Chapter 7
CHAPTER
SEVEN
brOOKE
The weeks after my breakup with Eli blur together in the way they only ever do during the holidays.
Walker won and advanced to the national football championship, set for January in Las Vegas.
By the time we got home, Christmas was already pressing in—tree lights, family dinners, and me pretending everything felt normal.
A few days later, we were back on a plane, this time to Chicago to watch Beck play the weekend after Christmas.
Beck won and had a great game personally as well.
He’s on track to be the best rookie running back of the year.
I’m so proud of all the hard work he’s put into his football career and excited to see it paying off.
Tonight is New Year’s Eve, and we stayed close to Beck’s condo.
The Kings—minus Casey—are in Chicago, too, holed up in a ridiculously bougie hotel across the street from Beck’s.
I opted to stay with Charlie and Beck instead, tucked into the extra bedroom Beck insisted on when he bought the place, just in case Dad or I ever needed it.
Which feels fitting somehow.
A new year.
A full house.
And the quiet sense that something is shifting, whether I’m ready for it or not.
We walk into his place after dinner with the family, and I honestly don’t think I can sit around until midnight and watch Charlie and Beck be all in love and kissing and celebrating the new year.
They’re getting married this year, and I’m happy for them, but I’m fresh off a breakup, and even though Eli was a jerk, I might be feeling a little sorry for myself that I have no one to share the night with.
“I think I’m just going to go to bed. I’m pretty tired, and I’ll let you guys spend some time alone since we’re leaving tomorrow,” I say, motioning over my shoulder toward my room.
“You sure? I got some of that pink champagne you girls like to pop right before midnight.” Beck walks over to me and wraps an arm around my shoulders.
“Yeah, I’m gonna take a shower and maybe read or something.” I slide my arm around his waist and pull him into me for a side hug.
Charlie walks over to us and wraps her arms around both of us for a group hug. “I have almost all of my favorite people here tonight. I’m a lucky girl.”
“Almost all? Boss, I’m your very favorite.” Beck kisses her forehead.
“Duh, of course. I do miss Casey though. This is my first New Year’s Eve without him. Kind of feels weird.” She pulls away. “Maybe we can FaceTime him right before or after?”
“Whatever you want, baby. I’ll admit, I miss him too. I haven’t spent the holidays without him since we moved to Oklahoma, come to think of it. We’ve been together a lot of years.” Beck removes his arm from my shoulders and steps away, making my arm drop back to my side.
“Maybe y’all can work out a holiday schedule or something when he gets drafted, so you won’t have to be apart next year.” I squeeze her shoulder as I walk by her.
“We’ll just have to see where he is, I guess, but, yeah, that would be ideal.” She reaches for my hand before I get too far from her. “And you’ll be here in Chicago with us celebrating, of course.”
“Obviously. Where else would I be?” I laugh, but inside, that makes me feel a little sad. It would be better if I had someone with me, and we could all spend the holidays together.
“Maybe with your next boyfriend’s family. You never know!” she calls after me.
“Next boyfriend?” Beck asks.
I turn back to them, and Beck is standing with his hands on his hips, head tilted, and looking at me like he’s confused.
“Babe, she and Eli broke up before break.” Charlie smacks him lightly on the chest.
“No one told me.” He looks at her, then me. “You okay?”
It’s sweet of him to ask, and I really do think he cares, but I don’t want to get into my relationship issues with him.
“I’m fine. I promise.”
I smile so he doesn’t worry about me. Although I know he will. That’s just how he is. He’s my protector.
He nods, and his brow furrows. “Okay. Well, good night. If you need anything, you know to help yourself.”
“I should be good. Seriously.” I turn to finish my walk to my room.
“Wait! Let me give you another hug before you go to bed.” Charlie hustles over to me and wraps me in a hard hug. “I love you, B. Happy New Year. I just know it’s going to be the best one yet.”
I nod and look over her shoulder at my brother. He has a soft look on his face, and it almost brings a tear to my eye. Beck looks and acts tough, but he’s really a softy.
“Love you more. And, yes, it’s going to be a great year. Wedding countdown officially begins!” My voice pitches in excitement. I am happy for them, and I don’t want my little pity party to dampen the vibe.
Beck walks over to us. When I let go of Charlie, she steps back, and Beck pulls me in for a hug. “Love you.”
I smile into his shoulder. I’ve really missed him. It was one thing when he was away at college, a few hours’ drive, and I saw him almost every weekend during football season, but with him in Chicago, I don’t see him nearly as much as I would like.
“Love you, big brother.” I step away and walk backward. “Good night, you two. See you in the morning.”
