Ravish Read Free Page B

his cock.
    He hated the pain he’d put her through and wished he
could go back and make it so that never happened. She deserved so
much more. Then and now. The problem was, now that she was back in
his life, he didn’t know if he could let her go a second time.
    “May not have a choice here, Brody,” he said as he
made his way to the nearest picnic table and sat on the top.
    He tipped his head back. After years of being in the
Hollywood area, the silence and peacefulness he got sitting there
in Tourin Park took him back to childhood. Days of running free,
open spaces, Friday night games at the high school. Waterfalls and,
of course, Hermione.
    They’d been a couple since middle school, but he’d
had a thing for her since kindergarten. He accepted that life
wasn’t always fair. Especially in this situation. He had no one to
blame other than himself. They’d been homecoming king and queen on
their senior year.
    “I can’t begin to imagine how hard it must have been
for him to face everyone.”
    “Didn’t you ask her?”
    Brody opened his eyes to find Vance Hendrickson
walking toward him in his unhurried stride.
    “Vance?”
    The man smiled. “I’d heard you were back in town,
man. I figured one spot you would go would be here at some point.
Saw you when I was on my way by. How the hell are you?”
    Brody slid off the table and embraced his best friend
from childhood. “I’m good. I’m good. How about you?”
    They sat back on the picnic table. “Things are good
for me. I own Old Man Tucker’s garage now. Renamed it Vance’s Auto
Repair.”
    “Congrats. I remember you in automotive class; even
then, you impressed the teacher.”
    “What can I say, it’s my calling. And, there are
rumors about you. Where’ve you been?” Vance’s slow and unhurried
drawl was another reminder of the difference in paces going in
Cottonwood Falls versus Hollywood.
    “Acting.”
    The man at his side whistled. “No shit? Have I see
you in… You look an awful lot like Alton Rivers.”
    His smile was more sardonic than anything. “We’re one
in the same.”
    “Goddamn. I thought he—you—were a bit familiar.
That’s great for you, Brody. Or do you go by Alton?” He waved a
hand. “Either way, congrats. So what are you doing back here? Here
for Hermione? I know you were rambling about her when I walked
up.”
    Brody explained why he’d returned to his friend.
Vance never gave him shit for leaving or a hard time for his reason
he’d chosen now to return. As they talked, he noticed the
differences in their dress. He wore designer clothing while Vance’s
jeans were torn and grease stained.
    The man was comfortable and confident in his skin.
But then, Vance had been that way growing up. A laid-back country
boy who stood fast by his beliefs. And friends.
    Vance had been picked on a bit in school for his
lisp. Brody for being skinny. In elementary school, that forged a
strong bond between them, which had lasted through high school.
    Brody picked at the corner of the table. “Do you see
her any?”
    “I was to be your best man. She came to me and asked
me two things the after you missed the wedding.”
    He scrubbed his head. “And?”
    Vance blew out a breath and shifted his booted feet
on the wooden planks beneath. “She asked me if you were okay. And
if I would return the ring to you. I told her I didn’t know since I
hadn’t spoken to you and didn’t know where you were. So, she gave
me a small pathetic attempt at a smile before returning the ring
and walking out. Hell, only in the past couple of years has she
come to my garage to take care of her car. So, no, I don’t see her
much.”
    “I’m sorry.” He flicked the wood away.
    “Can’t say I wasn’t pissed at you for your actions,
but I got over it. To stand up that woman and leave without a word
to anyone, including your parents because I asked them, you must
have had one hell of a reason.”
    “I thought so. At the time.”
    “How long are you here