Twenty-Eight

I'M SORRY FOR TAKING SO LONG😭 So here's an extra long chapter.

Thank you for always voting and commenting, you are all the best💚🥺

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-          I think that was the last box – Danny announced, closing the backseat door from his former car, which now Sam owned.

-          Are you sure? – I asked, watching my boyfriend place said box on the hand truck I had managed to get for the day.

-          Yes, you can check yourself if you want to – our friend chuckled, leaning on the car's side as he watched little Lou popping her head out of the front seat window.

-          No, it's alright, I trust you – I replied, rubbing my forehead with one of my hands – I'm just nervous.

-          Don't be – Sam smiled, walking over to us – We all know your paintings are awesome.

-          You are not being objective – I rolled my eyes, accepting Danny's hug as he opened his arms. The day of my exposition had arrived in the blink of an eye and my anxiety was peeking

-          You'll do great – he reassured, letting me go after some seconds.

-          I don't know how you guys give a show almost every single week, this is horrible – I sighed. The pressure of knowing I was hours away of bearing my soul in the form of my art to everybody was far from subsiding.

-          Gwen, stop worrying – Sam chuckled, tenderly placing his hands on my shoulders – Just enjoy it, because you deserve this. And we'll be here the whole time, anyways, so you've got nothing to be nervous about, alright? – he cupped my cheeks gently, making me look into his eyes.

The power his stare and touch had on me was something I would never get used to, but I could already feel my mind and muscles relaxing a bit. I let him rest his forehead against mine, his eyes expectant for my answer.

-          Okay – I sighed, leaning into his touch and placing both of my hands on his waist. He pecked my lips quickly and let me go, turning to grab the hand truck again as I caressed our little dog's head.

-          I'll just walk her to the entrance and drop this, can you watch Lou? – Sam asked his friend, who agreed on waiting in the car with our puppy right away.

-          See you later, Gwen – Danny smiled after my boyfriend had tossed him the car keys, waving in the air before getting into the car.

I hurried my way to Sam's side, who was already walking a few steps ahead from me, carrying the pile of my boxed paintings in the two-wheeled vehicle. We were in a parking lot a couple streets away from the actual gallery, so we still had a few minutes till we got there.

-          Are you giving Brooke a ride later? – I blurted as I caught up with him, looking around the almost empty streets.

-          No, I guess she got Layla to give her the car today – Sam replied, turning to look at me – Why?

-          Nothing – I shrugged, burying my hands in my jacket's pockets – I just haven't seen much of her this week.

-          Well, I haven't talked with her either – he replied, looking ahead as he continued to push the hand truck – Haven't you seen her at work?

-          Yeah, but she was acting weird. And wouldn't talk that much, anyways – I said, kicking a little stone with my foot – I don't know what's going on.

-          Did she seem mad? – Sam tried, turning to face me again.

-          No – I replied – She was just jittery, you know? Like something was making her nervous. I asked her what was wrong, but she wouldn't tell me.

-          I don't know, maybe she was just having an odd day – he said, shooting me a reassuring smile – She'll come around.

-          But she's been weird all week; I can even tell from the way she texts. Ever since your birthday she's been acting this way – I admitted as we rounded the corner, coming closer to the gallery

-          Do you think something happened that day? – Sam asked with furrowed eyebrows.

-          I know that after a while she left the bar, as I couldn't find her anywhere – I started, going back to that night in my head. After the first hour, I had stopped seeing her around our table and the dance floor. I had texted her, and got a reply an hour later saying she had gone home – But if something bad happened, she would have told me. This is something else; something she can't tell me.

-          You should talk to her later – Sam sighed, stopping in front of the gallery's doors – But now don't get worked up on that, today's your day – he finished with a smile, snaking one arm around my waist and the other around my shoulders. I did the same, burying my head into the crook of his neck and taking in the scent of his wonderful cologne.

-          Thanks for the drive – I smiled, pulling away to look at him.

