24. Chapter 19

What she says has me nearly falling on my face. If her words didn't shock me, nearly tripping would because I never trip. I stare at Brie with my mouth hanging open.

"Did you trip? Are you okay?" She asks, concern and surprise in her voice.

"It was the rock monster." I snap my mouth shut and try to cover my clumsiness with a joke.

"Ah yes, the rock monster. Gotta be careful or he'll get you every time." She chuckles, talking to me like I'm one of her students. She grabs my arm and tries to get me walking forward again, but my feet are like lead. She turns to look at me and I see confusion written all over her face. Which is quickly replaced by embarrassment. "But, if you're not comfortable with that, we can totally skip it."

"I'm okay," I repeat as I finally get my feet to move. A chuckle falls from my lips as they curve into a smile. "And I'm okay with that, too."

"Okay? With what?"

"Kissing. I'm okay with kissing."

It's her turn to suddenly stop, and look at me with wide eyes. I gently grab her hand and continue walking up the walkway to her porch. When we reach the front door I slowly let go of her hand. Brie stops in front of her door and turns to face me. A shy smile on her face, and I stop breathing.

Wow, she's beautiful.

The porch light is shining behind her and bathing her in soft light. Of their own accord my eyes drop to her lips. As if I'm being pulled by an invisible cord I take a step toward her and place my hand on her waist. I feel a tiny shiver go through her, and I stop.

I lift my eyes to hers, and her sparkling gaze meets mine. "Are you sure about this?" I ask. Knowing that once we do this things will be different. I want to make sure that she's really okay with that.

Her eyes drop to my lips and I notice her almost imperceptible nod. With that slight movement of approval, I cup her face with my other hand and gently pull her toward me. Right before our lips touch, I pause.

I try to remind myself that this is all for show but right now none of it feels fake. I hesitate for one second more before dismissing any lingering thoughts or concerns, and in that hesitation Brie leans forward and our lips touch. She places her hands on my chest and with that, something inside of me snaps, and I completely lose myself in the kiss, in Brie.

I snake my arm fully around her waist, and pull her close. Our bodies press flush against each other. My other hand wraps to the back of her head, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss. I hear her breath catch, and any last rational thought of what I'm doing completely flees.

The only thing that matters is right here and now. Brie and her lips on mine. My heart is pounding so loudly I can hear it in my ears. I faintly hear a car door close and am brought back to the sounds happening around me. At the intrusion, I slowly end the kiss. Lingering for a second before loosening my grip and taking a small step back.

As I move, I feel Brie's body follow mine, and a small smile creeps on my face. I let out a shaky breath.

My one hand is still cupping her face and the other is on her waist. I'm reluctant to fully move away and I lean my forehead against hers.

"Wow," I whisper.

Did she feel that? I swear time just stopped.

As my racing heart starts to calm, I take a deep breath and exhale. I feel her shiver.

"Are you cold?" I pull back and start rubbing her arms.

She smiles at me, and my hands stop moving as I find myself wanting to kiss her again.

"I'm not cold," she says, not meeting my eyes. "But I should probably head in."

"Probably a good idea," I say while at the same time not wanting her to go. My hands linger on her arms as I just stare at her. I slide my hands down her arms and squeeze before dropping mine to my side. "Thank you for a fun night."

She looks up at me and her brown eyes are like hot chocolate. Warm and inviting. I feel a bit like a marshmallow, melting from the outside in.

"It was surprisingly fun, Mr. Owens. Thank you." She grabs her keys from her purse but doesn't turn around. After I've stared at her for what seems like forever, I make myself turn around and head toward the stairs. Right before I start walking down, I take hold of the railing and stop to look over my shoulder to find her watching me with a small smile on her face.

"I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow," she parrots, giving a small wave of her hand. I jog down the steps and walk to my truck. I open the door and stop to look over my shoulder and see her walking into her house. Before she closes the door she looks at me and gives me one last smile and wave. I wave back, and watch until the door is closed and the porch light goes off.

I get in, start the engine, but don't pull away immediately. That was probably the best date I've ever had and it was all fake. Or was it? I shake myself out of it, pull away from the curb and head home.

When I pull into the driveway, I check my phone for the first time all night. There are twenty alerts and I groan. Not only are my family and agent getting in on this, but so are my teammates.

I read Finn's first, thinking it will be the one with the least amount of teasing since he's a professional.

Finn:WOW! These pictures are fantastic. link to Tea Time>

Susie:OH. MY. GOSH. JOSH!Susie: You two might want to act a bit more like #Briosh isn't so real!Susie: animated winking gif>Susie: link to Tea Time>

I rub the back of my neck and let out a little laugh. I slowly shake my head at my sister's texts, but at the same time I'm starting to think she just might've been right all along. I let out a long breath, brush off the thought and read the next group of texts from the guys.

Adam:Dude.

Darius:#Briosh rocks!

Tim:You kicked that one straight thru the uprights.

Derek: animated kissing emoji>

That wasn't too bad, in fact it was pretty tame considering what they could've said. At the thought that they will probably get me tomorrow as we head to the game, I feel my stomach tighten.

I rub my hand up and down my face. Now on to my parents.

Mom:Awwwwww you two look so cute together. Are you sure you're just pretending? Link to Tea Time>

Dad:#Briosh definitely put on a show for the town tonight. It's all anyone was talking about at the rotary club.

At my dad's text I actually laugh out loud. The Rotary Club? Really? I start to close my phone when I see a new alert from Brie. My heart stutters and a slow smile crosses my face.

Brie:How many texts do you have?Brie: I just put my phone on DND.Brie: Susie is texting me non-stop!

Me:It's crazy over here too.Me: I have my parents, sister, agent, and teammates all texting.Me: I haven't responded yet.

Brie:Me either. I'm going to wait until tomorrow.Brie: Thanks again, Josh.Brie: …Brie: …

I anxiously wait for whatever message she's typing but it never comes.

Me:Good night, Brie.

Brie:Good night, Josh.

I have a smile that is glued to my face and won't leave. When I walk into the house, I put my keys and phone down. I need time to process everything about tonight without anyone else's input. That was probably the best date I've ever been on. But it wasn't really a date, was it?

I dismiss the thought as I head into my room, get out of my clothes and slip into a pair of sweats and a white t-shirt. I grab some water in the kitchen before walking into the living room. I lounge out on the couch and put on the sports news. Hockey season is just getting started and they're talking about the games.

I'm not really paying attention because I'm still reliving that kiss. I absently get up and grab my phone, then come back and sit on the couch.

I ignore all of the new messages from my sister and Adam and go directly to Brie's. I smile as I re-read her texts. I lean my head back against the couch and let the evening replay in my mind. Every. Single. Moment. Of. It.

I turn off the tv and head to bed. I have an early start tomorrow, and then another away game. I need to get some rest.

But once I put my head on the pillow I know that it's going to be nearly impossible for me to get any sleep tonight if the play by play in my head is any indication.