bottle around in her hands. “Well, yeah. I mean, we’re not
that
bad.”

“You’re afraid of your own shadow and I’m a greedy sell out. I’d say we
are
that bad,” he joked, dodging out of the way when she tried to punch his shoulder.

“What I mean is we’re doing okay. And now we have each other, so it’s even better,” she decided, only to feel embarrassed by her own words and turn away.

When he reached for her hand, she met his gaze. Even in the dim light, she could see his dark eyes warm for her. “Yeah, it is.”

He wrapped his arm over her shoulders and brought her closer. She curled into him, closing her eyes and reveling in the feeling of comfort he gave her.

“Hey, look. It’s starting.”

Sadie lifted her head and looked at the Los Angeles skyline, seeing a burst of fiery lights above the cityscape. Her heart lifted and a big smile came over her face. “It’s so beautiful.”

“They put on a good show.” He held her close and sipped his beer, enjoying her enthusiasm. He’d never really cared about fireworks, but seeing them through her eyes made them special. It reminded him that no matter what happened from here on out, at least she’d have this day of relaxation and fun.

Sparks of blue and pink and purple flooded the night sky, joined by showers of gold and big, beautiful globes of white. Sadie loved them all, up until the grand finale that quite simply took her breath away.

When the last of the sparks faded from the sky, she tilted her head back to press a soft kiss to Brody’s cheek, just because it was there. He caught her mouth instead, teasing her with a tender kiss. Her heart began to race as he pulled her in, one hand drawing back into her hair.

Maybe it was the beer or her impossibly good mood, but she realized she couldn’t wait any longer. She needed to tell him—to show him—how she felt before the moment was gone and her bravery extinguished.

“Can I play something for you?” she asked, hoping her voice didn’t betray her nerves.

“Sure.”

“Give me a quick second.” She jumped to her feet and raced inside to get her guitar. When she returned, she sat down in the patio chair across from him and cradled the guitar in her lap, a pick held between the fingers of her right hand with her other held tight over the strings. Her gaze lifted to his as she bit back a nervous smile. “This is something I’ve been working on since I came back to L.A. I hope you like it.”

He nodded as she strummed her guitar in a warm, breezy tone that seemed best suited for summer nights and bonfires. She began to sing, her voice sweet and soothing like quiet drops of rain. Her eyes rose to his, a boldness flashing in them he wasn’t used to seeing.

When she launched into the chorus, he realized why. She wasn’t just singing to him. She was singing
about
him.

“I remember your face, like it was yesterday. You followed me home, and I stopped feeling so alone. To see you now, all our innocence gone. It breaks my heart, I have to say. I always knew you were the one. Even then, with hopeful colors in all that gray…”

Floored and impossibly moved, he set aside his beer and leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. He watched every move she made; every subtle smile, every quirk of an eyebrow, every flicker of that dimple he loved. She opened herself up in complete vulnerability before him, and he couldn’t find words to describe what it meant. He just knew it was the most incredible thing anyone had ever done for him.

“This damaged heart is shy, I know. The past has turned it to stone. But darling you, only you, show me where to go. When all else fails me, you’re the only one, you know…”

As she polished off the final notes, she took a deep breath and released it. She dared to look at him, gauging his reaction. He only appeared disquieted and a little confused, which sent a jolt of panic ripping through her.

Had he not understood her meaning? Or was it just not what he wanted to hear?

She tried to find something to say, but could only stare at her hands that still clutched her guitar like a protective shield. When he rose to his feet and stood beside her, she chanced a look up at him.

A slow smile spread over his face. “You know they say that once there’s a song written about you, you live forever.”

She let out an anxious laugh. “Guess I just immortalized you, then.”

“Lucky me.” He reached for her guitar and lifted it out of her arms, setting it aside. She stared at him, eyes bright and her heart laying in her palms, ready for him to take. He didn’t have it in him to refuse her, not anymore.

“Did you like it?” she asked.

He smiled again, then pretended to give it thought. “As far as love songs go, it wasn’t bad. You could’ve talked up my manliness a bit more, but I guess I can forgive you.”

Her face broke into a smile as she kicked him playfully in the shin. “Shut up.”