Eastwood Academy: Cruel Love

Chapter 30: Nightmare (River's POV)

After my father's visit, I spent the rest of the day alone drinking. Thanks to Aaron I couldn't work out. I didn't want to be in the gym anyway and face the anger I knew I would get for pummeling Eastwood's star quarterback two days before one of the biggest games of the year.

Whenever my latest fuck up has been mentioned, I shrug it off, but I really do feel bad for the team. Not so much for Aaron, though; he had it coming with the way he was trying to get close to Brooklyn.

Although, if I'm being honest with myself, it's clear she was at least somewhat open to his advances, which has only made me angrier. One day after we kissed, she was willingly in the arms of another guy. Of course, I also have to admit that I also played a role in that happening, but still, I can't believe she moved on that fast and with someone she had only met that night.

My only consolation is that it's not Gavin. I thought for sure he was a shoo-in to fill my place, and I think he did as well.

Tyler spent the night at his house with Marina, leaving me all alone until Beth surprised me by showing up around 11:00 pm looking exhausted and so disconsolate that even though all I wanted was to be alone, I reluctantly let her in.

I thought about calling her earlier, but I couldn't do it. I knew if we hooked up every time I closed my eyes, I would imagine she was Brooklyn, which would be no fair to her. And in the back of my mind, some small part of me hoped that if I didn't make any new conquests, Brooklyn might be persuaded to forgive me for my abominable actions over the last couple of days.

My promise to myself to stay away from her and let her date someone better for me than me was a slight complication to that desire. When I told Tyler I was done with her, I meant it, but I've spent every second regretting that decision while also promising myself to stand by it because I knew it was the right one. Brooklyn deserves someone better than me. I'm too broken to be what she needs.

As I let Beth in, I look over her head, hoping no one is there to see her enter my room and spread the gossip. No such luck, though. Two junior girls who looked vaguely familiar smirk at me as I close the door behind her.

"What's wrong," I ask her, slurring slightly.

"Are you drunk?" she asks, looking me up and down instead of answering my question.

"Yeah, you want some?" I offer her.

"Sure," she says, holding a hand out to accept the bottle of Lazy River Bourbon I offer her. She makes a face as she takes a sip and then tips the bottle back to take a stronger pull. She must have had a really rotten day because Beth barely drinks, least of all before a big event when she needs to look her best. She must be here just to talk, which is not unheard of for us either, but since I've gotten closer to Brooklyn that's changed.

"So you wanna tell me why you're drinking the night before one of the biggest events of the school year?" I prod her.

"Nope," she says matter of factly, taking another large gulp of Bourbon."But thanks for the drink." She continues to work the bottle for a few minutes, staring ahead and saying nothing.

"Why are you here Beth?" I inquire, finally breaking through the silence and deciding to cut straight to the chase.

"Do you have a date to the dance?" she asks, looking straight ahead, her eyes vacant like she's seeing nothing.

"I don't," I tell her, a little surprised. I know for a fact that several guys asked her, and there were plenty more who wanted to but were too afraid to make a move. She's not lacking options. I wonder why she turned them all down. Was she holding out for someone else?