Coach steps aside and Danny steps up to the microphone. "Hey, everyone. Like Coach said, the fund has been set up in Dean's name. The link is on the school website. I also posted it on social media. We want to raise as much money as we can but if you can only give a few dollars, we'll take it. Every little bit counts. Some of you only know Dean from the football field but I've been his friend since we were kids. He's a good friend, and an awesome older brother to Jake. Dean's gone through a lot the past few years, but this is probably the worst. Please consider donating." He steps back, then returns to the microphone. "Oh, before I go, I want to thank Tyler's dad for his donation from the car dealership. He's giving us a thousand bucks for every touchdown we make tonight. Go Tigers!"
The crowd roars as people cheer.
A thousand dollars for each touchdown? We're playing an easy team tonight. We could get at least three touchdowns, probably more. I can't believe Tyler's dad would do that. And I can't believe Danny set up the fund. I need to apologize to him. I've been treating him like shit, pushing him away like I do Brook, but it ends now. Danny's like a brother to me and I can't lose him.
"Hi, everyone." I hear her voice and stare back at the video. Brook's standing at the microphone. "Some of you may not know me. I started here this year. My name is Brook Turner. Since coming to school here I've gotten to know Dean and his brother Jake, and I just wanted to say, please consider giving a donation, even if it’s just a dollar or two.” She softly smiles. "Dean may come off as a tough guy, and some of you might even be afraid of him, but he's not that guy. He would never hurt anyone. He has one of the kindest, most generous hearts of anyone I know. He would do anything for his brother, Jake, so knowing he's missing right now, and knowing he can't do anything about it, is killing him. He doesn't need medical bills on top of all that." Her voice cracks. "Please consider helping him. And consider going to see him in the hospital. He says he doesn't want people there but do it anyway. He needs our love and support now more than ever. We're a family here, and we don't leave anyone behind." She looks at Coach. "I think it's time to start the game. Go Tigers!"
The crowd cheers and the band starts playing. Brooks walks off camera and the video ends.
I set my phone down and notice tears falling down my cheeks. I quickly wipe them away.
I can't believe Brook did that for me. Actually, Idobelieve it. That's Brook. She's kind. Selfless. Beautiful, inside and out. Why she ever dated me is a mystery to me. She could have anyone she wants.
On the video she didn't call me her boyfriend. Maybe that means it's over, but I'm not ready for this to end. I need to talk to her. I'd call her but she's at the game. I don't want to call when she's in a crowd of screaming fans.
I text her.I'm sorry, Brook. I screwed up. Again.
I wait a few seconds, then send her another text.I don't deserve you but I want a second chance. Or maybe this is a third. I've lost count. Please just consider it.
I don't get anything back, but she might not be checking her phone. Or maybe she doesn't want to text back because in her mind, we're over.
I text her once more.I love you, Brook. More than anything. And I need to talk to you. Even if you hate me right now, will you at least talk to me?
She doesn't text back, and probably won't. She's done with me. I pushed her too far.
Setting my phone down, I lay back on the bed and close my eyes, imagining Brook, wishing I could see her again. She's the only person who made me feel at peace when things seemed out of control. The only person who made me feel calm, even when I was angry. I don't know how she did it but I know I'll never find someone like that again.
"You said you wanted to talk?"
I open my eyes and see Brook standing there, looking absolutely gorgeous. Her blond hair is down around her shoulders and she's wearing tight jeans and a tiny black t-shirt with our school's name and mascot.
"Brook," I say, wondering if it's really her or if I'm dreaming this. I'm still on a lot of drugs. I might be hallucinating.
"How are you feeling?" she asks, coming up beside me.
"Good. Fine," I mutter, blinking a few times to make sure she's really there. "I thought you were at the game."
"I was, but I left early. I saw your texts on the way over here. You said you wanted to talk?"
"Yes." I take her hand and wait for her to sit down.
She sits on the edge of the bed, looking at me with a sad expression that tells me she's about to end this. She's going back to her old school. Her old life. If only I'd talked to her sooner. If only I hadn't let her leave after our fight. Would the outcome be different? Would she have stayed?
"What is it, Dean?"
I look down at our joined hands. "I want you back. I know I fucked up and I know I pushed you away but I think I finally realize why. And now that I know, maybe I could do better. I WANT to do better." My eyes rise to hers. "It may be too late but I had to at least apologize to you and tell you how I feel. I still love you, Brook, and that will never change, even if you leave. You're the first person in my life who has ever made me believe I'm not the person he told me I was. That I'm not worthless."
She squeezes my hand, concern covering her face. "Dean, is that what you really thought? That you're worthless?"
I pause, then nod, looking down at the bed. "It's all I've ever been told. Even after he left, I could still hear him telling me that. I couldn't make it stop."
"Dean, you are not worthless. You're one of the best people I know."
I shut my eyes, trying to stop any tears, but one manages to break loose, slipping down my face.
"Dean." I feel Brook's body covering mine, her arms wrapping around me. "I wish I could explain to you how much you're loved, not just by me, or Jake, but by everyone at school. The way people cheered for you tonight? And we've already raised five thousand dollars for your medical bills. That's not even counting the donation Tyler's dad is giving us from the car dealership." I feel her pulling away and when I open my eyes, I see her looking back at me. "Did you really think you'd lost me?"
"Did I?" I ask, my heart pounding.
