“You don’t have to thank me, Brooke. You know that.” He kissed the side of my head. “I’m not going anywhere.”
The quiet, winding paths throughout the campus were calming. I loved the old buildings and history here. With Dom next to me, I felt safe. Protected.
“I feel stupid for getting my hopes up again. Every time he breaks up with some girl, I keep hoping he’s going to realize I’m there waiting for him.”
Dom stopped and tugged me in front of him. “Don’t ever say you feel stupid over him, B. He’s stupid for not realizing you’re there. I’d do anything to have a girl as amazing as you wanting me.”
It wasn’t fair that I kept having these dreams. I groaned and flipped over to my stomach. Each day we went without talking to each other was like he was shoving the knife in just a little farther. But there was something about these dreams that also made me think about how we were before everything happened—before I knew he was in love with me.
I couldn’t go back to school moping around like I’d been for the past two months. Instead of being the girl who cried because she didn’t get the guy, I was going to be the girl every guy wanted. I just wouldn’t let said guys know I wasn’t available. Although that was part of the allure, wasn’t it?
The last thing I needed to do was run into him, but if I did, I didn’t want him to see how horrible I was doing at keeping myself together. My limp, dark hair hung at my shoulders, taunting me. I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d put on makeup. It wasn’t okay that I was this pathetic. For heaven’s sake, I went to school for cosmetology.
This couldn’t continue.
Within an hour, my hair was a gorgeous ashy brown and I was working my way through my hair, placing chocolaty, mauve balayage highlights throughout. I felt better, more like myself, even before it was finished processing. Maybe I should’ve switched over to blond, or even red, but I didn’t have the patience for that. I needed an immediate change. As nice as it would’ve been to fully strip myself of the old girl Dominic loved, I still felt like I wanted to keep just a piece of her.
Ugh. I was so pathetic sometimes. I wanted to punch myself in the face for being so stupid about the whole situation. This wasn’t me. I wasn’t the girl who pined over the guy and what could’ve been. Sure, this was Dom, but I was still me. The second I stepped off that plane, I wanted everyone around to see I wasn’t obsessing over what happened with Dom over the summer.
So that’s what I did.
Two days later, Caroline and Josh met me at the baggage claim—both of them in shock that I looked as amazing as I did. It had taken a lot for me to make sure I looked perfect, but you can bet I made sure my makeup was flawless and my now chin-length locks looked sexy and flirty. It didn’t matter that I was slowly dying on the inside, as long…as no one knew it. And if I could hide it from these two people, then I could hide it from anyone else. There was only one other person in the world who’d be able to tell I was lying, and I didn’t plan on getting close enough for him to realize.
“I feel like we should be taking you out somewhere instead of going back to the apartment,” Caroline said as she studied me in the mirror.
I’d climbed into the backseat of the Tahoe, letting Care ride shotgun.
I gave her a small smile. “No need, but I’m going to buy my books tonight if you want to go out to dinner.” Josh cleared his throat. “You and Riley too. We should invite everyone.”
Caroline gave me a pointed look. “Everyone?”
I rolled my eyes. “Sure, everyone. Just remember, I’m not very good at holding my tongue.”
“I think he’s busy anyway,” Josh finally said. “We could see who’s free, though. It’s last minute, but I think everyone is back already. The guys are at least. Everyone is all moved in. What about Callie? We haven’t seen her in a while.”
“You didn’t hear? She got into that exchange program last minute. She’s going to Ireland for the semester.” Caroline twisted her necklace with nerves. “I couldn’t imagine flying overseas.”
I laughed. “You can barely handle two short flights to North Carolina. We’d have to drug you up to get you to Ireland.”
She stuck her tongue out at me. “I’ll just make Liam go with me next time.”
I leaned in closer. “I need to know more about this Liam guy. Is he nice? Have you had sex with him yet? Is his—”
“Brother in the car! I don’t want to hear this shit.”
I laughed and leaned back. “Isn’t meeting someone on spring break an oxymoron or something?”
Caroline made a face. “It was summer break, dummy, and no, it’s not. We’re doing great, besides the fact that he’s in Dallas and I’m here. That kind of sucks.”
“Care, he stayed at the apartment almost all summer,” Josh said pointedly. “I think you can go without seeing him for a few weeks.”
“Wait a second; you’re telling me that Caroline—our little Caroline—had a boy in the apartment?”
She blushed, and I had the urge to uncontrollably giggle.
“I’m so proud.”
Josh flipped the blinker to turn into the apartment complex. “You’ll like him, B. He’s great. Pulls Care out of her comfort zone. The guys liked him, especially—”
He cut off quickly. I felt the sharp stab in my heart, but I didn’t want them to see the cracks coming through.
“It’s fine, you can say his name. I won’t die just from hearing someone say his name. Eventually I’ll have to get used to it, but, Josh, I’m probably not going to be coming over to the apartment for a while. Thursday night dinners are out for a while—at least for me.”
He gripped the wheel tighter. “I assumed as much.”
I hated the sound of his disappointed tone, but I couldn’t face Dom. Not yet, maybe not ever. It was easier this way.