“Night,” they say together.
When I get into the room, I take a quick shower, and once I’m done with my nighttime routine, I grab the book I’ve been reading off the nightstand before I pull back the covers.
The cord hanging over the side of the table reminds me I haven’t looked at my phone in a few hours since everyone I talk to is here, but I’m sure it needs to be charged.
I pick up the small bag I brought and take out my phone. I scan my notifications, mostly from Instagram friends and their party posts, but I also see one from Silas. I won’t deny that butterflies float around my belly.
When I open the message, it’s a phone number with a phone emoji. That’s it.
Brooke: Who am I supposed to call?
Not even a minute goes by before he replies.
Silas: Me.
I haven’t talked to Silas since he followed me home from the library. I didn’t get a chance to see him after the game in Houston either. He’s liked a few of my posts and posts that Charlie tagged me in, but that’s it.
I close out of the app and pull up my text messages. I’m not just going to call some random number without testing it first.
Brooke: Silas?
Silas: Yes …
Brooke: Prove it.
I am not prepared for what happens next.
Silas: *photo*
It’s a selfie of Silas, sitting in his bed, shirtless, sweatpants low on his waist. The band of his boxers is sticking out. A book is resting next to him. Oh, and he’s wearing his glasses. It’s basically my own personal porn.
“Sweet Jesus.” I shake my head as I zoom in a little closer at the outline of his dick. It’s large, even covered. There is absolutely no mistaking its size.
My phone rings, startling me, and I nearly drop it.
“Hello?” I say quietly. I don’t want Charlie or Beck to hear me.
“Brooke,” Silas says in his deep, grumbly voice.
“Hi, Silas.” I smile, and I’m sure he can hear it in my voice.
“Are you alone? Is this a good time?” he asks.
“Yeah, we got home from dinner a while ago. I’m just getting ready for bed.”
“You aren’t going to wait until midnight?”
“Nah, I’m tired.” I don’t want to tell him I don’t see the point since I don’t have anyone to share it with. That sounds slightly pathetic.
“I’m pretty tired, too, and I can’t drink right now, so I’ve just been hanging out in my room since dinner,” he says, and it sounds like he’s stretching.
“Casey and Noelle are there, right?” I ask.
“Yeah, they’re here, and so are Bo and Chelsea. I think she was thinking about going to Florida, but changed her mind. She didn’t want to be away from Bo or something.” He chuckles.
“Ah, yes. That makes sense.” I settle into my bed and lean against the propped pillows.
Neither of us says anything for a beat, and then I hear him huff out a breath.
“So, I finally got your number. I’m not gonna lie; I’m feeling like we might be friends now.” He laughs.
“Silas, we’ve been friends. Just not texting or calling friends.” I smile.
“Well, I couldn’t exactly ask anyone for your number without raising suspicion, could I?”
“Yeah, I guess not,” I say quietly. “Are you excited for Vegas?”
“Fuck yes. I can’t wait to get there and just get it done. I think we’re ready, and Callaway is on fire right now.”
“He’s playing well for sure. But you all are. I’m so happy for y’all. It’s an exciting time. When we won the national championship a few years ago, it was pure chaos on the field afterward. I can only imagine what it must be like for you guys.”
“I can’t wait to experience it. Bowl games are one thing, but winning the whole damn thing … yeah … I might even cry.” He laughs, but I think he might be serious.
These guys get pretty emotional at the big games. All their hard work and sacrifices they make—and honestly, that the families make too—feel worth it.
“Some guys do cry. I was crying when we won. Seeing Beck that happy was really emotional for me.”
“Did Beck cry?” He laughs. “I can’t see him crying. About anything.”
I giggle. “No, he didn’t. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him cry. Even when we were little. He tends to hold his emotions close to his chest. Maybe not with Charlie, but in general.”
“I can see that. You’re coming to Vegas, right?”
I nod even though he can’t see me. “I am.”
“Good. I’m glad.” He clears his throat. “So …”
“Yes?” I singsong.
He chuckles. “Fuck it. I’m just gonna ask. Have you talked to Eli since you’ve been on break?”
I’m honestly surprised he’s asking. I did leave that day, so I really only told Charlie, and she and Beck were a day behind me, so it sounds like she didn’t tell anyone, including my brother, that we broke up.
“No, I haven’t.” I sniff. “We actually broke up before I left.”
“Before you left? Were you broken up when I saw you at the library?”
“He came over on Friday before I left, and we broke up.”
He huffs a laugh.
“What?” I ask.
“Did he break up with you, or did you break up with him?”