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"Where the hell were you?" David yelled the moment she entered her own apartment. "I missed the whole party. You said you were going to be right home."
"Someone went off the road, I just stopped to help." She muttered, guilt attacking her in the form of David. She took off her coat and shoes, walking into the kitchen and pulling orange juice from the fridge and pouring a large glass.
"You had to help them all night Brooke?" he said, cornering her into the counter. She glared at him, and pushed past his arm.
"Yes I did, God what is this the third degree. I didn't want to go to the party anyway!"
"So, I did, and how did you expect me to get there?" He glared at her with quizzical eyes.
"Two feet and a heartbeat? I'm not your chauffeur David, where's your jeep?"
"It's in the garage. So what did you do all night to help them? Where did you sleep?"
"Just forget it David, I'm tired." She said trying to get away from the subject. Sitting down on the couch and wishing he'd just leave.
"Fine, I'll leave then. I hope you had a merry Christmas Brooke." He said with biting sarcasm, as he stormed out of her apartment slamming the door behind him. She rolled her eyes, and got off the couch running to catch him, even though her gut told her just to let him go.
"David wait!" She yelled, sprinting down the stairs to catch him as he left the apartment complex. "Let me drive you home."
"I have two feet and a heartbeat." David said bitterly, stopping and turing to face her.
"Look I'm sorry, come on, get in the car." She said, extending her hand to take his. He smiled when he felt he won the battle and got in the car, Brooke drove the few blocks to his house and went inside with him, at his request. David wanted her to stay, to sleep there, but Brooke just wanted to leave, she felt so guilty around David and she didn't know what to do. Finally he convinced her to stay for a little while, and Brooke reluctantly sat down in the living room. She laid her head down on the arm of the chair she say in and shut her eyes. I wonder if Kevin is awake yet? she thought, knowing she had left him sleeping on the floor of his house as she crept out of his house as quietly as possible. She just didn't know what to say to him, when her mind finally caught up to her heart it was screaming at her to stop, reminding her of David, and telling her over and over again that she had done something so very wrong, even though it felt right. Brooke wanted to break down and cry, it didn't seem fair to her, she knew she wanted to be with Kevin, but she also knew she didn't want to hurt David.
As if his ears burned at her thoughts, David nudged her eyes open, and was kneeling at her feet. He leaned in to kiss her, and as he pulled away he looked at her with the strangest expression.
"What?" She asked, sitting up.
"What's that?" He asked, the anger resonating in his voice. Brooke was still confused, she turned to look behind her and shook her head at David.
"David, what's what?"
"THAT, right there." He said poking her almost hurtingly in the neck, and again in the plunge of her shirt. "and THAT!" Brooke glanced down, not really seeing anything but feeling the sting of David's poke. She stood up and went to the bathroom, looking at her neck as she glanced in the mirror. Brooke tried to hide the shock on her face as she noticed the strawberry red hickey's that dotted her neck and chest, her mind ran through a million excuses to give David, then she felt horrible for lying to him.
"So, who gave you those?" He said almost depressingly. Continuing before she could answer. "So is that where you were last night? Looks like you were helping someone really good Brooke."
"My wool scarf gave me these, it's a rash David." She covered, a very convincing liar, although she wasn't sure if it was a good trait to have. She was mad at him for jumping to conclusions with her, he always did that, even though he was right this time, it still pissed her off.
"Oh." David muttered, still sort of unsure.
"This is why I didn't want to stay David, I'm going home." She said, ignoring his apologies, mainly because she didn't deserve them, and returning to her car, surprised David hadn't followed her out. Brooke cried the whole drive home, she cried for the lies she had to tell David, she cried because she didn't love David the way she seemed to be falling for Kevin, and she never had. Most of all she cried for the one night she had with Kevin, one night that was so meant to be, where so many promises were made that were bound to be broken. She hoped with all her heart he didn't hate her for leaving, that in some small way he understood.
Brooke laid down in her bed when she got home, her feelings so torn between happiness and sadness, a turmoil of emotions surrounding her. She had to talk to Annie, no one else would be open minded about what she had done. Brooke picked up the phone and called Annie at home, her mother answered and coldly told her Annie had taken off last night and hadn't come back yet. Mrs. Whitten hung up before Brooke could leave a message, and Brooke slammed the phone down. That woman has never liked me, she thought as she opened the draw next to the bed and pulled out the letter she had written Annie, tearing it open to add a few more chapters.
