Page 77 of The E.M.M.A. Effect
“Stop.” Brooke cuts me off, her voice firm but kind. “Harriet, if anyone needs to apologize here, it’s me.”
I blink, confused. “What? But I’m the one who—”
“Who felt like she couldn’t talk to her best friend about falling for a guy?” Brooke shakes her head.
“Wait.” I gape. “You know?”
“Dude. I know I haven’t slept for longer than three nights in a row in months, but I do have human eyes. And I’ve been thinking about this a lot, H. I realized... I’m the one who created an environment where you felt you couldn’t be honest with me.”
She shifts Benji to her shoulder, patting his back gently. “I’ve always told myself I was protective of Gale. Especially after Mom died. But the truth is, I abandoned him to deal with our dad alone.” She trails off, pain flashing across her face. “I think my guilt over that made me overcompensate by being controlling about every other aspect of his life. And in the process, I made you feel like you couldn’t express your feelings without risking our friendship.”
I feel tears pricking at my eyes. “Brooke, no, that’s not—”
“It is,” she insists. “I’ve been so caught up in my own grief, in trying to be strong for Gale, that I didn’t see what was right in front of me. You two... you’re good for each other. It’s science.”
“I kept thinking about what happened with Jess after college.”
“Oh god. Come on, Harriet. You arenotJessa Hernandez. That Instagram filter come to life. Please, she had the emotional depth of a shot glass.”
“Girl, what? We all hung out.”
“I am an overtired Virgo. I have no filter and no fucks. Yes, I’m mean but it’s true, she was fun to go to a club with sometimes, but that’s it. And she was after Gale for clout. You actually see Gale as a person, not a ticket to the VIP section. And three”—she pauses, a wicked grin spreading across her face—“you’re the only womanI’ve ever seen reduce Hockey Hotshot to a stumbling mess while listening to you ramble about some random Greek myth factoid. I’d be mostly tuned out and I love you. He’d act like you were delivering the news.”
I open my mouth and shut it. Words aren’t coming.
“I know you’ve known that overgrown puppy since he was more ego than sense. And I’m gonna let you in on a little secret—I’ve been watching you two dance around each other for years.”
“Wait, what?” I sputter, nearly choking on my coffee.
Brooke rolls her eyes. “Oh, please. The way you were drooling the night of his NHL debut. The way he looked like he was going to murder Zach the night of my party. You challenge him, Harriet. You make him use that pretty head for something other than a helmet rack.”
She leans back, looking smug despite the impressive array of stains on her shirt. “I wasn’t ever gonna say anything. Figured I’d let you two idiots figure it out on your own. But since you’re over here having a meltdown, asking why you andnotJess Fucking Hernandez, I’m stepping in.”
Brooke fixes me with a look that welcomes no argument. “You’re Harriet Fucking Symthe, PhD-toting AI goddess and accidental hockey player kryptonite. So stop this guilt trip and own it, already.” She reaches out, taking my hand in hers. “And I’m sorry if I ever made you feel like you had to choose between your feelings and our friendship. That’s not what best friends do.”
I can’t hold back the tears anymore. They spill down my cheeks as I squeeze Brooke’s hand. “I love you, you know that?” I say, my voice choked with emotion.
Brooke smiles, her own eyes watery. “I love you too, you big nerd. Now, come here and give me a hug before Benji decides it’s time for his next diaper explosion.”
We laugh through our tears and as we pull apart, I feel a sense of rightness settle over me. This is how it should be—no secrets, no fear, just love and understanding.
Brooke’s expression softens. “Honey, I want both of you to be happy. And if you make each other happy, then I’m thrilled. Just... maybe spare me the explicit details, okay? There are some things a sister doesn’t need to know.”
I laugh, relief washing over me. “Deal. Though I will say, your brother is very... accommodating.”
Brooke groans. “That’s already more than I needed to know. Now, are you going to his game tonight?”
I nod, excitement bubbling up inside me. “Yeah, I am.”
“Good,” Brooke says, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Wear something that’ll distract him just enough to make the game interesting, but not enough to make him lose. I’ve got money on this one.”
I gasp in mock outrage. “Are you using your inside knowledge for gambling purposes?”
She shrugs, grinning. “I have to get my kicks where I can. Now go, get ready. Make my brother weak in the knees.”
Holy shit, this place is louder than my brain during a midnight coding binge. The arena’s buzzing with energy, and I swear I can feel the excitement dancing over my skin. Or maybe that’s just my nerves doing the cha-cha up and down my spine.
I’m clutching my VIP pass, trying to accept my new role as hockey player girlfriend. No Brooke, no squad, just me here to cheer on lucky number seven.
