"We're not a good match. I don't know why I ever dated him."
She sighs. "All Chad wants is a chance to see you again. He admits your relationship struggled when we moved away but he's willing to put in the effort to make it work. I told him I'd talk to you about doing the same."
"Wait—what? You told Chad I'd get back together with him?"
"I didn't make him any promises but I told him I'd talk to you."
"Was that why he invited you to brunch? So you two could gang up on me and try to get me to go back to him?"
"Chad simply asked me to talk to you. That's it. But I think you could at least let him take you to dinner. Perhaps you two could go back to being friends."
"I don't even like him. Why would I be friends with him?"
"Would you like a car?" she asks, raising her brows.
"Yes, but what's that have to do with this?"
"If you give Chad another chance, your father will get you a car. Anything you'd like. Wouldn't that be nice? To be able to go places without needing someone to drive you?"
"Are you serious?" I say, raising my voice. "You really think I'd break up with Dean and get back with Chad in exchange for a car?" I huff. "Forget it. I'd rather take the bus." I try to shut the door but she won't let go of it.
"Brook, I have allowed you to have your fun but I've had enough. I'm sick of living in this dump and working fifteen hours a day just to support us. I don't want to keep doing it. Your father is offering us a way out and I want us to take it."
"Even if it means I'll be miserable?"
"How could you possibly be miserable? We'll be back in a safe part of town, living in a beautiful house. You'll have a car. Spending money. Your father even agreed to let us rejoin the country club."
"But that's not what I want. If you're telling me I have no choice in this, then I guess there's nothing else to say."
She lets go of the door and I slam it shut.
When I'm done with my shower, I go in my room and lock the door. I'm so mad at my mom, I can't even talk to her right now. Maybe later tonight, when we've both had time to cool down, I can convince her to change her mind.
I'm not going back to Haverhill. I wouldn't even fit in there. I'm not that girl anymore.
Chapter Twenty
Dean
"I want out of this bed," I say to the nurse. "I don't want my brother seeing me like this."
"I could get you a wheelchair," she says.
"Yeah, that's fine, but could you do it soon? He's going to be here any minute now."
"I'll see what I can do." She leaves my room.
I'm excited to see Jake but also a little nervous. I'm worried that after all this he might've changed. I'm afraid he'll see the world differently now. I'm afraid he'll see it like I do. Dark. Dangerous. Threatening. Not trusting anyone. Always having to watch your back. Never able to relax.
I lived that way for most of my life but then I met Brook and the world looked a little brighter. I still see the world as a dangerous place but I can let myself relax now and then, especially when I'm with Brook. She makes me calm. Hopeful. I didn't think I'd ever feel that way, but knowing it's possible, I have hope for Jake. He can get past this. I'll do everything I can to make sure of it. I want him to go back to being the carefree kid who sat around playing video games and went to the go-kart track with his friends.
"Here you go," the nurse says, bringing in a wheelchair.
"I can do it," I tell her when she tries to help. I'm still in a lot of pain but I need to fight through it. I need to get my strength back and that's not going to happen lying in bed all day.
"You okay?" she asks as I grip the chair, cringing in pain as I lower myself into it.
"I'm good." I force out a smile. "It's just been awhile since I've been able to sit up like this."
