Chapter 17
– A Fendi bag? Ain't that kind of expensive? –Jack told Brooke with a smirk.
– You can keep a secret? –she asked back.
– Sure.
– I get those for free at runways. –she said to his ear, which made him shiver.
– How about that? –he said, smiling. – So, a Pulitzer huh? You never mentioned that.
– Oh, I just hate to show off. I'm proud of it, of course, but I never go around saying "Hey, I'm Brooke and I have a Pulitzer". –she said faking a voice.
Jack threw a short laugh. – Okay, then. So, how did my dear friends treat you?
– Fine, they're great. Varya's really cool and Marion's just hysterical, totally Patrick's type.
– Really? I thought his type was… another. –he said, suspiciously.
– What you mean? –she asked, intrigued.
Jack looked at her deeply, hesitating, thinking if he should go on or not. – I think he's more into you.
Brooke burst into laughter after she heard that. – What are you talking about? You think we went out or something?
He gave her another hesitant look. – I don't know, did you?
– No way! Why would you think that?
– Well, there's something about boys and girls living together at college that just doesn't make sense to me… –he said wryly.
– It breaks my heart Jack, but this time you're very, very wrong. Nothing ever happened between us, I never even thought of the possibility.
– Why? –he asked her, not really understanding what he had already learnt from Patrick himself. – I mean, he's good looking, talented, you get along…
– Because we knew from day one we were not good for each other, in couple terms. He would've broken my heart, I would've hated him for it and we wouldn't be like brother and sister today. We wanted totally different things and we were mature enough to realize it since the first time we talked. –she explained, naturally.
– And what's that? What you want? –he asked, serious.
Brooke felt overwhelmed by such question, not only for what it meant itself, but because she could sense where the conversation was going. – I just want someone to love, someone who loves me back, who's willing to share everything with me. –she said, her gaze lost in the horizon.
Jack looked down. That was the exact thing he had always wanted. He thought she had it with Kate, but time proved him wrong. But he didn't want to remember it. – You've ever… been in love? –he asked.
– We're opening the "Ex-Files", huh? –Brooke retorted, a little tense.
Jack smiled. – I just asked you a simple question.
– Right… Well, yeah, sure I've been in love before… –she said, nostalgic.
– What happened? –he asked, really interested.
Brooke thought for a moment. – Wow… that's a huge question. Well, his name was Ryan. He worked at my dad's firm. It was great at the beginning but he had issues, so he was always looking for more. He cheated on me once and then regretted it, so I took him back. Then he started talking about marriage… –Brooke looked down. – Anyway, he proposed and I accepted, but then he started acting like a jerk. We started fighting about everything. I just couldn't get it. –she took a deep breath. – Then Mr. Pulitzer arrived and with it, my promotion, but instead of being happy for me, he got jealous. So, one day it was his birthday and he told me he had this diligence to attend in Seattle with one of his colleagues. I let him go, but I never bought it. I called his colleague and found out it was all a lie. He was… at the Hamptons screwing another girl. I guess I wasn't enough.
Jack ran out of words. He had always thought cheaters deserved to be killed. He knew what it felt like, so after he listened to Brooke he felt almost furious at the bastard who did that to her. – What did you do?
– Um… I shouted myself hoarse telling him to fuck off and never saw him again.
– Just like that?
– Well, not just like that. It took me 4 years to get rid of that dysfunctional relationship. That last time he screw it I was just so sick of him, I didn't even feel sad. I felt furious. It was a long time coming, I guess…
Jack couldn't believe someone would let Brooke go like that. She was perfect. – Well, Ryan is an ass, if you ask me. Every single man on Earth would be lucky to have you, Brooke. –he told her, looking intensely in her eyes.
– You think?
– I'm positive.
Jack was about to kiss her when Hurley cleared his throat behind them. – Um, dudes? It's birthday cake time, Marion told me to come get you. –Jack and Brooke felt frustrated, but they joined the group to sing Varya "Happy Birthday".
As the party went on, Brooke and Jack never got another moment alone. They were chatting with all the gang, having a good time and laughing.
At some point, Brooke was alone with Hurley.
– Dude, it's awesome that you and Jack are together. –he told her.
– Um… I wouldn't say that yet… –she said, hesitant.
– Why, you don't like him? He's the man, really.
Brooke laughed. – It's not that, but we're just dating now. I live in New York and… well, we need to work things out, you know?
– Oh, right, because of the Kate stuff and everything…
Brooke gave Hurley a questioning look. – What stuff?
Hurley looked back at her and knew his mouth had run out too much, as usual. – The… stuff… You know what? I need to pee, see you dude! –With that, Hurley ran away from her.
The party was finally over. Brooke said goodbye to all the gang. Marion and Varya made her promise they would get together as soon as possible to go shopping and talking about girl stuff. They really liked her, not only because she was nice, but because they cared a lot about Jack and were really happy he had finally put his eyes on someone after all he had been through. It was even better because she was someone worthy.
Jack drove Brooke back to the hotel. They were in a comfortable silence, until Jack broke it.
– So, you were about to get married…
– Not really. The truth is he only gave me a ring and "booked" me, if you know what I mean. But I don't think he ever meant to marry me.
– Do you ever think how things would've been if you had married him?
– Of course. It would've been hell. I'd be crying to this day. That girl he cheated on me with, God blesses her. She really saved my life. Marriage would've been a huge mistake.
– You don't believe in marriage, then?
– It's not that. I just think people get married for the wrong reasons, most of the times.
– What you mean?
– Well, you know, it's like if they were in this life race: you have to go to school, then you have to work and then you have to get married and later you must have kids. But the truth is people never take a minute to think what they really want. So, then you have all these dysfunctional families or kids with divorced parents. Or those couples who remain together, feeling extremely miserable. I don't want to be like that.
Jack glanced at her with a questioning look. Brooke went on. – If I ever get married, I want to be sure about me and the man I marry. He must be my favorite person in the world, you know? A man that will make my worst day brighter just by looking at me. I don't know if that kind of love even exists, but I like to think so. –she said smiling with a longing look.
Then they arrived to the hotel. They kissed passionately and he felt for a second he could be with her forever.
– Good night handsome, I had a great night. –she told him, only inches away from his lips.
– Me too. Night babe, sweet dreams and don't work too much, okay? –he answered. Brooke replied with a smile and got off the car.
As she walked away, Jack felt his belly somersault. Brooke was totally driven and knew what she wanted in life and love, but him? He realized he was letting himself go without thinking about it, maybe for the first time in his life. That scared him. He felt confused.