“Listen, I’m sorry. I promised him I’d step back so he didn’t feel awkward being around everyone. It’s my fault that everything—I just can’t be there. Okay?”
They both shared a look.
“It’s fine, Brooke,” Josh said quietly. “We all understand.”
***
The semester started in a flourish. Lots of hype over new professors, Caroline stuck doing everything Rush and new recruits, and a shared hatred of all the work we were going to have to put in. Jared and I ended up having a class together, so every Tuesday and Thursday he’d walk over to my apartment and we’d drive the five minutes to campus together. It was nice having at least one familiar face around, but for the most part, I kept my head down and worked, ignoring the world around me.
We were two weeks into the semester before I caught sight of Dom. I was walking through the student union to my normal spot when I saw him talking to Talia. It was a knife to the side. Et tu, Brute? Josh had assured me they weren’t back together, even when I hadn’t asked for an update, but it looked like someone else was keeping secrets from their bestie. Just seeing him there with her made me sick.
Talia saw me first. Her eyes bugged out, and she did a double take. Instead of stopping like I’d planned, I continued to walk by. Tears stung my eyes, but I fought them back. There was no way I was crying another tear over Dom. He obviously wasn’t torn up over the fact we weren’t friends anymore, and he hadn’t gone out of his way to talk to me after I got back to campus. So why should I be upset?
Why should it bother me so damned bad?
“Brooke.” His deep, husky voice made my stomach turn. “Brooke,” he called again, slightly louder because I didn’t answer the first time. He was going to make sure I didn’t get away.
There was no way out of this. I wanted to tuck tail and run like I’d told Hannah I’d probably do, but instead, I plastered a fake ass smile on my face and faced him.
“Hello, Dom.”
He frowned slightly. “Hey. I didn’t know you were even back this semester.”
I cocked my head to the side. “Josh didn’t tell you?”
His lips pressed togeth
er. Clearly, that was a no.
“Jared didn’t either?”
“No, no one.”
I cocked my hip and crossed my arms over my chest. Apparently our friends were keeping their own secrets.
“That’s surprising, considering I have a class with him.”
Shock and hurt flickered across Dom’s face. “He didn’t say a word. I guess that tells me where they stand.”
He turned to walk away, but I reached out to stop him.
“Dom—”
The second my hand touched his skin, I regretted my decision. I pulled back quickly. “I’m sorry. They probably just don’t want to get in the middle of things. If it’s any consolation, they didn’t tell me you were back together with Talia.”
He gave me a hard look. “I’m not.”
“Oh.” We stared at each other for a few seconds. “I guess I’ll see you around campus.”
He watched me walk over to the barista and put in my order. I didn’t actually want coffee, but since that’s where I’d made my detour, I wanted to follow through. Dom didn’t need to know that talking to him had completely wrecked me.
I could feel my panic attack coming on quickly. Each breath I took was a little tighter in my chest. How long does it take to make a fucking cup of coffee? By the time the barista was done, I felt like I was going to pass out. She handed over my drink, and somehow, I thanked her before rushing away toward the exit. As soon as I exited the big doors, I threw my seven-dollar latte in the trash can without even taking a sip. I bent over in the grass, trying to catch my breath.
Soft, gentle hands helped me stand back up, and I found myself facing Dom.
“Brooke, you’re fine. Everything is going to be okay. Just take a few deep breaths.”
I shoved him away. “I’m not your concern anymore, Dominic.”
I went to leave, but he stepped in front of me, placing his hands on my hips and making me look into his eyes.
“You are always my concern,” he said fiercely.
This time, I couldn’t hold back the tears. Each one that fell scalded my face. I was hurt and embarrassed and pissed off. Why did I have to suffer from this debilitating disease? He pulled me in tight against his chest until my breathing slowed down.
“Better now?”
I nodded miserably.
“Do you have any other classes today?”
“No,” I whispered.
“Then let’s get you back to your apartment.”
His tone said not to argue with him, but I was so weak I couldn’t even if I wanted to. We made the ten-minute trek back to his truck in silence. Then he drove me back to my building, still in silence. I expected him to stay in the truck, but he surprised me by climbing out and walking me to the door.
“Thank you for that.” I started to unlock the door, but his hand rested over mine, stopping me from pushing it open.
“I might be mad at you for running away, but I wasn’t lying when I said I was coming after you with everything I have, Brooke. You are mine. Our friends might not be willing to help me, and you might not trust me, but we will end up together someday. I promise you that.”
I sucked in a sharp breath.
He caught me completely off-guard when his mouth clamped down on mine. He tasted like cinnamon, probably from the gum he loved so much, but it didn’t take much prodding on his part for me to open my mouth to him. My fingers tangled in his shirt as his tongue delved into my mouth. I absentmindedly felt my back hit the door. Never had a kiss pushed me senseless so fast.
My hands flew to my lips when he pulled away. Holy hell.
“Get some rest, baby.”
I watched him walk back to his truck and climb inside. The door opened behind me and I nearly fell inside. Quinn stood behind me with her lips tipped up in a grin when she took in my disheveled hair. Her eyes jerked up when she heard Dom’s truck pull out of the parking lot, and her expression shifted to shock.
