by R. S Burnett
“Brooke, what was that one with the song names?” Sophie asks laughing as she no doubt remembers our shamefull behaviour of past parties.
I wince “I’m not doing that one. It’s too confusing, we need something easy,”
“You’re not too drunk already are you?” Dave asks smugly.
“Fine!” I throw my hands in the air and start moving around the kitchen. I gather all three of all the glasses I’ll need and thank the heavens that they have so many different types of alcohol here.
When I start pouring out the drinks and shots, Sophie cheers and rummages around in the drawers until she finds a sheet of paper. When Dave sends me another confused look I smirk at him.
“Were going to play golf,”
“Golf?”
“Every drink is a hole, to get a hole in one, you need to down it in one, you get the idea.”
His eyes widen with excitement and we all take our places at the first ‘hole’ – half a pint of water.
I make it up to the fifth hole before everything starts going too fuzzy.
***
“Oh god, I’m starving, but I can’t stomach food yet,” I grumble, collecting my coffee and handing one to Sophie.
“Tell me about it,” she whispers back, wincing slightly.
“What the hell happened to you two?” Matt asks when we take our seats at our usual table.
“Shh, don’t shout,” Sophie winces.
“You’re hung over?” he asks us both. When we wince, he lowers his voice. “I thought you had a date Brooke?”
“I did. We went out when I got back,” I tell him barely above a whisper.
“Anyone tell you that you both look like shit?” Tucker informs us cheerily as he joins us; putting his hands up in front of him when we both glare at him. “Okay, never mind.”
“Where did you go and what the hell happened to you both?” Matt asks.
“I got tickets to watch a fight”
“Were you both in the fight?” he asks, looking pointedly at the cuts on our faces.
“Umm…not exactly…” I glance at Sophie, wondering how we should explain it, but she just busts out laughing, taking me along with her.
“Ah, don’t, it hurts,” she gasps, holding her head.
Tucker clears his throat, and I look up to see Matt watching us unimpressed.
“Okay, so a few guys I know gave me tickets to go watch a fight in the next town over. After the fight, we went back to the house party and things got…out of hand…we all drank a bit much and passed out,” I tell him, skipping a few details.
“The cuts?” Matt prompts.
“We woke up…in a bush…outside the house…two hours ago,” Sophie stutters, embarrassed.
Tucker bursts out laughing and Matt gives Sophie the best disapproving look I’ve even seen. I’m surprised when she doesn’t cower away like I would have.
“Why didn’t you invite me?” Tucker asks when his laughter is slightly under control, but not completely.
“You wouldn’t have liked it,” I tell him, but Sophie snorts.
“If we’re going to be doing this friends thing, Brooke, you need to invite me to things like this. You can’t leave me out,” he pouts at me, then glares over my shoulder.
“You didn’t look like this when I left you last night,” Jason notes, slipping into the seat next to me, cutting off my reply to Tucker.
“I went out after,” I tell him, smiling at seeing him again so soon.
“What? You didn’t enjoy yourself enough with me?” he asks, pretending to look wounded.
“No, I had a great time,” I assure him when he puts his arm around the back of my chair.
* * *
Over the next three weeks, I see Jason every night and it is going well, apart from all the gossip about Tucker and me having an affair. I have no idea where the rumours are coming from because I’ve hardly seen him, apart from at lunch and the few times he’s spent time in our room with Matt and Sophie.
“I heard your boyfriend stayed over Megan’s last night.”
I look over at Cassie who’s sitting behind me. I heard the rumour as well and Jason hasn’t turned up to any classes today, so I haven’t had his reassurances about it.
“Good for them.” I shrug, not showing how it bothers me.
“You’re going to let him get away with it?” she asks, raising an eyebrow.
I open my mouth to reply, but she cuts me off, “Oh yeah, that’s right, you’re playing away too,” she smirks.
I see Tucker out of the corner of my eye as he sits in Jason’s empty seat. “What’re you talking about?” He asks me, looking back at Cassie.
“All the mind blowing, sweaty, wild sex that you and I have every night.” I make a point of sighing loudly and turn to face him. “We should really try and keep it a secret.” I roll my eyes when I hear Cassie gasp.
“Want me to move?” he asks, starting to stand up from the seat next to me.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m sure we can keep our hands off each other for a whole hour.”
“Brooke…” He shakes his head at me, letting me know that he isn’t going to play my game.
Okay, so maybe I get a little carried away when the rumours are brought to my attention; but considering no one has any proof of what’s supposedly happening behind closed doors, they are all quick to believe it.
“They’re going to say it as long as we are in the same room anyway; we don’t even have to be seated next to each other, Tucker,” I grumble.
“Lovers tiff?” Cassie asks and we both turn to look at her “Is it the ‘did you come’ argument?” she smirks at Tucker.
“Honey, if a guy has to ask ‘did you come?’ after sex, you should be worried. First of all, you obviously didn’t fake it good enough if you couldn’t fool him; and second of all, what the hell were you thinking, getting it on with him in the first place, he clearly doesn’t know what he’s doing?”
