He pulls me into his arms. “I’m not going to be gone all the time. I’ll be home some. And you can come visit me.”
“Have a long distance relationship? You told Troy those never work. That he and his girlfriend would never make it through his European tour. And that’s only a four-month tour. You’ll become a celebrity like Damian. Girls will be throwing their panties at you. You’ll be half way around the world and you’ll forget all about me.”
“I’m never going to forget about you. Ever. You’ll always be my friend, and I’m pretty sure I’ll always love you.”
I lean forward and kiss him. “I’m pretty sure I’ll always love you too.”
“Good. We’ll figure out the rest soon.”
When we get back to my house, I pull him into my room and lock the door.
“Thanks for dinner. I’m sorry I didn’t act excited when you told me. I was just shocked. I do think you should do it. Your dad is right. You’re done with school. You aren’t working. You’re young. Now’s the time to do it.”
He nods his head, pulls me onto the bed, and kisses me.
Wednesday, August 17th
I mean, hell, no.
1pm
Today I’m sitting by the pool at an exclusive hotel with Vanessa and RiAnne. They called me late last night, told me they had a room and to get my ass over here. So I did.
Brooklyn had already left. He told me I looked amazing in my dress, how horny it made him, and kissed me, but we didn’t have sex. He said he was tired and he didn’t think he should spend the night. Which I really don’t understand. How can you ever be too tired for sex?
I was a little worried that things might be awkward with Vanessa and RiAnne, but they weren’t. We drank champagne, gossiped, and watched the latest Twilight movie. It was surprisingly fun, and Vanessa was surprisingly sweet. This morning we got ourselves all done up and went downstairs for brunch.
Now we’re lying by the pool.
Lying by the pool here, I look much different than when Brooklyn and I laid on the beach in Europe. For one, I look good. My hair is blown out and straightened to perfection. I’m wearing burnished gold earrings that match my gold printed Melissa Odabash triangle bikini, gold bangles on my wrists, a Free People Amalia stone drop collar necklace, my most expensive tortoiseshell aviator sunglasses, and adorable thick-strapped Ralph Lauren sandals.
I feel fantastic. Like my old self. Brooklyn would laugh if he saw me now. I wish he could appreciate my love of clothes a little more. When we’re anywhere near a beach, our relationship is perfect, but when we went on tour with Damian, it wasn’t anything close to perfect.
He laughed at my split ends for God’s sake! Shouldn’t he know that’s not a laughing matter?
Isn’t that kind of like telling a girl her butt does look big when she asks?
You just don’t do it.
I’m not sure what to think about his news last night. I am happy for him. I do want him to pursue his dreams. I just didn’t imagine they would take him away from me.
“Whatcha doing?” RiAnne says to Vanessa, breaking my thoughts.
“I’m texting both Marcus and Rodney. I can’t decide which one I want more. I mean, they’re both hot.”
“Rodney? The short lacrosse player?”
“Oh, Keatyn, you’ve been gone for too long. Rodney grew this summer. He’s a hunky six foot two and has abs to die for. Wait until you see him. He’ll be one of the hottest guys at school this year. And if he’s dating me, well, we know what that will do for his popularity.”
“You should bring him then. Marcus is a jerk.” I turn toward RiAnne. “Who are you bringing, Ri?”
RiAnne lowers her head and shakes it. “I don’t have a date yet.”
“Just ask someone . . . ” I start to say, but Vanessa interrupts me.
“In case you can’t tell, she’s in a funk. I would be too if I’d put on six pounds this summer.”
RiAnne’s eyes get huge then she crosses her arms angrily and pouts.
Vanessa says to RiAnne, “What? Like she hasn’t already noticed on her own? You’re in a bikini.” Then she turns to me. “But you, girl, you’re looking fine. Tan. Fit. Thin. Living on sex, drugs, and rock and roll seems to suit you. Wait. Is that why you’re so happy? You and Damian finally hook up? I mean, I know he’s a director’s son and loaded and all, but he was just playing in dive bars, and now that song about some girl’s eyes is really getting popular. Having him as a boyfriend would be even bigger than Sander. Although, I will admit, when I dated the college guy last year, it kinda sucked not having a bf at school. There’s something to be said for having the hottest accessory of all on your arm.”
I think about the song. The song Damian wrote about how my eyes look when I’m with Brooklyn. Our song. The song he finished recently and quickly released as a single. I need to tell them about Brooklyn. About how I’m bringing him to my party. About how I want them to accept him. I open my mouth to speak.