Lennons pov
Me and Brooks separated from our emotion filled hug as we both coughed awkwardly. We laughed lightly at each other before then gathering our things and leaving the cafe.
And whilst I knew we were far from being the way we used to be, I felt ten times lighter from just listening to him and having him back in my life again.
It's gonna take some time and more hard conversations along the way, but for now, I'm glad I did this and hope we can begin to rebuild what was destroyed the moment he left.
I'm not past nor will I ever forget his choices, but from knowing this guy my entire life, I know he had his reasons. Even if that reason was demoralising and heartbreaking...
"Wanna hold my hand like old times?" Brooks teased as he walked alongside me, offering his freakishly large hand out and waiting for me to accept.
I however, cocked a brow and established some ground rules. "You're awfully optimistic if you think we're restarting this relationship as anything other than friends."
Brooks halted in his tracks as I chuckled, feeling a shiver run down my spine from lack of jacket.
Before that night that we slept together, me and Brooks hadn't once kissed, or done anything other than hold hands.
We were literally just best friends who did everything together and there wasn't a time that you wouldn't catch us without one another.
But the months leading up to that night, things had been changing between us. It was obvious we were developing feelings for each other yet we only expressed them on that night. The night everything changed.
We were both scared to admit to our feelings at risk of things going sideways, but one thing was for certain. We loved each other.
I think I always loved Brooks Denver.
How could I not? He was my knight in shining armour who taught me I didn't need one, and was always the one to catch me even when I didn't realise I was falling.
He was my everything.
And I think he still is.
I just won't admit that to him. Yet.
"Got a problem with that?" I asked with a smirk on my face. And damn, I really should've brought a jacket.
Brooks looked back at me, noticing my smile before it spread to his lips. "I can do friends." He came back and stood beside me. "I'm not sure how long you're gonna be able to resist me though. I mean, I am pretty darn attractive." I shook my head, smiling in contentment that this idiot was still showing interest in me. I guess I thought he lost that interest in the time he was away.
"Oh good to knew your ego grew bigger when you were gone."
"That's not the only thing sprite." Brooks bent down and whispered in my ear as we walked. I was sure I went pink at his crudeness but shied my head away when he grinned down to me.
"That's not the kind of thing you're supposed to tell friends Brooks Denver." I shoved him with all my might, of course not moving him a muscle but causing me to stumble instead.
He laughed at my expense before I saw his gaze flicker from my eyes. He coughed, regaining composure before speaking. "You wanna borrow my jacket sprite?"
I pulled a face at his sudden change of topic, but once I cottoned on to why he randomly offered me his jacket, I shoved him again.
I was cold ok? My fault for not layering up.
"Friends also do not looks at other friends' chests dickhead." I rolled my eyes as Brooks took off his jacket to give to me.
"Nuh uh." I stepped away from him as he tried to put it on my shoulders.
"Let me guess? Friends don't give each other jackets even when they're quite literally freezing their tits off?" Brooks chuckled as I glared at him.
"Did you want to mend this friendship or not Brooks Denver?" I turned to face him, putting on my best frown as I looked up to his perfectly sculpted features. Damn him and his good looks.
Brooks looked down and gulped. "I'm sorry Lenny. From now on, I shall be nothing short of friendly." He smiled. "Wanna shake on it?"
"What I want is for you to be serious about this purely platonic agreement. Think you can do that?" I took his jacket, putting it on with a hidden smile as Brooks stared at me incredulously. He always did look at me like I was his favourite piece of candy for some reason.
"I-I think I can do that." I patted his chest and continued walking, but not before him whispering one single word to himself. "Temporarily."
My face muscles were starting to strain from all this sporadic smiling he had me doing. Our relationship wasn't even close to being back how we used to be, but just having him close was making all the difference.
My only worry is if I'm being too naive. Did I let him in too easily? I mean, what's to say he's not going to just up and leave again?
"Hey?" Next thing I knew, I was being shoulder bumped by him. And from the simple reason of just him being Brooks, I didn't have to explain as to why I was lost in my head. Hell, I didn't even have chance to. "I'm not going anywhere this time. I promise."
My head bowed down as a single tear escaped. "I'm keeping you to that then."
The hand that I had hanging by my side was then latched onto. Brooks grabbed just one of my fingers and squeezed. No more words were exchanged as we continued our walk in silence.
Though that silence was broken once we realised we didn't actually know where we were going.
"Well, I guess I better head home now." I mused once we paused.
"Let me walk you back." I nodded after a moments hesitation. There wouldn't ever be any arguing with Brooks. Even though it was still light out and early, he always had to do the decent thing.
My apartment block off campus soon came into view and soon enough, we were stood in the elevator heading up to my floor. Brooks chuckled to himself for some weird reason, shaking his head as he cracked his neck.
"What's so funny?" I said as the doors opened.
"You and I live close to each other." His whole face looked like it wanted to grin like the Cheshire Cat.