-          I'll be here at 6PM sharp – he pecked my lips – Call me if you need anything, okay?

-          I will – I lied, knowing I wouldn't disturb him even if I needed help. He had cancelled the piano lessons he was giving in the afternoon so that he could be here at six when the doors for the exposition opened. I wouldn't make him miss his afternoon classes for this too.

-          Alright – he said, letting go of my body but sliding one of his hands into mine – See you later, then – he smiled, pulling me in for one last kiss.

I smiled and kissed him back, waving goodbye as I watched him walk away backwards. Once he was out of sight, I breathed deeply, placing my hands on the hand truck's handle and pulling it myself into the building in front of me.

The hall wasn't too crowded, but there was still a fair amount of people around. Some of them stood awkwardly besides piles of boxes, just like me, waiting to be told where to head to. Other walked all over the place like crazy, the tags hanging from their necks telling me they were part of the gallery's staff. There was a man by some huge doors with a list in his hands, shouting names every couple of minutes. As I took a spot by the corner, making sure the pile of card-boxes was stable.

-          Guinevere Marie Jones! – the man's voice boomed down the hall after some minutes, finally quipping my attention.

I stepped forward right away and headed towards his robust figure, nervously pushing the hand truck with me. I greeted the man and signed some papers he handed me, receiving a tag with my name and the galleries' logo right away. It read "Room 104", but I wasn't given much explanation besides that.

-          Thanks – I smiled, quickly finding a sign on the wall that indicated where the room I was supposed to could be found.

Walking down the hallway, I could already feel my hands shaking. They had prepared a whole wing of the gallery for this exposition, and even though it wasn't big, it still had me anxiously biting down on my lip

Once I reached room 104, I made sure I had stopped at the right empty spot before I stopped pushing the truck. There were some other guys around, most of them around my age, accommodating their paintings and sculptures in their assigned spots. Seeing I wasn't the only amateur here, judging by how they moved around nervously, calmed me down a little bit.

Unboxing my paintings, I wished I had brought Sam or Danny with me to hang everything, as I didn't have a ladder and could really use someone taller. But luckily, two guys that had already finished hanging their stuff showed up right away and offered their help. I thanked them, and following my directions, they made sure that everything looked just like I asked.

Staring at the wall covered with my finest works, I could feel my nervousness increasing again. I had been waiting for this day for so long, and had worked so hard for it, that it seemed surreal that it was actually happening.

Before I could even take notice of it, an hour had passed and it was time for the gallery to open its doors. And soon enough, I spotted Sam striding over to me with a beaming smile, with Danny and Carter trailing right behind him. I couldn't even say hi because I was wrapped in his arms immediately, squeezing and spinning me around. He let me go, dropping a kiss to the top of my head before I was hugged by my brother from behind, followed by Danny right on cue

-          These are amazing, baby – Sam said with a proud smile, his arms crossed over his chest as he looked up to the wall displaying ten of my paintings, analysing each of them carefully– I hadn't seen all of them.

-          Some are rather new – I shrugged, blushing as strangers walked by where we stood and stared at my work

-          You are really talented, lil' sis – Carter smiled, throwing an arm over my shoulders and tugging me to his side – I know haven't seen much of what you do since I moved out, but damn, Gwen – he sighed, the corner of his lips twitching upwards as he scanned the wall in front of us – Had I known before, I would have paid for your studies myself.

I blinked away the bittersweet tears that had dared to form in my eyes, leaning my head against my brother's shoulder. The reason I was actually studying art wasn't because my parents were willingly paying for it. When I had decided I wanted to major on it they hated it, and when I told them I wanted to attend to some university in New York, they almost laughed in my face

Getting a scholarship there wasn't in the picture, and I couldn't afford it myself. But as I wouldn't give into studying anything else, and they didn't want me to "damage their reputation" by not studying anything, they had ended up agreeing to pay.