She narrows her eyes at me, and Tucker snorts; but I turn my attention back to the front of the class as the lecture starts, wondering if the rumours about Jason are true or not.
Once the lecture has ended, Tucker walks by my side as we make our way to the coffee stand; it is our ritual after English.
“Are you busy tonight?”
I look at him from the corner of my eye, he seems nervous. “I don’t have any plans, why?”
“Come out with me?”
I order my coffee before replying. “Where to?”
“It’s a surprise”
Later in my room, I’m trying to decide on what to wear when Sophie walks in with Matt.
“What are you doing?” she asks, staring at my bed that is overflowing with clothes.
“I’m going out with Tucker, but he won’t tell me where we’re going so I have no idea what to wear.” I flop down on the bed, making all the clothes bounce.
“What about Jason?”
I lift my head to see Sophie frowning at me.
“What about him? I haven’t heard from him all day.”
“So, he doesn’t speak to you for a day and you’re going to go out with someone else?”
“It’s not like that,” I frown at her. “Tucker’s my friend, that’s all.”
“He’s probably taking you to a bar,” Matt advises.
I narrow my eyes at him, “Do you know where he’s taking me?”
“Nope. Just dress for a bar,” he smiles.
“Fine.”
By the time I’ve selected my outfit and I’m ready, Tucker texts me an address. I reply that I’m on my way and leave Sophie and Matt in my room, laughing over some reality show.
Matt was right, Tucker has sent me to a bar.
As I make my way through the crowds to the bar, I keep an eye out for Tucker, but I can’t see him anywhere. I hand over my fake ID as I order a beer and take a seat at the bar, wondering what the hell I’m doing here.
The place is packed; it seems to be full of students, none of whom
I recognise.
“Hey.”
I turn to look at my new companion. He’s tall, blonde, and covered in tattoos. I’ve definitely never seen him before.
“Hi,” I smile back.
“What’s a beautiful girl like you doing up here all alone?”
“I’m waiting for someone.”
“I don’t doubt it,” he grins at me “Are you from around here?”
“I go to Uni here, you?”
“Yeah, I’ve lived here all my life, I don’t go to uni though,” he smirks.
I look at his art covered arms “No? What do you do then?” I cock an eyebrow at him.
“Hey, Max, leave my girl alone!” Tucker wraps an arm around my shoulders.
“She one of yours Tuck?” Max asks, looking between us both.
“She’s taken,” is all he replies.
“Hmm.”
“What are we doing here?” I ask Tucker, looking up at him.
“We’re playing.”
“Huh?”
“Just watch,” he grins then leaves me at the bar alone once again.
A few minutes later, he and Max join two other men on the small stage at the back of the bar.
I watch amazed as the crowd goes wild for them and soon they are in full band mode.
Max is playing bass, but Tucker…Tucker’s singing. I had no idea he was in a band, let alone their lead singer. He’s engaging with his audience and completely in the zone. His voice is strong and smooth and when his eyes lock with mine, my whole body shivers.
I’ve never had to struggle with being attracted to Tucker before; but seeing him up there, on stage singing like a total rock star, I have to admit that he’s hard to resist.
“Brooke?”
I stop dead at the sight of Jason sitting on my bed.
“What are you doing here?” I frown at him and send Sophie a questioning look.
“I’ll just be going...” She stands from her own bed and leaves us alone.
“Where have you been?” Jason asks, when the door shuts behind her.
“I went out.”
“With who?” he demands.
I sigh loudly, “Tucker. What difference does it make?”
“Tucker? You know what people are saying about the two of you!”
“I don’t care what people are saying about me!” I shout back.
“You’re making me look like an idiot, Brooke!” He stands and takes a step towards me.
“No, I looked like an idiot today with people telling me that you spent the night with Megan last night, and you weren’t anywhere to be seen!”
“It’s not true,” he runs his hands through his hair.
“I didn’t say I believed it,” I point out. “You should know Tucker and I are only friends; I don’t question any of the friendships you have with girls.”
“I know but ... he’s Tucker Lloyd, Brooke.”
“I’m aware of his name, Jason.”
“He’s just playing you. He’s trying to get into your panties Brooke, but you’re too naive to see it!”
“I think you should leave.” I gesture to the door with my arm.
Just then, the door swings open and Tucker is standing there.
“What a coincidence,” Jason laughs humourlessly.
“Uh...Matt sent me over here, I can go though,” he says looking only at me.
“No, Jason was just leaving,” I send Jason a pointed look.
“Oh, this is just great” he shakes his head.
“Goodbye, Jason.”
“Fine,” he walks past me with a glare, “but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“What was that all about?” Tucker asks when we’re finally alone.
I flop myself down on my bed, looking up at the ceiling. “Everything,” I sigh, but turn my head to smile at him. “You were great tonight. I didn’t know you were in a band. How come you never told me?”
“You never asked,” he shrugs.
“Okay…so from now on, when I meet someone, the first thing I’m going to do is ask is if they’re in a band,” I smirk at him.
