"Biggest regret of my life," he says sincerely.
I don’t get the chance to respond before a shadow falls over the table.
I glance up.
And immediately regret it.
Brooks stands there, arms crossed, expression carved from stone.
"Elowen," he greets smoothly. Then, with barely concealed distaste, he turns to Holden. "Boy who cheated on Elowen in high school and ruined junior prom for her."
I groan, running a hand down my face. "That’s a little dramatic."
Brooks frowns, unbothered. "Why are you eating with him?"
Holden’s eyebrows shoot up as he glances between us.
"What do you want,Brooks?" I exhale heavily, already exhausted by whatever this is.
"You weren’t in your dad’s room," he replies, his tone hard to read. "And I wasn’t home this morning to make sure you ate."
Holden’s brows really shoot up at that. "Do you guys… live together?"
"No," I say at the exact moment Brooks says, "Yes."
I whip my head toward Brooks. "We do not live together. He just… stays over." I wave a hand dismissively.
Holden blinks. "Oh." He nods, recalibrating. "I thought maybe you were roommates."
Brooks’ head snaps back like he’s been physically struck by lightning. "We’re not roommates. I just don’t bother going home."
Holden lifts his hands. "Got it. Sorry."
"It’s still odd," I say, giving Brooks a pointed look. "Most men go home to their houses at night."
Brooks glares at me, Holden looks like he wishes he could evaporate, and I, for once, actually enjoy the chaos.
Holden’s pager beeps, and he sighs, glancing down at it like he really doesn’t want to go. "I have to run," he says, barely sparing Brooks a glance. Then, turning back to me, his smile returns. "Maybe we could grab a coffee sometime?"
I hesitate for half a second before nodding. "Yeah. I’d like that."
Brooks scoffs loudly beside me, rolling his eyes so hard I’m surprised he doesn’t sprain something.
Holden either doesn’t notice or doesn’t care. He stands when I do, his gaze warm. "It was really great seeing you, Ellie." Then, without another word, he picks up his tray and rushes out of the cafeteria.
The second he’s gone, Brooks mutters, "He is such a loser."
I slap his stomach—not hard, but enough to make him grunt—and spin to face him. "What is your problem?"
He tilts his head, feigning innocence. "Where do you want me to start, Elowen?"
I groan. "Why are you always everywhere I am?"
Brooks doesn’t miss a beat, reaching over to steal a slice of my peeled orange. "Small town, Ellie. There are only so many places to be."
"Go. Away."
He just grins, completely unfazed. Then, without invitation, he slides into Holden’s abandoned chair and motions to my barely touched tray. "After you eat."
