Chapter One
Brook
Today Dean and I are finally going to tell people at school that we're a couple. I'm nervous, but also excited. I'm excited we don't have to hide our relationship anymore but nervous about how people will react, especially other girls. There are girls here who have been trying to get Dean to go out with them for years, and then I come along and become his girlfriend after only a few weeks.
I'm not going to worry about them, or anyone else. I don't want them taking away the happiness I feel right now. I'm in love, for real this time, and I'm not going to let anything, or anyone, ruin this blissful state I've been in since the moment Dean said he loves me.
Hearing him tell me that brought tears to my eyes because I know how hard it was for him to say those words. He has such a kind, loving heart but tries so hard to protect it. He doesn't want anyone seeing that side of him, which is why I almost cried when he opened his heart to me last night and told me how he felt. He loves me and wants a relationship with me. It's something neither one of us was looking for, but sometimes it happens that way. Love comes along when you're not looking for it, or expecting it, or ready for it.
Racing to my locker, I shove my coat in the tiny space, then quickly close the door.
"How was your weekend?" Eve says, coming up beside me.
"Amazing," I say with a dreamy sigh.
"Let me guess." She rolls her eyes. "You and Dean proclaimed your love for each other?"
I stare at her. "How'd you know?"
"You have that love look on your face. It's the same one my mom gets when she thinks she's in love. Unfortunately the guy never feels the same way."
"Dean does." I lean closer to her and whisper, "Last night he told me he loves me."
"Seriously?" She rears back. "Was he drunk?"
"No! Why would you even say that?"
"He's not exactly the type of guy who talks about his feelings. And definitely not someone who says the L word."
"Which is why I was completely shocked when he said it." I smile. "He also called me his girlfriend."
"Was he trying to get sex?"
"No! Eve, you're supposed to be happy for me."
"I am. I'm just making sure it's real. Guys tend to lie to get sex."
"That's not why he said it. He gets plenty of..." I look around at the crowded hallway, not wanting to say the word. "He doesn't need to say stuff to get me to do it."
Dean and I have had sex almost every day since the first time we did it. He comes over to the apartment when my mom's at work, or we do it at his place when Jake's out of the house. I think Jake knows what's going on. He's always finding reasons to leave after our tutoring sessions, knowing I want time alone with his brother. Jake really wants Dean and I to work out. He keeps telling me he's never seen his brother this happy. I feel the same way. I didn't even know it was possible to feel this happy.
Eve leans against the locker. "So where is he? Shouldn't you love birds be making out at your lockers before class?"
"He doesn't usually stop at his locker in the morning. He's probably already at class." I feel that nervous flutter in my stomach that happens when I know I'm about to see Dean. "I need to go or I'll be late."
"You still have two minutes. You just want to go see your boyfriend."
I feel that flutter again hearing her call him my boyfriend. "I do kind of want to see him."
She sighs. "Another friend lost to some stupid guy."
"You didn't lose me. We're still friends. Can we talk at lunch?"
"Aren't you going to sit with your boyfriend?" she asks, sounding annoyed.
"Not today," I say, realizing she's right. I've been letting Dean have all my time and neglecting my friendship with Eve.
"You might as well sit with him. If you don't, you'll just be staring at him, not hearing anything I say. I've been through this before. Guys always ruin friendships."
