8. Brooke
Chapter 8
Brooke
I still couldn’t believe it. Matthew had asked me to go out for drinks with him. Just the two of us!
I had already forgotten about my weird interaction with Asher . Daddy is pleased? What in the world did that mean, and when had we gotten to the part of our relationship where we could joke around?
Ew .
I unblocked Asher’s number as I entered the bar, hoping he wouldn’t send me another update about the petition’s progress. I couldn’t care less about it because I had a plan. I was going to befriend as many tenants in our building as I could, and I would overturn that petition.
I’m not going anywhere. Asher would regret making an enemy out of me.
“ Brooke !” Matthew waved his hand, and he looked so beautiful dressed in a casual, breathable button-up shirt, solid loose pants, and a plain white sneaker. I took a deep breath in and smoothed my sweaty palms down my thigh-high sundress.
Aww , we looked like such a couple smiling at each other from across the room.
I walked toward the table, and he got up when I reached him and offered me a warm hug. There was a little squeeze in the hug, and my heart almost leaped out of my chest. He smells so good, gosh!
“ Thank you for coming,” he said softly as he released me from his warm hug, and I smiled as I nodded.
Why was my throat suddenly so dry?
“ You did offer to pay for the food,” I shrugged, and he chuckled as he pulled the chair out for me.
This felt like a date! The bar was very intimate, and there were a few couples scattered around as well as friend groups.
“ Yeah , yeah, besides, we’re long overdue for a proper catchup.” He waved as he sat down, and I giggled. We’ve never had a catchup before. This felt different.
Matthew looked at me nervously as he played with his fingers, and I chuckled as I leaned forward, wanting to show him what could be his if only he would ask me out. “ Are you okay, Matt ?”
“ Yeah , yeah.” He leaned back in his chair, angling his body toward me. I hadn’t noticed it before, but Matthew had sat beside me instead of across from me. “ You look really pretty tonight.”
Oh . My . God .
Perhaps Marie was right. Had Matthew finally gotten the hints that I had been sending his way since we met? Had he finally gotten the signals?
I blushed as I pushed my hair behind my ear. I wanted to look pretty for you, I thought to myself.
“ You don’t look so shabby yourself. Cleaned up for me?” Was I coming on too strong?
“ I had to show off. We’re used to seeing each other in uniform.” He brushed off the imaginary dust from his shoulders, and I laughed as I nodded my head.
Date me, and you can see me dressed in absolutely anything you want.
“ I like that. We have to show off more.”
“ I agree. By the way, what would you like to drink?”
“ Uhm , I think a Long Island would be a great starter,” I told him, and he got up, letting me know that he would be back with my drink soon.
When I saw that he was out of sight, I grabbed my phone and quickly texted Marie .
Me : He said I looked pretty!
Marie : Are your boobs and sexy legs on display today?
Me : You know it. I even got the hair loose tonight.
Marie : Atta girl! Apply some more pink lip gloss; it makes your lips look pouty.
Me : On it! He went to get me a drink. And he’s sitting right next to me!
Marie : I would, too. Who doesn’t want to stare at those gorgeous boobs close up?
Me : Stop ! I’m blushing.
Marie : Make your boobs blush. I’m telling you - you will go home with him today!
Me : Okay , he’s coming back. I’ll update you as the date progresses!
Marie : Remember , safe sex is the best sex!
Me : Yes , Mom .
“ Here is your order, milady.” He placed my drink on the coaster before me, and I flashed him my flirtiest smile.
“ Thank you, kind sir.” I immediately picked it up and sipped my drink, trying to think of ways to get him to finally ask me out.
“ So , how’s it going with you and your neighbor?” Seriously ? Maybe he was shy. But why would he want to talk about Asher ?
“ I don’t know if we’re getting along, but we’re able to talk without arguing these days,” I told him, and he nodded as he drank his beer.
“ Is he still trying to get you kicked out?” He laughed, and I clicked on Asher’s name on my WhatsApp , showing him the most recent message he had texted me before I blocked him.
“ Yup ,” I popped the “p,” and Matthew’s eyes widened as he read the message about the petition.
“ Damn !”
“ Yes , damn,” I sighed as I locked my phone.
“ So , are you going to move out?” he asked, and I shook my head.
“ I don’t want to. You know how long it took me to find such a great apartment. I’m hoping we can sort of reach a consensus and be civil to each other. We don’t have to befriend each other, you know?”
“ Yeah ,” Matthew’s blue eyes stared into mine, and I wasn’t sure whether it was the alcohol or my feelings for him, but my heartbeat quickened when he licked his lips.
Oh , I’m crazy about him!
“ Ugh , but he is so frustrating, you know? Whenever he gets a chance, he will call me careless and more things that I don’t wish to repeat.” I rolled my eyes.
