Under the Stars (Sequel to Across the Pond)

Chapter 47

"Hey, mom," I say as I walk into the kitchen, where she's currently chopping up some vegetables. "Dad home?"

"Yup, he's out back, reading the paper."

I peer my head out the window, to find him doing just that.

"How did he say the interview went?"

"Great," she remarks, but with nothing to follow.

"Did he happen to mention the name of the company?" I begin to fish.

"You know what? He didn't," mom remarks and her tone seems genuine, so I don't question it.

"Looks like I'm about to find out," I tell her, making my way for the back patio.

The whole dad having lunch with Brooks and his father situation left me feeling skeptic. If they were friends, I wouldn't give it any attention. But this is unusual. And I can't help but think that maybe Bella's inclination is right. Maybe my dad did have an interview at Caldwell Publishing. And that would mean that Brooks involved himself after I told him not to...

Yet again.

"Hey, dad," I say as I join him outside.

"Hey, sweetie," he says. "How was your day?"

"Funny you ask...," I begin. "I went to Melly's with Nico and Bella for an early dinner. The waiter told me that he saw you...having lunch with Brooks and his dad." I notice that I catch my dad off-guard when he almost spits out the water that he just drank, which tells me that he is, in fact, hiding something. "What's that about?"

"What?" he asks, and I dip my shoulder down.

"You having lunch with the Caldwells."

"Oh," he says, trying to compose himself like it isn't a big deal, but then he falters. "Uh..."

"Dad," I look at him intently, then ask, "did you interview at Caldwell Publishing today?" If I don't get straight to the point, then he won't either.

He exhales, giving me a sympathetic look because he knows that I'm not happy right now. Of course, I want my dad to find a job, but going behind my back and coordinating with Brooks isn't what I had in mind.

"Yes," he admits. "Brooks called me the other day. He told me that he knew of my situation and wanted to help."

"...After I told him to bud out..."

"Honey, what's the problem? This is a good thing. It was very nice of Brooks to reach out."

"I don't need him to feel like he has to protect us...like he has to protect me."

"He cares about you, Remi," dad reasons, but I keep silent. "You know how hard it's been for me to find a job, and now I have one."

I shake my shoulders, thinking that I heard wrong. "Hold up. So, you not only interviewed at Caldwell Publishing but you're also officially an employee?"

"I am," dad states. "What's the matter, sweetheart, why are you upset?"

"I'm not upset. I'm so happy for you. I just..."

I'm thinking about myself, I realize. I'm making something about me when it shouldn't be. This is about my family, and thanks to Brooks, my dad can finally feel like he's in a good place.

But why did he have to involve himself like he needs to rescue me? Why doesn't he listen?

I get it, he cares about me, but I don't need a knight-in-shining armor.

"I'm sorry," I say, going into hug my dad. "I'm so happy for you."

Dad gives me a smile. "Thank you, darling," he says before we pull away.

"So, they just hired you on the spot?"

"Well, between me and you, I had the job before I walked in but, you know, protocol and all..."

"Yeah..."

"Brooks really did me a solid," dad says. "He pitched my resume to his dad when he could've sat back and just let HR handle it. He went above and beyond for me."

"He's a great guy," I state, meaning it. "So, tell me about the job. When do you start? What's the role?"

***

I don't work on Saturdays, but I find myself making my way over to Meadows.

"Rem, what are you doing here?" Veronica asks when I enter the restaurant in a rage.

"Have you seen Brooks anywhere?" I ask, ignoring her question.

"Uh, I think I saw him on the beach when I was there taking lunch orders," she tells me.

"Great, thanks," is all I say before turning on my heel.

"But wait, Rem...," she shouts. It's too late, though, I'm already out the door.

I head straight for the beach with my fists curled at my sides. I glance around the area until I spot Brooks playing volleyball with a few guys, one of them being Nico.

"CALDWELL," I shout as I walk my way to the net.

He's mid-serving, but then lowers his hands down when he hears me.

"Rem?" he calls out, confused.

"Don't 'Rem' me. A word. Now," I demand, and I hear him mumble 'shit' under his breath as he throws the ball to Nico and follows me off to the side. He knows what's coming his way.

"What's your problem, huh?" I assert. "Do you have something against listening to me?"

"This is about your dad...," he says, catching on.

"What were you thinking, Brooks?"

He squints his eyes at me like I'm ridiculous. "You serious right now? Really, Remi?"

"You fully disrespected my wishes."

"Your wishes?" his eyes widen. "C'mon, Rem. Don't be like that. This is about your dad. Remember how concerned you were about him finding him a job. Consider yourself no longer concerned."

"I told you that I didn't need your help."

"It's not about you, Rem," he says, shaking his head and putting me in my place.

I know that I'm wrong. I just...I don't know.

"I could've helped him on my own. In fact, I was doing just that."

"You were overworking yourself for no reason. Not to mention working for a disgusting piece of shit..."

"But I was managing..."

"Why can't you just say thank you, huh? Why can't you accept the fact that I wanted to do this? For you. For your family. You're so scared to lean on someone, and I don't know why. Will you explain it to me so that I can understand?"

"I don't need to lean on someone, Brooks. I never had to."

"So, is that what this is about then? You feeling like you can't trust someone because you never had to?" He walks closer to me, his arms out wide. "Rem, I told you from the beginning, I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere. I don't need you to ask me for your trust. I'm going to be there for you, regardless. We can be acquaintances, even enemies, and I'll still have your back."

"Why? Why do you want to be there for me when I keep pushing you away?"

"Because I know that you don't really want to."

I pause because I have nothing to say to that. He's right. I don't want to; I just can't help it.

"Doesn't really matter what I want," I mumble so lowly I'm surprised that Brooks hears it.

"Of course, it does, Rem. You get to choose what you want. Who you want."

"Brooks...," I warn.

"Don't fight this, Rem," he tells me. "I know you think that we're not meant for each other, but I'm telling you that we are. I feel it."

"Is that enough, though? Feeling it?"

He looks at me intently, and the sight alone makes me miss him. "I think it's everything," he tells me. "Don't you?"