29
They’re like one of those videos of someone popping a zit.
Horrifyingly disgusting, but I can’t seem to tear my eyes away.
I was not prepared to walk into Brooks’ apartment only to find him here, wrapped up in Harper.
His eyes flickered when he saw me walk in with Sam, registering that he had been caught.
But instead of pushing her away, he sat there with a sick smirk on his face with those creepy dimples settling in.
Sam offers me a beer and gestures for me to sit on the stool he’s brought over from the kitchen.
“Luna, right?” Harper asks. I’m not sure if she’s trying to be nice or if she’s being catty.
“Yeah,” I reply, still unsure of what I’ve walked into, and I sip my beer in an attempt to put an end to our interaction. Brooks is staring at me, his disgusting hand still holding onto Harper’s thigh. I swipe my phone open to message Abi again.
“Not interested in the game?” Brooks asks, looking at the phone in my hands.
“Leave her alone, Brooks,” Sam warns.
“I just don’t understand why grown men like playing stupid games.” My eyes lock onto his, letting him know that I’m not talking about football.
“Come on, games are fun. You never know who’s going to win in the end.” Oh, how I would love to wipe that cocky smirk off his face.
“What if no one does?” I ask, tapping my finger against my phone.
“Someone always wins.”
“That’s not true. Sometimes there’s a draw,” Harper says, clearly unaware that we’re not talking about football.
“That’s enough,” Sam interjects.
I unlock my phone again and send one more message to Abi as Harper stands up from the couch and walks over to the bathroom.
“Are you here to snoop or are you two fucking?” Brooks asks, pointing his repellent finger from me to Sam.
“Fuck off, Brooks. Don’t talk to her like that.” Sam stands from his stool at the same time as Brooks rises to his feet, with an amused grin on his face. Sam stops in front of Brooks, his hands bunching into fists at his sides.
“Sam, don’t worry about it. Let’s just go.” He turns to look at me, warmth spreading into his eyes and holds out his hand.
“Oh no, don’t leave already,” Brooks says with a laugh. “It was a joke. Lighten up and sit down.”
Sam takes a few deep breaths, calming himself, still holding my hand in his. He looks back at me, waiting to see what I want to do. I nod and take a seat on the stool. I need to be here to look out for Abi.
“How’s school?” Brooks asks, looking over at Sam.
“Alright,” Sam replies bluntly.
“How about you, Luna? Are you enjoying your classes?” Brooks turns his attention to me. His eyes have softened, and his smirk is gone. This guy is unsettling. How can he go from arrogant prick to friendly neighbour in the space of minutes?
“It’s good, settling in,” I reply, feeling a little like this could be a trap.
The toilet flushes, and Harper appears from the bathroom.
She takes her seat and tries to snuggle closer to Brooks, but he pushes her away.
I feel sorry for her. He was all over her, then out of nowhere decided he’d had enough and pushed her away.
She’s trying to hide how hurt she was, but I can see it in her eyes.
She reminds me of Abi, innocently trying to get the attention of a guy who is simply playing a game, except he’s been playing with Harper for years.
The constant rejection and not knowing where you stand with someone would be exhausting.
I’d be willing to bet Brooks has spent their entire relationship treating her as if she’s replaceable, as if her feelings don’t matter.
I want to reach across his coffee table, shake her and scream in her face that she deserves better because she does, and so does Abi.