Coming Home (Pierpoint View #1)

Chapter Thirty-One - Summer

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Summer

I never thought that I would’ve enjoyed a date where all we did was skate around a barren ice rink for a couple hours but I think I might have preferred it to our dinner date. Actually thats a lie, nothing can compare to the pasta from the restaurant at the end of the pier.

“Thank you for bringing me skating,” I say to Brooks, he’s focusing on driving but he flashes me a smile before grabbing my hand and placing a kiss on the back of it.

The road back into town is quiet, as per usual, and my mind flashes back to the day we met, I looked like a drowned rat and we were both not in the best of moods until we called a truce. Who knew we would’ve come this far after everything?

“It’s weird to comprehend that the you I just skated with, is the same guy I watched on the TV,” I say, and it truly is.

He frowns. “My sister said something like that to me once. I’m the same guy though,” he says, casting a glance in my direction.

I try and explain myself, “I know, its just on the screen you’re the famous Brooks Freeman, pro hockey player, but right now, you’re just Brooks.”

He nods as if trying to understand. “I think I get it. It’s probably how I felt when I started playing with my team and finally getting to meet the guys that I’d only ever seen on screen but now we’re friends.”

We turn on to Main Street, there’s a lot of traffic for this time of day but the sun is just setting behind the pier at the end of the street and it makes everything looks like a movie with the sun reflecting off windows, casting everything in a beautiful golden glow, including Brooks.

He really is beautiful, the sharp jaw with the stubble, the bright green eyes, the tanned skin and the way the light casts shadows in the dips of his muscled arms. It’s a sight I want burned in my memory.

I’m well aware that this blissful time is coming to an end, he’s got to go back to work soon enough but I’m happy living in our little bubble for the time being and push those thoughts to the back of my mind, wanting to deal with it when the times comes.

We get back to the cafe and I’m assuming Nate and Lennon have left for the day, the curtains are closed and the lights are off and I’m glad it took us a little longer getting through town.

Brooks parks the truck outside, turning the engine off and faces me. “You want me to come in?” he asks, hand coming up to hold my cheek, stroking his thumb across my bottom lip.

I nip the tip of his thumb and he gives me a fake disapproving look. “Yes please.” I try and give him my best innocent look.

It works because he sighs but as he turns to get out the car, I see a smile replace the scowl. “I guess I can do that. ”

I follow him out the car, and the beep of the truck locking behind me makes me jump. No matter how long I live here, I am never going to be able to get used to the fact that most cars beep when they get locked.

We head up to the apartment, the whole time I’m fending off his attempts at grabbing my ass. “Will you stop it?” I swat his hands away for what feels like the 100th time as I unlock the front door.

He cradles my waist and presses kiss on my neck. “I can’t help it, Princess.”

“Can we get inside first?” I complain, even though I’m enjoying this immensely.

“I guess. I can’t really fuck you out here now can I?” he says, pushing the door open and bringing us inside.

I lean my head on Brooks’ chest, catching my breath, feeling his heart pumping hard through the sweaty skin.

“Jesus Christ,” he says, his breaths steadying a hell of a lot quicker than mine.

“I thought we weren’t calling out other peoples names,” I joke, though too exhausted to laugh.

“Fuck you.” He starts tickling my waist and the shock has me moving off him and shoving him away.

“Fuck you !” I say, holding in my laugh. I’ve always been super ticklish and I hate being tickled at the best of time, let alone during my post-sex bliss.

I roll onto my side, settling into the crook of his arm, wrapping my own around his waist. We lay in silence in my bed for a couple minutes, the only sound is our breathing. Brooks is stroking a finger up and down my spine, the other hand rubbing the thigh draped over his waist.

I hate to bring it up but I have to. “I don’t want this to end,” I whisper, half hoping he doesn’t hear .

“What do you mean?” he asks, voice equally as quiet.

I prop my chin up on my hand resting on his chest, taking in his confused look, “I know we’ve only just started doing this, but I don’t want to have to let this go.”

“Hey, we don’t have to let this go. This is it now, I thought we discussed this,” he says, stroking my hair back from my face.

“But what about when you go back to work? What then?”

His shakes his head. “Nothing changes, we’re still dating, we’re still us.” His words are meant to comfort me but the thought of him leaving and going back to a life I know nothing about is hard to fathom.

“I know we had our issues, Princess, but I promise you, I’m in this for the long haul.” He presses a slow, meaningful kiss to my forehead and I close my eyes, relishing in the feeling. “I know I broke your trust before, but I promise you, look at me,” I do, “I promise there is nothing else, this is it, Summer. Okay?”

