“No, you’re a lawyer,” Savannah quipped. “How much worse can you get?”
Clay smirked. “A reporter?”
Savannah stared daggers at Clay. Liz normally would have immediately defended her profession of choice, but considering reporters were the reason she was no longer on the paper, couldn’t go to her last class, and had been chased across campus for information, well, she wasn’t feeling that generous.
“Or maybe it’s only bad when you’re fucking the reporter,” Clay offered with a wink.
Brady reached for Clay at the same time Liz put herself between them. She had known Brady’s reaction even before Clay had finished his statement. She put her hands up on Brady’s chest and pushed him backward gently. “He’s antagonizing you! Just ignore him,” she said.
“I don’t care if it’s about me, but you . . .” Brady said.
“I can take care of myself on this one,” she said softly, meeting his gaze. “Come on. It’s just Clay.”
“Still standing here,” Clay said.
Liz heard Savannah shush him. “Let’s just get out of here. You have to leave today. I want to spend more time with you.”
Brady straightened as if he just realized that he had been a little out of control and he slipped back into himself. “You’re right. He’s probably just upset that Andrea wants to marry him or hang out with him—or worse, sleep with him.”
It was a low blow, but Liz couldn’t keep from laughing. Clay was in some strange open relationship that Liz still didn’t really understand. She was pretty sure he and his girlfriend hated each other more than they got along, and as far as she knew, they both slept around with other people.
Clay shuddered. “You used the M word.”
“You are going to marry her eventually,” Savannah said. “Why waste all of this time sleeping with other people all the time if you aren’t going to end up with the woman who lets you do it without complaining?”
“You two are in rare form today,” Clay said, addressing his siblings.
“And this is every day with you,” Brady said.
“Come on,” she whispered, tugging on Brady lightly. As much as she agreed with the things they were saying about Clay, she didn’t like everyone ganging up on him. He might be an arrogant douche bag, but he was still family. He wasn’t going to conveniently go away. No use burning bridges with people she had to see all the time.
Brady finally relented without much effort on her part and walked out of the kitchen. The whole experience of being around all three of them together was kind of strange. For so long, they had each been a separate part of her world. Her secret affair with Brady. Her friendship with Savannah. And her . . . antagonistic, maybe even flirtatious relationship with Clay. Now all three worlds were colliding.
Once they were sufficiently far enough away from Savannah and Clay, Liz grabbed Brady’s hand. “Brady, hold on.”
“Liz, we just . . .”
“Why did you have me brought here? What if I’d just run into your parents without you? That would have been awkward. And then you tell Savannah about me coming here because you’re on your way over, but don’t think to include me in that information? I know we’re starting all over, but there is going to need to be some better communication.”
“Liz,” he said sharply, cutting off her long-winded ramble. “I would prefer to talk about these things in a more private setting.”
Liz glanced around and saw that they were completely alone and then raised an eyebrow. “Can’t you at least tell me what we’re doing here?”
“I had to pick up some paperwork before I left the office.” His voice lowered and his face softened as he drew her in closer. “You seemed so frazzled on the phone. I thought since this was closer for you and Savi was already here that it might be better than driving the forty minutes to see me, just to leave the office again.”
“Well, I agree with that.” Savannah had lightened her mood after all. “I just think you could have told me.”
Brady nodded. “I admit that I’m used to being reticent with information.”
“Part of your campaign mask.”
“It’s easier to control information if you don’t give anything away.”
“I get that, but I’m not the press anymore,” she said. He slid his hand around her waist and hers wound around his neck. “I’m just Liz.”
“I know that,” he said, dipping his head so that his forehead rested on hers.
“Then act like it. Don’t keep me out of the loop,” she murmured. “You were the first person I called when the reporters followed me. I should be that for you too.”
“My relationships have been rather cut-and-dried for as long as I can remember. What you’re asking for is equality, and it’s not something I’ve ever consciously given.”
She stepped back. “Well, if we’re not going to be equal in this relationship then why did you push for me to do this?”
“Hey,” he breathed softly. “I didn’t say I didn’t want it. I said I wasn’t accustomed to it. I want what’s best for us to be together. A lot is changing in your life because of me. I can change for you too.”
“Well, I’ll make a deal with you,” she said, reaching out and toying with his tie.
“Oh, no, what am I getting myself into?”
“You might like it.” She couldn’t keep the smirk from playing on her lips. He arched an eyebrow and waited for her to continue. “If you work on this communication thing, then I’ll let you take complete control . . . in the bedroom.”
Brady laughed lightly and kissed her. “I already do.”
“Not all the time.”
“Maybe I like when you take control. I seem to remember a certain desk where you climbed on top . . .”
Liz blushed as she remembered the time they’d had sex on top of the desk in what had, at the time, been Hayden’s office. It was now her desk . . . or she supposed after today it belonged to Massey. That sobered up her good mood. The stress of the day flooded her and she sagged a bit in Brady’s embrace. It was still early and already she was exhausted.
Brady seemed to notice and started walking with her back to the garage. “Let’s get you back to my place. We still have a lot to talk about, and I might take you up on that complete-control thing you were suggesting.”