Taking A Risk

Chapter 7

Genesis

"Are you always this animated while watching TV?" Brooks asked me between his chuckles. We were currently on our third episode of Jane the Virgin and I was shouting at the characters in the show.

"No, but Jane irks the shit out of me," I looked over at Brooks who was stuffing his face with one of the chocolate chip cookies I made earlier today his blue eyes dancing with amusement.

If he thinks I'm bad he should see my mom, she's the worst. I snickered a bit thinking how heated my mom gets when she watches tv and a character does something dumb.

Brooks put the last piece of cookie in his mouth chewing. One thing I've noticed about him tonight is that he never stops eating. Brooks had devoured two bowls of spaghetti and almost all the chocolate chip cookies I made.

Brooks leaned back on the chair his pink lips spreading into a wide smile causing his dimples to pop out on his cheeks. He had long since abandoned his hoodie in favor of the plain white undershirt he wore beneath his hoodie. The sleeves of his t-shirt molded perfectly to his tanned muscular arms. My eyes zeroed on his toned abs peeking underneath his t-shirt.

Damn, he was sexy as fuck.

"I'm glad you think I'm sexy," my head snapped up at the sound of his voice. His eyebrows were raised teasingly as he grinned at me.

Oh fuck. Did I say that out loud?

From the way, he was looking at me I know I did. Blood instantly rushed to my cheeks.

Loud laughter erupted from him. "Aww, look you're blushing, Don't be embarrassed a lot of people think I'm sexy," I rolled my eyes great like his ego couldn't get any bigger. He poked my flushed cheek with his finger. "If it makes you feel any better I think you're sexy as fuck too," his eyes made a lazy perusal down my body lingering a little longer on my legs which were mostly bare in my shorts.

"Shut up," I said smacking him in his chest, I immediately regretted it when my hand made contact with his taut, firm muscle beneath my palm I instantly retracted my hand as if it got burned.

"Ah," he faked winced rubbing his chest. "You know if you wanted to touch me all you had to do was ask," he shot me a flirtatious wink.

Usually, I don't like when guys wink I find it obnoxious but on Brooks somehow didn't mind it.

We were cut off by the opening of the door immediately followed by Mia's voice. "Gen, whose car is that parked out...," her words trailed off as she stepped into the living room her wide eyes volleying between Brooks and me on the couch.

At a loss for words, she just stands frozen in place staring at us with her mouth gaping open slightly.

What is it with people always walking in on us? First Nate now Mia, I don't even what to think about how she would've reacted if she had been to one of the catch us in the position we were in last night.

Recovering from her shock she finally spoke. "Hey, Brooks," she said but it came out more like a question as she continued to stare at us.

"Hey, Mia," he returned her greeting but otherwise said nothing. An awkward silence settled between us, seeming to realize that she was the reason for this she excused herself but not without shooting me a look while she was passing that basically translated 'Bitch you better explain.'

'Later' I mouthed to her before she disappeared down the hall leading to the bedrooms.

"Well, it's late," Brooks said my attention once more he was looking down at his phone before bringing his gaze to mine. "I should get going."

A pang of disappointment hit me, I know he was right it was late and I had an early morning tomorrow but I was having a good time. I can't recall the last time I laughed so much in one evening with someone who wasn't Mia or my family and even then sometimes it was forced.

"Yeah, sure I'll walk you out," I offered but we both made no move to get up from the couch.

"I had a great time tonight," he said genuinely his eyes locked on mine.

"Yeah, me too," I told him our eyes stayed locked for a moment, he looked as if he wanted to say something. But instead, he broke our gaze, blowing out a gush of air from between his lips he shook his head before grabbing his hoodie off of the arm of the couch and getting to his feet.

I followed him wordlessly to the front door opening the door he stepped out into the porch before twisting around to face me as I followed him onto the porch closing the door behind me. "Well, I have your number I'll text you," he said we exchanged numbers earlier.

He stepped closer to me leaning his head down he kissed me on the cheek. Pulling back his piercing blue eyes peered down at my blue-green ones. "Bye, Gen," he whispered then spun around and walked towards his car. 

"Bye," I whispered to his back. Turning around I reentered the house clicking the door shut behind me and locking it.

"I hope you know what you're doing," Mia said behind me. Why am I not surprised? She probably was spying on us through the window.

"Can I help you?" I faced her she was standing in front of me with her hands on her hips one of her neatly trimmed eyebrows cocked at me.

"Don't play dumb with me Genesis Van Allen, you want to explain to me why I caught you looking all lovey-dovey with one Hainsworth's biggest manwhore!" she exclaimed.

I frowned, "We were not lovey-dovey." We're we? No, we weren't Mia is just exaggerating like she usually does.

I walked past her as I made my way past the living room towards my bedroom. Entering my room I sat on my bed, seconds later Mia took a seat at the bottom of my bed to face me.

"I'm waiting," she said impatiently her chocolate brown eyes alight with curiosity as she looked at me expectantly.

"Fine," I murmured blowing out a frustrated breath. I told her everything. From everything that transpired last night and tonight. Well, I omitted some things but she didn't need to know everything because I know how she'll react if she found out we almost kissed or what he whispered in my ear earlier.

When I was finished, she was staring at me her eyes narrowed. "Friends my ass, I saw how he was looking at you on the porch." Ha! I knew she was looking at us through the window.

"I've been pushing you to date for years but do want to go there with Brooks. Don't get me wrong he's fine as hell but he fucks around a lot," she stated.

"We're not dating so I don't care where he sticks his dick, we're just friends," I countered but as the words left my mouth I fought the urge not to cringe at the images that suddenly appeared in my mind.

Mia didn't look like she believed me. "Well, if you say so, but I just don't want you to get hurt you've been through enough," she said her face etched with concern. "And I could tell you like him," she added.

I didn't even bother denying it because it was the truth I did like him. But I couldn't get too attached because it wouldn't end well.

"I'll be fine, I know what I'm doing," I assured Mia as I looked at her.  At least I hope I did.