"Or he'll have someone else.”
I sigh. "As my friend, you're supposed to make me feelbetter, not worse."
"I'm being honest with you. That's what friends do. They don't just tell you what you want to hear."
Those weren't the kind of friends I had before. We were all taught to smile and pretend everything's perfect, even when it's not. It's how our parents are too. It's why my mom ignored the signs of my dad cheating. I'm sure her friends knew it was happening. A few of them probably even saw my dad with Madison. But nobody told my mom, because it's not what we do. We're not honest with each other.
"Chad doesn't have someone else," I say.
"Not yet, but I bet he's looking. If he keeps putting off seeing you, there's someone else. Guarantee it."
"Great," I say with sarcasm. "Got anything else to tell me to ruin my mood?"
"Hey, the truth hurts. I'm just telling you like it is. So what are you doing today?"
"Homework, and then I might read. Stuff Iwantto read, not school stuff."
"What do you like to read?"
"Crime thrillers. Sometimes a romance now and then."
"I like sci-fi. Evan got me into it. I thought it was just for nerds but the stories are actually really good."
I didn't know she liked to read. It's another thing we have in common. I'm finding I have more in common with Eve than I did with the people back home. I looked like them, with my designer clothes and expensive car, but beyond that, we didn't have much in common.
"I'm coming!" Eve yells. "Give me a minute!"
"You have to go?"
"Yes. My mom's making Evan and me go shopping with her. She hates being alone right after a breakup."
"Okay, well, have fun. Maybe we could do something tomorrow. I think my mom has to work again."
"I can't tomorrow. I have to work. It's my first day."
"Oh, that's right. Then I guess I'll see you Monday."
As I end the call, I see another one coming in. I don't recognize the number.
"Hello?"
"Hey, is this Brook?"
"Yeah, who's this?"
"Jake."
I try to think of anyone I know by that name but can't come up with anyone.
"Jake Sanders," he says. "Dean's brother?"
"Oh, yeah, sorry. I only know you as Jacob. I didn't know you went by Jake."
“People called me Jacob when I was a kid. Now I go by Jake but Dean still calls me Jacob."
"Got it. So I should call you Jake."
"Either one is fine."
