She has that confused look on her face that I've seen several times tonight. She can't figure me out. I'm the same way with her. She keeps doing things that surprise me, like sitting on my disgusting couch without even flinching or making a rude comment. After living the life of luxury, I thought for sure she'd see my place and run back home.
I wanted to ask her what happened that made her end up here, but I decided not to. If she wanted to tell me, she would. She had plenty of opportunities tonight.
"Will Jacob be okay?" she asks. "Being alone?"
"He's fine. I texted him and told him I was taking you home."
"You're a good brother."
"Not sure he'd agree with you."
"He looks up to you. I could tell by how he interacts with you."
"We fight a lot. He doesn't like me telling him what to do."
"Because he's fifteen. When he's older he'll appreciate all you do for him."
We're getting personal again and it's making me uncomfortable. I keep quiet until we reach her building.
"You okay going up alone?"
"Yeah, I'm good. My mom will be home in a few minutes."
"I'll see you tomorrow." I turn to leave.
"Wait!"
I turn back. "Yeah?"
"Thanks," she says, looking me in the eye. "I mean it. Not many guys would do this."
"Some would. You just have to find them."
"I found one," she says, her lips turning up.
"Yeah. Well, goodnight." I take off, feeling that uneasiness I get whenever I sense a girl's starting to like me more than she should. I didn't walk Brook home to win her over. I just wanted her to be safe.
It's almost ten when I get back to the house and I haven't even done my homework. I'll do it during first period. I never pay attention in that class anyway.
"You walked her home, huh?" Jacob says, coming up to me on the couch. "Did you and her—"
"No. And we're not going to. She's not that type of girl. And she has a boyfriend."
"She must like you if she stayed here that long."
"She's just lonely. Her mom was working late and she didn't want to be alone."
Jacob sits next to me. "What if she ended it with her boyfriend? Would you go out with her?"
"No. You know my rule."
"Your rule is stupid. Why are you so against having a girlfriend?"
"None of your damn business," I say, getting up. "It's late. Go to bed."
He follows me to the kitchen. "Is she coming back?"
"Surprisingly, yes. Somehow you didn't scare her away."
