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“I’m so much better. First, I am sorry that I ignored you guys for a week, but I needed my own space, and I thank you for allowing me to go off the grid for a while.”
“You’re welcome,” Marie gave me a stern smile as our drinks arrived, and we all thanked our waiter. We ordered our food, and he was gone. “So, what happened?”
“Well, Marie, you already know that my brother passed away on his birthday, but I never told you what happened. He committed suicide, and I’ve basically been punishing myself for a while because I didn’t know any other way to mourn for him properly.”
Our food came as I explained the story to them from the beginning right until the end, and I hoped that this was the last time I would ever have to tell the story; as long as I didn’t act out, I wouldn’t have to tell it ever again.
“So, yeah, that’s what happened,” I smiled as I sipped my drink, and they both took a huge gulp of their drinks.
“Woah,” Matthew whispered, and Marie looked just as traumatized by the story. Her eyes quickly teared up, and she sniffled as she got up from her seat and came to sit next to me in the booth.
“I am so sorry that you’ve been dealing with all of that alone, bestie!” she cried, and I laughed lightly as I gently rubbed her shoulders. It didn’t hurt as much as it used to, and I felt like I had finally taken a step in the right direction toward healing.
That was why even if Marie was a sobbing mess right now, I didn’t feel annoyed or anything; I actually felt glad that I had a friend that would cry for me.
“You’ve been through a lot, and it doesn’t show,” Matthew complimented me, and I smiled as I comforted his weeping girlfriend.
“I think that’s why I chose to work at the center, because then I would be able to understand the vets’ pain and hopefully help them want to continue living.” Marie wrapped her arms around me and wiped her face on my boobs as she squeezed me hard.
“You are such an amazing person, Brooke. So amazing!”
“Yeah, she’s actually so much cooler now,” Matthew said, and we all laughed. “Who would’ve known that the famous Agent Brooke had such a deep story?”
“I should’ve been an agent; I am so good at hiding things.” I shrugged a shoulder, and they laughed.
“Now, can we just eat and have fun as friends?” I told Marie as I wiped away her tears, and she nodded, giving us a little pout.
“Sure, but you owe me a sleepover for disappearing on me for a whole week.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’ll come over soon.”
After we agreed on our plans, we all decided to go watch a movie after lunch because we had nothing better to do. When I arrived back home, I bumped into Drew.
Oh, God.
“Brooke!” he greeted as he approached me, and as much as I wanted to pretend that I didn’t hear him, the bit of human in me couldn’t ignore him.
“Hey, Drew, how are you?” I smiled as I pulled my bag up my tense shoulders. Something about this man made me anxious.
“I’m alright; I haven’t seen you in a while. Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” I nodded, not feeling the need to expand further than that.
“I came to visit you one day, but your rude neighbor was there.” He rolled his eyes. “Does he come by often?”
I don’t see how that’s any of your business.
“He helps out from time to time,” I told him, and his smile creeped me out because there was something dark in his eyes.
“Well, I’m also here if you ever need help.”
“I’ll remember that,” I smiled briefly and took a step away from him, but he moved before me, blocking my path.
“No, I really mean it. You should take my number so that you can get ahold of me whenever you need. I’m always available.”
“Oh, I don’t think that’s necessary. But thank you for the offer.”
He grabbed my arm painfully, and when he saw me wince, he loosened his hold.