I called to tell you this but you were gone, and your mom was a bitch to me as usual. Annie, where are you? Why weren't you home on Christmas? I shouldn't talk though, I didn't exactly stay here last night, although you're with your family. Maybe that's the answer huh! (Next year, let's both of us go to Florida for Christmas or something!)
Well Anns, I guess you don't know me as well as you think you do. I'm a horrible person, I lie, I cheat, I'm basically going straight to hell, and before you ask me what the hell I'm talking about I have to start from the beginning. I remembered what Kevin told me the aforementioned Night at the party, he told me he was falling in love with me Annie, he said he'd never give up on me. I am crying so much as I write this, God I wish you were home, you're probably the only one who won't hate me when I'm done this story, but I don't know maybe you will. I remembered what Kevin said yesterday (Christmas) and well I had to talk to him, and give him a present I found for him. Well he wasn't there and I just left the gift and drove home, but on the way his car went in the ditch and I saw it, so I got out and drove him back to his house. He got very emotional about the gift I gave him, and well one thing led to another and I did what you said I'd never do. I cheated on David. I feel horrible, David was waiting for me this morning, questioning everything I said and especially the hickeys on my neck ( I told him it was a rash) SO there it is, your best friend is a lying cheating SLUT, just like David said I was. I didn't even talk to Kevin this morning, I just left as fast as I could, like a cheap two dollar whore. I didn't know what to do! I still don't know what to do, I think I'm falling in love with Kevin too, but what do I do about David, I can't just dump him Anns, nothing is that simple. There's a lot between David and I but there is so much with Kevin too. I just want to curl up into a ball and hope the world gets swallowed whole. Well that's my story. Write back if you don't think I'm scum.
Love Brooke
Brooke took off to mail the letter to her friend, so desperate to talk to someone, but no one was around to listen, and in that moment she decided to leave Lexington and go visit her parents in New York. She quickly made her way home to pack, not telling anyone where she was going, not David, not Kevin, no one.
It was three days after Christmas and Annie was sitting in her room getting ready to go to the movies with Nick. Annie had noticed that in the last few days when they were together she began to get self-conscious as to how she looked or what she said. She’d never really been like that with Nick, but now every once in a while she’d catch herself watching her language or brushing her hair just one extra time. Why do I care what he thinks of my hair? Annie would always think. Another thing that Annie was noticing was that she was thinking of Nick a lot more. She thought of him all of the time, but it was a feeling different from the days before Christmas. Annie melted at the thought of his lips on hers. She quivered when she thought about the way he touched her face and the way he kissed her tears away. Annie smiled at the entire memory; it made her feel warm and safe when she thought about Christmas night. Definitely gonna have to tell Brookey about Nick now, Annie thought as she brushed her hair one last time. She was smiling at herself when she heard a knock at her door and her mother saying,
“Annabelle, your ride is here.”
“Okay,” Annie yelled and picked up her purse and jacket, then checked herself out in the mirror one last time. She smiled at what she saw, yelled a
“Bye” to her mother and walked out of the house. Annie closed the door behind her and saw Nick standing outside of his Durango; he had on a pair of warm up pants that were black with a white stripe down the side and a long-sleeved blue sweatshirt. He also had on a black Nike cap, turned backwards of course. Annie was beginning to think that Nick wasn’t aware that hats actually had the bill facing forward, but she thought it looked cute on him. When Annie looked at him, her stomach started doing flip-flops. She smiled at Nick, and he smiled back at her and whispered a
“Hi,” to her. Nick opened the door to the passengers side of his Durango cueing Annie to get in.
“Thank you very much Mr. Carter,” Annie said in a mockingly snooty voice. Nick chuckled and said,
“You’re
quite welcome Ms. Whitten, buckle up and shut up!” Annie rolled her
eyes and laughed as she belted herself in.
“Uhhh, two for 'Man On The Moon' please,” asked Nick at the ticket counter. Annie looked at Nick strangely.
“Thanks,” he said as he received his tickets. He turned around and saw Annie’s strange look.
“What?” he questioned. Annie rolled her eyes and began walking to the theater entrance.
