“She’s not worth it,” Tammy called at Luke’s retreating back. But he didn’t care. Something was wrong with Brooke, and he had to find out what.
He pushed his way through the crowded dancers and into the equally crowded hallway. In the family room he found a raucous game of Wii Bowling, but no Brooke. In the common areas of the house he found couples talking. None of them were her. The pool was full of laughing kids, embroiled in a game of water volleyball. Brooke wouldn’t be there. He ignored them and followed the pathway that led to the gazebo and garden.
The noise from the pool grew faint as he disappeared into the trees. And then he saw the silhouette of scrubs and a coat. She sat on the steps of the gazebo, knees tucked against her chest and arms encircling them. Her face was buried in her knees. What was wrong? Had someone hurt her? If Chris had made a play, Luke would kill him.
Easy, he told himself. He didn’t want to go all protective boyfriend on her and scare her off. He was just the friend, and a new one at that.
“Mind if I sit?” Luke asked.
Brooke jumped a little, then quickly wiped at her cheeks. “It’s a free country.”
Luke took that as a ‘yes’ and sank onto the step beside her. “Great party,” he said when the silence was about to strangle him.
Brooke shrugged. “Yeah, I guess. I’m not really a party girl.”
“Chris seems to think you came for him.”
“Chris is delusional.”
Luke laughed. “Yeah, I know. Why did you come?” He really hadn’t thought she’d show.
Brooke traced circles on her knee with the tip of one finger. “Just wanted to get out of the house for a while, I suppose.”
“Brooke.” Luke leaned forward, peered into her eyes. Even in the dark, he could see the glisten of tears. “I thought we were friends now. Tell me what really happened tonight. I can tell something’s wrong.”
Another shrug.
“Is it …” He looked around, making sure they were truly alone. He wasn’t sure if this subject was okay to broach. “I mean, is it your parents?”
Her shoulders shook, and her head fell back to her knees.
Crap. Now he’d made her cry. He reached forward as though to stroke her hair, then drew back. Would she be okay with that sort of thing? Slowly, he placed a hand on her head. When she didn’t protest, he gently stroked her hair.
“I thought I was fine, but then Chris’s parents showed up with their perfect marriage and responsibility and their caring and it set me off.” The words were muffled by her legs. “My parents aren’t getting back together. Shandi’s pregnant.” She looked up, and Luke quickly dropped his hand from her hair.
“I’m sorry.” The words felt inadequate, but he didn’t know what else to say.
“My dad is picking them over us. It’s like …” She held her palms up, as though that would help her know what to say. “It’s like he thinks he screwed up, but instead of trying to fix our family he’s giving up and starting another one.”
Luke opened his mouth to offer comfort or advice—something—but shut it again. What could he say? His parents had always been rock solid. He had no idea what she was going through. “That sucks,” he said finally.
She burst into tears again.
And he’d gone and made her cry. Luke patted her back. “I’m sorry. I really stink at this.”
Brooke wiped at her cheeks with a shaky hand. “You said just what I wanted to hear. No one ever admits how much this sucks. Thank you.”
His cheeks grew warm. “It was nothing.”
“When I first met you, I thought you were a total player. But you’re not, at least not with me.”
“I hope I’m not.” He paused. “Is that why you played hard to get?”
“I wasn’t playing ‘hard to get.’” She went back to tracing circles on her knee, looking at the ground. “I just … you reminded me of my dad.”
Knowing what he did, Luke assumed that wasn’t a compliment. It stung to know she thought of him like that.
“You strutted around English like you were a freakin’ peacock with your pick of women or something. That’s how Dad’s been lately. It’s like he’s reverted back to this high school mentality. He’s going through a midlife crisis or whatever.”
“I’m not your dad.” Luke remembered what his dad’s advice had been—what he’d cautioned him about in regards to Brooke. “I’m sorry for hitting on you in the beginning.” He nudged her shoulder. “But it’s your fault for being so hot.”
She blushed. “Stop trying to make me feel better.”
