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I smile and shake my head. “No. They’re seniors on varsity too. But Holden was the only freshman to make it onto varsity, so the nickname is more for him.”
“Ah. He must be pretty good, then.”
I nod. “He is.” I glance ahead, wishing the line would move faster. “Are you guys headed back to campus today?” I ask.
“Yeah. Whenever Finn drags his hungover ass out of bed. That’ll probably be a few hours from now, based on experience. Which you probably know.”
I shrug a shoulder. “Sort of.”
“What do you mean? Didn’t you go to high school with him?”
“Yeah, I did. We weren’t exactly part of the same social scene, though.”
His nod is slow. “Listen, I’m sorry about Bailey.”
I tense at the sound of her name. “Not your fault,” I say.
“I should have seen it coming. I saw Holden leaving her house that morning. Then she decides to come up here this weekend, when she’s never joined Finn before? All sus. I figured it was because I came. She sometimes goes on these crusades for us to get back together and I—”
“Wait.” I glance at him. “Bailey is your ex? The one girl—the girl who cheated on you?”
“Yeah. Holden didn’t tell you?”
I’m not sure if he means it that way or not, but I catch the subtle dig. The implication that Holden feeds me scraps and I take whatever he offers. That I get sections of stories and am okay with it.
So there’s a slight edge to my voice as I tell him, “We had more important things to discuss.”
“Everything is okay between you guys, then?”
Brooks knows I have a boyfriend. I know he knows I have a boyfriend. Clear lines have been drawn between us and anypossibilities. But it also feels like he knows too much, and so it seems smart to continue redrawing them.
Rather than nod, I turn so I’m fully facing him. “Brooks, you seem like a really nice guy. And I’m sorry about what happened with Bailey. But we don’t really know each other.Myrelationship withmyboyfriend is none of your business. And things willalwaysbe okay between me and Holden. I’m sorry if I ever gave you the impression otherwise.”
Brooks is already shaking his head, looking so apologetic Ialmostwish I’d just nodded. Almost.
“I’m sorry, Cassia. You’re right, it’s none of my business.”
I hate confrontation, and I avoid it. I’m proud of myself for saying exactly what I was thinking for once, even if it’s landed me in this awkward situation.
“All good,” I say.
We reach the register, which is a relief.
I gesture for Brooks to order first. “I’m still deciding.”
He goes ahead and orders an iced coffee—black.
My usual order.
After a forced minute of deliberation, I opt for the same.
“Can’t go wrong,” he comments, his smile tentative.
I smile back and nod.
I already knew Brooks and I were similar. Some common coincidences—like our science majors. And then little ones—like our limited sexual experience and avoiding alcohol. I’m not sure the second one applies to me lately. It used to, though. Sydney is the only other person I have those two things in common with, and she’s my best friend. And she would have ordered the pink, frothy drink being promoted on the chalkboard.
I think if I still believed in ideals, he’d look a lot like mine.