But, obviously, they wouldn't just pay for me to go to the university I wanted, no matter how filthy rich they had always been. If I would keep on being "stubborn" and major in art, they would pay for me to study in the closest place from home. Not because they wanted to see me, but because they were hoping I would give up

However, I hadn't caved in. In fact, it had meant that I got to spend five more years with Brooke instead of leaving my life-long best friend. And in the end, I had ended up meeting Sam, as well as Matt and Danny, while still getting to do what I liked. And I wouldn't have changed that for anything.

-          I love you – I mumbled as I nuzzled my nose into my brother's chest.

-          Love you too – he replied, rubbing my back for a while.

Just as I pulled away, I spotted Brooke walking over to us. She was smiling, which actually surprised me, but there was still something off with her. However, I smiled back, and wrapped her in a hug as soon as she was close to me.

-          Hello, bitch – she smiled against my ear, taking a step back to look over to my paintings.

-          You are here! – I smiled, turning to look at the exhibition myself.

-          Oh, c'mon, you know I wouldn't miss it for anything in the world – she replied, but something in her voice still let me know that she was freaking out internally.

What amused me further was the fact that, after greeting me, she said hi to Carter, but specially Sam and Danny in the most awkward way. And didn't stay by their side for too long either, walking closer to one of my paintings she had already seen hundreds of times and analysing it further.

Before I could ask her what was going on, I was stopped by my professor, who came to congratulate me over being here. Just one more girl in my class had got enough credits to take part in the exposition, and she expressed how proud she felt that two of her students had achieved to get here.

And after my professor left, more people started showing up. Matt walked through the doors right away and hugged me, only to be followed by two of my classmates, Sarah and Liz, as well as Luke, my co-worker who I actually thought wouldn't come. Mackenzie, Danny's girlfriend, also appeared, and a while later Chase showed up, whom I had invited some days before. We had been talking more in the last weeks and one could say we were on a great friendship basis.

I had talked with Sam about it, because I knew that even though I wasn't a jealous person, maybe he was. Specially when it came to someone I had actually been with. But he had said it was fine, that he trusted me and that as long as things didn't get weird, he knew he had nothing to worry about.

-          I knew you painted but you never told me you were this good - Chase chuckled, making me blush as he looked over my paintings. I had never been one to get used to compliments when it came to my art.

-          Yes, Danny' mentioned that what you did was pretty cool but wow, Gwen - Mackenzie chimed, getting closer to one painting in particular and studying it in detail. It was an abstract one, which was mostly what I did. But I had included different styles in the ten paintings I had chosen to display, ranging from more conceptual pieces to more realistic ones. I had picked Sam's portrait too; not only was I proud of it, but it was the one that had got me here.

Said boy showed up by our side right then, this time with a plastic cup of wine waiters were serving in his hand, with a huge smile on his face.

-          Hey, Chase - he greeted, both of them doing that weird pat in the shoulder thing guys do - And I never saw you arrive, Mack - he acknowledged the girl then, giving her a side hug.

-          You were probably too busy chasing a waiter for another cup of that - I chuckled as he walked over to me, wrapping his arms around me from behind and resting his chin on my shoulder.

-          Probably - he agreed with a laugh as I placed my arms over his - Or bragging about how awesome and talented my girlfriend is - he added in a teasing tone, making me smack his arm playfully.

-          Will you stop? - I laughed, leaning my head onto his as he pressed our cheeks together. He had been throwing cheesy lines like that all day to tease me, knowing compliments made me feel awkward. But his whole joking demeanour with those stupid adulations actually helped to ease my nerves down every time they made me laugh, so I was actually thankful for it.

-          Never - he smirked, pressing one sound kiss on my cheek before he let go of my body.

I didn't have much time to dwell at the loss of contact as I started realising how much people had gathered around where we stood. It wasn't everybody in the room, but a fair amount of people were staring at my paintings.

Blush crept onto my cheeks as I watched them looking at my work, commenting and whispering among themselves as they pointed at different paintings and nodded in agreement. I knew there would always be a group of people around the area I displayed at, as my brother and friends apparently were staying for the whole thing, but I had never expected my work to gather so many strangers around it.

