Page 14 of Don't Leave
“Fine,” I grumble. “Let’s go this over with.”
A few girls from the floor catch a ride with us as we pile into Cole’s electric blue Mustang. I love his car. It’s just as sexy as he is. Apparently, I’m not the only one lacking in creativity tonight because Cole is wearing his hockey jersey with a pair of jeans. The pads make his shoulders look even bigger and broader than normal.
The party is at a house on Greek row. As we turn onto the street, it’s difficult to tell which party we’re hitting because there are about seven or eight others already in full swing. Tons of costumed students crowd the streets as they stagger from one party to another. Brooklyn and Cole both warned me about how crazy it gets on Halloween.
I guess they weren’t kidding.
With my fingers firmly ensconced in Cole’s larger hand, we wind our way through the thick press of bodies. Brooklyn isbehind me, talking with Olivia, a girl from our floor. In takes about five minutes to push our way into the kitchen where the lighting is dim but decent. Cole grabs us a couple of waters because he doesn’t drink during the season and after the debacle that was last year, I’ve lost my appetite for alcoholic beverages. Once in a while, I’ll have a drink but that’s about it.
When he offers one to Brooklyn, her eyes go flat as she narrows them at someone across the room. “I’m going to need something a hell of a lot stronger than that to make it through tonight.”
There’s only one guy who’s capable of eliciting that kind of response from her.
And that would be her ex, Austin.
I scan the sea of revelers. Sure enough, Austin is standing on the other side of the room with a drink in one hand and a girl tucked under his other arm. My gaze flies back to Brooklyn who looks frozen in place. Wanting to offer a bit of moral support, I slip my arm around her waist.
Even though I keep the question buried inside, I can’t help but wonder what she expected.
That he was going to keep pursuing her?
All she’s done is shut down every attempt he’s made since their breakup two weeks ago.
He’s tried calling, texting, explaining what happened the night she caught him kissing one of the puck bunnies but Brooklyn refuses to have anything to do with him. It was only a matter of time before Austin decided to cut his losses and move on.
I have to wonder by the look in her eyes if that’s what she really wants. Even though Brooklyn and I have been friends for years, living with her has given me glimpses of a different side of her.
A stubborn side.
“Are you all right, Brook?” I ask, dropping my voice so only she can hear. “Do you want to get out of here?” There are plenty of other parties we can crash tonight. And they’re all the same. Loud music, drinks a-plenty, and tons of costumed revelers.
She rips her gaze from Austin before pasting a smile on her face as if not bothered in the least. If I didn’t know her as well as I do, I’d think maybe she wasn’t. But I’m not fooled by the façade she’s putting on.
“Of course not, I’m fine. There’s no reason for us to leave.”
I give her a beseeching look. “Are you sure?”
When her smile turns brittle, I get a sinking feeling that tonight has the potential to go off the rails. “Absolutely.”
Cole returns with a red Solo cup filled to the brim with beer. As soon as he hands it to Brooklyn, she tosses it back, sucking down at least half the contents in ten seconds flat.
Yup, it’s definitely going off the rails.
With wide eyes, I meet Cole’s confused gaze. Before I can clue him in about what’s going on with my roommate, Brooklyn drains her cup before stalking off and muttering something about finding the keg.
And a hot guy.
Not necessarily in that order either.
Still looking perplexed, Cole’s gaze tracks Brooklyn’s movements before quirking a brow at me. “Do I even want to know what that was about?”
“Probably not.” There’s a pause before I add, “Austin’s here and he isn’t alone.”
This explanation only seems to confuse him more. And I can’t say I blame him for it. Cole was the one who had to sit Austin down and tell him to back off. I think the wordsrestraining orderwere used during that conversation.
Multiple times.
“I thought that’s what she wanted.”
