“I don’t know how to thank you.” She hugs me, pulling me inside.
Great, now I’m in Ashton Campbell’s house.
“It’s no problem.” I hand her his bag. “Well, we should go.” I turn to the door, but Brooke stops me again.
“Wait, please let me explain. I really am sorry.”
I look over at her. “It’s okay. I know your situation is hard.”
“I don’t have any friends, and Reed’s only one is Sadie. We don’t tell people because we’re both tired of being used. Most people just want playoff tickets, or other more adult reasons,” she explains, without saying that it’s about sex.
I like Brooke, and Sadie loves Reed. Truth is, Reed is Sadie’s only friend too. I know how hard it is to explain to small children that you don’t have a daddy because he’s in heaven.
“Brooke, it’s fine. I mean it. Nothing will change. I promise.”
“One thing could change.” She gives me a small grin.
“What?”
She looks down at Sadie, then back at me. “That question that keeps being asked to you, you could say ‘yes’.”
Great. Not her too. I know that she’s talking about Ashton asking me out. I thought he might have told her, but now I have my confirmation. “I don’t know.”
I don’t know. I had been firmly saying ‘no’ for the past week and a half. Crap, maybe he is wearing me down.
Brooke steps to my right, leaning in so Sadie doesn’t hear her. “He’s a great guy. And I can tell you I’ve never seen him going after anyone this hard before. It’s one date. What could it hurt?”
I bite down on my lip. It could hurt Reed and Sadie’s friendship. Then again, this is the first time I’d actually seen him, and he travels a lot. “I think we need to leave.” I give her a small smile.
She nods. “Here. Let me give you some gas money or something.”
I shake my head. “No, it’s fine, really. I know you would do it for me.”
“I’ve got it, Brooke.” Ashton comes around the corner, reaching into his back pocket.
My heart jumps a little. His t-shirt is tight around his arms, and his jeans are hanging a little low with his boxers peeking out.
“Really. It’s fine.” I hear my voice crack.
Ashton comes and stands next to Brooke.
“Hey, I know you!” Sadie exclaims. “My mom hates you.”
“Sadie,” I growl at her.
“Well, you do, right? He’s that hockey guy.” Sadie looks confused now.
Ashton and Brooke laugh.
“Sadie, I am that guy. Your mom doesn’t like my team, huh?” Ashton bends down to her.
“No, she hates the Bears,” Sadie confirms.
I have the urge to bolt out of this house before she says anything else.
“Do you hate the Bears?” Ashton asks.
“I don’t like hockey very much, but Mommy loves it,” she says brightly. “Can I see Reed?”