Chapter 3
Chapter Three
brOOKS
TRIFECTA OF SUCKAGE
T he kitchen is spotless. Living room? You could eat off the floors. My bedroom? It would pass a drill sergeant’s test.
Laundry is done. Hell, I even did Charlie’s to try and pass the time.
But glancing at the time on my phone, it’s only a little after one in the afternoon. Even after eating lunch, everything is neat and tidy.
If I have no job, I at least want to be the best houseguest I can be for Charlie. Even if it means I’m now doom-scrolling on his couch.
I can’t help it.
Seeing all the happy posts people are uploading to social media has me spiraling. I shouldn’t be on the app, but what else is there to do?
Comet gave up on me sometime after lunch and went into my room to sleep. When I’ve lost my dog, I know it’s bad .
I don’t know how to pull myself out of this mood.
And then I see it.
A photo of Delia and Britney. I forgot Britney had this influencer account. Delia told me that if I followed her, it looked better for her and she’d get more free stuff.
Of course, Delia would go to the Caribbean over the holidays. She always hated that I made her wait until after Christmas.
Sue me for wanting to spend the month leading up to my favorite holiday in my own house. Sun and sand is not how I ever pictured spending my holiday. Snow, hot chocolate, and Christmas trees in my home was always how I spent it.
We always ended up going on my timeline, and maybe that’s what led to the downfall of our marriage. I didn’t compromise enough. We were two different people who wanted to lead two very different lives.
I loved being in the small town of Moose Falls, but for Delia, it was stifling. No matter what I did to show her how great it could be and the life we could have together, she didn’t want it.
Well, I guess she can finally do what she wants.
Fuck. I really need to unfollow her.
“You need to stop.”
Charlie reaches over the back of the couch and grabs my phone from my hand.
“Hey!”
Charlie peers at my phone and flashes it back to me. “You’re following her best friend’s influencer account?”
I can hear the judgment in his tone. Popping up onto my knees, I grab my phone back from him. “I forgot I was. I unfollowed everyone else.”
Charlie heads into the kitchen, shaking his head. “It’s not healthy for you to sit and stare at social media all day.”
“I know that.” I flop back onto the couch like a dramatic teenager. “And when did you get home? ”
At least he has a job to go to. Having worked for Delia’s family’s company, even remotely, I also lost my job.
I don’t think I’ve ever been at a lower point in my life.
“I texted to see if you were okay, but you never responded.”
Pulling up my texts, I see them.
Charlie
Morning! Feeling okay today?
How are you feeling, Brooks? Okay?
Okay, seriously, why aren’t you responding?
Did you die? You always text me back immediately.
Okay, if you’re dead when I come inside in ten minutes, I’ll never forgive you
I wince. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay. I just want to make sure you’re okay,” Charlie calls out from the kitchen.
“It just sucks, ya know?” I tell him. Charlie is the only person I would confess my true feelings to because I feel safe. Every time my parents call, I paste on a happy voice so they don’t know how bad I’m really feeling. Being around Charlie is about the one good thing I have going for me right now. “I’m homeless, jobless, and single around my favorite holiday. It’s the trifecta of suckage.”
Charlie’s there, dropping onto his knees and resting his arms on the back of the couch. I stare at my best friend. His brown hair flops into his eyes.
“You’re sad.”
I snort a laugh. “Stating the obvious, Charlie. ”
“I’m going to cheer you up.”
Sitting up, I rest my chin on the back of the couch. Up close, I can see the determined look in Charlie’s eyes. “And how are you going to do that?”
“Easy.” Charlie smiles and it reaches his eyes. “We’re going to celebrate Christmas together.”
“Christmas isn’t for another three weeks, Charlie.”
“Duh. I’m going to pick out my Christmas tree tomorrow, so you’re going to help. Then we’ll decorate. We’ll make Christmas cookies, sing carols, and watch cheesy Christmas movies. It’ll be perfect.”
I give him a halfhearted smile. “And after tomorrow?”
“Then we’ll go ice skating. Sledding. Paint ornaments. There’s plenty we can do to celebrate the holiday,” Charlie tells me. There’s a determination in his voice.
“You’d really do all of that with me?”
A warmth blooms in my chest. One that feels sneakily like hope. That maybe there’s a light at the end of this tunnel.
“Of course I would. You’re my best friend.”
I give Charlie an awkward pat on the top of his head. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
“Good.” Charlie brushes his hair back into place. “I’m going to make it so you get sick of Christmas.”
“Doubt it, but don’t let me stop you.”
Because for the first time in a long time, I don’t feel like I need to be sitting on the couch wasting away my days.
Bring it on, Christmas.
Bring it on.