My eyes travel around his face, taking in his meaningful expression. “Okay.”

“Good.”

He plants a kiss to my lips, lifting me on to his hips, his growing length between my thighs, and I’m shocked he’s ready to go again.

“Brooks,” I say in between lustful kisses, “We should eat.”

It’s as if his stomach heard and agreed with me because it rumbles just as I finish my sentence. He slams his head back on the pillow, eyes closed. “You’re right,” he nods, “You’re definitely right, but you’re going to have to get off me first and put some clothes on. ”

I laugh, the joy in my heart overshadowing any fear I have about where the future may lead for us.

“Fine, I guess I’ll order some pizza too,” I say over my shoulder, as I grab a clean pair of pajamas.

“You’re the best, Princess.”

The last few days have been nothing short of paradise. Brooks secretly called Lennon having her and Nate keep the cafe running while Brooks kept me occupied with more dates than I’ve ever been on in my life; I really owe those two.

After the night at mine, we spent the rest of the days at Brooks’ place, the sex was great, mind-blowing in fact, but the dates that he’d planned were the real highlights. They were low-key dates which I enjoyed but I think they were last minute options; apparently someone had taken a picture of Brooks in town and a few fans showed up asking around, so we ended up staying up on the cliff, but I’m actually really grateful. We got to spend quality time with each other before he inevitably left and it’s solidified my feelings for the guy.

But now, we’re sitting in silence in my car after I drove us to the airport, waiting for Brooks’ flight. We’re a little early, and even though we both knew this was going to happen, now that the times here I don’t think we’re both ready for it. Or at least I’m not.

Brooks checks his watch. “I think I should head in Princess,” he says gently.

“I’ll come with you, I’ll walk you in,” I say, wanting to spend as much time with him as possible.

We both get out, him coming round to meet me at my door. He leans against it, pulling me into his body, wrapping his arms around me. “Summer this isn’t goodbye you know, I’ll come home for Christmas break,” he murmurs .

I nod against his chest. “I know but it still sucks. Christmas is like a month away.”

He chuckles and my head bobs with the vibration of his chest. “It will fly by. Now come on,” he taps my ass, “I’ll miss my flight.”

I begrudgingly pull away. “That’s the plan,” I say under my breath.

“What was that?” He nudges me with his elbow.

“Nothing, nothing.” I grin up at him, holding my hands up in defense.

He raises an eyebrow, not believing a word. “Right.” He grabs my hand, leading the way into the terminal. The last time I was at the airport I just moved here and I have to say I remember absolutely nothing about this place.

And I definitely don’t remember there being people with with cameras around the entrance to the building.

“Oh fuck. Summer you need to go back to the car.” Brooks turns his back to the paparazzi, a couple of them noticing him. I have to admit, it’s not something I’ve ever experienced nor did I ever think I would have to think about what would happen in this situation. The thought never crossed my mind in the whole time I’ve known who Brooks is and maybe I should’ve because I might have been more prepared to handle this.

“They’re here for you?” I ask, confused how they’d even know he has a flight scheduled.

“They’re here for someone, and it just so happens that I’m here too.” He grabs my face, pressing a kiss on my lips. “Head back to the car, you shouldn’t have to deal with this right now.”

I shake my head. “No, I have to walk you in—”

He interrupts me, “Summer,” more paparazzi have turned around and noticed Brooks, more making their way over to where we’re standing. “For your safety, please go back to the car.”

I can’t really argue with that now, can I? He also looks and sounds so good when he’s being demanding like that— and I should not be having those thoughts right now.

I stand on my tiptoes and give him one last kiss before he leaves, my arms wrapping around his neck. The hand not holding his luggage goes around my waist and it’s the perfect goodbye kiss. Eventually, we break apart and now not only are the paparazzi buzzing around us, but there are people heading in for their flights also stopped to see what the commotion is.

“Okay, I should go.” The paparazzi are closing in and it feels slightly like we’re being hunted in a strange way.

“Bye Princess.” He places one last kiss on my forehead.

“Bye Brooks.” I turn and walk away, leaving Brooks to the wolves. I look back and see him making his way into the terminal waving at the crowds of people as if he’s made for this, the commotion getting louder, more cameras are snapping and it seems I got away just in time. I can’t imagine I went unnoticed though and I’m definitely sure my face got in to some of their photos.

It’s not the goodbye I imagined we would have and it maybe feels like something has been left unsaid, at least on my end.