“It’s the truth. I think you’re cool, and I’m glad we’re friends.” He cleared his throat. “I know things are rough for you right now. And I want you to know you can talk to me about it.”
She furrowed her brow. “How do I know this isn’t a trick to get into my pants?”
“Well they’re not my size, and bedazzled pockets aren’t my thing anyway.” Brooke reached out to slug him, and Luke laughed. “I’m not trying to hook up with you. Scout’s honor.”
“You were never a boy scout, were you?”
“’Course not. I’m way too busy for that sort of thing. Now what’s it going to take to convince you I just want to be friends? I thought we’d made progress the last two months.”
“I don’t know.” She ran a hand through her hair. “Chocolate and a million dollars.”
“I can get you that.”
Brooke laughed. “I just can’t trust guys. My parents’ relationship was perfect. At least until a year ago. And he still cheated on her. Now all I hear from my mom is how awful guys are. How they only want to use you.”
“I’m not your dad.”
“I know that. But I’m not sure I believe it.”
“I can’t do more than I’ve already done.” He stood, ready to leave. There was no point in sticking around if she wouldn’t meet him halfway. Why does she get under my skin? He had his pick of any girl at the school, just like she said. But somehow he wanted her.
Brooke grabbed his hand. “Don’t go.” He raised an eyebrow, and she quickly released him. “What I mean is, I want us to continue being friends too.”
“I’m trying to be your friend. But I’m a little tired of being pushed away.”
“I’m afraid.” She blushed. “You’re hot too, okay? I’m afraid we won’t be just friends.”
So she did find him attractive. He started to grin in victory. This is what he wanted, to be more than friends. But his father’s voice was in his head, telling him not to abuse her trust. “How can I convince you this isn’t a trick?”
She paused for a moment. “What if we make rules?”
He folded his arms. This oughta be good. “Rules?”
“Yeah. I know it’s stupid, but I’ll feel better if we have clearly outlined boundaries. More in control.”
This girl was crazy. But he sank back onto the step beside her. “What kinds of rules?”
She snapped her fingers. “Like no kissing on the lips, under any circumstances. And no hugging.”
“Hey now, friends hug.”
“Okay, then no hugging for longer than three seconds.”
He couldn’t help laughing. Brooke was adorable. And a little weird. “Okay, fair enough. Anything else?”
“We can hang out and go to movies and stuff, but only if we pay for ourselves. If you paid for me, it’d feel like a date.”
He lightly tapped her nose. “You’re a funny girl, Brooke Pierce.”
Her eyes darkened. “You don’t think making rules is dumb?”
“You’re nervous. I get it. I can deal with a few rules if it helps you relax.”
“I reserve the right to add to them as I see fit.”
“Fair enough.” He stood, brushing off his pants. “Now is a friend allowed to hold a friend’s hand so she doesn’t trip in the dark?”
Brooke smiled. “Yeah, I guess a friend could.”
CHAPTER TEN
It had been ab
out a week since Halloween, and Brooke had spent at least a few hours with Luke every single day.
They fell into a comfortable rhythm as they ran laps around the gym during P.E. Brooke glanced over at Luke, admired his long stride for a minute, then forced herself to look away.
“Want to hang out after school?” Luke asked.
“Sure,” Brooke said. “What did you have in mind?”
Luke shrugged. “Anything. Nothing. I invited you over, so you’ve gotta decide what we do.”
Brooke grinned wickedly. “You’re telling me I get to pick?”
“Yup.”
“Then you’re coming to my house. There’s this modeling competition on TV that I love. I have about four episodes saved on my DVR.” She couldn’t wait to watch Luke’s reaction to the show.
Luke slowed his pace, and Brooke followed suit. They only had a lap left and she easily slipped into cool-down mode.
“A modeling competition?” Luke asked. “Please tell me it’s not Model at the Top.”
“I see you’ve heard of it.”
Luke groaned. “My mom’s addicted, although she pretends she’s not. Fine, we can go to your house and watch it. But only because we’re friends.”
Brooke smiled. Luke was turning out to be an amazing friend.
