All Of Me

Chapter 36

With all that happened with Tripp last Saturday, I had forgotten Brian's work dinner was less than a week away. To be honest, I was dreading having to lay eyes on my mother or Brian again. I could only imagine what they would have to say about the news.

I had considered not going, but that would only make the situation worse. Like I was guilty, or ashamed. And I was neither, I had no reason to be.

And I would have company, since Paige was staying with me for now. I called her the night before when my emotions were getting the best of me and I needed company. I was scrolling to Tripp's number when I saw her's.

She said she'd been staying 'here and there', no where consecutive. I told her she could stay with me for as long as she needed. She said it would only be a few nights here and there. I didn't ask why, but the whole situation seemed questionable.

I walked mindlessly into World Religion, and for a moment forgot that Clint also had this class until I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned and saw him clad in his usual khakis and polo, and an unreadable expression on his face.

I was caught completely off-guard, and had not even imagined what I would say to him when I saw him again. "Could we talk after class?" He asked timidly, which was a side of him and I had yet to see. He had every reason in the world to be confident, and he didn't waste a moment not showing it.

I was too nice to say no, even though I wanted to. I had so much on my mind, and carried an imaginary ball and chain attached to my leg keeping me from running to Tripp. So, I nodded. He gave me a small smile and walked back to his seat.

I tried my best to focus, tried staring at the profesor's mouth and willing thoughts of Tripp away, but they kept coming back. Re-playing. Rewinding, and pausing.

Pausing on his face, his laugh, his lips on mine. And those have been the most painful. I kept telling myself it was only this hard because it only just happened two days ago, that I needed to give myself time to adjust to everything happening in my life.

Class ended and I decided I would re-read the work when I got home and maybe retain the information. I slid out from behind my desk, trying not to bump my belly against it, and walked out, hoping that somehow Clint had forgotten that I existed in that time so I wouldn't have to face him.

That hope was crushed when I heard him call my name. I turned and offered him a small smile. When he got to me, he offered me an awkward side hug while I stood stiff. I was still hurt by the fact that he would lie to me so directly.

"Look, Brooke. I," He rubbed his neck and glanced around the crowded hall, avoiding eye contact. "I need to tell you something." I nodded.

"I wasn't honest with you. I didn't leave those clothes at your work. Your friend Tripp did." His face was apologetic, and I almost felt bad for him.

I nodded again and shifted my books to my other arm, "I know. Tripp told me last week." At my words, his face blanked for a second, waiting for my reaction. I just shrugged. "I'm just disappointed that you would so blatantly lie to me."

He began nodding vigorously, "It was wrong. So very wrong of me. I wanted to impress you but I went about it all wrong, and I deeply apologize for my actions." He reached out and touched my arm, his blue eyes searching mine.

It was hard not to accept an apology that seemed so sincere. I nodded and he hugged me once again. "Does this mean you'll still accompany me to my sister's birthday party next week?" He flashed me an award-winning smile and I let out a sigh, smiling back. "I'll think about it."

He patted me on the back, a little too hard, and took my books. "I'll walk you to your car." I pulled my phone out of my pocket and saw a text from Paige, saying she was there to pick me up.

"Actually, it's my sister today. My car's broken down, as usual." I shook my head. He apologized for my misfortune with my car, who uses the word 'misfortune' anymore?, and Paige rolled down the window to wave us over to her red '99 Honda Accord.

He opened the passenger side door for me, helped me in, handed me my books, and told me he would see me tomorrow.

"Who was that?" She had a small smile playing at her lips and I immediately began shaking my head. "Don't start, Paige. He is nobody." I check my phone for any messages from Tripp, and feel pathetic when there are none.

Paige let out a short laugh as she pulled out onto the road. "I wish I had a nobody to carry my stuff around for me." I couldn't help but laugh, grateful for a semi-normal moment with my sister. It had been a long time.

When Paige dropped me off at Gracetown Cafe, I couldn't shake the nauseous feeling in the pit of my stomach. The looks I would more than likely get, since those flyers were scattered all over town. Even if the bulk was only around the cafe.

Gracetown is, and has been, the only coffee cafe in Gracetown since as long as Carol can remember. So knowing that every regular coffee drinker in Gracetown, some that even talked with me some mornings, now knew that I was pregnant by a man I wasn't even dating, much less married to. It was embarrassing. And I felt bad for Tripp, because surely the paper knew. And all of his friends.

Tripp.

Don't go there, Brooke. My subconscious reminds me as I wave goodbye to Paige and tie my apron around my waist.

I walk into the cafe as the sun is starting to go down over Gracetown, and only hoped the patrons of Gracetown would show some grace.

Carol gives me a small smile and walks over, pulling me into a tight motherly hug. I begin to explain it all to her in the best way I can. She, to my relief, believes me, as crazy as the story sounds.

Even Carly, as strange as she is, gave me a very awkward hug and assured me that things would get better.

I was lucky enough to serve some very nice people that night. The usual truckers, and some businessmen that were late workers. They gave me sweet smiles, some even offered kind words. I was feeling a little better by quitting time.

Carol gave Carly and I cups of coffee and we all sat around one of the tables talking. It helped get my mind off of things, and I was glad I hadn't judged Carly by her outer appearance, because she was such a sweet girl underneath that rough exterior.

She said I could borrow her car until mine got fixed and she would have her boyfriend come and pick her up, which was such a life saver. It kept me frm having to wake Paige.

I hugged Carol and Carly goodbye and just as I walked out of the cafe, my phone started ringing. I quickly answered, hoping nothing was wrong with Paige, and I was shocked to hear Tripp's voice on the other end of the line.

"So are you out with him? Is that what you're doing?" His voice sounds funny. High-pitched, slurred, and he's sniffing between his words.

He was drunk.

"Out with who, Tripp? Are you okay?" He was at a party, I could barely hear him at all over the background noise. The music, and people hollering. "Your pretty boyfriend. I saw you two today." I heard some clamors, and then him cursing under his breath.

He starts to laugh and I couldn't help but smile, even though I know he was drunk off his rocker and I was worried about him. "Tripp, where are you?" I asked.

He was quiet for a bit longer before he answered, "I'matJosh." He slurred. I shook my head and hang up, knowing I wouldn't get anything else out of him,

Mu subconscious is stomping her foot and demanding that I go the other way out of the parking lot, toward my house, because it was after midnight, and because walking into that party would be like walking into the lion's den after Chelsea spilled the beans, but Tripp needed me, and that was a good enough reason to go, right?

I would go just long enough to help him get home, and then I would hightail it back to my apartment because I needed space.

Desperately.