C10 Chapter 10

Tracing a red slash of paint, she asked in awe,

"Do you know how to ride?"

"Let's find out."

She turned wide eyes to look at him, "Brandon-"

"I'm kidding."

She narrowed her eyes in distrust.

"I promise I was kidding. I know how to ride."

"Brandon, I'm too young to die. Or be on the food chain of water habitants."

"Not to say that you would, but if you were to die, this would be a pretty sweet way, don't you think?"

Her look turned murderous, "Brandon-slot-in-middle-name Wade, if we die, I will hunt down your spirit in the afterlife and do my best to kill it. I don't want us to end up lying six feet under with our mothers patting their faces, wondering where it all went wrong under the snarling sky and cawing birds!" She spoke with gusto.

"Wow. What a colourful imagination you have." He said, slightly flustered.

"I'm not kidding. How many times have you done this before?"

"Only a thousand times."

Not even the wind possessed the ability to change directions as quickly as her face went from grim warning to beaming.

"Let's go then! We've got a sea to explore."

Though he could do it effortlessly, she still helped him push the boat further into the water and as he got on and helped her on behind him, he unclasped two life vests from the steer and handed her one.

"You ready?" He asked

"Yup!"

He maneuvered around, reached behind her and gently pulled her scrunchie out of her hair, setting her curls free.

"Much better." He said to himself and turned back. As he put the key in the ignition and started it, the boat came roaring to life.

A sizzle of excitement ran through her.

"Hang on!" He warned and felt her arms tighten around him.

The boat took off. For the first ten seconds, her eyes were shut tight. Her heart was going crazy. Gradually getting used to the wind slapping against her face and the water shards pelting her feet, she opened her eyes. A great mass of sea surrounded them and.... Fear gave way. She loved it. The salt laden air greeted her nostrils, causing her to inhale deeply. Drawing her eyes downward, she watched how the boat zoomed over the water and how the water emitted little bubbles and ruffles to mark it's passage. Brandon heard and felt her laugh behind him and chuckled himself.

"Someone's feeling good!" He turned slightly, yelling back to her.

"I sure am!" She laughed out, enjoying the way her hair danced in the wind. The rush of the wind tickled her, causing her to erupt in uncontrollable giggles. Balancing more, she slowly let go of him arm by arm, and threw out her arms, yelling out,

"Woo-hoooo!"

"Hang on!" He warned. As soon as her arms reclaimed their position around his waist and tightened, he went ahead to perform loops. Beth gasped in excited horror, enjoying the way her heart leapt. Feeling bold enough to unlock an arm from around him, she lowered her fingers into the water and shivered. The salty water raced along her skin, eager to get at whatever part of her it could. Smiling like a fool, she leaned in to him and said in his ear,

"This looks so easy! I bet I could do it."

The vibration of her voice travelled through him. His body to hummed it's approval.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah!"

As he grinned at her enthusiasm, she noticed his sunglasses were gone.

"Where are your sunglasses?"

"Gone with the wind!"

Without warning he turned the boat, zapping in zig zags. Beth hung on for dear life, all the while laughing her lungs out. She felt so free. So relieved. So weightless! She heard hollers and opened her eyes to see other speed boaters waving at them. She rose a hand and waved back. After a few more minutes, Brandon turned back, returning them back to the beach.

As she alighted with his help, her legs wiggled. As soon as they got on dry sand, she collapsed on the floor, laughing for all she was worth. Brandon stared down at her with a captivated smile on his face.

He wanted her to be this carefree and happy, all the time.

Weakened by laughter, she moaned and moaned for her aching sides as little tremors of it still shook her body.

"That was so fun." She sighed out with a smile.

He reached down to help her up but as soon as he was low enough, he saw her hand jut out and in seconds, she was off the floor and running.

She'd stolen his cap!

"Elizabeth!" He called after her.

"Catch me if you can!" She taunted back. Sighing, he went after her. She was pretty fast, but he just so happened to be faster.

She looked over her shoulder to see how close he was. Too close! Spinning back around to decide where to dive to, She tripped over her feet and fell.

