What Happens Tomorrow (15 page)

I nearly drop the plates and cups held in my hands because they’re shaking so badly.

I feel physically ill.

“Mom, you don’t know what you’re talking about, and really, it’s none of your damn business. I wouldn’t have told you if I thought you’d judge her. I love her more than the goddamn air I breathe and I’m willing to take the risk.”

I try with all my might to stifle my tears. I don’t want anyone to know that I was listening. I take a few quiet steps back, then loudly walk towards the kitchen. Making sure that they can hear me. As I enter the room, I see the worry in his eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

I don’t feel like getting into this here. It’s taking everything in me not to cry, but I need to get out of here now, so I decide that lying is my only option. “I’m sorry, but I feel the start of a migraine coming on and I need to get home and take some of my pills before it goes full blown.” I’m not sure if anyone believes me, but at the moment I don’t care. I need to get the hell out of here.

We say our goodbyes quickly. Tyler rests his hand on my knee as he drives, glancing over at me. “You don’t have a migraine, do you?” he says with fear in his voice.

I stare out the window because I can’t bear to look him in the face as I answer him.“No, I heard you and your mom.”

Tyler removes his hand from my knee and grips the steering wheel tight with both hands. It’s a wonder he doesn’t bend it from the tension in his grip. I wipe at the tears dripping off the end of my nose as we drive the rest of the way home in silence. Once he puts the car into park, I open the door and bolt for my apartment. I need to get as far away from him as possible.

I need to be alone.

“Brooke!” he shouts. “Brooke, wait!”

But I don’t wait. I’m nearly running to my apartment when he grabs my arm.

“Would you stop and talk to me!”

He pulls us both to a standstill as I turn to look at him. “I can’t do this! I won’t do this. What happened tonight between you and your mom was exactly the reason I left Seattle to move here. Your mom thinks I’m damaged and she’s right! I might never be ready for marriage or children, who am I kidding! I’m going to save us both a lot of grief, Tyler. I can’t see you any more.”

His grip on my arm tightens. “Don’t do this to us, Brooke! Didn’t you hear what I told her? I told her I’m in love with you, and I don’t care what she or anyone else thinks.”

With tears streaming down my face, I cup his cheek. “But Tyler, I do. I can’t do this again. Please, let me go.”

He slowly drops his head, as his shoulders slump forward in defeat. He lets go of my arm and I turn to walk to my apartment.

I don’t look back.

ONCE SAFE IN the confines of my apartment, I close the front door, slide down it onto the floor, and sob.

I hear the patter of Charlie’s little paws; he’s never far when I’m upset. He climbs on to my lap as he licks at my tears. He always makes me feel a little better but not tonight.

Tonight I need to be numb.

Shit, I’m out of pills!

I forgot to get the prescription refilled. Alcohol. I need alcohol. And I need to get out of here just in case Tyler shows up. I won’t be able to push him away again. I don’t have the strength. I love him that much. I didn’t think that my heart would ever love again, but it has. And now it’s being torn to shreds.

Hearing his mom’s words…I know I have to end it. It’s the right thing to do. I need to let him go. He needs to find someone who can have a normal, healthy relationship with him. Someone his family will approve of.

I pick up my phone and call Jenna.

“Hey, babes, what’s up? Thought you were having dinner with Ty’s parents tonight?”

“We did, but something happened and I…I ended things.” I pause, taking in a deep breath. “Jenn, I need you to take me out and get me drunk. Isn’t that what best friends do when one of them is hurting?”

She hesitates for a moment. “Get ready. I’ll be over soon. And Brooke, that is exactly what best friends do. I love you.”

I hang up the phone and looks for some comfortable
‘I’m getting stinking drunk’
clothes to wear.

A COUPLE OF hours and many lemon drop shots later, I’m feeling no pain.

“Tell me again why you’re making Ty pay for his mom’s comments because I really don’t understand.”

It’s obvious Jenna cares for Tyler and thinks I’m being a complete and utter asshat for reacting the way I have, but she has no idea what it feels like to have people treat you like you’re a leper. How can we have a relationship if his family feels that I am damaged goods? I shake my head, close my eyes and press my lips together because I know if I let her engage me, I’m a goner.

“Not talking about this anymore. Getting drunk, remember? I need another drink. Where’s our waitress?” I turn in my seat and lock eyes with a strange man staring right at me.

Awkward!

