It's cold outside

 Brick did his best not to be too worked up about it. But not spending Thanksgiving with Harley made him blue. He just couldn't help it.

Sure, he did go to his mother's and played all day with his little sisters. It wasn't until then that he realised if his step-dad had been his real dad chances were he would have been a girl. Yes, his friend Kevin got to read all about it. He texted Kevin constantly during his solo Thanksgiving. His way of not annoying Mercer because Mercer and Cade had plans to spend the afternoon with Lily's grandmother.

"You are starting to be worrisome?" Kevin shot back hours later after Brick's novel. Of course, Kevin was at home with his Dads and then later the rest of the day with his girl Dakota. Honestly, they had the longest-running relationship of anyone that Brick knew at his age. Of course, Kevin and Dakota had always been best friends. According to Kevin, Dakota always told him everything.

Brick winced when he read this in a text. How was that possible? 

"So Harley might have COVID," He went to the next person on his list, his ex and sort of Harley's bestie Izzy. "Has she texted you?"

"No." That was all he got out of Izzy. He thought they were best friends. What did that mean? Who was her best friend now? Brick did his best to keep in mind Harley was sick.

Obviously, it was the most boring Thanksgiving Brick had ever had. Other than playing Barbies with his little sisters. He even had to tape up one whose arm kept falling off. 

Thankfully, he perked up by Friday. Harley texted to say it wasn't COVID.

"You know, I don't like Thanksgiving anyway," she said it was a diabetic thing.

"I know," he felt bad for doubting her. "I understand, but I missed you. I hope you're OK." And he meant every word. He just hated texting. A part of him needed to hear her voice.

"Let's meet up at the China Buffet," she said he could pick her up by eleven. She was only going to go to Joanne's for the doorbusters so she'd have enough gifts for her aunts who lived back in Ohio.

"Great," Brick was delighted. "Should I let Mercer and Cade know? I could text Mattie and Rafe too." He really didn't want to bother with Lily and Boone.

"No, just you and me. I want to see you," she told him.

He was so thrilled. Yes, Black Friday was going to be so much better than Thanksgiving, but after he showered and changed and put on the cologne that she'd gotten him for his birthday, he felt a little down again. What if this was the worst Black Friday ever?

Still, he managed a happy face, wondering what she wanted to tell him. He picked her up and she smiled as if there was no worry. Oh, he hoped not. 

There were fresh wontons and eggrolls. Harley got her fill of egg drop soup with crunchy noodles and a veg stirfry with just a piece or two of chicken. Naturally, he got to the Mongolian grill. All the while he watched her wondering if this might be their last meal together.

"Did you go shopping?" She wanted to know while he was munching on an eggroll with spicy mustard. Honestly, he thought he might be dripping blood from his nose. The mustard was that daring, but it was just some sweet and sour sauce he'd dripped on the eggroll. 

He told her no. He was waiting. There would be better deals closer to Christmas.

She laughed. "You just have to go for it, you know," Harley smiled and ate a sauteed mushroom.

Brick nodded. "You think?" He looked at her seriously. Was this about them taking the next step?

Oh, she laughed as if she thought of something funny. "You mean us?"

He nodded.

"Well.." She was slow to say anything. "I think I need to be on birth control."

Brick choked on the crispy wonton. His eyes looked at her ever so serious.

She told him then she was afraid to have kids. "I love them. I do." She practically had tears in her eyes, "But I don't think I would be able to actually go through with it, you know."

He gave her a napkin. "We've got all the time in the world," Brick smiled.

She nodded. "But it wouldn't change anything. I think it's best this way." She looked at him trying to smile. She grabbed his hand. "I wouldn't want to be with anybody but you. You've had to put up with me, in so many ways." She sighed.

"You know, I love you,"  Brick felt a little teary-eyed too. She broke into laughter even in the midst of tears.

"I love you too. I never thought I could love somebody the way I love you," she sniffed back tears.

Finally, it was decided she would see about her options about birth control. "Let's wait another year." She nodded.

Brick nodded too. Maybe he'd have another eggroll after all.