“Tequila?”
I pulled my bag onto my shoulder, listening to the fading sound of Dom’s truck.
“Tequila.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Dominic
I kissed Brooke.
Holy fuck. I kissed Brooke, and she didn’t pull away. She kissed me back.
My head was spinning. She was back in Austin, and no one had said a word. I couldn’t exactly blame them. I’d gone on a bender for a few days, saying if I heard her name, I’d use some extreme measures to remove their tongues. But she was here, and I’d had my hands on her. She wasn’t a figment of my imagination. Of course the first time I saw her since our fight would be when I was talking to Talia—who I also hadn’t seen since the same night. I wanted to laugh at the irony. My life was a freaking soap opera. At least I’d made my feelings clear to Brooke.
I slammed the door to Josh’s apartment open and called out. No one answered, but one of these bastards had to be home and could tell me where he was.
“Josh, where the fuck are you?”
Jared came out of his room with a book in his hand. I narrowed my eyes, and he took a step back.
“She’s back, and you didn’t say a fucking word to me.”
He took a few more steps and ran into the bookshelf behind him.
“You have a goddamned class with her.”
“Dom, you said you didn’t want to hear—”
“I was drunk, you asshole.”
Josh came out of his room with a towel wrapped around his waist. “What’s going on out here?”
I whipped around, rage visible on my face now.
He took a step forward and held up his hands. “You told us you didn’t want to know. I wanted to make this as easy as possible for you.”
“Of course I wanted to know, you idiot. I was pissed off, but I thought she hadn’t come back because she fucking hated me. For two weeks you’ve let me walk around here like somebody kicked my dog because you wanted to make it easy on me?” I snorted and threw my arms up in the air. “Give me a fucking break. If you don’t want me with her, then just tell me, Josh. At least be fucking honest with me.”
“I never said I didn’t want you two together. I was trying to protect both of you. Can’t you see I’m in a shitty spot right here? Best friend and little sister.”
“So protecting us is letting her run into me in the Student Union while I’m talking to Talia?” I asked, pointing in his direction. “Thanks a fucking lot, buddy.”
He frowned. “Are you getting back together with Talia?”
I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. “God, no. I just ran into her.”
He adjusted his towel. “Well, then tell Brooke that.”
“I tried. Right before she had a panic attack.”
His expression instantly morphed from pissed off to concerned. So the tin man did have a heart. “Is she okay?”
“Yeah, no thanks to you and your protection. She’s fine. I took her back to her apartment.”
I wasn’t going to share the second half of what happened with them—Josh especially. If I was going to get Brooke back, it was going to be by my own merit. I sat down on the couch and put my head in my hands, all the adrenaline gone now that I’d confronted my so-called friends.
“Dom?” Riley’s small voice came from behind Josh. Of course she was here to see my meltdown. “For what it’s worth, she’s putting on a strong face. She misses you too, but she’s scared to let anyone know. There’s also something else you should know.”
I peeked up at her.
“She’s avoiding you.”
I rolled my eyes. “How’s that a good thing?”
She smirked in a guys are such idiots way. “Because that means she wants to see you.”
I grinned up at her, finally getting it. “Riley, I could kiss you right now.”
Josh stepped in front of her and glared at me. “Don’t you fucking—”
“Don’t get your panties in a wad, Joshua. I’m not going to kiss your girl. I’m going to figure out how t
o win mine back. And you jerks are going to help me do it.”
Jared sat down on the far end of the couch. I could tell by his smirk he was up to something. “It’s about damned time. But if you want my help—”
I pinned him with a look. “You saw me lay Austin out in a single punch. Are you sure you want to give me alternatives?”
He swallowed hard. I liked being intimidating when I needed to be.
“Nope, we’re good. I’ll start singing your praises every time I see Brooke.”
I’d never actually punch Jared unless he hurt Brooke. Or my little sister. Then all bets would be off, but he didn’t need to know that. A little birdy told me that my single punch had broken Austin’s nose and he’d had it fixed over the summer. It was doubtful we’d ever see him around again. That was just fine with me.
“Riley, I’m going to need you to do some snooping.”
She grinned. “Just tell me what you need to know, Dom.”
***
Brooke obviously wasn’t ready for the full court press. Not after seeing me with Talia again. I had to be careful how I let the next few weeks play out because if she thought I was getting back together with Talia, I could kiss my chance with her goodbye.
I groaned and threw myself back on the couch. Matt looked up from where he was eating cereal at the bar.
“What’s got your panties in a bunch?”
I threw my arm over my face. “I ran into Brooke yesterday.”
“Oh yeah, I saw her like our second day back.”
Motherfuckers. Every one of them knew she was back and didn’t bother to tell me.
“She looks good.”
“If you touch her I’ll kill you.”
“Chill out. I know she only has eyes for you. As hot as she is, I wouldn’t go there.” Amusement coated his tone.
The crunching of his cereal was annoying. Lying here doing nothing was annoying. Pretty much everything in my life annoyed the shit out of me right now.
Keeping Dominic (The Golden Boy Series Book 1) Page 16