Page 7 of Love and Other Chances

“Ahhh, got it,” Natalie replies. “Okay, continue on with your Brooklyn migration story.”

Brooks mimes tipping his hat to Natalie, drawing more laughs. I huff a belated chuckle so it won’t be obvious that I’m too paralyzed to truly laugh at his jokes.

“I showed up at church my first Sunday here, and Caleb introduced himself and invited me to lunch after the service ended. I’ve missed the past couple of Sundays, but Caleb made it clear I wasn’t getting out of joining this group.” He says this with a mischievous smirk directed at our group leaders, a smirk I’ve seen far too many times to ever forget.

Paying attention to Brooks talking has given me an excuse to study him. His hair is the same sandy-blond, but the scruffy mop he sported as a teenager has been cleaned up into a professional quiff cut. The sides are short, but the length on top is perfectly styled to strike a balance between shaped and messy. He was always lanky in high school, but the years have filled out his physique, giving him a fit look without being overly muscular. His eyes are the same captivating sky blue, a shade lighter than mine. He’s still clean-shaven, showcasing that cleft chin I used to press my finger against. I blink hard to stop myself from remembering the feel of his jaw.

As Sarah starts sharing, I pull my gaze away from Brooks. But my brain checks out of the conversation. Which isbadbecause this is my chance to get to know new friends, and I’m messing it up.Brooksis messing it up for me.

My mind turns over everything he just shared.Since when did Brooks want to be a teacher? He always pictured himself in sales or marketing. And since when does Brooks believe in God or go to church? High school Brooks certainly didn’t.

After Sarah finishes, one of the other single guys, Jason, begins sharing about himself, and then I’ll be next. I use every ounce of willpower to get my cheerful mask in place by the time it’s my turn.

“Hi! I’m Teegan Jones,” I begin with a bright smile and chipper voice. “I came to Townsend as a freshman, and I got involved with a Christian student ministry called Arrow. During my senior year, the directors of the group invited me to stay and join the staff team after graduating. This is my fourth year on staff, so I’ve kinda sorta figured out what I’m doing now,” I joke,making everyone laugh.

“Can you tell us a little more about what you do, exactly?” Brooks asks, and my heart rate skyrockets at his direct question and eye contact.

“Um, yeah, I guess I mostly . . . well, my job is kind of . . .” I start to stammer. I clear my throat. “You’d think I’d have my elevator pitch down by now.” Another group laugh. I give a brief explanation of what I do. “As much as I love the enthusiastic energy of the students, I’m looking forward to getting to know you all better and having some relationships outside of the college world.”

Everyone smiles and affirms my statement before we continue around the circle to Catherine. Before I turn my attention to her, I chance a glance at Brooks and catch him studying me with a gleam of curiosity in his eyes. We both quickly look to Catherine, and I don’t dare look his way again.

“Thanks again for inviting me to the group and having us all over,” I tell Joy as I hug her goodbye. All in all, I really did have a fun time this evening. After we finished our mini-introductions, we played a couple of not-lame party games that seemed to start breaking the ice for everyone.

I learned that Natalie knows every word to every ABBA song (complete with a demonstration). Sarah is an avid puzzler in addition to baking. And Catherine founded a STEM club for girls at her high school. Her ambition reminds me of Amaya, automatically endearing her to me.

Jason and the other single guy, Will, met while mountain biking in northwest Arkansas before realizing they lived in the same city. Candace and Brian, who got married last spring, moved to Brooklyn because Brian’s family owns Raelynn’s coffee shop. They’re in the process of opening a second location, and I sacrificially volunteered to frequent their coffee shop with all of my students.

And Brooks. I learned that Brooks is exactly the same and entirely different.

I wonder what he thought about me? No, I don’t!

By the time I get home to my duplex, I have twenty-plus missed text messages from various students, plus the start of a group chat from Joy.

JOY

Respond with your name so everyone can save numbers!

I reply and start saving the contacts as they come through.

816-555-3612

Brooks Murphy. Great to meet everyone!

My thumbs freeze above my phone screen. Never, ever did I expect to have Brooks Murphy as a contact in my phone again. He must have changed his phone number sometime in the past eight years, because I’m pretty sure I still have his old number blocked.

I exhale the breath I’ve been holding.Grow up, Teegan! This is fine. You’re a mature adult now with mature adult friends, one of whom just happens to be the boy who broke your heart. But it’s fine! It’s great, in fact! What better way to prove you’ve matured than to be friends with your high school ex?

I’m not sure precisely who I’m proving that to, but I’m going to prove the heck out of it. The gold medal for “Leaving the Past Behind” will hang from my neck. Statues will be erected in my honor: Teegan Jones, The Girl Who Moved On.

BROOKS

Hey Teegan. I just wanted you to know that it was a pleasant surprise seeing you tonight. I hope we can enjoy the group and be friends!

My mind crashes to the past at lightning speed. Complete with a proverbial boom of thunder reverberating through my bones.

So much for those statues. But I’ll never let Brooks or anyone else see how much this has shaken me. I’ll figure it out and be back to easy-breezy Teegan in no time. This little hiccup can’t keep me down long. Definitely.

Of course! Looking forward to it!

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