I almost screamed when I felt two hands suddenly falling on my shoulders from behind, jumping on my spot as my heart rate increased due to the scare. I turned around to see who the heck had done such a stupid thing, only to find Josh, Sam's brother, grinning at me.

-          Thought we wouldn't come? - he smirked, letting me turn around fully before he wrapped me in a hug.

-          You scared the shit out of me, asshole - I replied as I hugged him back.

-          What a decent mouth your lady has, Samuel - he joked as he let go of me, just as Jake approached us.

-          Oh, trust me, that mouth can do some exquisite things - Sam teased with a smug look on his face, making my cheeks burn.

Before I could smack his arm and scold him I was wrapped in Jake's arms.

-          Hey Gwen - he said in his raspy voice as he let go of me, acknowledging his younger brother with a slight nod afterwards. Sam waved hi but immediately left to chase a waiter who had walked by with a tray of cheese and crackers.

-          So, let's see what the whole fuss is about - Josh exclaimed, clapping his hands once as he stared at the wall. He walked closer to it, slowly taking a look at my paintings.

-          Fuss? - I chuckled, taking a cup of wine for myself after a waitress offered it to me.

-          Oh, yeah, Sam is always blabbing about how great your drawings and paintings are - Jake replied, taking a sip from the cup he had grabbed for himself.

I could feel my heart warming as I looked over to my my boyfriend, who was now animatedly talking with Carter, Danny and Chase a few feet away from us. He always said how much he loved everything I did, but I had always thought he did it just to tease me or because it was me. But the fact that he had talked about my paintings with other people, and actually said they were great when I wasn't around to buy it, made my insides flutter. I knew his opinion would always be biased when it came to my work, even though he had always been pretty upfront and honest, but this was enough to melt my heart.

-          I... didn't know - I replied with a blush, taking a sip from my wine as I didn't know what else to say.

-          He's really in love with you - Jake continued, looking at my paintings from where we stood - But he's right, you are pretty good - he smiled, nudging my side with his elbow playfully. He made his way over his twin brother, who was really engrossed with one of my abstract works.

I looked around, and immediately spotted Brooke a few feet away from the crowd, walking to the other side of the room opposite to my display.

Hoping nobody would look for me while I was gone, I chased after her, dodging the groups of people that came in my way as I followed her blond mope of hair in the distance. I grabbed her arm to stop her as soon as she was within reach, making her turn around with a panicked face.

-          Hey, where are you going? - I panted after my little run, dropping my hand from her forearm as I steadied my breathing.

-          I- I just needed to go to the bathroom - she replied, but the way she was looking around nervously made me think otherwise. I took her arm again and dragged her to a more secluded corner, where chattering wouldn't interrupt our conversation so much and we wouldn't be heard.

-          Okay, spill it out, what's going on? - I asked, crossing my arms over my chest as I looked at her expectantly. This was really unlike her.

-          There's nothing going on, Gwen - she replied, but we had been friends long enough for me to know she was lying.

-          Brooke, you've been weird since last weekend and I know something's bugging you - I insisted, trying to get her avoiding eyes to look at me - I'm your best friend, you know? And I can always tell when there's something wrong.

-          But there's nothing wrong! - she exclaimed in frustration, making me take a step back. She rubbed her face with both hands, digging her fingers into her hair before answering me - Look, Gwen, I appreciate your worry but there's nothing going on, you- you are just overreacting.

-          Brooke... - I sighed, knowing she was closing off.

-          Now, if you let me, I'll take a look around the rest of the exposition - she finished, not even sticking to her previous lie about going to the bathroom.

I stood there, watching as she walked away, not knowing what to do. Sighing in frustration, I made my way back to our group of friends, realising even more people had stopped around to take a look at my paintings.

