Page 74 of Don't Leave
Closure.
I hadn’t realized just how much I’d needed it with her.
She rises to her feet before brushing off the back of her coat. “Good luck.” Her gaze holds mine as she adds, “with everything.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, afraid that if I say anything more, I’ll break down and cry before she can disappear inside the counseling center.
CHAPTER 22
CASSIDY
“You’re really all right with going home for the break? Everything’s good with the fam?”
I fold another sweater and place it neatly in my suitcase before glancing at Brooklyn. “Yeah, I think so.”
Over the past few weeks, I’ve gotten together my parents several times. Our relationship is slowly morphing into one that is comfortable again.
“If you need a breather, just pop on over to my house.” She dumps a handful of clothing into her bag. “It’s not like anything interesting will be happening at the Bennet household.”
“I think everything will be fine. Honestly,” I carefully fold a pair of jeans before laying them on top of the sweaters, “I’m looking forward to getting away from campus for a couple of days.”
Brooklyn huffs before throwing another armload of clothing into her bag. “I know what you mean. It’ll be kind of nice to get the hell out of Dodge.”
I can’t resist asking, “Aren’t you going to miss your little friends-with-benefits buddy?”
I scrutinize her expression, trying to figure out what’s going on between them. Brooklyn has been tight-lipped about the entire situation, which isn’t her usual style. Under normal circumstances, she enjoys giving me a cringeworthy amount of details regarding whatever guy she’s into. I find her newfound reserve disconcerting. I don’t even know if they’re still sleeping with each other or not.
“First thing, never refer to my benefits buddy aslittle. He guy puts a capital D in dick.” She continues as I wince. “And second, I’m pleading the fifth.”
My eyes narrow. “Since when?” Since when doesn’t Brooklyn want to over-share? TMI is her MO for goodness’ sake.
Shrugging, she remains silent before tossing a few more items into her bag and zipping it up.
She changes the subject by asking, “What time is Luke picking us up?”
I glance at the clock next to my bed. “In an hour.”
It was a surprise to learn that Luke lives about twenty miles away from us in a different city. He asked if we needed a ride home for break and even though I wasn’t altogether sure I should take him up on the offer, I agreed.
It’s not like Cole and I are together anymore.
There have been so many times when I’ve picked up the phone, wanting to shoot Cole a text. Thank god I’m not a drinker or I probably would have drunk dialed him half a dozen times.
The conversation with Sammy really struck a chord with me. Even though it’s been four days since we sat down and talked after practice, it’s still rolling around in my head.
The good news is that Sammy and I have smoothed everything over and our friendship has fallen back into the easy comradery it once was. I no longer have to worry about her knocking the shit out of me on the ice.
The hour slips by in a flurry of packing and before I know it, Luke is texting that he’s waiting outside. Brooklyn and I take one last look around our room before hustling down to meet him with our bags in tow. As soon as he sees us push through the glass doors of our dorm, he exits his truck and opens the trunk before setting our bags inside.
“Hey.” He greets us with a smile before opening the backdoor for Brooklyn and then the front passenger one for me.
As he’s walking around the hood of the truck, Brooklyn leans forward and whispers in my ear, “I think someone is happy to finally have you all to himself.”
Without even looking at her, I mutter, “We’re friends. Nothing more.”
“Plus,” she teases, “you didn’t even call shotgun and you’re the one riding up front.”
There’s no time to respond to that comment as Luke opens the driver’s side door and slides in next to me. A moment later, the engine roars to life and we’re rolling away from Western’s campus. The three of us chat for a while before falling into a comfortable silence as music fills the inside of the space.