He rolls his eyes at me before he strips down to his boxer shorts. “That’s not what I meant. Seriously though, I didn’t interrupt anything just now, did I?”
“Only an argument.”
“You were arguing?”
I lift myself up onto my elbow to watch him move all of Sophie’s extra pillows and blankets. “Same old argument, nothing special.”
“Oh.”
No further comment is made, so as Tucker settles himself into Sophie’s newly arranged, but almost bare bed, I take a quick shower and settle myself into my own bed.
“Night, Tuck.”
“G’night Brooke.”
I flip off the lamp, sending us into darkness.
Sleep doesn’t come easily, but eventually the sound of Tucker’s even breathing settles over me and I feel my eyelids drooping.
“Brooke?” Tucker whispers after a few minutes.
“Yeah?”
“Does Jason treat you right?”
I frown into the darkness, “Uh ... yeah, I guess, why?”
“Just curious, you’d tell me otherwise, right?”
“Sure.”
“Are you happy with him?”
I roll over so I’m facing him, even though I can’t see him. “What’s this about Tuck?”
“Nothing,” he sighs.
We say no more as we both find sleep.
Three
“What do you want?” Tucker groans when he finally answers his door.
“Come on. Get dressed!” I push passed him and turn the coffee machine on to make up two cups to take with us.
“Hey Matt,” I grin at him when he walks out from the bathroom in just a towel.
“Good morning,” he sings back to me just as cheerful.
“Don’t talk to her, she’s evil.” We both turn to see Tucker pulling a pillow over his head, back in his bed.
I walk over and pull the blankets off him “Get up!”
“Why?” he moans back pathetically.
“We’re going out.” I go back into the kitchen area and fill the two travel mugs, plus a normal mug for Matt.
“I hate you,” comes from the bed
“Well then, I guess I’ll just take Matt instead.” I wink at Matt and he grins at me.
“Where are we going, Brooke?” he asks playing along. Of course he already knows the plan because when I told Sophie I had the tickets, she convinced me to take Tucker.
“It was supposed to be a surprise…I’d invite both of you, but I only have two tickets. I thought with Tucker being such a fan, he would enjoy it more…but if he wants to stay in bed instead of going to see Heaven’s Devil’s, then I guess you can take his place.”
At the sound of Tuckers favourite band being mentioned, he flies across the room and pushes Matt out of the way to grab both my arms looking me straight in the eyes.
“Tell me now. Are you lying?” he demands.
I shake my head and gesture with my head to the table where I put the two tickets when I came in.
“Oh shit. Brooke, I think I love you!” he shouts, making me wince and then he kisses me.
“I take it you want to come with me?” I ask smiling.
“Definitely,” he grins.
“Only if you promise not to do that again.”
“Are you serious? I could fuck you ten times over for this,” he says seriously.
“Umm…Matt? Are you sure Sophie doesn’t want to come with me? It’s not too late for her to change her mind,” I ask him pleadingly.
“You were going to take Sophie instead of me?” Tucker asks, looking offended.
“Of course, she’s my best friend and I didn’t even know you liked the band. She’s the one who convinced me to take you. It took some doing by the way…but she said you would kill me if I took her and not you.” I roll my eyes at how dramatic it all was.
“Damn straight I would have!”<
br />
“Tell him the rest,” Matt smirks at me, obviously enjoying Tucker’s reaction.
“I’m not sure,” I say nervously, trying to get out of Tucker’s grip that has just tightened.
“What else?” he asks looking back and forth between me and Matt.
“The concert is tonight. We’re staying in a hotel and then Sophie and Matt are joining us tomorrow.” I try again to get out of his grip.
“Why? What’s happening tomorrow?” he asks narrowing his eyes at me.
“Ummm…well I know the drummers fiancé and they are having a joint hen/stag night tomorrow. I got the three of you invited with me.” I close my eyes tightly when I say it, but to my surprise Tucker lets me go.
“Tuck…” Matt frowns, watching him walk around the room.
“Are you okay? Do you not want to go?” I ask him nervously.
“I’m thinking,” he waves a hand dismissively at us, so we both sit down at the table. I pour myself a coffee to drink while I wait.
“I told you this was a bad idea,” I tell Matt.
“He’ll be fine. Just give him a minute,” he assures me. “Do you know what we’ll be doing tomorrow night?”
“I’m not sure, there’s a few clubs we’ll be going to, but most likely we’ll end up at a house party to be honest. That’s what has happened when Sophie and I have gone in the past.”
“You’ve been out with them before?” Matt asks me surprised.
“Yeah I…” My phone ringing cuts me off.
“Hello?”
“How’d he take it?” Sophie asks excitedly.
“He’s pacing,” I answer, watching Tucker still silently walking around the room.
“Have you told him where you are taking him after the concert?” she asks laughing.
“Not yet, no. I’m thinking that’s not such a good idea,” I say quietly so he won’t hear me.
“You have to, just don’t mention it until you get there. Can I speak to Matt please?” she asks still laughing. I hand the phone over to Matt and stand up to sort Tucker out.