Hello there! Here you have 2 new chaps. We're about to get to the home straight of this story, and you'll soon find out what really happened with Kate and why Jack is so reluctant to go all the way with Brooke. I want to thank all of you who've kept reading, you really mean the world to me guys. Thank you so much for sticking around. Enjoy... ;)
Chapter 38
The weekend before Ilana's wedding, Brooke felt totally excited and content. She had finally got the new napkins and her gown was ready, waiting for her to put it on. She had been trying to reach Patrick the whole week with no luck. All she knew about him, through his secretary, was that he was in the country, giving lectures at some state schools.
Jack, on the other hand, had forgotten about the crazy things Marion had told him. At first he had been nervous, thinking Patrick might tell Brooke the whole surgery situation, but the only time he had ran into him in the hallways of the hospital ever since, Patrick had been totally cool and nonchalant, so Jack thought it wasn't that of a big deal, as Marion had stated.
On Friday, he spent part of the night with Brooke, as he always did. But this time he left the apartment before midnight, telling her he wouldn't meet her before 5:00 pm on Saturday 'cause he had "things to attend". The truth was he had to be at Jackie's swimming competition in Manhattan Beach.
She accepted his explanation with a smile, as always, kissed him good night before he left and went to sleep.
The next day she woke up feeling very vital. She did some cleaning in the apartment and soon found herself with nothing interesting to do. Then she thought of calling Patrick. This time she was lucky, or wasn't she? He picked up.
– Hello?
– Patrick! Well, this is a miracle! I finally reach you!
– Hey Brookie! What's up?
– I was wondering if you're in town…
– I just got here last night.
– That's great, uh, listen, I'm not meeting Jack until 5:00, you think we can have lunch together?
– Sure, that would be nice.
– Cool! So, this great steak house at Sunset Boulevard, how about we meet there at 1:00 O'clock?
– I'll se you there.
Once at the restaurant, Brooke and Patrick were catching up. He told her about his lectures and she shared details about her work and some editorials she was working on. They were having an amusing conversation, but then fate made its move and they soon began talking about Ilana's wedding.
– So, where you're staying? I've made arrangements with a couple hotels to accommodate some of the guests, I can book a suite for you and Marion if you want. –Brooke offered.
Patrick sighed and looked down, abashed. – Uh, thanks, but I'm going on my own.
– What you mean you're going on your own? She has surgery or something?
– No. We broke up.
Brooke's jaw dropped. – Oh my God Patrick! Why you didn't tell me before? When?
– A couple of weeks ago, sort of.
– Patrick, I'm so sorry. But why, what happened? –she asked concerned.
Patrick gave her a long look. – It got too serious. –But Brooke frowned, not understanding what he meant. – I knew since day one we were not good for each other. I was attracted to her, nothing else. But she insisted on giving it a shot, and I agreed. My mistake.
– But sweetie how can you say that? You were with her like 6 months, right? Why you think you're not good for each other?
– Because it's true. Marion has this fixated idea of what a "perfect couple" is supposed to be. She was looking for the one, a perfect husband-to-be. It wasn't me, of course. Yet she wanted me to be so bad, everything just fell apart.
– Oh honey I'm so sorry… but, um… aren't you being too hard on her? She's a nice girl, she's gorgeous, fun. She's so your type…
Patrick gave a wry smile and looked away. – Yeah, my type. Well, I'm thinking maybe my type's been keeping me away from what I really want.
– And what do you want? –Brooke asked openly.
Patrick laughed. – That's a tough question Brookie. I have no idea, to be honest with you. I'll know when I see her, I guess. –he said with a short smile.
– Well, I'm very sorry for Marion, I really liked her, but if this is what you want, I totally support you. –she affirmed with a sweet smile.
– I didn't expect less. –he said with a smirk. – Now tell me, at what time is Jack finally taking that damn flight? –he asked nonchalant, wiping his mouth with the napkin.
Brooke almost choked on the juice she was sipping when she heard that. – Why you're asking me that? I thought you were taking the same flight. –she said puzzled, disbelief in her eyes.
Patrick knew that couldn't be good. His mouth had run too far without even realizing. He went pale and felt nervous, and made a tremendous effort to conceal. – Oh, right, of course, silly me! –he said looking down, then took a bite of his steak.
But it was too late. – Oh boy!
– What? –he asked with an innocent look.
– Patrick, you're a terrible liar! Tell me! –she demanded, furious.
– Tell you what? –he asked in panic, having no clue of what Brooke wanted to hear.
Brooke felt her heart speed up and her hands shaking. – Jack told me you were taking the same flight. He said your own secretary booked his tickets!
Patrick rubbed his eyes and sighed strongly. – Um, it's possible. She never tells me anything, she's kind of scatterbrained, maybe he asked her and she just did it. –he affirmed.
– Oh really? –she said sarcastic. – I think you should know by now. Besides, if that was the case, then why you're asking me at what time he's taking that damn flight?!
