But I Can't Lose Her

it don't take a word - 14

not a single word...

"Thank you for inviting me to dinner, Mrs. Manni," Brody thanks again with a brilliant smile.

"Of course, Brody. We're glad you could make it," she says, giving him a soft smile.

"Nice to meet you, kid," uncle J says, shaking Brody's hand again.

"You too, sir." He nods his head and then looks over to aunt Maxi, who shakes his hand again. I think this is becoming way too formal.

"Nice to meet you, Brody," she farewells with a little nod and he does the same.

"Nice seeing you again, Becca." He smiles at her and she gives him a nod.

"You too." It takes a few moments before Michael moves up right in front of Brody and I feel everyone watching to see how M will react.

"It was good to meet you, Brody." Michael offers his hand, and Brody shakes it.

"You too." He doesn't look away from Michael's eyes, but Michael takes a step forward.

"Next time, I want to see you before you take my sister anywhere. Whenever you're with her you better be extremely careful. No excuses. And I swear to God, if you ever hurt her, you will not live another day the same." Michael lets go of his hand but doesn't step back and doesn't look away. I watch his body, seeing it tense but not in a stance, not like he's ready to hurt him.

"I promise, she will always be safe with me. I'll never hurt her," Brody swears, making something flicker in Michael's eyes. It goes silent for a moment as we all look at them, facing off. Michael nods and backs up, and Brody seems to let go some of the air in his chest.

I smile at Brody and subtly nod my head to his Jeep, and he nods as well, walking over.

"I'm gonna go say goodbye, so... yeah," I excuse awkwardly, walking away with a slight blush on my face. I really hope they're not watching as I make it to Brody, who smiles his cheeky smile.

"So, I have an idea," he starts.

"And what is that?"

"How about I take you to get some ice cream for dessert?" he offers and I smile and nod.

"Let me check with my mom," I tell him and he just nods. I walk away to the SUV and knock on uncle J's window with my knuckles, and he rolls it down.

"Yeah?" mom asks.

"Brody wants to take me out for ice cream. Can I go, please?" I beg, leaning against the car with my arms. She sighs and looks back in the car before looking back to me.

"Yeah, sure. Be careful. I love you." She sends air kisses and I send one too before tapping the car.

"Love you, too. I'll have him drop me off at home," I say and she nods. I back away as she tries to figure out how to back out of her spot and chuckle. "Don't hit something," I call to her, and she rolls her eyes at me.

I walk away from the car and to Brody, who smiles at me before looking to the car and waves. I walk up to him and he takes my hand and pulls me so I'm in front of the door. He helps me up in the seat quietly and then gets in on the drivers side.

It's only when we pull out onto the road and are down the block from the restaurant that he speaks and I let out a breath.

"That was fun." I try to read his voice. The words in between the lines. But there's nothing. No sarcasm attached, no 'help me' deer-in-the-headlights eyes. Huh.

"I'm really sorry about Michael. It was kind of awkward with everyone. They just don't know how to react. I mean you're a guy. Well, they know how to react with guys it's just different, cause, you know, you're my guy," I ramble on. I wince when I realize that it's twice tonight that I've referred to him as 'mine' and I'll be damned if I could sound any more desperate or pushy for a relationship than I do tonight.