After school, they drove in Luke’s car to Brooke’s apartment. “Is your mom at work?” Luke asked as Brooke unlocked the door and flipped on the lights.
“Yup,” Brooke confirmed. Her mom had quit her job when Brooke was born, and reentering the workforce as a receptionist had been an adjustment for both of them. “Do you like popcorn?”
“Of course,” Luke said.
“Great.” Brooke pulled a bag out of the pantry and stuck it in the microwave. “Model at the Top is way better with popcorn.”
“I think you mean it’s bearable with popcorn.”
“You’re going to love it, you’ll see.”
After the popcorn was popped, Brooke sprinkled M&M’s on top and they settled down to watch TV. Brooke picked up the remote and started the first episode. “You’re coming in at a good time,” she told Luke. “I haven’t started this new season yet.”
“Oh goodie.”
Brooke swatted him on the arm. “Stop being such a guy. Embrace the awesomeness that is this show.”
Luke remained quiet for the first few minutes. He threw an arm over the back of the couch and Brooke leaned into him, holding the bowl of popcorn between them. She became thoroughly engrossed in the show, caught up in the photo shoot challenge and the drama unfolding on screen.
“Tally ho, that vermilion clashes with the chartreuse horrifically.”
Brooke snorted, popcorn flying from her mouth. She looked over at Luke who gave an evil villain laugh.
“That is the worst English accent I’ve ever heard,” Brooke said.
He put a hand to his chest as though offended. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m a born-and-bred Brit.” He pointed to the screen. “Next time I’m bringing score cards. These women are catty. It’s only right that we rate their evilness.”
Brooke laughed, leaning her head on Luke’s shoulder. His arm settled around her, pulling her tighter against him. Brooke closed her eyes and breathed deeply. This felt so good. So right. Luke was kind and funny and adorable. She could get used to this. Luke kissed the top of her head.
Brooke bolted upright, sending popcorn spilling onto the couch. Luke jumped up as well, his eyes wide. “What? Is there a spider?”
A snort escaped, and Brooke covered her mouth with her hand. “You’re scared of spiders?”
“Well, I don’t want them crawling all over me. Where is it? I’ll squish it.”
“There’s no spider.” Brooke grabbed the remote off the couch and paused the television.
“Then what’s wrong?”
“This.” She motioned a hand back and forth between them. “Didn’t you feel it?”
His brow furrowed. “Feel what?”
“We act like we’re dating.”
Luke sighed, running a hand through his hair. “So we were cuddling. Friends cuddle.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“No. I’ve never been just friends with a girl. But if we like it, we should be able to cuddle.”
“I don’t think so.” Brooke folded her arms. Luke was a fantastic friend. But he was still a player at heart. He toned it down with her, sure. But she still saw him flirting with girls in the cafeteria. Admiring them as they walked by.
She wouldn’t be another check in his little black book. She didn’t want their friendship to end like that.
“I’m making a new rule,” Brooke said. “No cuddling.”
“Hey now, that’s not fair. What are we supposed to do, sit on opposite ends of the couch?”
He had a point. And cuddling had felt nice. “Okay, fine. We can cuddle.” Luke’s mouth quirked up in a grin, and Brooke quickly held up a hand. “But only if we’re doing something else, like watching TV. Cuddling for cuddling’s sake is out of the question. That’s definitely boyfriend-girlfriend territory.”
Luke let out an exasperated sigh. “Fine. Can we finish the show now? I’m pretty sure Natalia’s getting eliminated. She bombed that photo shoot.”
Brooke grinned. She appreciated that he was willing to go along with her silly rules. It made her like him even more.
That weekend, Brooke and Luke went to the beach. While there, Brooke found out Luke had turned down a date for that same day because he’d already made plans with her. Brooke freaked. That was something a boyfriend did, not a friend. So she made the rule that plans with each other could be broken for a “real” date, as long as it was in advance. She wanted to make it clear they weren’t together.
Even though she sort of wanted to be.