"Yeah? I assumed you'd be staying at one of the hockey houses?" Brooks shook his head as we stopped outside my door.
But when as I was grabbing my keys out my bag, Brooks walked to the other side of the hall to where the neighbouring apartment was, keys also in his hand.
Understanding dawned over me like a tidal wave. "You're fucking joking me?" I laughed out in disbelief.
"I promise I didn't plan this." Brooks threw his arms up in surrender as I blinked in wonder of how the universe works.
"Oh yeah? I'm not sure I believe you." I deadpanned though my lips curled upwards.
"Believe what you want sprite, I'm about to be the worst neighbour you've ever had."
~~~
"When I tell you dad went crazy, he went crazy Lenny. I could hear him all the way from the ice, it was so embarrassing but all the guys loved it." Today was Friday. Friday afternoon to be precise. Classes had finished for the week and I was currently having my weekly catch up with my big brother Fletcher.
He had a NHL game the other night which mom and dad flew out to watch, and apparently when Fletcher scored, dad went nuts. He always goes nuts. I don't remember a single match where dad didn't go nuts.
"He's such a weirdo." I laughed, repositioning myself as I leant back on my bed, snacking on bbq flavoured chips.
"Anyway Lenny, enough about me. A little birdie told me that he who must not be named is back? You've almost gone a whole hour without mentioning him to me but now I'm afraid it is time to spill." I dive bombed my pillow, groaning as Fletch chuckled.
"I actually think the signals going." I faked a sound effect as my brother muttered incoherent musings until eventually I brought the screen back to my face and rushed out a goodbye. "Sorry Fletch, talk soon, love you bye!"
I dropped my phone to the mattress and sighed. No way was I about to explain everything that had happened in the past six days to my brother, not when I haven't fully digested the rollercoaster myself.
"Knock knock!" A males voice called out as my door opened.
A laid face flat on my bed so my words came out muffled. "Oh sure, just let yourself in why don't you?"
"Why thank you Lennifer, don't mind if I do." Next thing I know, Drew jumped on top of me, crushing my poor body by the weight of him.
"Hey, don't bully my sister without me." I heard Vaughn coo and Aspen laugh.
"Get off me you big lump!" I squirmed underneath the stupidly muscly athlete as my phone pinged.
"Ooh, message from Lennifers boyfriend is it?" I turned my head in a panic, just in time to see Drew grab my phone. "Who the fuck is gumpy?"
The room went still, the only sound being Drews confused laughter. "Drew, get the fuck off me and give me my fucking phone back." I snapped at him, watching as he threw the phone to Vaughn.
Aspen looked over her boyfriend's shoulder, no doubt reading the text on the Lock Screen. I really should change my privacy settings.
"What the fuck?" Vaughn muttered as his eyes darted across the bottom screen.
No matter how hard I was trying, Drew wouldn't budge. "That's private, give it back." I pleaded to deaf ears.
"You met up with him today?" Vaughn and Aspen were staring at me shocked and expectantly as I landed a punch to Drew.
"Lemme see?" My brother passed the phone to his best friend and that's when my I exploded.
With all my strength, I managed to knock Drew off me. "Does privacy not mean anything to any of you?!" I yelled before grabbing my phone out of Drew's hands and stormed out my room.
Aspen was first to follow after me. "Wait, Lenny!"
I ignored her, she also invaded my privacy and didn't stop the boys from doing it too.
"Why would you even give that douche the time of day Lennon?" That voice came from Drew before my brother added to the chaos. "After all he did to you?"
"Leave me alone!" I headed to the front door, opening it, leaving and then slamming it shut. Knowing full well they'd be coming after to me, I did the most irrational thing I could have done in that moment,
I knocked on his door.
Luck must've been on my side because the door opened straight away.
"Sprite? You ok?" I heard footsteps and fidgeting coming from behind my apartment door, and in my panic, I slid into Brooks' apartment and slammed the door shut by body slamming it with my back.
Brooks chuckled at me as I caught my breath, only to lose it again when I looked at him.
He was wearing a tight fitting black compression shirt with a gold chain around his neck. On his legs were matching base layer compression leggings and baggy Nike shorts. Oh how I've missed looking at him...
"Sprite?"
I jerked back into reality, just in time to hear the voices coming from the hallway.
Giving Brooks no context whatsoever, I nothing my finger to my mouth and motioned for him to be quiet whilst I listened out for the others.
"Where the fuck is she? She literally just walked out the door?" My brothers stunned voice was dumbfounded as Aspen replied with just as much confusion.
Brooks stepped towards me and pressed his ear to the door, his close proximity sending goosebumps all over my skin.
He looked down snd whispered to me. "Why are they looking for you?" If I hadn't pinched myself to get a grip, I could've easily lost myself in his wet hair and sweaty face looking down to me.
"Funny story. It's actually your fault." I smiled as he frowned in confusion.
"What've I done?"
I pulled up my phone, remembering I hadn't read the text that everyone else had seen and showed it to him. "I was being held hostage and they stole my phone."
