I’m practically a melted puddle of goo by the time I pull my truck out onto the main road, a massive smile across my face so big I look like I slept with a hanger in my mouth.
I know Tyler honestly couldn’t care less what I wear, but I want to look extra cute tonight, especially after just telling him my feelings for him. There’s a chic boutique in town I’ve been wanting to check out, and if they’re open at least until 5 p.m., I have just enough time to get over there.
I pull out my phone and decide to try Mallory.
“Hey, Brook, I was just about to text you.”
“I told him I love him,” I blurt out the words.
“Wait, what? Who?”
“Tyler, the hottie you’ve been seeing all over the Slade social media pages.”
She gasps, “Oh my God, I didn’t even know—”
“I know. I wanted to tell you but thought that maybe it was just a hot hookup and I didn’t want to get my hopes up. Things have . . . escalated, and I’m on my way to find a cute outfit for our date tonight.”
“I’m confused, though. Neal was just here and—”
“What?” Shock resonates throughout my body.
“Neal. He was just at Mom and Dad’s house. He came by for lunch. I wasn’t there for the lunch—just caught them as they were having coffee—but they were all laughing and acting like everything was normal.”
I’m trying to process what she’s saying, but I can’t make sense of it. “I don’t understand, Mal. What the hell was Neal doing at Mom and Dad’s?”
“That’s what I’m saying, Brook, I don’t know. He said that you guys were just on a break and that you weren’t officially broken up or were talking about getting back together.”
I feel like I’m going to vomit. “Mallory I haven’t spoken to him since I left Chicago. We are officially done—no breaks or getting back together. He’s crazy!”
“That’s what I thought, too,” she says. “That’s why I was so confused by what he was saying.”
“And Mom and Dad? What did they say?”
“They were acting like they understood and knew. They said that love takes time and that you two will figure it out. It all felt so weird and Twilight Zone-like. I think you need to call them and set the record straight. I don’t trust Neal.”
“I will. I don’t have time right now, but yeah.” I feel so hurt that my parents would carry on with him behind my back like this. I’m trying to give them the benefit of the doubt that Neal’s ability to charm absolutely anyone got the better of them.
“There’s one more thing,” my stomach drops even further as she continues, “I found out why Becca fell off the face of the earth. Turns out she and Neal dated for a bit after you guys broke up. I guess it’s over now. Makes me feel like this is why he popped back into our lives.”
I rub my forehead because I seriously cannot comprehend what is happening.
“You okay?”
“Yeah,” I finally say, “just a lot to process.” Silence falls between us again.
Finally, Mallory lets out a small sigh. “This feels fast, Brook. Are you sure you’re not just rebounding?”
The thought sends a gnawing feeling through my stomach. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t had the same thought flash through my head a few times, but I always push it away. I knew long before I left Chicago that I wasn’t in love with Neal anymore; I’d emotionally moved on ages ago.
“No, it’s different Mal. I—I can’t explain it, but I just feel like he’s the one. I feel like this is the life I’m meant to have.”
“And he feels the same way?” I can hear concern in her voice.
“I dunno, honestly. I think so, but he didn’t say it back.”
“Oh, Brook.” Her tone instantly makes me wish I hadn’t said anything. I’d hoped she’d be excited for me, but at the same time . . . I get it. I’ve barely been here a few months, and already, I’m calling to tell her I’ve fallen in love and found the man I want to spend my life with. “I hope he wants the same things as you.”
“I gotta go, Mal. The boutique closes in 15 minutes. I love you.” I hang up the phone quickly. Tears prick my eyes, but I shake them away and push aside the information Mallory just shared with me.