Under the Stars (Sequel to Across the Pond)

Chapter 19

One of the reasons why I love Wilmington is for its movie drive-in The Dive. I don't even know what's playing tonight, but I don't care. When Veronica called me asking if I wanted to join her and some friends for a chill night, I didn't even think twice about it, simply because, I need a night out.

I texted Brooks earlier today to see what he was up to, but he didn't answer. Weird. I'm trying not to think too much about it, but the last time that I spoke to him was when he dropped me home after we kissed.

"You okay?" Veronica asks, pulling me out of my thoughts, as we wait in line to order popcorn.

"Yeah, great," I lie with a fake smile.

"You're thinking about Brooks, aren't you?" she asks, and I give her a sly expression.

"That a crime?"

"Not at all. I just don't want you worrying about him."

"I'm not worrying about him. I'm worrying about why we haven't spoken. Maybe I should text him."

"It's not weird that you haven't spoken to him, Rem."

"It's not?"

"No. For all you know, he could be busy with work or out with his family. Either way, I'm sure he'll reach out to you tomorrow."

I hate that my mind is so fixated on this, but Veronica's right. He could be busy.

I try to push all things Brooks Caldwell to the back of my mind as I sip on my Sprite on our way back to the lot.

We're almost at Veronica's car when she stops me with her hand. "Wait a second, isn't that Brooks?" she asks, tilting her head upward, and my eyes follow her gaze.

There he is. Sitting next to a brunette-haired girl on the hood of a silver Lamborghini as a few others surround them.

Despite the fact that we kissed, Brooks doesn't owe me anything. In fact, I should expect zero from him, but I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't confused right now. That I wasn't mad. That I wasn't hurt.

Which is why I find myself making my way toward him with the need to get to the bottom of this.

"What are you doing, Rem?" Veronica asks, and I turn around to face her, walking my feet backward.

"What does it look like?"

Brooks doesn't see me coming. That is, until I stop right in front of whoever's car this is. Wouldn't be surprised if it belongs to Wade.

The second that I see him, I notice that something's different. His eyes are, somewhat, bloodshot and his brown hair is a mess.

"Well, well, well, look who it is," he calls out once he sees me. Brooks' tone is unrecognizable and it's not hard to tell that he's drunk.

"Hi, Brooks," I say. His friends give me an unwelcoming look, but I don't feel the slightest bit uncomfortable.

For some reason, Brooks has been drinking tonight, and for another reason, he's been avoiding me. Maybe the two reasons are the same, who knows?

"Red," he says back.

"Can I talk to you for a second?" I ask, and his little posse glances from me to him as they wait to see how he'll respond.

"Can't," he states, pointing to the screen, "movie's about to start."

"It'll just be a few minutes," I tell him, trying to keep my tone strong. But, if I'm being honest, it hurts having him treat me like this. Like I'm nothing. Like the kiss we shared was nothing.