"Noooooooo!"

Before she could stand back up, his fingers wrapped around her feet, keeping her in place. Looking down, she flipped over and buried the cap and her hands between her back and the sand, panting up at him, her eyes alight with excitement and adrenaline. Brandon straddled her thighs.

"You little chipmunk, give me my cap."

"Make me." She said, sticking her tongue out at him.

His fingers dug into her sides in response and she bellowed out large lungfuls of laughter. She thrashed and struggled but he didn't let her go. She laughed till her face was completely red and she only managed to sputter out pleas. Satisfied with himself, he pulled his cap out from under her laughter weakened body and put it on, before flipping them over so she lay draped over him.

Her body still shook with tremors of laughter. When she finally got a grip, she sat up and narrowed her eyes at him.

"You evil cowboy from the west! How dare you use my weakness against me?"

His eyes trailed, enjoy the sight before him.

"I thought we were allies." She scowled.

"Allies don't steal from each other."

She nodded, "Exactly! You stole my sadness. Now whence shall I find another!?" She asked, dramatically casting her face to the sea.

Guffawing, he shook his head at her.

"Dork."

Before she could speak, they heard a cough behind them and Beth turned. There stood a pretty lady, smiling down at them. Brandon sat up, wrapping his arms around her to prevent her from falling.

"Hi," Beth greeted.

"Hey, I'm Tiffany. I'm so sorry to interrupt but my husband and I-" she pointed back at a man standing not too far off who waved at them. Beth waved back.

"-have been watching you two and I must confess, I am really jealous."

Beth and Brandon exchanged a look and just when Beth opened her mouth to debunk that they were a couple, Brandon interrupted,

"Oh are you now?"

"I so am. It's not easy to find such love these days."

"We're-"

"Thanks a lot, Tiffany. My wife and I really appreciate that."

Beth's eyes widened. Brandon fought a wave of laughter head on.

Tiffany groaned, "Ugh. You two are couple goals. Tom and I have been married for almost a year now and things aren't so rocky but sometimes, it's not so easy. Any advice?"

"We-"

"Yes! Yes, I have one." He said, tightening his hold around Beth's waist.

"Don't steal your husband's cap. It doesn't speak well of you."

"Really?" Tiffany frowned in wonder.

Beth's mouth fell open as she stared at Brandon in disbelief.

"Yes, Tiffany. Doesn't speak well at all."

"I have one too." Beth said, tearing her eyes away from Brandon's.

"Don't let your husband stick his sailor like fingers in your mid section. It'll damage something."

For all he was worth, Brandon bellowed out a loud laughter.

Beth chuckled, but kept going.

"Men like to break treaties and shove their fingers in sacred places. They're all for taking."

Tiffany's eyes widened as she giggled. Brandon's laughter increased, too sure that Beth didn't know the double meaning of her words.

"Don't let them. We women have to take a stand. Protect the goods!"

Tiffany nodded, "I hear you."

"I'm sure you do." Brandon mumbled.

"I'm sorry but I must say you look an awful lot like Brandon Wade."

Brandon froze.

Beth's eyes widened. For some reason, she wanted to laugh.

Brandon blinked, obviously lost on how to respond to that.

"Oh, Tiffany, you are just too kind. Don't flatter him like that." Beth said, coming to his rescue.

"I apologize but... the resemblance is so uncanny."

Beth scoffed, "You should see this man in the mornings. You wouldn't be saying that then. That early, his face is as beautiful as mashed bananas can be."

Tiffany's eyes widened.

Brandon shot Beth a startled look.

"Mm-hmm. And the drool! Oh, the drool!" She lamented, twisting her face in a grimace that showed just how much she pitied herself.

"I'm sure she gets it, babe!" Brandon said, giving her hints with his eyes.

Ha, no way. She was just getting started.

"I don't quite think so, darling. She has a wrong impression. I'm only trying to clear that." Turning back to Tiffany, she said,

"The slobber is so thick, it could wipe the jolly smile clean off your face! One time, I used it to glue my book pages back together."

Brandon's mouth fell open.

"It held!?" Tiffany asked in shock.

