Chapter 44 A Coincidence?
Chapter 44 A Coincidence?
“Barth is having a weekend game tonight,” Aurick began, breaking the silence that had engulfed the table. “But I will be busy at the company—“
Mom glanced at him with a raised brow. “On a weekend? But you didn’t tell me this earlier.”
Aurick frowned. “It just came up.”
Mom pursed her lips and gave a tight nod and he continued.
“So, Yvonne, you will accompany your mom over there because it wouldn’t be good image if none of us were able to attend. I hope you don’t have anywhere to go this night as well?”
I shook my head negatively, his slight jab not going unnoticed.
“Would you be back early?” Mom asked.
“No and don’t wait up.”
He dropped his fork and wiped the sides of his lips with a nakpin and stood up. His chair scraping against the marble floor.
Mom watched him with a solemn look as he walked away. Not wanting to be caught up in this mess, I stand up as well, muttering a ‘thanks.’
“Bree, are you okay?” My mom calls after me.
In the past, I would have soften at her voice and told her everything that was bothering me but now, I felt like my own mother had become a stranger.
“Yes,” I said without turning around and walked away.
“What’s wrong with everyone this morning?” I heard her mutter as the maids cleared the table.
She would have to keep wondering, till then…
…
“You are have so busy, Bree. You no longer have time to give me the lastest gossips,” Summer said, giving me a pout that makes me giggle.
“Well, you too seem to have been busy as well. I’ve seen your reposts and retweets as well. Tell me, are you in love Summer?” I ask, tilting my head.
Summer goes red instantly, her eyes avoiding the screen as she scratches her head. “Ugh… you are too observant.”
I laugh, somewhat grateful to speak to my best friend.
“So, you really are in love. Who’s the lucky guy?”
Summer bits on her lower lip hard as she stares straight at me. “Please you won’t get mad at what I am about to say next…”
My brows furrowed slightly. Knowing her, whatever she was going to say was definitely going to be pretty bad. But hey, what’s worse than finding out that your mother had pushed your father to his death?
Shaking that thought out me, I gave a shrug. “I won’t get mad, Summer.”
A brief silence followed as she fidgeted with her fingers.
“Well—?”
“—it’s David,” She said.
My eyes bulged out of my sockets and I blinked.
“What?!” I yelled as soon as I recovered from the shock.
David was my crush back in Brooklyn. I have had the longest crush on him from middle school to high school although I have never approached or told him about it then because of how shy I was and Summer was aware of it!
“I… know, I know…” she stammered. “ I know you had a crush on him, Bree but I just thought—”
“—you thought that since I had left you could have him to yourself?” I said completing her statement. I didn’t know how to feel at this moment, my best friend was dating my crush?
“But you never told me you liked him!”
“It just happened,” she blurted out nervously. “I’m so sorry, Bree. If you aren’t comfortable with it, I would break up with him. I swear.”
I shook my head. This was unbelievable. But honestly, I don’t feel mad at Summer for dating David. Perhaps, if it was in the past then I would have ended this call immediately and blocked her.
However, a name seemed to scream in my subconscious.
"You don’t have to do that. I’m not mad at you, for all I know, we can’t control the ones we fall in love with you. I just hope you’re happy and he treats you well…”
Summer gave a smile as her eyes lighten up. “Yes, he does. Thank you, Bree. I was so worried you would hate me when you find out. I didn’t want to be in this situation at all, I promise you.”
I gave a small nod.
“What of Ryan?” She asked, changing the topic.
The smile on my face goes sour. I had gotten a text from him when I was still at Barth’s apartment but I hadn’t responded yet.
“I guess he’s fine.”
"You guess?” She raised a brow at my response. “Don’t tell me you’re still hang on on Barth. Bree, you know what’s going to happen. You both can’t be together.”
"And don’t you think I know that already?” I snapped, making her flinch.
I inhaled deeply and gritted my teeth. “Sorry. I’m not just in the right headspace to deal or think about a lot of things right now…”
“What’s wrong, Bree?”
I suck in a breath as I stare at her. Summer has been my best friend since I was able to say my own name, she had proven herself to be countless times but at this point, I don’t think I can tell her unless I confront my mom first.
I know she will be mad at me for not telling her but I have to.
“Just school, Summer. Nothing I can’t handle,” I say forcing a smile.
She sighs as if she knows I am lying and just trying to cover up. And I’m sure she does…
“Bree, you are one hell of a brave and strong lady who I admire. Whether it is, I’m sure you will scale through and became ever stronger than you can ever imagine.”
My eyes stung blindly with tears as I listened to her words. My words came out with crack.
“Thank you, Summer. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
…
The ride to the hockey game was an emotional roller coaster for me. My mom tried making small talk but I wasn’t having any of it.
Sensing that I didn’t want to talk, she stopped and poured her attention on her phone. I could sense she was having problems with Aurick especially with the ordeal this morning, but whatever it was, I had no business knowing or caring.
We were led to highest and private spot on the stadium. There we could see the empty rinks and the officials checking out the equipments.
We came early. The boys weren't out yet.
“Hello there,” A familiar voice sounded behind us.
Mom and I turned our necks around. Mom stiffened instantly beside me whereas my blood ran cold.
Cecilia.
What the hell was she doing here?