“Maybe with your next boyfriend’s family. You never know!” she calls after me.
“Next boyfriend?” Beck asks.
I turn back to them, and Beck is standing with his hands on his hips, head tilted, and looking at me like he’s confused.
“Babe, she and Eli broke up before break.” Charlie smacks him lightly on the chest.
“No one told me.” He looks at her, then me. “You okay?”
It’s sweet of him to ask, and I really do think he cares, but I don’t want to get into my relationship issues with him.
“I’m fine. I promise.”
I smile so he doesn’t worry about me. Although I know he will. That’s just how he is. He’s my protector.
He nods, and his brow furrows. “Okay. Well, good night. If you need anything, you know to help yourself.”
“I should be good. Seriously.” I turn to finish my walk to my room.
“Wait! Let me give you another hug before you go to bed.” Charlie hustles over to me and wraps me in a hard hug. “I love you, B. Happy New Year. I just know it’s going to be the best one yet.”
I nod and look over her shoulder at my brother. He has a soft look on his face, and it almost brings a tear to my eye. Beck looks and acts tough, but he’s really a softy.
“Love you more. And, yes, it’s going to be a great year. Wedding countdown officially begins!” My voice pitches in excitement. I am happy for them, and I don’t want my little pity party to dampen the vibe.
Beck walks over to us. When I let go of Charlie, she steps back, and Beck pulls me in for a hug. “Love you.”
I smile into his shoulder. I’ve really missed him. It was one thing when he was away at college, a few hours’ drive, and I saw him almost every weekend during football season, but with him in Chicago, I don’t see him nearly as much as I would like.
“Love you, big brother.” I step away and walk backward. “Good night, you two. See you in the morning.”
“Night,” they say together.
When I get into the room, I take a quick shower, and once I’m done with my nighttime routine, I grab the book I’ve been reading off the nightstand before I pull back the covers. The cord hanging over the side of the table reminds me I haven’t looked at my phone in a few hours since everyone I talk to is here, but I’m sure it needs to be charged.
I pick up the small bag I brought and take out my phone. I scan my notifications, mostly from Instagram friends and their party posts, but I also see one from Silas. I won’t deny that butterflies float around my belly.
When I open the message, it’s a phone number with a phone emoji. That’s it.
Brooke: Who am I supposed to call?
Not even a minute goes by before he replies.
Silas: Me.
I haven’t talked to Silas since he followed me home from the library. I didn’t get a chance to see him after the game inHouston either. He’s liked a few of my posts and posts that Charlie tagged me in, but that’s it.
I close out of the app and pull up my text messages. I’m not just going to call some random number without testing it first.
Brooke: Silas?
Silas: Yes …
Brooke: Prove it.
I am not prepared for what happens next.
Silas: *photo*
