Unexpected (A best friend romance)

Chapter Six - One of the guys

Evan

It is Saturday night, and I was supposed to meet Cora, but she cancelled at the last minute. She didn’t tell me why and to be honest I don’t think we will rearrange. I met her for coffee the other day, and I thought it went well, but I guess Cora thought differently. I am okay with that, though, because it isn’t like we were anything serious. I had made other plans.

Brooke and a few of my guy’s friends were coming for a drink. Brooke mentioned she might bring one of her friends from her classes along so she wouldn’t be the only female. I get it. She is probably fed up with always being the only girl. She should be used to it by now since Brooke hasn’t ever been one to get along with girls, only the odd few. She seems to prefer to hang with the guys, something to do with less drama and bitchiness. My friends see her as one of the guys anyway.

Brooke is already on her way over; the rest won’t be here for another hour. I had stocked up on drinks and snacks. We would probably be partying until the early hours, luckily my neighbours are great and don’t mind because I don’t do it often. They even come and join sometimes.

I had just come out of the shower, a towel wrapped around my waist. I have been getting everything set out while I dry off.

“Evan, I am here. So, if you are naked or have some random chick over, please cover yourself and hide her in your bedroom.” Brooke’s voice runs through my apartment, followed by a laugh.

I chuckle before replying, “You are safe to come through.”

I know I am only in a towel, but she has seen me in one of those or only my boxer’s multiple times, so that doesn’t matter. She strolls into my living room; an overnight bag slung over her shoulder, plus another bag in her hand. It would seem she is staying tonight, but not like I mind.

Brooke stops in her tracks. I swear I see her eyes run over my half naked body, and she licks her lips. Is she checking me out right now? I cross my arms over my chest as her eye come up the way.

She finally meets mine, and I raise my brow at her, “Did you just check me out, princess?”

“What? No!” she protests, blushing.

“Are you sure? Because that is what it looked like? Admit it; you were checking me out.” I smirk.

“God, could you be any more arrogant,” she snaps, walking away to my kitchen, taking the bottles from the bag and putting them in the fridge, vodka and Irn bru, her favourite.

Once she is done, she disappears to the spare room to put her things in there. I laugh, following her and find her sitting on the bed, lost in her own world.

“Brooke, are you okay?” I ask softly.

“Yes, I am fine.” She replies but doesn’t look up at me.

There is a chance I have embarrassed her by saying what I did. I didn’t mean to. I was only teasing. I head over to join her, taking the spot next to her.

I rest my hand on her knee, “I was only teasing, sweetness.”

Brooke’s gaze meets mine, “I know you were. I am fine, Evan. Promise.” She smiles.

I nod, squeezing her knee, “I am going to put some clothes on. Do you want to make us a drink? Is your friend coming?” I ask.

“Yes, I can make us some drinks. No, she isn’t coming, so I am stuck with all the boys again.” She huffs.

“I am sure you will be fine. You should be used to us now. Though, heads up, Fergus is single again, so he will probably try hitting on you. Don’t worry, though; I will keep him at arm’s length, or you could finally agree to go on a date with him.” I chuckle.

Fergus is harmless, just very flirty, and he has had a little thing for Brooke for a while now, but she isn’t interested in him, not in that way. He has terrible luck with women. Either they lose interest or cheat, or he ends up messing it up over something stupid.

“I am not going on a date with him. The guy has a new girlfriend every other month. I do not want to be added to that list. Thank you very much.” She snickers.

“He hasn’t found the right one, that’s why. Maybe you are the girl for him. You just don’t realise it yet.” I smirk, nudging her.

“Piss off and go put some clothes on and quit trying to pimp me out to your friends.” She demands, pointing towards the door.

“Yes, ma’am.”

I jumped to my feet, holding onto the towel to stop it from following and strolled to my bedroom to change. I slip into a pair of joggers and a tee. I wouldn’t be leaving the house tonight—no point in putting proper clothing on, such as jeans and things. Joggers are comfier, anyway.

Brooke is waiting for me when I arrive in the living room. She has her vodka and Irn bur, plus a scotch for me and two shots, sitting on the table for us.

“Since when do you start your night with shots?”

I am surprised by it. Yes, Brooke drinks them, but not usually until after she is already drunk.

“Since I am stuck with you guys again,” she giggles.

I should have expected her to answer with something like that. I toss myself on the sofa next to her. She picks up the two shots, handing one to me.

She raises it in the air, “Bottom’s up.” she says, downing it, and I do the same.

Brooke pours another two shots for us. I eye her suspiciously because her behaviour makes me wonder if something is wrong, but she isn’t telling me. We take them.

“Brooke, is everything okay? You don’t seem yourself tonight?” I ask, concerned.

“Yes. I just want to have fun. What’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing. As long as nothing is wrong.” I reply softly.

She picks her glass up, taking a long swig of it. I rest back on the sofa, sipping my scotch. I don’t know if Brooke is being truthful with me, but I will find out as the night goes on because she is quite the talker when drunk. I won’t bring it up again. There is no point; she won’t answer me.

Brooke turns around, laying her legs on my lap, “So, what happened with Cora? You were brief when you said she had cancelled.”

“I have no idea. She didn’t give me a reason, just cancelled on me, last minute.” I shrug.

“Really? That is strange. Oh, well, her loss is my gain.” She smiles brightly at me, taking another drink.

“Yeah, I found it strange, but I would rather hang out with you anyway.”

Who knows, maybe Cora will text with a reason, but I won’t let it get me down. I have plans with my friends tonight, which are always a lot of fun. A guy’s night is precisely what I need, along with Brooke.