Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81113 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81113 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“Brooke…”
“It’s a Saturday! Live a little! When was the last time that you had some fun and cut loose, hmm? Never, that’s when.”
It was true. Brooke was always the party girl, not me. “Look, I’ve been real busy…”
“Exactly. And it’s gotten you down. I know that something’s up, honey, don’t think you can hide it from me. You’re all glum and down in the mouth.” She poked my cheek.
“Ha, ha.”
“I’m not taking no for an answer. We’re going to go out, get some drinks, dance a little, and have fun! I know I sure could use the relaxation. Dad’s been stomping around like someone’s broken his favorite carving knife.”
Aha. Yeah. Pretty sure I was the reason for Michael being so crazy. And now it affected Brooke, too, great. I’d made a real mess of this, hadn’t I?
But I didn’t know how to get out of this girl’s night with Brooke and she was my friend. I liked spending time with her. “Okay, sure. It’ll be fun.”
“Yes!” Brooke squealed, grabbing my hands and bouncing on her heels. “It’s going to be great! I’ll pick you up from your apartment, you need to change into something dance appropriate!”
Hoo boy.
I followed her instructions, going home after I’d closed up and changing into a little black dress that I had. My mom had helped me to pick it out, telling me that it was essential for any woman’s wardrobe. The skirt flared out when I twirled, and the bodice was tight, showing off my curves, and it fell to mid-calf giving a fun glimpse of my legs.
My hair came down and I curled it lazily, going for that tousled and fresh look. What was I going to tell Brooke when she started interrogating me? I was horrible at lying in general but especially to her. Brooke was always the person to go to in our school for gossip, because she was really good at getting people to tell her things, and she knew everyone. She’d get an answer out of me one way or another.
I was just finishing my makeup when I heard the knock at the door. Shit. “Coming!”
“Who’s that?” Andy asked, emerging from his room.
Most people might balk at sharing an apartment with their older brother, or any sibling at all, but Andy and I wanted to get out of our childhood home and rent in San Francisco was scary expensive. Hell, just renting a carboard box off the street would set you back a grand a month. Or at least that’s what Brooke and I used to joke about.
“It’s just Brooke,” I told him, keeping my tone casual but wincing inside.
Andy still hadn’t gotten over his crush on her, the one he’d had since high school. Brooke was four years younger than Andy, so it had been something he couldn’t really act on back then, but now that we were all in our twenties he lit up like a damn Christmas tree any time she was around.
I’d think it was cute if Brooke returned his feelings, but…
“Hey!” I said, opening the door and smiling. “C’mon in, I just have to grab my shoes.”
As I went into my bedroom, I could hear Andy saying hi. “You look gorgeous,” he told her. “Don’t tell me you got all dressed up on my account.”
“I didn’t,” Brook replied, giving him her usual brush off. “I dressed up for the club.”
Hoo boy. Brooke always said she wasn’t interested in Andy. Personally, I suspected it was less that she wasn’t interested and more that Andy had been, and still was, a real player. Not in an asshole kind of way. He was always upfront and honest with women, telling them he was into a hook up or a fling and not a real relationship, but man, he’d fucked his way through his entire college campus and hadn’t even broken a sweat.
I think Brooke was just scared that if she slept with him, or even went out with him, he’d vamoose once the conquest was made—so to speak. She didn’t want to be another notch on his belt.
Fat chance of getting her to admit it, though. I’d decided to just take the ‘be quiet and supportive’ approach for both of them. They’d sort it out or they wouldn’t. It wasn’t up to me to make that decision for them.
I emerged from the bedroom before Andy could make an idiot of himself. “Hey, ready to go!” I grabbed my jacket and purse. “Don’t wait up,” I told Andy. “And don’t rot your goddamn brain on Overwatch. Love you!”
“Overwatch is the multiplayer of our generation and it’s bold of you to assume I had a brain to begin with. Love you, hey, stay smart, look after each other, yada yada big brother talk.” Andy winked at me and then we were out the door.