I want to hold her, tell her how fucking sorry I am that I hurt her and beg for forgiveness, but with everyone standing around, it’s not a good move, not where Brooke Logan is concerned.
I pull back, giving her a little space and feeling pathetic. “Sorry,” I murmur scrambling off her before offering my hand to help her up. She takes it reluctantly, though had we been alone, I know she would have been a stubborn ass and ignored it, but with everyone watching on as though we’re giving an award-winning performance, she’ll never allow herself to appear like a cold bitch.
“Well, fuck,” Jesse grunts, trying to keep it quiet but his words flow right over the whole front yard. “That’s awkward.”
Brooke winces before turning on her heel and heading for the house, only Tora’s mom shows up with lunch and suddenly she has a reason to stay. Relief slams through me. I wasn’t ready to see her storm away just yet.
I don’t know why I’m doing this to myself. Maybe I enjoy the torture of watching the one good thing in my life turn me down over and over again, or maybe I like the constant reminder that I screwed up. Who fucking knows?
The afternoon goes by uneventfully and to be honest, it’s a huge relief. I was expecting some sort of showdown, but I gave Brooke her space and in return, she didn’t kick me out. I guess that can be considered a victory.
I drop down onto Tora and Brooke’s new couch as Nate orders pizza and the beers start getting handed around. Jesse and Kaylah start making out while Tyson downs his beer faster than lightning. I make myself comfortable, watching Brooke from across the room while discussing Nate’s next race.
It’s a perfect night. Drinks are flowing and everyone’s laughing and having a good time. It was a big fucking day. My arms are aching from carrying multiple boxes in here and holding up the heaviest fucking furniture in the world with Nate while Jesse argued with Tyson over the best way to get the damn thing through the door. In the end, we had no choice but to put them on unpacking duty with the girls.
The place looks incredible. Tora and Brooke certainly have great taste when it comes to interior design. The place looks super modern but not with that clinical feel that a lot of places seem to have, this place feels comfortable, just as a home should. I don’t doubt that Brooke is going to be really happy here. I’m just glad that I was able to help give this to her today.
A knock sounds at the door and Jesse drags himself up off the couch, having to reluctantly peel himself off of Kaylah and give her tonsils a break. Jesse walks the few steps towards the door before ripping it open in excitement, always more than ready for pizza, only his whole body slouches in disappointment when he realizes his pizza is nowhere to be seen.
“Who the fuck are you?” he grunts, making me whip my head back over my shoulder to see what’s going on and figure out who the fuck would be coming to the girls’ new place uninvited. After all, if there’s going to be a threat, there’s a whole heap of guys here who need to know about it. These girls are ours to protect, they’re our family and if some douchebags are going to be coming around here, we need to let them know how it’s going to be.
The guy looks over Jesse’s shoulder, quickly scanning the room and taking in every person sitting in the living room. Brooke flies up off her new couch. “Lukas,” she says, giving him that same beaming smile that she used to give me, making me realize that this guy is a little more than just some douchebag who I need to be worrying about knocking on her door. Hell, I need to be worried about him stealing my fucking girl away. Considering the smile she reserved for him, I need to be a little more than worried. I’m already losing her before I’ve even had a chance to start winning her back.
Brooke’s eyes connect with mine for the briefest moment before she dashes through the living room and barges her way past Jesse. She practically falls into Lukas’ arms before crushing her lips to his.
Message received loud and clear. Brooke Logan is not interested.
She walks in with the loser and I can’t help but roam my eyes over him. What is she doing with this guy? She’s never been one to be interested in the golden boy who follows all the rules and gets all sorts of pretentious awards at ridiculous ceremonies. She’s into guys who make her feel something, guys who can drive her wild, give her adrenaline rushes and make her scream until her lungs give out. This guy…no, he’s not right for her at all.