-          Hey, what's wrong? - Sam asked as soon as he saw me, walking over to me and placing one of his hands on my shoulder.

-          Nothing, it's just Brooke - I mumbled, leaning the side of my face onto his chest. He quickly wrapped his arms around me, placing a single kiss to the top of my head - I tried talking with her but she's just lying straight to my face.

-          I'm sorry - Sam replied, tilting my head back with his hands to look at me. He cradled both sides of my jaw with his palms and stared at me, dropping a gentle kiss to my forehead before he hugged me again.

-          Ms. Jones? - a man by our side asked, making me unbury my head from Sam's chest and look at him.

He had to be around his late fifties, with grey strands adorning his black hair. But he was dressed in a really fashionable way, with an expensive-looking cashmere turtleneck and a pair of grey tailored pants. On his feet he had a patterned loafers, that were probably more expensive than our apartment's rent, which colours matched the ones that adorned the frame of his glasses.

-          Yeah, that's me - I replied as I cleared my throat, dropping my arms from around Sam and talking a step closer to him.

-          Oh, I'm sorry to interrupt, Guinevere; I can call you that, right? - he asked, gesticulating a lot with his hands. In a way, he reminded me of Josh. I nodded with a smile, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear nervously. This man was clearly someone, or at least belonged to the art world. Sam had taken some steps away from us, and threw a big thumbs up my way with a reassuring smile as he retreated backwards - My name is Vincent, Vincent Hills. I was wondering if I could talk with you for a couple of minutes - he added, making me look back at him.

-          Well, I can't imagine why, but I'm all ears - I smiled, trying to create a light setting for our conversation.

-          You are adorable - he gushed, placing one hand on my shoulder and walking me to the wall where my paintings were displayed - I haven't introduced myself properly, forgive me - he added, shooting a smile my way - I work at the Detroit Institute of Arts; I'm sure you've heard of it - he said, and I could feel my legs shaking as I nodded. He definitely was someone if he worked at the most important art museum in the area.

-          Of course, the collection is incredible - I said politely, fighting my inner nervousness that was creeping up my body.

-          And I've heard you are an art student, right? - he asked, to which I nodded again. I didn't know who had told him that, but this man's interest in me was really quipping my curiosity - Well, I must say I'm impressed with your talent, dear - he said as we stopped in front of my paintings - Not only you are skilled, but you are really versatile in your style, and you actually stand out in all the techniques you are showing here - he said, motioning towards the wall.

-          Thank you - I blushed, being hyper aware of his hand on my shoulder and the amused look on his face as he looked at my work - I really appreciate your kind words.

-          Oh, shut up, don't be modest - he laughed, walking us closer to the paintings and studying them all over again - I must admit I was shocked when they told me these belonged to a student. And I knew right away I needed to find you and make you the offer.

-          Which offer? - I asked, not really following what he was saying.

-          We are opening a new exhibition a few weeks from now at the museum, with fresh new artists - Vincent explained, turning to look at me - Normally, we take up people with a little more experience and a more built up career, but I'm more than willing to make an exception for you, Guinevere. I want you to be a part of it.

My eyes must have widened, because he laughed in a weird way.

-          You are not kidding me, right? - I managed to ask, which amused him further as he shook his head no - I- I don't know what to say - I replied, tucking my hair behind my ears again nervously - I mean, I'm really flattered Mr. Hills - I started.

-          Call me Vincent, darling - he interrupted me with a smile.

-          I'm really flattered, Vincent - I corrected, smiling timidly - I'm sorry, I'm really nervous. I had never imagined getting proposed something like this today - I added with a chuckle, playing with my fingers - But if you are really willing to have me in your exhibition, I'll be more than happy to be a part of it.

-          Then it's a deal, my dear - he smiled, fishing something out of his pocket - Here, take my card. I have already taken ahold of your information from your professor, so I'll get in touch with you throughout the week to discuss the details - he said, handing me the little piece of paper with his number on it - I'm really glad you accepted, Guinevere; you are in for big things.

