Dean's eyes do that thing again where they dart around really fast. I didn't hear Jake tell Dean he was leaving but I don't think he'd lie about that.
"Let me go!" Jake says, pleading with Dean. "You're scaring me! You're acting like Dad!"
Dean instantly lets go of him and backs away, a blank stare on his face.
"Dean." I hold his arm. "Just calm down. Jake's safe. He was with Danny."
Dean's eyes lower to Jake, taking deep breaths as Jake stares back at him, afraid to move, or even say anything.
"Jake, I'm sorry," Dean says. "I don't know what happened. I thought you were gone and I...I freaked out."
"Can I go now?" Jake asks.
"Yeah. Go ahead."
Jake goes in his room and shuts the door.
"You okay?" I ask Dean, coming around in front of him.
"He said I was like Dad." He shakes his head. "He was right. I fucking lost it."
"But you didn't. You didn't do anything."
"This is why I'm afraid to be with you. I'm afraid I'll lose it and hurt you."
"You won't. And we're going to work on that. You're going to see someone." I hug him. "It's going to be okay, Dean. You're not your dad. Not even close."
I remain there with him until Eve stops by to pick me up. She's taking me to the game later. Danny's parents will take Dean and Jake.
"What's going on with you and Kendrick?" I ask Eve as she drives me home.
"Why do you keep asking me that? I told you we're just friends."
"Why'd you show at Dean's party together?"
"It was a coincidence." She glances at me. "You really think I'd date him? You know my rule."
"What's wrong with dating a football player? I'm dating Dean."
"That's different. You two have some weird connection. It's like you guys were meant to be together."
It's true. People say things happen for a reason and I think everything that happened to get me here was so that I could meet Dean. If I'd stayed at Haverhill, I never would've met him. My life would be totally different.
When I get home my mom is there, dressed up in an evening gown, her hair looking like it was professionally done.
"I'm leaving for my date soon," she says as I fly past her on my way to my bedroom. I'm not in the mood to fight with her and it seems like that's all we do now.
"Brook, did you hear me?" she asks, standing by my door.
"Yes. I heard you." I go to my closet to find my school sweatshirt for the game. "Is he picking you up?"
"Yes. He'll be here in a few minutes."
"Can I have the car?"
"I suppose you can, but be careful where you park. I don't want dings."
I roll my eyes. "I'll just ride with Eve."
