Not the Only One (Book 1 in the Four of Us Trilogy)

Forty-Eight - April 23, 2018

Brooke

"Luke... Earth to Luke," I said, waving my hand in front of his face.

His eyes refocused and he glanced at me. "Oh, sorry, B. I was just lost in la-la land," he said, picking up his little carton of chocolate milk and taking a swig.

"I noticed... what were you thinking about?" I asked, taking a fry off his tray.

He looked around and leaned in. "My mom and dad were acting so weird the other morning after our trip to the club."

"Why? What happened?" I asked.

"Well, I was telling them about the fight and Rachel's reaction, and I accidentally mentioned... what she said about Miles and his dad. And my dad flipped out," he whispered.

My eyes widened. "Luke... you didn't," I moaned.

"I know... I know. It was a mistake. I honestly didn't mean to—"

I silently signaled him to be quiet.

"Didn't mean to what?" Rachel asked as she and Miles slid into the booth, Miles next to Luke and Rachel next to me.

"Uh—I—didn't mean to eat all of Brooke's fruit cup," he stammered.

Rachel raised an eyebrow. "Oh. Well, she knows she's going to get mine every day anyway. She'll be all right," she said, dropping her fruit cup on my tray.

I exhaled slightly. "Thanks, Rach. You're a life saver," I said quickly, ripping the plastic off the top and diving in.

"That fruit is really important to you, eh, Brooke?" Miles asked, amusement in his voice.

"Yep, sure is," I said through a mouthful of peaches.

"So," Rachel said, unknowingly saving us by changing the subject, "what time do we need to tell our parents to be at the beach for prom photos?" she asked, taking a bite of her PB&J.

"The limo will be at my house at 4:00," Miles said. "Then I'll come get you, Rachel, then Luke, then Brooke, since she lives closest to the beach... so around 5:00 or so?" he asked, looking around the table.

Everyone nodded. "Sure. That sounds good."

"My dad's coming," Miles blurted.

My eyes met Luke's and I tried to hide the horrified expression on my face, but it was too late.

"I know, I know," Miles said, shaking his head and peering at Rachel sideways. "It wasn't my idea."

Luke and I turned slowly to look at Rachel. "Really, Rachel?" Luke asked, crossing his arms.

Rachel threw her hands in the air and shook her head. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! It just sort of... popped out," she said, hanging her head.

Miles reached over and put his hand on hers. "It's okay babe. We just have to keep our dads apart as much as possible," he said, looking back at Luke.

I cleared my throat. "Definitely," I muttered.

"Huh?" Miles asked, glancing at me.

"Oh – nothing." The bell rang then, thank God.

"Oh, gotta blast!" I said, bumping Rachel out of the booth.

Luke did the same to Miles, and we ran out of the cafeteria, not looking back to see the surely confused expressions on their faces.

Miles

"What the hell was that?" I asked, throwing my trash away and slinging my backpack over my shoulder.