“Ann, did I do something wrong?” Nick questioned.
“Ya know Carter, I coulda paid for my own ticket. It wasn’t necessary for you to pay for me. I realize I may not be as rich as you,” said Annie. She wasn’t sure why she was saying what she was saying, but her mouth had gotten to her before her brain could. Nick looked at Annie with surprise. He hadn’t even thought about buying her ticket, it was just something that he did. Annie was visibly upset, and this was freaking Nick out.
“Annie, why are you getting so upset?” Nick questioned in a hushed tone. Deep down, Nick was praying this wasn’t going to be a rehash of the whole library experience.
“Ann, look, I’m sor-“ Nick was broken off from his apology by Annie giggling. Nick knew he’d been had; he pursed his lips into a smirk and laughed to himself.
“Just playin’ with ya Carter,” Annie giggled. Nick grabbed Annie by hand and said,
“C’mon, you’re buying the snacks,” and opened the door to the movie theater; both of them laughing a little.
“C’mon Nick, you got a little worried there. Heh heh,” laughed Annie.
“Whatever
Whitten, buy me some Whoppers or never speak to me again,” said Nick playfully.
“Damn, that movie was so good,” cheered Annie. They were on their way to get something to eat; both were excited from seeing the film and felt they needed to go somewhere and eat, and also to talk about the movie. Frankly, Annie didn’t feel like going home yet anyway; neither did Nick. They pulled into the parking lot of Denny’s. Nick jumped out of the car first and opened the door for Annie. When he did that, Annie’s stomach did another flip, and she smiled. Nick closed the door behind her and they held hands into the restaurant. They were seated in a far-away booth in the back of the restaurant and immediately ordered two sodas and a basket of fries. Annie was trying to make some small talk as they awaited their drinks and food. Something was eating away at Nick, at least that’s what Annie could see. She knew he had something to say because he kept looking at her and then looking away really fast. He looked embarrassed and like he really wanted to just jump out of his skin. Annie grabbed Nick’s hand that had been resting on the table top,
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Nick looked embarrassed again,
“Uhh, nothing,” he stuttered. Annie stared at Nick and was about to ask him again when the waiter brought their sodas and fries. Nick muttered a “Thanks” and they both sat silently, drinking their drinks and eating fries. Annie was about halfway done with her soda and her half of the fries and she had finally decided to ask Nick again.
“Carter, what’s up with you man?” Nick looked at Annie like he had just been woken up.
“What?” he asked.
“You haven’t said anything like in the last fifteen minutes. Something up?” Annie asked inquisitively. Nick nodded his head no and proceeded to take a sip of his soda. Annie looked around the restaurant; there weren’t too many people there. Nick started playing with his hat; taking it off, putting it back on, doing this exercise over and over until it began to annoy Annie a little.
“So,
nothing’s wrong then?” Annie asked with a twinge of annoyance in her voice.
Nick gave her the eyebrow signal, the Nope, Nothin’ Wrong Here look.
Annie just rolled her eyes and hunched back in the booth, and folded her
arms over her chest.
Nick had finished his soda and all the fries had been picked through. He looked over at Annie and noticed the way she was sitting. He could tell she was annoyed with him. Nick did have something on his mind, but he was afraid that if he asked her the question on his mind, she’d freak and things would be messed up between them. Nick looked at her and his stomach did somersaults; he constantly thought of her. Ever since the night he kissed her he just could not get her off of his mind. Just as her dumbass, he thought. Nick took a deep breath, and blurted out,
“Annie, where do we stand?” His eyes started darting around the restaurant and his heart began beating a mile a minute. Annie was taken off guard by the question. She shook her head and yelled out,
“What?!” Random people, the very few patrons in the restaurant, all looked back at their booth. Nick closed his eyes in embarrassment. He put his face in his hands, took a deep breath and muttered through his fingers,
“Annie, where do we stand?” Annie’s eyes got big and her mouth suddenly went dry.
“Whe-Whe-Where do we stand? Whaddya mean?” She knew what he meant, but she had to be certain. Nick looked at Annie, the question had actually upset him.
“Annie, after Christmas night, in the rec room? Did you forget?” Nick asked apprehensively. Of course Annie hadn’t forgotten. There was no way in hell that she could have forgotten.