I brought it back down and read it myself.
Hey sprite, just wanted to say that I really appreciated you meeting up with me earlier. I know I can't say it enough, but I'm sorry and I've missed you like crazy. If I'm not pushing it too much, I'd love to do it again sometime.
My bottom lip quivered as I fought back a pout. Why is it so hard to think straight whenever he does or says anything to impact me?
"Everything ok?" He spoke softly as I nodded.
"I'm sorry I burst in here unwelcome, it was the first thing I could think of doing."
Brooks full on stared at me, so much so I had to push his face away and laugh to get him to stop.
"Sorry I'm just trying to get over the fact that your friend was the first one you thought of? I must be quite some friend." I shook my head and chuckled, hoping to disguise my blush in the process.
"Come, let me show you around." Brooks absentmindedly grabbed my hand in his, gently guiding me through to the apartment that was exactly planned out like mine but in reverse.
He led me to the living room that was virtually empty accept for an l shaped sofa and three cardboard boxes. "Welcome to casa Denver's."
I stared at him blankly before realising we were still holding hands. But like always, Brooks caught onto what I was thinking and simply squeezed his hand around mine.
I went to let go but he squeezed harder, a smirk now lining his face as he pulled me around his apartment. "The kitchen, ain't it wonderful." He bobbed his head to the empty kitchen, nothing placed anywhere since he'd only just moved in.
"Now here's the bathroom, pretty boring so I won't bore you with that."
"Brooks, you are gonna decorate aren't you?" A plain empty space makes my art brain feel sick.
"Only if someone helps me." I rolled my eyes and hid my smile from him as he lead me into one lf the bedrooms.
"This is my room." A mattress sat in the middle of the floor with a singular dresser pressed against the wall.
But then my eyes zoned in on a photo positioned right by his makeshift bed. It was the pair of us, the picture taken on the same night he left.
Those feelings were starting to bubble again.
"But we can look around here later, there's just one more room I wanna show you." He steered me off, and part of me knew it was because he sensed my feelings.
"Here." Brooks opened yet another door to a spare room. Nothing was inside it, yet Brooks seemed most excited about this one. He even dropped my hand so he could stand in the middle of the room.
"Yeah? What's so special about this one then?"
Brooks shot me a cheesy grin. "This one is sprites room. For whenever she grants me the pleasure of her presence." I leant on the doorframe as I stared at him in awe.
"You're delusional." I teased, tears welling in my eyes but I couldn't yet decipher if they were happy or sad.
"I like to call it optimistic." He saw the tears and walked back over to me.
"No, you're delusional if you think I'll ever stay in a room that's not got a single splash of colour." With that, I turned on my heel with a smirk. I could tell he was about to try and pull me into him so I left him there and headed to the kitchen.
We're friends. Friends don't embrace each other in the way that I knew he was about to attempt.
"You wanna go paint shopping with me someday this week?" I opened his kitchen cupboards in search of a glass but they were all empty.
Brooks pushed me over a bottle of Gatorade, it was half drunk already, but I was in dire need of a drink. "Sorry, I'm busy that day." I replied before rolling the bottle back to him.
"You're so funny, you know that?" He teased before leaning on the other side of his kitchen island where I was stood opposite. He then proceeded to stare at me in utter silence.
"Stop being weird."
He ignored me.
"Brooks, stop it or I'm leaving."
He grinned. "We just exchanged germs."
I looked to the bottle in his hands and rolled my eyes. "Goodbye Brooks." I went to walk around the counter to leave when he grabbed my wrist and twirled me back around.
"Please stay." He looked at me with puppy dog eyes. "I promise I'll be a good boy."
"What, did you develop a degrading kink when you ditched me?" I smiled but Brooks didn't find it funny.
"One, maybe I've always had it." He shot me a playful wink. "And two, I'm wholeheartedly sorry I left you sprite, but I never ditched you out of spite, I promise." He kissed the back of my hand. And I let him.
But then I processed what he just did and lightly smacked him around the face. "Friends don't kiss each other Brooks Denver!"
That made him laugh. One thing I've never been good at is remaining angry or annoyed at someone. Sure I can hold grudges like the next person, but when it comes down to those closest to me, I'm naively forgiving.
"Then why do the girls kiss you on the cheek? They're friends aren't they?" I put my best frowny face on. "You're cute when you're pretending to be mad."
"I am mad." That made him laugh more.
"Yeah? Then prove it." Brooks stood to his full height, holding both my wrists and pulling me a step closer to him.
"Brooks, don't you take one more step." I spoke, though it sounded rather pathetic.
"Oh god, I'm so scared."
He ducked his head down, coming in the direction of my cheek. "Brooks." I whispered, shuddering when I felt him near my face.
But then I subconsciously tilted my head for him, and that's when he pulled away smirking. "Sorry, I don't kiss my friends."
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Tehe <3
Anyone here from my story vigilante shit? Just curious xx