"It held, girl! Better than glue. Don't even get me started on the snoring-"

"Beth-"

"It's like I've been sold to a family of hippos!"

Tiffany fought to keep her laughter in.

"Elizabeth-"

"It comes from deep within his soul. That's one good thing with him, my man." She pat his chest, smiling at him with a look that showed pride. "Everything he does, he does with utmost passion and dedication. Makes sure to give me his best, all the time." She smiled at him.

"Even when he farts at night." She added. Brandon's cheeks tingled.

Tiffany erupted in a fit of laughter.

"Baby, I think that's enough."

"But darling, she has a wrong impression-"

"Which you have cleared up quite conveniently." He bit out, placing emphasis of his last two words.

"Are you sure? I think I need to-"

"You don't, baby. Tiffany, what do you think?"

Poor Tiffany fought to catch her breath, squeaking out,

"Definitely not Brandon Wade."

"Brilliant! I saw an ice cream truck down there a while ago. Wanna go get some?" She asked Tiffany, pointing towards the other end of the beach.

"Of course!"

Beth got off Brandon, ignoring his glare and said, "I'll be right back, amore."

Brandon watched them walk off, not knowing how to feel. Mortified or discombobulated.

Tiffany turned out to be really nice company. As the walked towards the ice cream truck, they talked about where she worked and how she met her husband, Tom. Halfway back to where Brandon was, they spotted Tom approaching. Tiffany pouted, "Ugh, I have to run. I really enjoyed talking to you."

"Me too. Hopefully, I'll see you around?"

"Hopefully. Goodbye." Tiffany pulled Beth into a warm hug and left. Beth waved at her husband and watched them go, before trudging on. On getting to Brandon, she found him talking to a woman. Aw, he'd made a friend too. He didn't see her till she was right beside him. As she stood next to him, she caught a glimpse of the woman and her heart thumped. She was a slightly plump yet curvaceous woman with black and wavy shoulder length hair and a very bright smile on her face. She looked absolutely stunning in a peach coloured flowery dress. What had caused her heart to thump though, was the undeniable resemblance between the two of them.

The woman suddenly turned, directing a smile at Beth. Blinking herself out of her shock, she nervously smiled back at her.

"Aha! You are the one I saw my son laughing with."

His mom! She really was his mom!

Brandon could think nothing else, other than the word fuck. He didn't want her meeting his mom.

Not yet at least.

His heart was racing. Now, his mother was indeed a lovely woman, but she never liked any of the women she saw him with. To her, they were either always too naked, too slutty, too desperate or just downright disrespectful. He didn't know how either woman was going to react.

Beth smiled at the woman, "Good afternoon, ma'am."

Brandon saw his mother's eyes light up and rose a brow.

"Good afternoon, my dear. My name is Jasmine."

"I'm Elizabeth."

"Why, that is a beautiful name!" Jasmine gushed.

"Thank you, so is yours, Mrs Wade."

"Ugh, I'm not that Old. Call me Jasmine."

Chuckling, Beth nodded, "I will. I love your dress."

Jasmine beamed, "Thank you. Brandy, isn't she just so cute!"

Brandy!? Beth's eyes widened as she tried to control a snicker. Brandon groaned.

"Mom, I've told you not to call me that."

"And I will never listen. It's a fine nickname."

"It's childish," he corrected.

"No it's not. Elizabeth, do you think it's childish?"

"Not at all." She agreed.

"It's a name for manly men!" Jasmine quipped.

"Very manly men!"

Brandon grimaced, glaring at them both. Jasmine looked between the two, catching how his eyes softened just that little bit when he looked at the female. She had been watching them since she'd caught sight of them almost twenty five minutes ago. Brandon had been a different way around her.... Treated her differently. Could it be that her son was maybe, just maybe, turning human and developing feelings for this female?

"Elizabeth, where do you work?"

"Mom, is this necessary?"

"It's okay." Beth said, smiling up at him.

"I work as a waitress in a coffee shop in the city."

"Oh?" Jasmine's brows furrowed in curiosity, "Which?"