“N-no, I didn’t forget Nick. But what do you mean, where do we stand?” Nick furrowed his brow and looked a little flustered. Annie continued,
“Nick, we kissed. That’s it, that’s all it was. It’s not like it means we have to get into a relationship or anything. Friends kiss all the time. It didn’t mean anything,” she lied. Of course the kiss meant something to her. It was all she could think of. Annie wanted Nick to kiss her again, and to never stop kissing her. She wouldn’t tell him that though.
“Nick, we’re friends, let’s just keep it like that,” she said. When Annie said that, Nick felt like someone had slugged him in the stomach a hundred times. He closed his eyes in hopes that the tears that came rushing up would magically disappear. Nick felt like the biggest idiot in the world.
“Nick, are you okay?” asked Annie, breaking his pity party. He looked at her and said,
“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s cool. I was just wondering, ya know? It’s all good Whitten,” he smiled at her. Suddenly Nick became uncomfortable and so did Annie.
“C’mon
Annie, let’s go home,” he said. They both placed some money on the
table and left the restaurant.
They rode home in silence. Not just any silence, but that annoying uncomfortable silence that happens when things between a guy and a girl become awkward. Every now and again Nick would steal glances at Annie and then he’d turn his head away quickly and back to the road he was driving on. Annie could feel Nick staring at her, and she badly wanted to turn to Nick and look back at him, but she just kept staring out the window and actually prayed she would get out of the car quickly. Nick pulled into Annie’s driveway and Annie practically jumped out of the moving car.
“Later Nick,” Annie said quickly and ran up her front steps. Nick whispered a
“Bye”
and began backing out of the driveway. Damnit Annie, he thought.
Nick felt stupid for actually thinking that maybe Annie had feelings for
him. Damnit Nick, she’s not gonna fall for you. Don’t even
think about it. Nick shook his head and kept his eyes on the road,
but his thoughts were with Annie. Damnit Whitten, why are you doing
this to me?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Brooke didn't return to Kentucky until the afternoon of new years
eve, the visit to her parents fairly uneventful, although they were happy
to see her. She arrived at the airport, and called into her machine
to check her messages as she waited for her luggage. Most of them
were from David, even though she had called him when she was in New York,
but the call she was hoping was there wasn't, Kevin's. When her luggage
arrived she slowly made her way home, a little bit rested after being away
from everything for a few days. She would have stayed in New York
longer to celebrate New Years if she hadn't promised David she'd spend
it with him, although now that she thought about it she had already broken
a huge promise to him, a promise she was reminded of every time she looked
at the gold engagement ring on her finger.
Brooke made her way
up the stairs to her apartment, her luggage getting heavy as she neared
her door. She set it down as she looked for her keys,
stopping as she saw the cream envelope stuck to the door. Nothing
was written on the front, and she curiously pulled it off, peeling off
the tape that held it there and tossing it on the floor.
"Must be from Mrs. Perry." She said aloud, of her elderly neighbor, a sweet old woman who lived down the hall and who checked in on Brooke regularly like she were a granddaughter.
She finally found her
keys and unlocked the door, tearing open the envelope with one hand as
she hauled in her bags with the other. The door finally shut she
ripped into the paper, expecting to find a christmas card, but instead
pulling out an almost fabric like paper, with frayed edges and flecks of
color within the cream paper. Standing in her doorway, Brooke
opened the folded paper before even removing her coat and boots.
You are all I desire You have captured me I want to hold you I want to be close to you I never want to let go I wish that this night would never end I need to know Could I hold you for a lifetime Could I look into your eyes Could I have this night to share this night together Could I hold you close beside me Could I hold you for all time Could I have this kiss forever Over and over I've dreamed
of this night
Could I hold you for a lifetime
I don't want any night
to go by
Could I hold you for
a lifetime
Why did you leave Brooklyn?
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Brooke knew who it was from, and she stood there sobbing the way she did
where she and Kevin were concerned. When did he leave this?
She wondered, and what will I do when I see him again? She
recognized the song and it made her cry even harder. How could he
have known it was one of her favorites, and how bittersweet that song now
became to her. Finally able to move from where she stood she
made her way to the bedroom, crying the whole time, and tucking it away
with the other letter he had given her, laying down in her bed and pulling
the covers over her head, sobbing herself to sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter
Thirteen
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