That sounded like an awful idea.
Hopefully, I’d be able to find a way to finagle my way out of that before Sunday.
Chapter 13
Corbin
Brooke had succeeded in ruining me.
It was Thursday, and I hadn’t heard a peep from her since Monday night. God only knew what nonsense my sister had filled Brooke’s head with. Brooke and I had sent a few texts back and forth at the end of their evening together, so I knew she’d succeeded in calming Nellie’s suspicion. But instead of rejoicing and continuing our newfound friendship, the line of communication between us had gone silent.
I checked my phone for what seemed like the millionth time today and outwardly sighed in disgust. I’d turned into a girl. It made me think about all the conversations I’d overheard between Nellie and Brooke when we were teenagers. I’d be on my way to the kitchen, and as soon as I’d hear their voices coming from the breakfast nook, I’d stop and listen, hoping for a nugget of something I could use to hold over their heads in the event I ever wanted them to do something for me. Which had turned out to be a waste of time, considering they never talked about anything worthwhile. They mostly fretted over so-and-so not calling, or whether or not he had noticed their new hairstyles.
At least that thought succeeded in putting a smile on my face. A small smile, but a smile all the same. It reminded me of how I’d casually stroll into the kitchen, grab an apple, and lean against the counter while they waited for me to leave so they could finish their conversation. Of course, I never left. Instead, I’d offer them a bit of unsolicited advice that only an older brother could. I’d explain to them that guys didn’t care about hair, and how if a guy wasn’t calling, it meant they should forget him and move on. In fact, I distinctively remembered assuring them that guys didn’t sit around staring at their phones waiting for girls to call.
If this wasn’t life laughing at me, I didn’t know what was.
That settled it. I’d turned into a silly teenage girl! Brooke had demolished all rational thoughts from my head. I couldn’t believe that I’d thought last week was bad; I should’ve waited. Because last week had nothing on this one.
Why won’t she text me back?
Fuck!
I’d heard from Nellie a few times since her dinner with Brooke, so I knew she didn’t have a clue that there was anything between Brooke and me—unless Nellie had decided to be cool with me, considering I was her brother, yet on the outs with Bridge. Although, that wasn’t likely; if she were to blame anyone, it’d be me, and I highly doubted she’d keep me in her good graces instead of her best friend.
Seeking reassurance that I hadn’t done or said anything wrong, I scrolled through the messages again. I refused to even admit to myself how many times it had been, but I knew it had to be a lot because I’d practically memorized them.
There were the few that we had exchanged at the start of Monday evening, when she’d reached out to ask what all Nellie knew. After telling her not to worry, she’d thanked me, and then I had sent one more, asking her to let me know when they were done so we could talk about it. I couldn’t tell anymore, but from what I remembered about that night, it had taken her ages to read that one. However, she did as I’d requested and texted me after she’d gotten home.
Bridge: I don’t know how I managed it, but I was able to convince her that we hadn’t done anything.
That text had come through just before nine on Monday, and since I’d spent all evening with my cell in my hand, I hadn’t made her wait for my reply.
Me: Well, I can’t imagine that would’ve been hard to do considering we haven’t done anything…unless I’m just forgetting something.
I’d made sure to add a winky-face emoji at the end, just in case it had gone over her head.
It hadn’t, and she’d continued the conversation for a few more texts.
Bridge: Exactly. Nothing happened. LOL. But seriously tho…she has very strong feelings about the two of us hooking up.
Me: Trust me, I know. She didn’t bother holding back her opinion of it when she came to see me this afternoon. Which is a good thing we haven’t hooked up, huh?
Bridge: Yeah, it is. It’s also a good thing we never will.
I’d been on the verge of responding when another text had come through.
Bridge: Well, it’s been a long day and stressful night. I’m going to head to bed now.
Me: Ok, me too. Goodnight, Brooklyn Bridge. Sleep well.
I’d waited and waited for her to say goodnight, but when she hadn’t sent another message, I’d set my phone down and tried to get some sleep. That had been the start of my sleep-deprived week. I had spent half the night tossing and turning, worried that something had happened at dinner that would interfere with the relationship we’d started to develop, and the last thing I wanted was to lose it before finding out what it was.
The next morning, I’d decided to test the waters.
Me: I hope you have a good day with all the little monsters. Stay clear of the green paint. And permanent markers.
It hadn’t come as a surprise that she didn’t respond, yet it bothered me just the same. Which was why I had decided to try again that evening when I got home.
Me: I just realized I have no life. After watching one movie with you on my couch, I now feel lonely anytime I sit down to watch TV. Thanks for ruining one of my favorite pastimes.
But still, I hadn’t heard anything back. In fact, she hadn’t even read them. Both messages—the one from that morning, as well as that one—had remained unread until the next day. I knew this because I had obsessively checked. I’d halfway wondered if she turned off her read receipts, although I wouldn’t have a clue why, but thankfully, that theory was proven wrong just before noon. And as soon as I’d noticed that they had gone from “delivered” to “read,” I decided to try again.
