“I was drunk, but that’s not an excuse. I won’t ever do it again. Trust me.”
My mom used to say it takes more energy to hold a grudge than to forgive, so I nod, thinking that’s what she would expect of me.
Brooks leans in and pecks me on the lips. “Good. You’re all mine, Noelle.”
I don’t know why I can’t express what I’m feeling with Brooks. Why can’t I argue with him, kiss, and have makeup sex? I have heard it’s passionate, and maybe that’s what we’re missing.
“So… Hamlin is having a party tonight. Do you want to go?” Derek Hamlin is a linebacker on our team “This is probably the last time we’ll all be together.”
“Aren’t you coming back for graduation?” I ask.
“Yeah, but after I walk the stage, I’ll have to fly back out to New Orleans. Back-to-back meetings with my agent, a corporation for licensing rights, and then a realtor to look for my own place.”
Disappointed, I look down at my shoes. “So, you won’t be at my party?”
“No. I wish I could. I mean, do you want me to cancel with the shoe company?” he asks, lifting his brows.
“I wish the Armadillos would have drafted you.”
“Me too, but since they went to the championship game, they didn’t have the opportunity. My draft stock was way too high.” His voice is full of overconfidence andswagger.
Brooks’s phone rings, and he walks outside to talk on the front porch. He talks low, and I tiptoe into the kitchen to eavesdrop. I know that’s wrong, but even though I forgive him, it doesn’t mean I trust him. But everyone deserves a second chance, right?
“Hey, who was on the phone?”
He hems and haws. “Sorry, I’m sworn to secrecy.” Brooks laughs, but something isn’t right in his voice.
I sway up to him, slide my arms around his waist, and grab the hem of his shirt with my hands. Maybe if I initiate sex, it will make him feel desired. Maybe that’s what’s been wrong—neither of us has felt wanted so badly that we can’t wait another second for clothes to be strewn across the room. But when I get to the point that he needs to raise his arms for me, he stops me.
“Don’t you want to have makeup sex?” I ask, my heart popping a few stitches that were holding it together.
“I do, but I only have a few hours to get the rest of my stuff packed, and I’m meeting Professor Reinhart to take my final exam.”
“Oh, okay. Should I meet you at the party?”
Brooks reaches for my hands, squeezing them. “Could you? Or I can pick you up, but it will make us both late.”
My shoulders fall just a bit, hoping we could ride together so I could show the catty girls that Brooks loves me. “I’ll just meet you there. I know you’re busy.”
He hugs me and kisses me on the cheek. “Great. I knew we could work this out.”
Walking into the party, the first person I see is Renee. “Hey, what are you doing here?”
“Brooks and I are back together.”
Her eyebrows practically reach her hairline. “Really?” Her eyes are as big as I’ve ever seen them.
“I know you think Brooks is too good for me. But we worked it out, and I’m giving him a second chance.”
She folds her lips over her teeth. It’s clear she doesn’t approve. “Second chance, right.”
“Renee, I’ve enjoyed cheering with you. When you’re not around Bree, you’re nice, but you’re a different person when you’re with her.”
Renee grabs my hand. “I don’t want him cheating on you. My dad had a five-year affair with his coworker, and my mom kept believing him every time he said it was over. It tore our family apart. Now I have to split myself in half because of their stupid mistakes. You’re the one who’s too good for Brooks.” Her voice trails off as Bree bounces in.
“Thanks, but just quit gossiping about Brooks and me.”
“Hey, who’s ready for Jell-O shots?” Bree screams with her hands raised, working hard to be the life of the party.
