“Vincent is in L.A., right? Wouldn’t they have called you if he left town?”
“Yes, they would have.”
“Tommy called me. Kiki was stolen. The dog sitter got knocked out and a note was left in her backpack.” I tell him what it said. “I called B’s old cell number collect and Vincent answered. He reiterated the note. Said he’s going to take everything I love and hung up on me. Then you heard me call B. He hung up on me too.”
“You really decided not to go?”
“I may be crazy, but I’m not stupid.”
Cooper smiles. “Good to hear. Keep your head down and let’s head back to the hotel.”
Sort of awkward.
11:55pm
We spend the rest of the day in the hotel suite. Through a bunch of complicated maneuvers, Cooper got Damian here without being followed. Knowing Damian wants to stay in Connecticut with Peyton for a few days before going to Miami, we had a discussion about where he would stay. Cooper didn’t think it made sense for him to check into a hotel like he had planned, in case the hotel staff recognized his name, so he offered a solution. To let Damian stay in his faculty quarters on campus. Since his stuff is all still there, no one will be using it. And it will work out well, provided Peyton can sneak him in. He promised once he got there not to step foot outside, citing that it would give him some quiet time to write. Peyton says she can make sure he’s fed and watered, so to speak.
Although I’m a little iffy about their plan, Cooper seems to think it will work and I’ve come to the realization that I can’t control everything.
Kind of like my scripts that no one would follow.
Aiden isn’t thrilled about going back to school without me, but he’s very relieved that I’m not going home today.
But I feel like I’m letting Brooklyn down. Breaking a promise.
My gut tells me I had to.
But that doesn’t make it any easier. Aiden’s been trying to take my mind off Kiki and my fight with B by keeping me entertained. We’ve played cards, listened to music, watched movies, and ordered room service.
As midnight approaches, I’m getting fidgety. I’ve tried to call Brooklyn every hour since nine, which would have been six, seven, and eight o’clock his time.
“He met with his mom at six. It’s been three hours,” I say aloud, interrupting the movie we’re watching.
Aiden presses pause. “If he hasn’t seen his mom in years, they probably have a lot to talk about.”
“Plus, he’s mad at you,” Damian adds. “You know how he gets. He’s probably ignoring your calls.”
“You’re right! You call him!”
“Fine, but if he doesn’t answer, I don’t want you to freak out. He’s probably still with his mom.”
“Just try.”
Damian gets out his phone, hits a few buttons, and puts it up to his ear. “Straight to voicemail,” he says, hanging up.
“Why don’t we order some dessert?” Aiden suggests.
Peyton goes, “That sounds yummy. You know you love chocolate!”
“Chocolate makes everything better,” Cooper says, quoting what I usually say.
I’m lucky they’re here. I’m a basket case as it is. I can’t imagine how I’d be without their wonderful distraction.
“I agree. Let’s order dessert.”
We are finishing up our dessert when my phone rings.
“It’s Brooklyn!” I say, supremely relieved to finally hear from him.
“Hey, B! How did it go?”
“Are you not with him?” his dad says. “I thought the two of you were meeting me at the house at 8:30 to talk. Where are you?”
“I’m in New York. Is he not back yet? Wait, you called me from his phone.”
“Yes, that’s why I called you. I thought you were with him and I couldn’t get ahold of him because he left his phone here. Why didn’t you go to dinner with him? Does that mean he went alone?”
“I assume so. I tried to talk him out of going. Told him it was too dangerous for us to be together in Malibu.”
“He’s should be home by now. Do you know where they were meeting?”
“They were going to Buddy’s. Hang on, let me use my friend’s phone and I’ll call there.”
I grab Cooper’s phone, look up the number for Buddy’s, and call it.
“Hey, is Darlene working tonight? Could I speak to her?”
A few minutes later, our usual waitress answers.
“Hey, this is Keatyn. I don’t know if you remember me but I always used to come in and get spicy shrimp with Brooklyn.”
“I remember you. He was here tonight. Told us all about how he’s been off surfing.”
“Is he still there?”
“Uh, no. He left quite a while ago. He met with an older woman. It seemed sort of awkward, like he didn’t know her well. She didn’t stay long. He ordered dinner and had a couple of beers after she left. Seemed upset. Picked at his food. Left around seven.”