You had been with Brody for a year. A year of shared shifts, laughter, inside jokes, and late-night talks on the sand. And for the most part, it was perfect. You were proud of him, proud to be his girlfriend, proud to be partnered with him on the best rescue team in Malibu.
But today… something had rubbed you the wrong way.
The kids from the Valley—Tyler, Lizzie, Eric, Gina, and Dylan—had been in for training. Brody had been… different. Snappy, cruel, dismissive, condescending even. The way he talked to them, the way he rolled his eyes when they made mistakes—it made your stomach twist.
You didn’t say anything in front of the team. You were patient, letting things cool down. But when you walked into the rescuers’ tower that afternoon, the sight of Brody alone in the lockers made your resolve snap.
He was standing there, slipping on his red pants, his jacket already half zipped, as if the world didn’t exist outside of him.
“Brody,” you said firmly, arms crossed.
He jumped slightly, spinning around. “Hey! You scared me.”
“No,” you said, stepping closer. “You scared me. The way you’ve been treating Tyler, Lizzie, Eric, Gina, and Dylan… that’s not okay.”
His brow furrowed, and for a second, his confident, easygoing demeanor faltered. “I… what? I’m just—trying to keep things efficient.”
“Efficient doesn’t mean rude,” you said, your voice steady but sharp. “You’re their partner too, Brody. They’re learning. They’re trying. And the way you’ve been snapping at them isn’t fair. Not from the best lifeguard on the team.”
He sighed, running a hand through his hair, clearly uncomfortable. “I didn’t realize—”
“You did,” you interrupted. “I can tell, Brody. And I don’t like it. I don’t like seeing you act like that. Not because it’s about them—it’s because it’s not the person I love.”
The room went quiet for a moment. He looked down at the floor, his hands fidgeting with the zipper of his jacket.
“You’re right,” he admitted finally, voice low. “I… I didn’t mean to take it out on them. I just… I guess I was stressed about the drills and trying to prove myself.”
You softened, taking a step closer. “I get it. But you don’t have to prove anything by putting anyone else down. That’s not what being a great rescuer—or a great partner—is about.”
He looked up, eyes meeting yours, a small, sheepish grin tugging at his lips. “You’re always keeping me in check, huh?”
You chuckled and gave him a kiss before leaving
"I'll see you tomorrow"you said walking out of the room
He looked at you as you left. He may appear arrogant and narcissistic to everyone but to you... he couldn't be that way to you. He loved you and with you he was different