But no, it wasn’t worth it. She loved the time she and Luke spent together as friends. It wasn’t worth ruining that for a fling. And as far as she could tell, that was all Luke ever had.
“People are starting to talk,” Zoey told Brooke a few days later as they walked to lunch. “You two act like a couple.”
Brooke rolled her eyes. “We’re not a couple. He went on a date with someone last night.” Probably because of her freak-out that weekend at the beach.
“You’re constantly together.”
“You and me are together a lot. No one thinks we’re a couple.”
“That’s because there’s no sexual tension between us.” Zoey batted her eyelashes.
Brooke laughed. “There’s no sexual tension between me and Luke either.”
“Oh, honey. You’re lying to yourself.”
“I’m not.”
The two sank onto the floor and pulled their lunches out of their backpacks. “You can’t honestly tell me you don’t think Luke is hot,” Zoey said.
“Of course he’s hot.” Brooke pulled her sandwich out of the bag and took a bite. “I’d be blind not to realize how attractive he is. But knowing someone is attractive doesn’t mean you’re attracted to him. There’s a big difference.” And Brooke was a big fat liar.
Luke sat down across from them. “There’s a big difference with what?”
“We’re talking about how Brooke thinks you’re hot,” Zoey said.
Brooke’s cheeks flamed. “That is not what I said.”
Luke grinned. “Yeah, Brooke already told me I was sexy. At the Halloween party.”
“I didn’t say … It doesn’t matter. We’re just friends.”
“Of course.”
They ate for a few minutes in silence. Brooke had almost relaxed when Luke said, “Hey, Brooke?”
“Yeah?” she said.
“We could always try being friends with benefits instead of friends with rules.”
That’s when Zoey snorted soda up her nose and started to cough.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Maybe they weren’t doomed to the friend zone. Maybe he could still break out of it. It was all Luke could think a
bout as he ran laps with Brooke, Zoey, and Chris during gym class. Brooke had added more and more rules the last few weeks, and he was pretty sure he knew the reason why. Brooke was attracted to him, and it scared her.
The coach blew the whistle, and Luke waved good-bye to the girls as he and Chris followed the rest of the guys to the boy’s locker room. He hit the showers, then wandered back to his locker to get dressed.
“Are you going to ask anyone to the winter formal?” Chris asked.
Luke shrugged. “Maybe Brooke.” He’d been batting the idea around in his head for a few days now, but he was nervous about how she’d react. Would she make another rule? He thought she’d probably say yes, as long as they went as friends, but wasn’t sure.
Chris snorted. “Like she’ll say yes to you. Isn’t there a rule about the two of you dating?” His lip curled up in a sneer.
“There’s a difference between dating and going on a date.”
“Well me and Mike are thinking of getting a limo. He’s going to ask Zoey. Want in?”
“Yeah, it could be fun.” Luke capped his deodorant and shrugged a shirt over his head. “Who are you going to ask?”
“I thought I’d ask Brooke.”
Luke’s hands froze. He quickly tugged his shirt the rest of the way over his stomach. “My Brooke? The Brooke I just said I was asking?”
“Hey, if I ask her first, you can’t get mad. And you said you two aren’t dating.” He snapped his wet towel at Luke’s legs, and Luke jumped back with a yelp. “You’re friends, not a couple. She’s allowed to date other people.”
Luke swore. “You’re a piece of work.”
“I know. It’s part of my charm.”
“She’ll never agree to go out with you.”
“We’ll see. May the best man win.”
Luke finished dressing in a daze. He couldn’t let Chris ask Brooke to the dance. Couldn’t stand the thought of Chris’s hands wandering all over her body. His lips maybe touching hers. He couldn’t handle the idea of Brooke smiling up at Chris, laughing at something he said.
Okay, now he was being ridiculous. Brooke didn’t even like Chris. Luke would just have to ask her first.
But what if she flipped out? Created some rule against asking each other out on friend dates? Luke kneaded his temples with his fingers. How had hitting on the new girl turned so complicated so fast?
Meet Your Match (No Match for Love) Page 5
