"Yeah, okay."
He laughs a little. "C'mon, you gotta act a little more excited. This is big news. It's what you've been working for."
I smile. "It's great, but I'm kind of holding off on the excitement until I know it's a done deal."
"I understand." He checks his watch. "I need to get going. The wife is making me go to a retirement party tonight for one of her co-workers."
"And you don't want to go?"
"I'd rather have a root canal, and if you've ever had one, you'd know how much I don't want to go to this party." He sighs. "But it's one of those things you do as a husband." He chuckles. "You'll see what I mean when you get married someday." He walks off. "We'll talk next week."
"Yeah. Thanks for stopping by."
Three offers from three colleges. It's what I wanted but now I don't know what to do. Accepting an offer means moving away. But staying in Chicago doesn't mean I'll be with Brook. She's not looking at colleges around here.
What does this mean for us? I finally commit to being with her and doing whatever I can to make myself better for her, only to realize we may not be together next year.
Chapter Seventeen
Brook
I want to go see Dean tonight but I don't have a way to get there. My mom went out with some of her friends and Eve had to work. It's only seven but it's dark out and I don't feel safe riding the bus or walking down the street when it's dark.
I call up Danny. Before all this happened with Dean I didn't really know Danny, but we've become friends this past week.
"Hey, Danny," I say when he answers. "It's Brook. Are you busy?"
"Just getting ready to go out. What's going on?"
"I was wondering if you could give me a ride to the hospital to see Dean. My mom went out and she took the car."
"Sorry, but I can't really drive right now. I've been drinking. Kendrick and I are going to a party later and we started drinking here at the house."
"Oh, okay, well, I'll see if I can find someone else."
"Josh is picking us up around nine. We could stop by and get you."
"Nine is too late. Visitor hours will be over."
"Shit, that's right. You can't take the bus?"
"I could, but I don't like taking it this late. Don't worry about it. It's probably too late anyways. I wouldn't have much time there before I'd have to leave. I'll let you go. Have fun at the party!"
"Hey, why don't you go with us? You've spent all week at the hospital. It'd be good for you to get out and do something. Bring Eve with you."
"Eve?" I laugh. "Isn't this a football party?"
"Yeah, but other people from school will be there."
"Football parties aren't really Eve's thing. And besides, she's working tonight."
"Not after nine. Doesn't she work at a clothing store?"
"Yeah, she gets off at eight but she's not going to go to the party. She'd rather go home and watch a movie than hang out with the football team. No offense, that's just how she is."
"She was around us at the hospital and didn't seem to have a problem."
"Why are you so insistent on Eve going to the party?"