“ That must be annoying. Even though he looked like he would break my neck with a simple twist, I really thought he was friendly.”
“ I wonder where you got that from,” I murmured, and Matthew laughed as he sipped his drink.
“ I mean, come on, he really is handsome, so I kind of thought his manners would be the same.”
“ It’s always the handsome ones.” I shook my head disappointedly. Asher really was handsome, but damn it! I wanted to punch him so badly. “ His daughter is the cutest, though! She quickly stole my heart.”
“ He’s a father, too?” Matthew asked, shocked, and I nodded excitedly.
“ Yes ! But his daughter is the complete opposite of him. She is so friendly and has the cutest smile ever!”
“ You’ve always liked kids,” he commented, and I sipped my drink. “ I think you’d be a great mother.”
Okay , so first he compliments me, and then he checks on my well-being, and now he thinks I would be a great mother? Oh , he wanted me so badly!
“ Do you want kids?” I asked him as I leaned against the table and used my left hand to support my head. Marie had taught me a great deal about flirting, but this was starting to feel like second nature the more I drank.
“ Yeah . I grew up in a big family, and I want one of my own one day,” he said so gently that I couldn’t help but smile.
“ Really ? Me , too. Although I grew up in a foster home with my older brother,” I told him, and his eyes widened.
“ I just realized I don’t know much about you,” he said.
I commented, “ Stick around, and you’ll know everything.”
“ Does Marie know everything about you? I know you guys are best friends.”
“ She knows much more than you do,” I told him.
“ And do you know everything about her?”
“ That and more,” I confirmed, and he chuckled as he shook his head, amused.
“ What is more?”
“ Believe me, it’s a lot. I doubt someone as sweet as you could handle it.”
“ You think I’m sweet?” He blushed, and I almost screamed. Why was he so gorgeous?
“ Yeah . Marie thinks so, too.”
“ Really ?” His eyes sparkled, and I nodded. Yes , Matthew . My friend accepted you already, and we would all be a great group. A boyfriend who was obsessed with me and a friend who didn’t find him to be my greatest mistake.
I swear I was the chosen one.
“ Uhm , Brooke .” He spoke softly, and my heart hammered against my chest. Oh , fuck, this was it!
“ Yes ?” I pushed my chest out a bit more, and his eyes met mine in an intense lock. Was he just as nervous as I was?
Oh , gosh, I wasn’t ready. I suddenly felt hot, and it became incredibly hard to swallow anything.
“ Can I ask you a question?”
“ Yeah ,” I whispered, nervously licking my lips in the process. Now , I suddenly had to pee. I was freaking out.
Will you go out with me? Come on, say it already!
“ I have feelings for?—”
“ Me , too!” I blurted out, and he looked at me, shocked.
“ Huh ?” he asked, confused. I nodded excitedly while he looked at me, confused. “ You have feelings for Marie , too?”
“ What ?” I whispered, surprised, and he sat up straight, putting his hands on the table in front of me.
“ I like Marie , and I was hoping you could help me out. I’ve kind of been shy around her, but I don’t want to wait around anymore,” he said softly, looking embarrassed as he rubbed his neck, and I opened my mouth only to close it again.
He liked Marie ? My ears rang, and my face felt incredibly hot. I was such a fool!
“ Oh ,” I whispered, and he nervously chuckled as he licked his lips. Oh . It actually hurt.
“ Yeah . But if you like her too, I can totally back off and stuff,” he offered, and I was tempted to agree.
“ No . I mean I do like her, but she’s my best friend, so it’s very platonic,” I told him and a relieved smile grew on his face as he scooted closer to me, holding my hand in his.
All the butterflies I had felt before suddenly made me extremely sick as I stared at my hand in his. I wasn’t the one he liked.
“ Do you think you could help me? I want to make a move on her, and I don’t know which way would be best to approach this.” He looked really desperate while I sat beside him, fighting against my feelings as I stared at him.
I was desperate, too.
“ Brooke ? Why aren’t you saying anything? Is Marie in a relationship?” He looked hurt, and I cleared my throat. I reached for my drink and pulled my hand out of his.
I dressed this prettily for him to tell me he liked my best friend. Oh , come on!
“ Yeah , she is in a relationship. I don’t think it’s serious, though,” I told him, and that relieved smile returned.
“ Do you think I stand a chance?” he asked carefully, and I took a sip of my drink, nodding. I need something stronger.
“ With me as your wing-woman? Definitely !”
“ Oh , thank you, Brooke ! I knew I could count on you.” He grabbed my hand again and pressed his lips on it.
Why couldn’t it be me?
“ Any time.” I offered him a tight smile, and we discussed how he could approach Marie and show her his feelings.
I was rejected, and it hurt like hell. I should’ve said something earlier, then I wouldn’t be so jealous of my friend.