"Wait—" I stop her. "You mean, like ever?"
She shrugs. "He said it was unsanitary."
"You're joking, right?"
"No, that's what he said. That's why he never did it."
I look at her, trying to comprehend this. "So before tonight, you never did that?"
She shakes her head. "I wanted him to, but he wouldn't."
"But you...did things to him," I say, but then wish I hadn't asked. I really don't want to know.
"All the time. He just wouldn't return the favor."
"Selfish bastard," I mutter, furious with a guy I've never even met. How could he date her for years and never do that just once? And his reasoning is that it's unsanitary? So in addition to denying her this, he also shames her, making her feel she's dirty and disgusting.
"You going up with me?" she asks, opening the door to her building.
I go inside with her. "I really hate that guy."
"Chad? You don't even know him."
"I still hate him. He didn't treat you right. And he's treating you even worse now."
She smiles, reaching up to kiss me. "Thanks for a great night."
"Itwasgreat, wasn't it?" I wrap my arm around her tiny waist and pull her against me. "I wish it didn't have to end."
"Me too," she says, looking in my eyes. "I want to see you tomorrow. Can I come over?"
"I think you already invited yourself over for leftover spaghetti."
She laughs. "That's right. I forgot. Is six okay?"
"I'll be home around five, so yeah."
"I could come at five."
"Even better." I lean down to kiss her. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"You don't want to come upstairs?"
"Is your mom home?"
"I think so. Why?"
"I think it's better if I go. I get the feeling she doesn't like me."
"She does. She just doesn't know you yet." Brooks walks to the elevator, a sexy smile on her face. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight." I wait until the elevator doors close, then head back down to the bus stop.
I take my time, breathing in the crisp September air, already missing Brook and wanting to see her again. I feel so damn good right now, better than I've felt in a long time. I can't even remember feeling this good. I've come close when I'm on the football field and we're winning a game. But that's different. It's not the same as the feeling I get when I'm with Brook.
I'm back home just before ten. I see a bag of chips sitting on the kitchen counter. Jacob must've come out for a snack when he heard us leaving. I softly knock on his door, then open it. The room is dark but I see him asleep in the bed, his headphones on. Closing the door, I go back out to the living room, sitting on the couch where I just was with Brook. I wish she was still here, laying in my arms, her eyes looking up at me.
My phone rings, waking me from my thoughts. I look at the screen, my chest tightening when I see his name.