Me: Did your phone take another swim? If so, I’m hoping it wasn’t in a toilet this time. And just in case your contacts are all messed up again, this is Corbin.
Me: Fields.
Me: You know…Nellie’s brother.
I’d hoped that would’ve at least made her laugh, which in my mind, would’ve increased the odds of a response. Yet again, I’d gone the rest of the day without so much as a peep from her.
I’d decided earlier today that I would leave her alone. It wasn’t even the end of the school day, but I hadn’t texted at all. I mean, she hadn’t bothered to answer any of them, so there was no need to continue pestering her. She was purposefully ignoring me. Yet I had no earthly idea why.
It was a good plan, and I’d stayed strong all day—despite constantly checking my phone. Then five o’clock hit, and my strength had withered away. Except now, rather than desperate and down, her silence had lit a fire inside. So I returned to her messages—for the millionth time since waking up this morning—and hacked out a text.
Me: Hey…how’s everything going with you? A lot has been happening here. And if you’d answer my fucking texts, I could update you on the fucking plan. The plan that you came up with by the way. The one where I’m stuck doing you a favor, yet you’re fucking ignoring me.
Scratch that. If she hadn’t responded to nice messages, there was no way in hell she’d answer that one. So, I deleted it and started over, deciding that maybe it was time to use her plan as bait. If she didn’t want to talk to me about normal shit, then I’d have to get her with the one thing she truly wanted—information about her ex.
Me: I thought you’d want an update on the Heather situation. Finally made some progress…we met last night for dinner. Then I took her home and fucked her like I had paid for it. I’m surprised that girl can even walk straight today.
I laughed at myself and started over…again. It needed to be believable.
Me: I just wanted to let you know that I’ve made progress with Heather. Let me know when you’ve got a sec to discuss it.
My thumb hovered over the send button as I read and re-read it a dozen
times. I couldn’t come up with anything better, so I finally gave in and sent it as is.
Then I sat and waited.
And waited.
After a few minutes of staring at the word “delivered” beneath my message, my office phone rang, making me practically jump out of my seat. My brain was wired in all different directions and all led back to my text screen. I finally relented and shoved it in my top drawer, hoping I’d be able to concentrate on something else.
“Hi. How’s my favorite brother?” Nellie’s familiar voice brought a welcomed smile to my face.
“I’m your only brother.”
“I know. But you’re still my favorite.”
“Well, thanks for that. I’ve had a hard week.” Naturally, I couldn’t tell her why my week had been so difficult. I couldn’t even drop hints, because she’d fill in the blanks herself, and by morning, she’d have at least three people convinced that I was impotent or something equally as ridiculous.
“That sucks, but lucky for you, I know the perfect way to cheer you up! You know St. Patty’s Day is on Sunday, right? And you know they do the parade downtown every year? Well, I think you should go with me!” The fact that she was inviting me to go somewhere with her—somewhere public—was enough to make me leery. She didn’t just randomly call and invite me to things.
“Why? What’s in it for you?”
“What?” Her exaggerated surprise did nothing to sell me on her innocence. “I can’t believe you’d suggest such a thing, Corbin Fields! Can’t I ask my big brother to spend one of my favorite holidays with me without having some ulterior motive?”
I laughed into the receiver; I couldn’t help it. She really was funny when she wasn’t trying to be. “No, you can’t. Well…maybe you can, but you never have in the past. In fact, you rarely even call without a purpose that somehow only benefits you.”
“That hurts. Maybe I wanted to spend some quality time with you.”
“Downtown? Around a bunch of drunk people? While a loud parade is going on in front of us? That’s your idea of quality time? Nah, I think I’ll pass. But thanks for the invite.” It would’ve been a lie if I’d said the thought of getting out and actually doing something with other people didn’t appeal to me, but it would take more than that to get me to agree.
“Okay, fine…I want you to go because I’m worried about you.” That certainly succeeded at tugging on my heartstrings. “I don’t want you to spend the evening all alone—or worse, working. Not to mention, we’ll be at Mom and Dad’s for dinner, and you know they’ll try to convince you to hang around for mint chocolate chip ice cream, or any other green-colored dessert. I’d be saving you from a night of Irish cream and coffee in front of the fire while Dad points out all the ways they’re better than AdCorp and how you’re wasting your time at the wrong company.”
I couldn’t argue with her about that. She did make a pretty valid point, but still, it wasn’t enough to get me to agree to go. “I appreciate your concern, but I’m a big boy, Nell. If I’m ready to leave, they won’t be able to make me stay. Why don’t you stop wasting our time and just tell me the real reason you want me to go with you. Is it because none of your friends will entertain your childish need to drink green beer and watch trucks decorated in paper-mâché drive by?”
“Just because your friends don’t like to hang out with you doesn’t mean that mine are the same. They’re all going to be there. We’ve been planning it for weeks.”
“Then why is it so important that I go, too? It’s not like we hang out in the same circle or anything, so why would you think I’d want to spend my evening around a bunch of gossiping girls?” The merry-go-round she’d dragged me onto with this had started to give me a headache.
“Fine.” She let out a huff. “I need a designated driver.”
