Page 38 of The Drop

Adam P-I’m not really mad…

Adam P-Brookie!

Chapter Nineteen

Brooke

I’m having a mini freak-out.

Well, I’ve been having a mini freak out since Saturday night when Grant invited me to the pool party. Are we going as friends, or is it a date? I’m confused and nervous about being around him after all our flirting. The chemistry we have isn’t disappearing soon, and I like Grant. I'm worried I like him too much. I haven't been broken up with Josh that long; I shouldn't be feeling this way yet. Maybe I just need to get used to discovering who I am here now.

But then Grant and I have those moments together, and my brain just forgets all that.

Maybe cancelling wouldn’t be the worst. I could get some work done on The Drop. Coach Bennett and my professor both think that going bigger will meet the demand that has built up from the previous one. I’m glad I had the idea only to run one a month, giving me extra time to source clothing and shoot them.

I’m going to cancel. He won’t care, anyway. I’m sure there are loads of people he wants to see at the party, but without me holding him back, he would be stuck with me again, since I don't know anyone. Or worse, he might ditch me to talk to other girls,and that’s not fun to think about, so it would be brutal to watch in person.

My phone chimes, and I pull it out of the back pocket of my shorts. Another solid reason for cancelling: What do you wear to a pool party in the middle of October?

Grant-You’re going to kill me.

Not exactly the text I was expecting to get from him today.

Me- Depends. How have you wronged me?

Grant -I failed my communications test, so Coach has spoken to my professor. He's given as a makeup essay, but it needs to be submitted today.

A familiar feeling hits. Josh always cancelled or postponed on me, and although I had been planning to cancel, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

Inbetween all the freaking out, I had been looking forward to going, and in the back of my mind, would I have cancelled? Even knowing Grant’s reputation, he didn’t seem like the guy to let a girl down at the last minute.

Another text comes through quickly after the first one.

Grant- I’m not cancelling.

Me-sounds like you’re cancelling….

Grant-I’M NOT CANCELLING.

Me-Jeez, okay, you’re not cancelling, no need to yell.

Grant-I just need to finish the essay first, and I’ll head straight there.

Here is my opening: the feeling of disappointment, when I thought he was cancelling, was a sign that I may like him a littletoo much to be one of his casual hookups, so I need to pull us back to friends.

Me-you know I’ve got a few things to do for The Drop; we don’t have to go.

Grant-I knew you would say that, but don’t worry, I’ve got it covered.

Me-Huh?

As I reply, there’s a knock at the door, and I frown, heading out of my room to the door. Opening it, I discover Adam and Bear's smiling faces dressed in board shorts, and Bear has a flamingo floaty around his waist.

“Please hold.” I hold one finger up to them. Narrowing my eyes, I shut the door and got my phone back out of my pocket.

Me-You could have just said you were sending your cronies.

Grant-Sure, and give you time to turn out the lights and pretend you’re not home?

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