With that, he said goodbye and walked away from me, leaving my stunned self glued to my spot in shock.

-          So, what did he want? What did he say? - an excited Sam asked when he got closer to me. He placed his hands on my arms, searching my face for answers.

I simply lifted the card in my hand to his face and let him read it, bitting my lip as I watched his features morph in confusion.

-          I may have been invited to be a part of an exhibition taking place at the Detroit Institute of Arts - I said, a smile tugging from the corner of my lips.

-          You mean, be a part as in your paintings being shown there? - he asked, the grin on his face growing bigger.

I couldn't even finish nodding because I was buried in a tight hug within seconds, Sam spinning me around and congratulating me.

-          Baby, I can't breathe – I chuckled, squeezing his shoulders so that he let me down.

-          I'm sorry, I'm just so happy for you – he smiled, putting me down. He leaned in to kiss me, but it was brief, as soon enough someone else came to greet me.

In the span of half an hour, all of our friends had heard of the news and congratulated me. Carter decided we should go out an celebrate once the exposition finished, and so we did, heading to a bar there in Detroit I had never been to before. As I got out of the car, which Danny, Sam and Carter had helped me pack with my boxed paintings after we had left the gallery, I was surprised to see Brooke parking across the street. After the whole thing at the exposition, I had figured she wouldn't come. But yet she was there.

Sam had noticed too, and once we were inside the bar, he nudged me, motioning with his head her way to tell me I should go and talk to her. Sighing, I complied, dragging myself across the crowd of people around our table to where she stood. She was talking with Matt and Liz, but as soon as she saw me, she shut up, awkwardness filling the air.

-          Uhm, do you mind if I steal her for a second? – I asked my two other friends, who shook their heads no with a smile. They too sensed there was something going on.

Sighing, Brooke stood up from her stool and followed me towards the bar, leaning onto the counter once we were there. Without uttering a word to her, I ordered both of our favourite drinks. Only when the bartender had left to prepare our order, I turned to look at her.

-          I know what you'll say – she beat me to it, looking around with a defeated face. I stared at her in silence for some seconds, trying really hard to find the right way to approach this.

-          Brooke, you know I wouldn't be bugging you if I didn't know something's going on. Something that has you anxious and all jittery – I started, placing a hand on my best friend's forearm – I don't know what it can be that you don't want to tell me, but you know I'll never judge you. I'm here for you, no matter what it is.

-          God, you make it sound as if I was dying – she chuckled, letting me see a glimpse of her normal self as she shook her head with a small smile.

-          Well, I'll never know if you don't tell me – I smiled back, feeling actually relieved it wasn't anything of the sort. That previous week all sorts of ideas had crossed my mind.

-          I really want to tell you, trust me – Brooke sighed, turning to look at me – But...

-          But what? – I asked, trying to be understanding but still wanting to know what she was hiding.

-          I don't want it to make things weird – she said, going back to looking down – With any of you. Specially since I don't know what to do.

-          It won't – I assured her, not really knowing who she was referring to with "any of you", but trying to comfort her all the same – C'mon, you lost your virginity to my brother, if we are fine after that I think there's nothing that can weird our relationship out.

She blushed deeply and avoided to make eye contact after I had said those words, making me grab her arm in surprise.

-          It's fine if you did, but did you fuck Carter again? – I asked with widened eyes. They hadn't been intimate after my brother moved to California for college, but they did have a short fling before that.

-          Oh my god, no! – she exclaimed right away, widening her eyes as much as me – That's... That's over. We've both moved on from that.

-          But it's something of the sort, right? – I insisted, trying to read her face – That was the only time you kept something from me, and now you are hiding things again.

She started to look around nervously, but eventually gave up, realising I wouldn't let go.

-          Don't laugh, okay? – she begged, rubbing her forehead with one of her hands.

-          I promise I won't – I replied, thanking the bartender as he handed us our drinks.

She took a small sip from hers, placing it back down on the table before looking at me.

