TWENTY-SIX
Austin
When I saw her standing at the bottom of the steps, something inside me said it wasn’t going to be good. She shuffled from one foot to the other.
“Can I come in? It’s getting chilly.”
“We were on our way to Marticello's, but sure…”
“It’s important,” I said. “At least I think it is. I’m not sure anymore.”
“Go ahead fellas, I’ll catch up with you.”
“We’ll wait inside, take your time,” Teddy said.
“Are you going to invite me in?” she asked.
“I’m not sure. Depends why you’re here.”
“Did you or did you not write a threatening email to Jocelyn?”
“What?”
She moved toward me, “Listen I know you were pissed about what people were saying online. You even told me you thought it was her. So what did you Austin? Think this would shut her up?”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“We went to the police. She thinks you sent her a threatening email. Harassing her. The cops thought it was serious too.”
“She said it was me? And you went with her? You didn’t stop her? Or ask her if it was someone else?”
“I’m not taking anyone’s side except my own.”
“It would be nice if you took my side.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, first Jocelyn spreads lies about me online, and now she’s saying I threatened her? What a load of bullshit.
We made eye contact.
“Jocelyn said…”
“You know what,” I interrupted. “Screw Jocelyn, and her next level crazy. As for you, Brooke, I expected so much more. I thought we had something real.”
“We did, we do, it’s just…”
“It’s just what? You still think I’m some playboy jock? You haven’t heard anything I’ve said these past couple months, have you? Always judging. I didn’t do shit to your roommate, not that she wouldn’t deserve it. Brooke, you’re being blind. Figure your shit out, and don’t call me until you do.”
She pushed my chest with her arms then walked off the porch. As she stormed down the walkway toward the sidewalk, Trey appeared from the other direction. He walked across the yard to the porch.
“What’s going on here?”
“I’m fucking done with her,” I said, blood still boiling.
“I’ll take her off your hands if you want,” Trey said with a laugh.
I rushed forward, throwing my body against his without even thinking.
“Whoa!” Teddy yelled, rushing over from inside the house, clearly he and Brian were watching.
Trey wasn’t a wimp. He wrestled back, both of us holding back but still being aggressive as hell. Teddy ran over and managed to pull us apart.
“Fuck you, bro,” Trey snarled, trying to get around Teddy.
“Yeah, fuck you!” I yelled. “I’m sick of all this shit.”
“Damn,” Teddy said. “Is there a full moon or something tonight? Everyone is going bat-shit crazy.”
“Why the hell are we fighting about some chick?” Trey asked.
“You know, I’m not sure.”
I found myself falling for Brooke in a big way, but her believing everything Jocelyn said? I was fucking over it. All of it.
I offered Trey my hand. He shook it, gripping almost as tight as me.
“Bros before hoes,” he said.
“She’s not a hoe…”
“You know what the hell I mean, man.”
He pulled me closer and gave me a bear-hug. I felt Teddy patting my back.
“Is a woman worth all this?” Teddy asked.
“No,” I admitted. “But she’s no normal woman.”
“Obviously,” Trey said. “She’s playing games with you. We need to get in the zone for the next few games. Coach is pissed at us for losing last week.”
“Yeah…”
Whether I enjoyed admitting it or not, he made sense. I pushed Trey away then turned and saw Brian standing on the porch looking lonely.
“Get over here, roomie. We’re doing a house-huddle then a night of drinking and brotherhood.”
“Fuck yeah!” Trey yelled, getting into it.
“Football forever,” I screamed into the night air, not caring if Brooke heard me.
She had probably made it back to her own apartment. Let her deal with that nutty roommate of hers. I put my arms around Teddy’s shoulder and headed to the porch.
Inside, we played some old school Beastie Boys at full volume – Fight for Your Right to Party. I didn’t want to drink any alcohol, but a group of guys could have fun without drinking.
I was sure of it.