"Jackie's coffee shop."

"I love that shop as much as I love coffee!" Jasmine exclaimed with raised brows.

"You drink our coffee?" Beth asked in surprise.

"Yes! Almost every day! I send my cook there to get me a cup, all the time!"

"Cook?" Beth narrowed her eyes in thought. "Is it Susan?"

"That's her!" Jasmine beamed.

Brandon furrowed his brows, finding their interaction rather interesting.

"I do." Beth smiled, "I always make her coffee. Now, I known it's yours."

Jasmine gasped dramatically, "You're the girl with the twinkle in her hands?"

Beth laughed. What an identity.

"I guess I am."

"I love you already."

Brandon's eyes widened. What the fuck? Should this be happening?

"My husband isn't around right now and my son has been too busy to visit his own mother, so, I brought myself down here for a walk. That's when I spotted you two. Maybe you could come visit sometime?"

"What?"

"Excuse me?" Beth and Brandon asked at the same time.

Jasmine nodded, "I like you, Elizabeth, I really do. My son has refused to come see me. Maybe now that you're here you could pull him along." She pleaded, gazing up at Beth.

Jasmine was so nice. Beth couldn't help but find her forward pleas cute.

"Mom,"

"Brandon, I tire alone." Jasmine huffed. "I need some youthful company. You two come see me. Please Elizabeth?" Jasmine pouted at her, adding,

"I make a mean beat stew." That was all the convincing she needed.

"I work almost everyday but I'll try my best."

"That's all I ask. Thank you, Elizabeth." Jasmine pulled her in for a hug.

Beth wrapped her arms around the surprisingly lovely woman, feeling welcome.

Brandon felt a pang in his chest seeing the two women hug like this.

A pang that only increased his want.

Beth was pulled out of the hug by the ringing on her phone.

She pulled it out of her purse. Caller ID showed her mom. She sent an apologetic smile Jasmine's way and hurried off to take it.

Jasmine watched Brandon watch Beth go with a smirk on her lips.

"Is she your girlfriend?"

Brandon eyes shot to his mother's, "No."

"Why not?"

He frowned, "Mrs. Wade!"

"What? I really like her. I do. She seems very nice."

Brandon only shook his head.

"I'm happy she's not your girlfriend yet though."

He rose a brow and crossed his arms, "Why? Enlighten me."

"You deserve to know the thrill of a chase. A real chase. Experience what it feels like to grovel."

"What the-"

Jasmine rolled her eyes, waving him off.

"You have played more women than even i knows and i know everything!"

He rolled his eyes on a scoff.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you like her."

"So?"

Jasmine began to laugh, "Get ready to beg, my boy. I see it in her eyes. She'll keep you on your toes. That, I'm almost too sure of."

"You sound excited." He noted.

"I am. You better bring her by the house or you'll have me to contend with." With that, Jasmine kissed Brandon's cheek and left.

Sarah had wanted to know what to wear. Beth returned to Jasmine's absence and pursed her lips.

"She threatened to hurt me if I don't bring you by."

Beth smirked, "Woman after my own heart."

They drove back to her home and after picking Sarah up, Brandon took them to a vegetable market. Beth was surprised and different shades of touched when he pulled out a list of foods advisable for Sarah to eat.

He'd done research and made enquires? When had he had the time? As they shopped, Beth picked up a few fruits for herself, adamantly holding on to them as they shopped. On getting to the cash register, she paid for her stuff, then stepped aside for Brandon to pay for her mom's. When neither of them made a move, she looked back.

Brandon stared at her from beneath his cap. Sarah shaking her head at her. What?

She watched him pay for the items in the shopping cart before following him to the car. Brandon drove them to yet another store and while Sarah put things in the trolley Brandon pushed, laughing and joking around with him, Beth was left behind. No one was speaking to her. Had she done something? As they went, Beth caught sight of a pastry section and made her way to it. She was so hungry. One donut wouldn't hurt. Getting to the cash register, she pulled out her purse and began to rummage through it for a bill but faster than she could pull her crumpled bill out, Brandon gently pushed her aside and presented his credit card.