16. Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Sixteen
B rooke missed hanging out with Adam, Jeremiah, and Simon. They’d had some good times together. But like a lot of splits, Mindy Sue kept her friends, Marco his, and none of them wanted to make their friend think they were disloyal by mingling without them. Though Mindy Sue wouldn’t mind her hanging out with these guys. Marco…you never knew what he’d find offensive and bash you for.
Adam, Jeremiah, and Simon were too shy and laid-back to really stand up to Marco. She sometimes wondered how the four of them became friends. Though Marco seemed to be the dominant personality and the other three were more alike to each other, so maybe Marco had used them to appear to have real friends, because he wasn’t really that nice all the time and these guys wouldn’t call him out on it.
“I hope your parents didn’t drag you here and you actually wanted to come,” she blurted out, nervous for some reason. They were all staring at her, probably hoping she’d address the elephant in the room.
Simon shook his head. “I wanted to come. You were always cool with us.”
“Yeah,” Jeremiah said. “And Marco got what he deserved. He should have treated your friend better. She was too nice to him for too long.”
“We’re guilty of that, too,” Adam added. “But just because they’re not together doesn’t mean we can’t hang out. Right?” His hopeful tone, along with the others’ comments, made all her anxiety disappear.
They were probably all hoping she still wanted their friendship. “I don’t blame the innocent for what others do.”
“How did your finals go?” Simon asked.
She let out a dramatic sigh. “I’m so glad they’re over. I spent a week studying late into the night and finishing a paper. I got all A’s, so that’s a relief. I don’t want to slack off just because I know what I’m going to do after I graduate and my GPA won’t matter to an employer.”
“What are you going to do?” Jeremiah asked.
“I’m buying the local bookstore. Actually, a whole building. I’ll open a café next to the bookstore, rent out the second-floor office space, and rent out the third-floor apartments. Well, all except the one I’ll move into once I’m home.” She hadn’t told her mom or Cody about that part of her plans yet.
Adam gaped, his cheeks turning red with a blush. “You took my suggestion.”
She grinned at him. “It was too tempting not to look into it. I’ll be finalizing things this spring and will hopefully open at the start of summer. So thank you. You inspired me to believe in myself and that I didn’t need to gain experience from working for someone else to take the leap to do this. I know what I want and what I’m doing.” She let loose a self-deprecating laugh. “Well, I’m sure I’ll make mistakes along the way, but I have my mom and Cody to back me up if I need it.”
“You won’t. You’ve got this,” Jeremiah encouraged.
“You’ll be amazing,” Simon said, his gaze dipping away. “I wish I had my future as perfectly mapped out as you do.”
“Sounds like your mom is supporting you.” Adam looked like that was a novel idea.
Brooke understood that in his world, expectations were high. Adam, like Simon, didn’t always meet them for his exacting parents and it took a toll on him. On both of them.
They stood and chatted for a few minutes about classes and life on campus. Jeremiah took the lead and seemed at ease, while Adam and Simon chimed in when they felt comfortable. Just like old times.
“We should meet up for coffee”—Adam rubbed the back of his neck—“or something,” he blurted out when conversation waned.
Brooke nodded. “I’d love that. I bet Mindy Sue and Julie would love to join all of us.”
Adam stuffed his hands in his pockets and stared at his feet. “Yeah. That’d be great.”
“I can’t wait,” Simon put in.
Jeremiah bumped his shoulder to hers. “Just because Marco blew it doesn’t mean we can’t all be friends.”
Adam and Simon’s eyes both went wide and stared past her.
She wondered what had them spooked, until she turned and found Cody coming up behind her, his narrowed eyes glued to the three young men in front of her.
“Brooke. A word.”
Adam, Jeremiah, and Simon all said, “Hey,” at the same time to Cody.
“You guys having a good time?” Cody slipped his hand around her waist and pulled her to his side.
What the…what?
A whirl of butterflies took flight in her belly and her skin flushed with the heat of him sinking into her. He smelled delicious, like dark chocolate and spice. She stood still, trying to keep the placid look on her face and not let anyone know how deeply his nearness affected her. She stood as still as possible and forbade herself from leaning into him.
Be good. Don’t do anything stupid. Again.
The guys stood staring, probably as curious as she was by Cody’s not-so-subtle protective steak when it came to her.
Jeremiah took a big step back and said, “It was good to catch up. I’ll text you about meeting up. I think I’ll go check out the dessert table.” All the sentences nearly ran together, he spoke so fast.
“Me, too,” Adam said, turning to follow Jeremiah.
Simon gave Cody a long look before saying, “I really hope to see you soon.”
Cody’s embrace tightened.
Brooke subtly nudged him. He didn’t move an inch.
Brooke gave Simon a big smile. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Simon nodded. “And congratulations on the store and everything.”
Her smile softened as her appreciation that he cared overcame her. “Thank you.”
Cody waited for Simon to head off toward their other friends before raising a brow at her.