-          I slept with Jake.

I almost choked on my gin and tonic as I heard those words, turning to face my friend with an incredulous look.

-          Jake as in Jake Kiszka? – she nodded, burying her face into her hands as she leaned her elbows on the counter – Oh my god, Brooke – I chuckled.

-          You said you wouldn't laugh – her muffled voice said.

-          I'm sorry, it's just- I can't believe it's just that – I replied, making her look up at me – I was worrying all week something bad had happened. I can't be more relieved about you fucking him - It made sense now, thinking about how she had been weird with Sam and Danny at the gallery, and how she had left to wander around after him and Josh had arrived – Why didn't you tell me though?

-          I don't know, I didn't want to make things weird with you dating Sam. He doesn't know either – she sighed, playing with the straw in her drink.

-          It happened on his birthday, right? – I asked, already knowing the answer was yes.

-          Yes – she nodded, but her blush intensified after some seconds – And the day after that. And the one that followed. And-

-          Oh my god – I laughed, shaking my head to myself – But hold on, what did you mean with "I don't know what to do"?

She rubbed her face with her hands again before answering me, and I could tell this was really stressing out.

-          As soon as we made it to my apartment that first night he told me he didn't want anything serious, which I had no problem with – she started, leaving her straw as she began to play with her fingers – It was fine those first nights, but then we started texting throughout the day too. And he is really funny, and ridiculously hot, did you notice? And he's actually interested in what I'm telling him; he even cooked us dinner yesterday and-

-          You are catching feelings for him – I interrupted her, summing it up with a smug smile on my face.

-          Ugh, yes – she groaned, burying her face in her hands again – But he made things pretty clear the first time we fucked, and I know I shouldn't keep on seeing him if I'm getting attached but I don't want to let go either – she sighed, sitting up straight again and taking another sip from her drink – He's been asking what's wrong all evening and I don't know what to tell him.

-          The truth – I replied, placing my drink on the counter – If there's something I have learned these past months is that pushing away the inevitable only worsens things. And he's one of the sweetest guys I know; he will be understanding and kind if he doesn't feel the same way.

-          I know – she sighed.

-          C'mon then – I said, getting up from my stool and pulling from her arm.

-          What? Where are we going? – she asked with a confused face.

-          I am going back to our friends to mingle, and will probably kiss my boyfriend for a bit because we haven't had sex in the past 48 hours, but you, you are going to talk with Jake.

-          Right now?

-          Yes – I smiled, grabbing my drink and dragging her behind me.

-          Wait, okay, but aren't you mad? – she stopped, making me turn to face her.

-          Why would I be? – I chuckled.

-          Well, for starters, because I didn't tell you – she sighed, shooting me a sad smile – And then, I don't know, I slept with your boyfriend's brother. That's kind of fucked up.

-          It's all good, I know where you were coming from – I reassured her – And I'm actually excited about you and Jake. He's a catch – I winked – But c'mon, if I was able to solve my feelings-issues with Sam while literally living with him for months, you'll be just fine with Jake.

-          I got it easy, right? – she chuckled, going back to the playful Brooke I loved and knew again. I shook my head with a smile, ready to drag her back to our table again but she stopped me one last time – Thank you, Gwen – she smiled, squeezing my hand tightly.

-          It's alright – I grinned, squeezing her hand before I hooked my arm around hers – You know, if I had had to bet, I would have said you would end up with Josh – I admitted as we made our way back, earning me a smack on the shoulder.

-          Oh, shut up – Brooke chuckled as we reached our table. She shot me a thankful smile before she let go.

Jake was actually talking with Sam, and when she approached him, he dropped his conversation with his brother immediately, and after some seconds, they both left to a quieter corner in the bar.

Sam turned to look at me with a confused face, but I simply chuckled, walking the few steps that separated me from him and wrapping my arms tightly around his waist as I smiled.

I had a feeling the conversation between the two people we most cared about would go more than fine.