The next few days were the hardest. I think it was because I had finally gotten the reality 'slap' I had so much needed and dreaded at the same time. I now knew with certainty how Nathan felt and there was no going back.
I had explained the entire encounter to Brooke who only shook her head in response.
"Damn guys!" she exclaimed when I was finished. "They only want what they can't have and when they can have it - they don't want it anymore."
I merely nodded, not wanting to mill over the details any longer.
"Well that's okay, he's an idiot. We're going to find you total hotness to date and then Nathan will really see what he's lost," Brooke said matter-of-factly.
I rolled my eyes. Dating was the last thing on my mind at the moment. Graduate classes were killing me and work was very consuming as well. Maybe it was for the best to forego the romantic entanglements until my life slowed down a bit...any excuses would work for me at this point.
"I'm taking you to a club tonight and you're going to have a blast - a complete Nathan-free, drama free night with a few drinks bought by some hotties...its just what you need."
I just looked at her - she meant well. "I know what you're trying to do and I do appreciate it...but its just not working for me," I replied.
"That's because you have to get in the state of mind to make it work for you," Brooke said. "This doesn't just happen on its own for everyone-- especially people like you."
"People like me?" I asked, not sure whether to be offended.
"Yes, serious minded people like you who need to lighten up and enjoy life a little more...and the crazy part is, they don't even realize it...that's why I'm here!" Brooke smiled.
That forced me to grin -- Brooke was here trying to pull out all the stops so I would get out and have a good time and hey, it couldn't hurt, right?
~~~~~
I pulled on my pair of skinny black leather pants and tied my red halter-top. I looked in the mirror, brushing my hair and felt like I was seeing a younger version of myself. These were the outfits I would wear in college to go out for drinks with friends – they didn't see much wear in current times. Things seemed to be less complicated back then, although I hadn't thought that at the time-- that was life's joke, I guess. No matter what happens, there's always something bigger around the corner to show you that a past problem wasn't as crucial as it once seemed.
"Are you ready chick?" Brooke came around the corner. She was decked out in a tube top and black pants ensemble.
I smiled, continuing to brush my hair. "Yeah, almost."
I bit my lip with uncertainty and Brooke could see the look on my face -- she said, "I talked to Luke this morning- things are going well in New York and he said to say Hello and that he is going to call you this week… he also said Nathan was going to Boston today so don't worry...he's out of town."
I looked at her in surprise - she knew me too well.
~~~
The cab pulled up in front of the club - the line to the entrance was long as usual.
Brooke paid the cab driver and we stepped to the curb.
"What's up Tommy?!" Brooke called to the bouncer who waved to us as he was checking someone's I.D. at the door.
After a few short minutes, we were in the club and heading to the bar.
"I would like two Midori Sours, please!" Brooke said, laying money on the bar. She stopped me from reaching into my purse. "Put that away - this one is on me and the rest will be from some cute guy we haven't met yet!"
I laughed, sitting on the bar stool to wait for my drink.
The club was filling up quickly even though it was only 10:30 - we continued to drink 3 more drinks each - Brooke had been right. Several guys had been around to chat and buy us drinks.
After 4, I was feeling pretty good -- my tolerance was near zero from not drinking for awhile- due to working so much and going to classes.
I began talking with a guy named Todd who was seated next to me while Brooke was on my other side talking to a guy named Will.
It turned out that Todd was also in the Graduate program for Biology.
After a few minutes of talking, he asked, "would you like to dance?"
I'd never been much of a dancer, but the drinks were making me feel a little less self conscious than normal so I accepted.
We went out to the semi-crowded dance floor and began to dance.
"You're a pretty good dancer!" I said, leaning into him so he could hear me over the music.
"Thanks! So are you!" he laughed.
We continued to dance, laughing and leaning in to talk with another every couple of minutes.
A slower song came on and we started slow dancing.
Brooke was watching from across the room -- her conversation partner Will was in the restroom.
It was then that she noticed a few paces over, a familiar face was also on the dance floor. Her eyes widened and she cursed aloud, "Damn!" even though no one could hear her anyway.
Across the dance floor, even though I didn't know it at the time, was Nathan, dancing with a blonde girl.
Maybe she won't see him, Brooke silently hoped.
She didn't have to hope or wonder long - she could see that Nathan had spotted me.
She rolled her eyes, wondering what he was going to do next.
He continued to stare, watching me dance with Todd--I was still unaware of his presence.
The song ended and another began and we continued to dance.
Unbeknownst to me, Nathan had stopped dancing and excused himself from the girl to approach Brooke.
She quickly tried to pretend she hadn't seen him when he began walking toward her.
"Hey Brooke," he said with a small smile.
Brooke only looked at Nathan, "what the hell are you doing here?"
"Well nice to see you too -- how's it going?" he chuckled – the silent Brooke from before had scared him – the feisty Brooke he could handle.
"Fine - everything is awesome -- I thought Luke said that you were leaving town?" Brooke said sharply.
"Yeah, I was supposed to but then I got the call that I'm not needed there until Monday," Nathan replied.
Brooke shook her head - of all the times she thought it would be safe to bring me to Tric.
"How is she?" he asked quietly.
"She's fine, as I'm sure you can tell," Brooke said. Nathan only nodded, turning to see me still out on the dance floor with Todd.
"Does she despise me?" Nathan found himself asking Brooke.
Brooke rolled her eyes, "What? Nathan – save it -- if you want to ask about Haley, please just ask her. I'm staying out of this and believe me, you don't want me to get involved here."
"I would ask her but she doesn't exactly want to talk to me," Nathan replied in a biting tone.
"Well, she's fine -- she's moving on and she's fine," Brooke said, looking Nathan square in the eye.
Nathan just nodded and looked down, "I suppose that's good."
Brooke rolled her eyes a second time, "she's only doing what you wanted, ya know?...you don't want her so she needs to find someone who does-- someone who won't play games with her."
Nathan just shook his head and continued looking at the ground.
He finally looked up and simply said, "just look out for her alright?"
"Ya mean, keep her away from guys like you?" Brooke said in a wry tone.
Nathan shook his head, "whatever," and walked away.
Brooke shook her head and looked up to see that I was watching from my place on the dance floor.