Present Perfect(64)

“I’ll make it quick.” She was determined this was going to happen.

“Okay,” I answered hesitantly.

“What are you doing?” Her tone was accusatory.

“I’m not following you, Brooke.”

“What are you doing with Noah?”

“Instead of playing twenty questions, just say what you want to say to me.”

I wasn’t interested in talking or listening to her right then. I started feeling anxious. This wasn’t going to be pretty.

“I realize we don’t know each other at all, really. Noah doesn’t appear to want to share the details of his relationship with you. I asked my cousin about the two of you. He was under the impression that you had been together.”

I started to interrupt and correct her, but I knew that would just prolong this and I wanted to get this over with.

She continued, “I didn’t say anything the other night when I caught the two of you. Obviously, it wasn’t the time or the place.”

“Wait a second. When you caught us? You make it sound like we were doing something we shouldn’t.”

“You had your arms and legs wrapped around my boyfriend.”

“Yeah, I was comforting my best friend.”

“It looked like you were doing more than comforting him.” She paused for a moment. She glanced around making sure we were alone and out of earshot of anyone. “Look, I don’t want to fight with you and since I’m trying to be brief, I’ll get to the point. Whatever you and Noah have is more than a friendship, even though he keeps telling me otherwise. I see the way he looks at you and how he always turns to you. That should have been me the other night with my arms around him. I’m asking you to give me and him some time without having you around. Noah can’t seem to move on with me if you’re still in the picture. His kneejerk reaction is to always turn to you. I don’t know why you and he aren’t together. I’m really not interested in that story.” She paused, taking in a deep breath. “If you care about Noah and want him to be happy, then walk away. Let him see you’re not the one he needs to turn to. I’m the one that’s here for him now, not you.”

I wasn’t sure if I was more shocked or pissed at her request. I stared her straight in the eye keeping my face neutral.

“You’ll get your wish in a couple of months when I leave for college.”

“I was hoping you would walk away from him now.”

“You expect me to abandon Noah now when he’s just lost his father? That would break him. He’d hate me,” I said.

“You’re being a bit overdramatic with the, it would break him, don’t you think?”

“Of all times to be thinking of yourself… You’re an A-list selfish bitch, you know that?” I felt the veins in my neck throb. I involuntarily balled my hands into fists. She completely ignored my comment.

“And hate’s a very strong word, but I think it’s needed to finally make the break from you. I’m sure eventually Noah will want to talk to you again. By that time he and I will have a more solid relationship,” she said.

I’m not a violent person, but I wanted to have a smack down right there in the Stewart’s backyard.

“Why would I do this for you?” I asked.

“It wouldn’t be for me. I know you love Noah. It’s written all over your face. We both know you’re not the right woman for him. Don’t be selfish, Amanda. Let him move on and have a happy life. He has me now to give him that. He doesn’t need to be attached to you anymore.”

I was glued to my spot. I couldn’t get my legs to move to get the hell away from her. I wanted to argue with her. Tell her she was out of line and completely insane if she thought I would walk away from Noah. I wanted to, but I couldn’t. Deep down I knew she was right, not about her being what he needs, but everything else. If I were being honest with myself, I hadn’t even considered going on a date with anyone since the Brad incident. I wasn’t sure what I was waiting on. I guess maybe I wasn’t able to move on while Noah was such a daily presence in my life.

I had enough of Brooke and her caring/jealous girlfriend bit. It was time to end our little chat.

“I’ll think about it.” I started to walk past her when her words stopped me.

“Whether you do it this week, next week, or whenever, it’s going to hurt him. If you do it sooner rather than later, he’ll at least have the summer to get over it. That way he’ll be able to start his first semester at college with no distractions. Maybe I’m not the one here being so selfish.” She gave me one last icy look, before I turned and walk away.





It had been a week since Brooke and I had our little talk. Well, she talked. I mainly listened. I officially hated Brooke now, no gray area at all. I knew she was right, though. It’s pretty impossible to get past wanting someone you love when they are always in front of you, causing the love to only get stronger.

The night before Mr. Stewart’s funeral proved that neither Noah nor I had much control over our feelings for one another. His happiness was the most important thing to me. I didn’t know if Brooke would be the one to make him happy, but they deserved a shot at it. Noah deserved a shot at it. I knew he’d be furious with me, but I was sure after some time apart we will have both moved on and gotten over the pull that our attraction has on each of us, then we can be in each other’s lives again as friends.