Page 96 of The Drop

"I'm going to go enjoy my night since it's nothing serious, I'll have some fun. " He shrugs like he's never cared about me, walks into the guy's apartment, and slams the door.

I turn and walk into the empty apartment where the music's still blaring and sit on the sofa surrounded by solo cups and streamers and burst into tears.

I would give anything to rewind before midnight.

Chapter Forty Seven

Brooke

It's been three weeks since New Year's, and Cami has barely spoken to me.

She never seems to be at the apartment when I am, and all my efforts to apologise are rebuffed when we are together. I'm starting to give up hope. Bear and Adam have been going back and forth, trying not to take sides, but Gunnar is firmly in camp Cami. Can't say it doesn't sting a little, but then again, he didn't know about Grant and me either, so I guess he's equally hurt.

And Grant.

That's a whole other problem, apart from the texts I sent that went unanswered. He finally texted me back to say he got the message on New Year's, and when I replied, I wanted to explain myself, but I received his last text before he blocked me.

Grant-I'm not having fun anymore, Brooke. I need to focus on hockey and ignore distractions from now on.

I guess I had thought he would be mad for a day and come over, we would talk it through, and I would explain myself better, but I guess he must have realised that I'm not what he wanted after all, and hockey was still his priority.

I've been focusing on the January drop and studying, but everything feels off now. My drive is gone. I'm sitting at the library trying to edit The Drop, and the pictures aren't right; the clothes just don't feel special, and I must have had an off day shooting them. Putting my head in my hands, I blow out the breath of air I've been holding, trying to think, picking up my phone in defeat and checking the hockey game I've been keeping an eye on since I sat down. I know Cami is there because I saw her leave with her jersey on. They're down by two with minutes to go.

"Hey, Brooke." I look up and see Savannah standing by my table, holding a pile of books. I hadn't even noticed her come over.

"Hey." I smile, genuinely happy to see her. We had hung out here and there for study sessions, but I hadn't messaged her since before Christmas.

"You, okay?" she asks, sitting down opposite me and placing her bag and books on top of the table.

"Eh, kind of trying to work on The Drop, and I'm not feeling it." I sigh, shutting my laptop, feeling frustrated that it's never been this hard before. The Drop flows out of me so easily, and I enjoy the process, so feeling so stuck in the mud with it is killing me.

"I always find if you're stuck with something, take a break and come back to it later."

"Yeah," I say, closing my laptop. "That's literally where my brain's at."

"Perfect timing, the girls and I are heading to the bar for drinks. Come with?" She slaps her hand on the table and stands.

"I don't know. I was just going to head home." Shrugging, I stand with her, putting my stuff in my bag. "Grab some ice cream and think."

"No," she states, flicking her long hair behind her and linking her arm with mine. "We haven't hung out since before Christmas, and you look like you need a drink and good old girl time."

I shake my head as she leads us out into the cold, and I'm about to protest again when she puts the puppy dog's eyes on me.

"Please," she begs, and I laugh. It's not the worst idea to get out of the apartment; I've only left for classes and to thrift some more of The Drop before hiding out on the sofa, waiting for Cami to come home and hoping she speaks to me.

Wow, that sounds pathetic.

"Okay, let me drop this off at home first." I lift my bag.

"Yes! I'll drive."

We get in her car, and after a quick stop at the apartment, I change into a sweater dress and knee-high boots because Savannah's vibe is a lot more dressed up than the hoodie and yoga pants I've been living in.

I'm feeling like my old self pre-New Year's Eve evening as I get back in the car, tying my hair up in a messy high pony.

"Ooh, I love that outfit," Savannah gushes as we pull onto the road, waving her hand at me. "You're so annoying, you always look amazing."

I laugh her off, but I am secretly grateful for the boost I need, having not been out properly in 2 weeks.

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