Page 89 of Crossing the Brooklyn Briggs
With that thought—both comforting and terrifying—I slowly drift off to sleep.
Chapter Thirty
Jordan
October 20
I’m pretty sure the onlyreason Mateo is giving me the time of day this morning is because I promised him food, though he looks like he’s regretting his decision as he sits in the passenger seat of my truck and stares out the window. Well, food and Mom convinced him. As soon as she found out I was trying to take Mateo out to get breakfast, she begged him to go with me.
And no one can say no to my mom.
“Did Friday go okay at school?” I ask, desperate to fill the silence as I drive. I could turn on some music, but with my luck, it will be something he hates.
Mateo barely reacts to my question. “Sure.”
“What classes are you taking outside of math from that annoying teacher?” It’s my pathetic attempt at camaraderie.
He may not be facing me, but Iknowhe rolls his eyes. “We don’t have to make small talk, Jordan. I know this was Mom’s idea to get us to bond or whatever.”
“It wasn’t her idea.” It also wasn’t mine, but I’m not about to tell him that his teacher wants to meet up on a Sunday morning. If I thought it was hard to get him to come already, that would put a nail in the coffin of our brotherly relationship. I’m nervous about how he’s going to react, but Brooklyn deserves a chance to apologize for the whole Mark thing.
“How long is this going to take, anyway?” Mateo asks when I pull into the restaurant parking lot.
Brooklyn said she would get here early and grab us a table, which will make it easier to keep Mateo from trying to skip out. Hopefully.
“Why?” I ask. “Got somewhere to be?”
“Maybe.” He says that without looking at me. Not at all suspicious…
After a quick glance at my watch to make sure we’re not early, I lead the way out of the truck and into the restaurant. Thankfully, I spot Brooklyn in a booth right away, so I throw my arm around Mateo’s shoulders and steer him in that direction.
To no surprise, he fights to wriggle free all the way up to the point when his eyes lock on Brooklyn in her t-shirt and jeans. Then he goes still as a statue, mouth gaping open like a fish as if he’s having a hard time comprehending the idea that a teacher could exist outside of a school. Especially dressed so casually. While she looked incredible for her date with Mark, I like the dressed down version of her so much more. It feels more like her.
“Something wrong?” I ask, still holding Mateo tight.
Brooklyn, who clearly hears my amused question, throws a glare at me and then stands up. “Hi, Mateo. I know this is weird.”
“Weird,” he parrots.
“Jordan, why didn’t you tell him I’d be here?”
Mateo turns to me. “YouknowMiss Briggs?”
Oh, I know her. Right now, I feel like she knows me better than anyone in the world. Even Houston. “Give her an hour, okay?”
“Fifteen minutes.”
“This isn’t a negotiation.”
Brooklyn clears her throat. “How about I tell you why I asked Jordan to bring you, and then you can decide if you want to stay?”
Though he glances around the restaurant, as if making sure no one will recognize him, Mateo slowly makes his way to the booth and slides in.
Brooklyn returns to her seat across from him, and suddenly I’m faced with a decision. I can join Mateo on his side so he doesn’t feel like we’re teaming up against him, but he might see that as being trapped. If I sit with Brooklyn, there’s no way I’ll be able to stay focused with her so close, but at the same time I’ll have an easy excuse to accidentally touch her as often as I want. Pros and cons to both.
Brooklyn clears her throat again and glances at the bench beside her. Decision made for me.
As I slide into the booth, I immediately become aware of just how small this booth really is. I’m not especially large, but my shoulders are broad enough that I can’t sit comfortably without being pressed up against her.Oh no. I’m so bummed.
