Page 7 of No Good Deed

“What about his roommate? Does it sound like they’re getting along?”

“He hasn’t said much about him, which tells me they probably get along but aren’t going to be friends. Jake struggles to connect with people, especially people he doesn’t know. I blame myself for that.” I gaze down at the floor, my thoughts going back to the past.

“Dean, you aren’t the reason Jake doesn’t have friends. Why would you even think that?”

“I made him afraid of people. I told him you can’t trust anyone and to never get too close to someone because they’ll use it against you. It’s how I thought back then, but I wish I hadn’t put that on Jake.”

“Even if you did, it doesn’t mean he can’t change.” Brook turns to me and rubs my shoulder. “Look at you. You’re completely different than when I met you. You were so closed off back then, you wouldn’t let anyone near you.”

I look at her. “I’d still be that way if it weren’t for you.”

She smiles a little. “You mean when I kept bothering you until you finally gave in?”

“You weren’t bothering me. You just cared a lot. More than anyone I’d ever met. That’s when I realized that maybe not everyone is bad.”

“What about Danny? You didn’t think he was bad.”

“Yeah, but he already knew me. He knew about my parents and what I’d been through. He didn’t judge me. I’m talking about people I didn’t know. I didn’t want anyone new coming into my life. I’d accepted I’d probably be alone forever. I don’t think Jake feels that way, but he’s definitely afraid to let people in.”

“He had friends when you two were living in Chicago.”

“Those were guys he grew up with. They’re like Danny. They know what we’ve been through. It’s hard to make new friends if you’re afraid to tell them about yourself. I’m not talking about friends you party with, but real friends, ones you can really count on. Those type of friends come from being open about yourself, not holding back. The problem is, telling someone you got a dad in prison and a con artist for a mom tends to scare people away, especially the type of people Jake will meet at college. Most of them had easy lives. They wouldn’t understand what Jake’s been through.”

“He could call up his friends from the old neighborhood and do stuff with them.”

“No.” I shake my head. “I don’t want him anywhere near those guys.”

“Why? When I met them, they seemed nice, like Danny.”

“They’re nothing like Danny. Jake’s friends were always getting him into trouble. And I don’t mean stupid teenage pranks. I’m talking about stealing shit. Like going out at night and taking shit from cars. Or breaking into garages to steal bikes.”

“Jake did that?” Brook asks, sounding shocked.

“He got caught stealing a bike when he was twelve. I told the cops it was just a mistake, that the bike looked like Jake’s old one that someone took from our yard. It was a lie, but since he was a minor and he gave the bike back, he got off with just a warning. After that, I kept a closer eye on him and told him to stay away from his friends. He didn’t, but at least he didn’t get arrested.”

“What are those guys doing now? Do you know?”

“They’re probably in jail or running some kind of scam. I really wish Jake hadn’t gone back to Chicago. I know he missed it, but there’s nothing but bad memories there.”

“And cold weather. Remember how much he used to complain about that?”

“Yeah, I think he forgot how cold it gets. If he hadn’t gotten that scholarship, I don’t think he would’ve gone there.”

Brook glances at her watch. “Chelsea’s going to be here soon. I need to go get ready.”

I pull Brook into my arms and kiss her. “I love that you do this every week.”

On game days, Brook and her sister set up a huge tailgate outside the stadium and invite everyone we know. She wears all her team gear, including stuff for her hair in the team’s colors. Brook’s my biggest fan. It’s hard to believe that just a few years ago she hated me, and now we’re engaged and living together.

“It’s fun!” she says, jumping up from the couch. “I look forward to it all week!” She walks to the kitchen. “But it’s not going to be the same without Jake.”

“Yeah, I know. It’s weird not having him here.”

I miss Jake. I would’ve liked for him to go to school around here, but it was good he left. He needed to. He depended on me too much, and I probably did too much for him. Being in Chicago, he’ll have to learn to do stuff for himself and be on his own. I just hope he can move on after losing Haley. I’ve seen a lotof guys get stuck in a dark place after having their heart broken. I don’t want that happening to Jake.

3

JAKE

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