And there it was.
The ulterior motive she claimed not to have.
“And none of your friends can do that for you?”
“Not without driving out of their way. Plus, it would just be weird to have them come pick me up from Mom and Dad’s. I figured it made the most sense for you to drive me since you’ll already be there for dinner. That way, we can leave as soon as we finish eating, and my place isn’t too far from yours, so it wouldn’t be out of your way to take me back home.”
“Nell, be serious for minute…driving you downtown and then back to your apartment is going out of my way. None of that is on my drive home from dinner.” I opened my desk drawer to check that I hadn’t accidentally left my phone on silent.
And as soon as I mentally accepted that Bridge hadn’t responded, Nellie finally gave me a reason to take her up on her offer. “Please, Corbie! Brooke won’t come to dinner, so she can’t drive me, and I really don’t want to drink water all night.”
I had to take a moment to compose myself, not wanting to sound too eager. After all, Brooke and I had just gotten her to calm down on that front, so I didn’t need to risk raising any more red flags where we were concerned.
“Oh, Brooke’s going? I didn’t imagine that would be her thing.” We hadn’t ever spoken about it, but based on the things she’d told me during the few times we’d hung out, she wasn’t the type who enjoyed big crowds like that. So it genuinely came as a surprise to me that she planned to attend the parade.
“Yeah, I finally got her to agree. She’s never gone in the past, always had plans with Chase instead. But now that they’re not together, and some of the students at her school are in the parade, she said she’d come.” The excitement in my sister’s voice was contagious, which meant I had to try extra hard not to sound so eager to take her up on her offer.
“Her students will be there? Isn’t it a school night?”
“Not her students. I think she said it’s the fourth- or fifth-grade class. Or both. I can’t remember. When she starts talking about kids, I zone out. But, yeah, they have a float this year, and I guess she wants to show support for all the troublemakers regardless of what class they’re in.” She must’ve been bored talking about Brooke’s students, because she immediately switched topics by whining, “Please, Corbin… Come for a little bit, and if you don’t have any fun, we’ll leave, or I’ll see if someone else can give me a ride.”
“No, thanks.” I feigned a yawn—for dramatic effect, of course. “I have no desire to be the only responsible adult amongst you and your band of misfits. Also, the sight of green beer makes me sick. I don’t even know how you manage to stomach that stuff.”
“Fine. I didn’t actually think you’d say yes anyway. But hey, it was worth a shot; am I right?”
Dammit. I hadn’t meant for her to give up just yet. I only needed her to try one more time so it wouldn’t sound like I had agreed as soon as she mentioned that Brooke would be there. But now that it seemed like she was giving up, I’d have to take matters into my own hands.
“I guess I can give you a ride.” I sighed loudly, hoping it gave the impression that I’d caved due to her little guilt trip and nothing else. “But if that green beer makes you sick in my car, you’re detailing it for me. Got it?”
She squealed and said, “Got it! Thanks, Corbin!”
“Don’t thank me yet. I didn’t promise to stay all night.” Only long enough to make Brooke talk. She might’ve been able to avoid responding to my texts, but she wouldn’t be able to get through the entire evening without answering my questions.
And the one I needed the most was why she decided to start ignoring me out of the blue.
All I had to do was figure out how to get her away from Nellie long enough to make her talk to me.
Suddenly, for the first time in my life, I found myself looking forward to St. Patrick’s Day.
* * *
We’d barely made it out of our parents’ driveway when Nellie’s phone rang. At first, I groaned, not too keen on the idea of spending the entire drive listening to her mind-numbing conversations with her friends. But that quickly changed when she turned the radio all the way off, w
hich had allowed me to hear the muffled voice through her earpiece.
“You can’t back out now, Brooke! I’ve already told all the girls that you’ll be there.” Nellie’s words sent a boulder spiraling to the pit of my stomach.
I glanced between my sister and the road, trying to eavesdrop as much as possible. The only reason I had even agreed to go was for the chance to see Bridge. If she changed her mind, then there was absolutely no point in being there.
“Maybe it’s the battery; have you tried to jump it?”
I couldn’t withhold my smile when I faintly heard Brooke say, “With what? I’d need another car to do that. But no, I don’t think that’s the problem. It’s been running funny for a while.”
I nudged Nellie, trying to gain her attention. “Does she need a ride?” I practically mouthed, wanting to remain as quiet as possible. Based on the radio silence I’d gotten from her all week, I doubted she would’ve allowed Nellie to pick her up if she knew I was driving.
She shrugged but then said, “Don’t worry about it. I’m on my way to come get you.”
“You don’t have to do that,” I heard Brooke say through the line. “You’d be backtracking.”
“It’s fine. I promise. Just be ready in”—she glanced at the time on the dash—“fifteen minutes. Twenty tops.”
It wasn’t until I heard Bridge concede that I realized I’d been holding my breath, waiting for her response. If she hadn’t agreed, I didn’t know what I’d do. I doubted my sister would’ve appreciated being dropped off at a curb with directions to find her own way home. But luckily, that didn’t have to happen.
The unEXpected Plan Page 14