Brook felt like a complete slut. Here she was, renewing her interest in Will, and every day since her little escapade, Casey has been calling. She felt completely cornered and she totally regretted being so thoughtless and such a tramp. Who in their right mind does what she did?
Casey just wasn't getting the hint. She had a difficult time just blowing him off because she was an equal part of what caused the problem. However, she wanted to be completely free to finally focus on Will. She had been waiting so long and now it seems as though she may have ruined things.
She figured as long as Will didn't find out, things would be okay. But, how on Earth could she stop Casey from blabbing? She decided the best thing would be to just come clean with Casey and explain how stupid she had been. He was a grown man, he could handle it.
Waiting in the lobby of the pro shop, her stomach was doing back flips. She was just praying Will didn't happen to be working that day so she wouldn't have to be worried about him stumbling in on the conversation.
Casey walked in with a face that looked like murder. He looked right at her, and a beautiful, fake smile spread across his face.
"Brook! How are you?" He spoke as if they were long time friends just meeting up for lunch. "Haven't heard from ya. Don't you return phone calls?"
"Hey Casey, yeah, about that," her palms were getting clammy and she couldn't ignore that whiny tone slipping in, "we need to talk."
"Well it's about time. I was wondering when we could get together, maybe dinner and a movie?"
She couldn't believe the way he was acting. He should be mad, he should demand an answer. He shouldn't be acting like this.
"Well, how 'bout we go get some coffee or something, so I can talk to you." Her voice felt weak.
They drove in his car to the shop across the street. It was quaint, and like all the rest, smelt strong of coffee. Brook was feeling more comfortable in this atmosphere. She felt a little more in control. They sat down at a table in the corner and Brook sucked in a long breath.
"Casey, I made a mistake the other day." There, that wasn't so hard.
"It's okay, I forgive you. You just got flustered."
"Yeah...wait, what? It's okay, just like that?" She managed to stammer after the realization of what he said.
"Yeah, you got scared. Thought we were going to get caught, so that's why you kicked me out. It's cool. So, dinner and a movie?" His face looked nearly innocent but she just couldn't believe that was what he actually thought.
"No, no, no. You're misunderstanding me. See, what we did together was a mistake. I mean, I'm not trying to hurt your feelings, it was amazing, but..." She paused to gather her thoughts, "Geez, I mean, I'm interested in Will. I don't know why I showered with you. I guess it'd been a while and you're so attractive and well, I suppose I lost control of myself. But, the point is, I'm not interested in you...in that kind of way, y'know?"
There, it was out. Now, she just had to make it through his judging and acting pissed off and that would be that. She didn't want to be best friends with him or anything. She just wanted to be free and clear.
"No, Brook, I don't know. You two-timing slut! I'm twice the man Will is, and you're going to be with me." He explained while his jaw contracted and his face contorted into something menacing that scared Brook more than she thought it should.
"Wait now, don't get mad. I mean, you obviously have a right to get mad. I did something really terrible to you and it was thoughtless. But, I don't want to be with you, I want to be with Will." She felt like she was quickly losing control over this situation. She began to wonder how long it was fitting to sit and take the abuse before she was entitled to leave.
Casey reached across the table and grabbed her hand hard. Slowly, he pulled her palm to his mouth and brushed a kiss across it. "Honey, it's you and me. When I want something, I get it. I want you. Enough said. Don't worry about Will, I'll tell him to fuck off for you."
WHAT? Was he insane? She was seriously beginning to think so. Clearly, she had to play ball a little rougher. "Look Casey, you are extremely mistaken. I don't want to be with you at all. I made a mistake and it will never happen again. But, I am not your girl nor will I ever be. I'm interested in Will and that's all there is to it. "
His face became menacing again so she quickly pulled her hand away and stormed out of the coffee shop. She hopped in her car and drove off. Jesus Christ! What the hell was that? She didn't know where she was driving, just that she had to get away. She couldn't believe that she picked up such a crazy. But, she made it perfectly clear to him how she felt and she would just have to hope that he wouldn't tell Will.
She drove around for a long time, thinking, not paying attention. She finally made it back home and felt exhausted. Today had been one of the strangest days she could remember. Slowly, she walked up the stairs to her apartment, unlocked the door and walked in feeling a strange aimlessness. Dropping her keys on the counter top she plopped down on the couch. Looking over, she noticed the light flashing on her answering machine. Maybe it was Will.
She reached over and pushed the button.
"You have eight messages. Message one:
