Chapter 7 Aubrey
chapter
seven
aubrey
i woke up feeling oddly rested.
I had finally slept through the night without dreaming of a homicidal Maxx.
I didn’t know if it was my surprisingly productive meeting with Dr. Lowell earlier in the week or my staunch resolve to move forward, but for whatever reason, I had been given a reprieve from my anxiety-inducing nightmares.
And that, for me, was cause for celebration. Or at least my customary indulgence of Krispy Kreme doughnuts on the way to my first class.
I munched on strawberry glazed goodness as I walked the two short blocks to campus. It was warmer than normal for early spring. The campus was alive with students taking advantage of this first sign of good weather.
The warm air felt like a fresh start. As though even Mother Nature was on board with me getting my act together and putting the past behind me.
“Someone looks like they woke up on the happy side of the bed.”
I glanced up to find Brooks beside me. He looked good that morning in a casual T-shirt and distressed denim. He hadn’t bothered to shave, and the light stubble gave his face a rugged appearance that worked for him.
Not for the first time I was reminded of why I had been attracted to him when we had first met.
“Yeah, feeling pretty great today. It’s amazing what a good night’s sleep will do for you,” I said, giving Brooks a smile.
His face lit up and it was sort of infectious.
My smile spread into a cheek-splitting grin.
It was easier to feel normal with Brooks again after realizing that he hadn’t gone behind my back to Kristie.
I now knew, after our encounter at Compulsion, that Evan had informed on me and that my anger toward Brooks had been unfair and misguided.
“It’s nice seeing you like this. It’s been too long,” Brooks said, grabbing the other half of my doughnut and popping it into his mouth.
“You always have had a problem with grabby hands,” I teased, elbowing him in the side.
“At one time you sort of liked my grabby hands.” Brooks wiggled his eyebrows and I laughed off his flirting.
“Yeah, well, that was a long time ago. And I’ve learned a thing or two about the importance of personal boundaries since then,” I joked back, enjoying our easy banter.
Brooks licked sugar from his lips, shrugged, and grabbed my hand, pulling me up short.
“I’m taking you out tonight. I think it’s time to get you drunk and to have those normal college experiences all the kids are talking about.” Brooks let me go and I took a step back.
“Uh . . . I don’t know . . .” I began, but Brooks cut me off.
“Just sit back and enjoy the ride, Aubrey.”
I involuntarily shuddered at his words. Sitting back and enjoying the ride is what had gotten me into trouble in the first place. But he was right. What could it hurt?
“Sure. Why not?” I said, shrugging.
“Wow. Your enthusiasm is contagious,” he joked, rolling his eyes.
I playfully punched his shoulder. Maybe he was right and I just needed a good night out to forget about everything.
“When should I be ready for our night of wild and crazy shenanigans?” I asked, walking through the door Brooks held open for me. Our shoulders brushed and I felt a strange mixture of hesitance and pleasure.
Not because it was Brooks touching me. It had nothing to do with that. It was more about the fact that anyone was touching me. My body missed even the casual touches of intimacy.
I realized that I hadn’t done myself any favors by living an isolated life.
Brooks walked close beside me, his arm rubbing against mine as we moved. And I allowed it.
“I’ll be by around eight thirty. Get ready to have some fun, Aubrey. I’ll pull a good time out of you if it’s the last thing I do,” Brooks threatened good-naturedly, and I couldn’t help but smile. It felt good. I felt good.
What a concept.
“Wow, going out on a school night? What’s come over you?” Renee joked as I pulled a conservative sweater dress out of the back of my closet. It was cute, with a slightly scooped neck and fitted sleeves. It fell midthigh and was a flattering purple.
Before thinking too much about it, I grabbed my knee-high boots and lacy tights to wear beneath my dress. I didn’t get dressed up often, but I was in the mood to look pretty.
“Yeah, Brooks convinced me to go out,” I said, stripping down to my underwear and bra and then sliding the dress over my head. Renee didn’t bat an eye. We had been living together long enough that modesty had lost its place in our relationship a while ago.
Renee gave me a smile. “That’s good, Aubrey. I haven’t always been Brooks’s biggest fan. His collection of button-down shirts kind of gives me hives. But he’s been a good friend to you. And who knows, maybe you’ll find someone to get a little wild with.”
I nearly choked.
“What?” I shrieked.
Renee held her hands up and laughed at my expression. “Jeez, calm down, Aubrey. I’m just saying that you’ve been tied up in knots for a long time now. Something simple might be good for you.”
“And you honestly think hooking up with a random someone is simple? Are you serious?” I asked incredulously.
My face flamed hot and I felt an uncomfortable flip in my stomach at Renee’s suggestion. It wasn’t that I was against the idea of ever being with someone else. But I had the inexplicable feeling that I was betraying Maxx by even contemplating it. Which was ridiculous.
“I’ll save releasing my inner hoochie for another night, I think,” I joked, pushing aside my unease.
Renee playfully swatted my arm and grinned.
“It doesn’t have to be a full-on sexcapade. You could just . . . you know, kiss someone a little. Find a hot stranger to whet your appetite,” Renee teased, trying to break the heaviness in both of our hearts.
Her words had me recoiling at the thought of the last hot stranger I had been drawn to. I swallowed around the lump in my throat.
I forced a dry laugh from my mouth. “I appreciate your efforts in facilitating random hookups for the night. But I think just a beer and some nachos will be all that I need,” I said.
“And probably a lot less drama,” Renee quipped.
On a whim, I grabbed her hand and squeezed. “Come out with us,” I said.
“I’d rather not be on hand to witness the Brooks Hamlin drool fest, thank you very much.”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s not like that anymore, Renee. Brooks and I are friends. He isn’t looking to get into my pants,” I swore, though I felt a twinge of doubt at the truth of my words.
“Yeah, well, it would still be kind of third-wheelish. You and Brooks have all those dork jokes you think are funny and no one else does. And when you start reciting Adam Sandler movies, it makes me want to slit my wrists. Just sayin’, ” Renee teased, and I tossed my hairbrush at her.
“Would you rather have us quote Magic Mike? I know how obsessed you are with that particular cinematic masterpiece,” I laughed.
“Do not mock Channing Tatum,” she warned, shaking my hairbrush in my face.
I snatched it out of her hand and pulled my hair up into a ponytail.
“Go get dressed. You’re coming with us. I won’t take no for an answer,” I told her, shooing her out of my room.
Renee groaned. “One Happy Gilmore quote and I’m taking a cab home,” she yelled from the hallway.
I grinned as I finished getting ready.
I was going out . . . with my friends.
I felt pretty damn good.
Of course, I should have known that it wasn’t meant to last.