Patrick closed his eyes and shook his head. – Okay Brooke, fine. Yes, I told Aimee to ask him if he wanted to take the same flight so she could book both our tickets, but he turned her down. He said he had to check his schedule first. –he said, distorted.
Brooke felt the ground beneath her shake. She was speechless. – But he… Why? Why he lied to me? –she said, her voice broken and her heart torn.
Patrick looked at her concerned. – I… I don't know Brooke.
But Brooke raised her eyes to meet Patrick's and knew there was something else. – What you're hiding from me Patrick? –she asked, menacing.
– Nothing!
– Don't you lie to me! Tell me! Tell me, damn it, or I swear to God…! –she snapped raising her voice. Now everybody at the restaurant was staring at them.
Patrick looked around and then pleaded in a lower voice: – Please calm down!
– Just tell me!
Patrick was evidently uneasy. – Brooke I… I don't know why he lied to you. But I know this is not the first time.
– What you mean this is not the first time? –she asked, frantic.
Patrick took a deep breath. – On your dad's birthday… The surgery he told you about, it was not unforeseen Brooke. He asked Marion to schedule it for January 5th, she told me.
Brooke's face distorted. – No! It can't be true! –she said in denial.
– I couldn't believe it either, that's why I checked. The OR was requested since the Monday before. He knew, Brooke.
– Oh my God! Why the fuck you didn't tell this me before?! How could you?!
Patrick shook his head. – I knew this would happen if you found out. Brooke, listen, this is very hard for me. I respect Jack, he's my friend. I just wanted to stay out of your issues.
– What issues, damn it?! I didn't even know we had issues!
– Well, I mean… I thought him lying to you should be an issue…
Emotions constricted in her chest. – But why?! If he didn't want to meet my family he could've just told me!
– Maybe he didn't want to hurt you. –Patrick justified.
– He didn't want to hurt me?! Do you think lying to me is the best way to go then?! –she yelled.
– Brooke, I… I just don't know what to say.
She burst into tears. – I can't believe this is happening!
Patrick grimaced. He ran out of words. Then he asked. – Have you met his kids yet?
– I've just seen them once, that day, when I went to the hospital.
Patrick nodded. – You know his mom?
– No. He's keeping me out, right?
Patrick sighed again. – Look, I kind of understand him. Maybe he thinks it's too soon to have you around his children Brooke. You know these things are not that simple. Maybe it's just a matter of time and…
– A matter of time?! I've been seeing him 4 fucking months Patrick! I think it's about time! And what does that have to do with meeting my family anyway?!
– Uh… well. Okay, I've got to admit it really surprised me when you told me he hadn't met them yet.
Brooke kept replaying in her mind the last four months. – That time… did he call you to let you know we were not going to the cabin?
– What cabin?
– On Halloween.
– Yeah, when I asked him to come he told me you had other plans and couldn't make it.
– Oh God…
– What?
Tears kept falling through Brooke's cheeks. – I dressed up, I… I even got a costume for him!
– What you're talking about?
– He let me think we were going with you and then came with a story about a hospital emergency! Just like he did on my dad's birthday! –she assured, frantic. Her heart was broken. She couldn't believe Jack was a liar. He had been lying to her for God knows how long.
Patrick shook his head in disapproval. – Brooke… I don't know why he's lying to you, it's so not like him… But what I do know is that it's not fair for you. If he's not sure about his feelings, he should be honest and tell you. –he affirmed.
She wiped her tears and tried to calm down. Hundred questions came to her mind, crazy thoughts crossing her. – His wife, did you know her?
– Yeah, a couple of times. She wasn't much of a people person.
– What happened with her?
He swallowed. – You don't know?
– I know she died in a car crash. But he never wants to talk about it. Patrick I… I need you to tell me… why is it some sort of secret? Why I have the feeling it's forbidden to talk about her?
Patrick gave her a set look. – I don't think it is a secret Brooke. It was on the papers. You can…
– I'm not going to Google it! –she snapped furious.
– I'm not saying that. What I mean is you should ask him openly, just like you're asking me.
– I have! I've asked him! Like I've asked him about the plane crash and about his kids and his family! But he never says a fucking thing! I need to know! –she said, her eyes threatening.
Patrick rubbed his temples and then met her eyes. – Brooke, I… I don't think I'm the one supposed to tell you what you want to know about him. But you're my best friend and I love you… So, if you really want to know, just ask me. I'll tell you everything. –he said determined, a concerned and fearful look in his eyes.
But Brooke knew it wasn't fair to ask him to betray Jack's trust. After all, they were good friends. She shouldn't be involving Patrick in the situation. – You're right. You're not the one supposed to tell me. Jack is. And he's going to tell me right now. –she assured determined, as she stood up of the chair and grabbed her purse.
Patrick opened his eyes wide. – Brooke! Where are you going?! Wait!
– Thanks for lunch Patrick. –she said as she walked out of the restaurant with anger and tears in her eyes.