Slowly getting up from his chair, he struts our way, a devious grin curved across his lips. Something about him is vaguely familiar, but I can’t quite put my finger on what that could be. I quickly turn around and lean towards Jenna. “Oh my god! Do you see the guy behind me? He’s—”

The stranger hunches down between us, his face level with ours. “Good evening, ladies,” he says seductively. I can’t help but notice his deep-brown eyes, or his strong chiseled jaw. Definitely good looking, but I’m not interested. There is something about him that has me feeling anxious.

“I’m assuming this is your sweater lying on the floor behind you?” He reaches down and picks up my sweater from beneath my chair, handing it to me. In my slightly inebriated state, I hadn’t even noticed it missing. “Wouldn’t want someone to stand on it, now would we. I was looking for an excuse to come over and say hello to you beautiful ladies and your sweater on the floor was the perfect reason.” He winks in my direction.

Jenna seems oblivious as she checks out a hottie on the dance floor, but I definitely feel uncomfortable. And I don’t like it.

“Thank you. That was very kind of you,” I say with a clipped tone, hoping he gets the hint and leaves us alone.

“You’re very welcome. Ladies.” He bows his head, then walks away.

“Did you see how that guy was looking at you? Wow girl! Even in the “
I broke up with my boyfriend and have been crying my eyes out
” mode, you still attract the good looking ones.”

“I’ll give you that he’s good looking, but honestly, he kinda creeped me out. I’m glad he left so that we can get on with our drunken night.”

Jenna rolls her eyes at me and leans back in her chair. “There was nothing creepy about him. You feel guilty, that’s all. You broke Ty’s heart because clearly you’re an idiot, and now you feel guilty because you got hit on by a good looking dude. End of story.”

I cradle my face in my hands. I know she’s right but what do I do now? How do I fix this? Maybe I should send him a text and tell him how sorry I am and ask him to forgive my crazy. No, not a good idea to text while drunk. I could stop by his place on my way home from here. Again, not a good idea while being drunk.

“Jen—”

“From the gentleman over there, ladies,” the waitress interrupts me as she hands us both a drink. “Enjoy.”

We both turn to look at the handsome stranger as he raises a glass, still with the wicked grin. My dad always told me to never accept drinks from strangers because they sometimes slip things in them, but I think these are okay since the waitress delivered them.

I raise my glass and Jenna raises her beer. “Thank you handsome, moderately creepy guy. See, I told you he wasn’t that bad.”
Maybe she’s right.

A little later, Jenna is on the dance floor with some young hottie showing him some of her best moves. Guess things aren’t that serious with Jasper after all. Mr. Handsome Creepy Guy saunters over and sits down next to me.

“Mind if I join you? You look rather lonely with your friend out there on the dance floor.”

Truthfully I’m feeling a little dizzy and lightheaded. I’ve never been a big drinker, and I think tonight I definitely drank more than I should have. I need water.

“I’m waiting for her to finish dancing to this song and then we’re heading home.” I don’t feel good at all. My head feels really strange and I feel like I could throw up. I need to get Jenna’s attention because I really want to go home and lie down now.

“That’s too bad, I was hoping we could get to know each other.” I feel his hand rest slightly above my knee, but I don’t have the strength to push him away.

Where is Jenna?

I want to go home.

“Would you like a ride home? My car is across the street.”

Next thing I know Jenna is by my side. “Brooke, what’s wrong? You don’t look very good.” Rubbing my back, she slides a glass of water over to me.

“Can we please go? I really need to go home and lie down.” Why do I hear an echo when I talk?

Pulling her cell phone from her purse, she calls a cab. Handsome creepy guy interrupts her phone conversation with the cab company. “I told her my car is outside and I can drive you both home.”

Jenna waves him off while shooting daggers his way. “Thank you very much for the offer, but I’m not in the habit of getting into cars with strange dudes and I’m definitely not changing that now. Come on, hon. The cab should be here any minute and we need to make sure we’re outside for it.”

I stand and pick up my sweater. My legs feel like they are about to collapse as I stumble out the door.

I’m tired.

Unbelievably tired.

“I don’t feel good. I want to go home and sleep.” I vaguely recall handsome creepy guy mumbling something while trying to grab my arm, but Jenna pushes him away. The cab is waiting for us right outside the doors and I use every last ounce of strength I have to get into it.

Then everything goes dark.