Page 94 of Wrecked
I weigh my options. I could easily just go home and listen to it while lying on my bed, wallowing in my grief and crying myself to sleep. But maybe Graham is right, and going out to dinner will be a good distraction. One that will break me out of this cycle of sadness that I'm stuck in.
Mustering all the energy I have in my body, I drop my head back and look up at the dirty fabric lining my car interior. “Fine.”
I don't have to look at him to know he's smiling in both relief and victory about winning this round.
At the end of the day, he's still my brother.
“Okay, good. Let's go.” He flicks the indicator on and starts driving in the opposite direction of my apartment.
“Wait, I thought you said dinner?”
“Yeah, it's an early dinner.” His gaze swings to me before returning to the road. “He's leaving tomorrow on an early flight and is already at the restaurant.”
“What would you have done if I said no?” I ask, crossing my arms. Guess I'll be wearing my scrubs to dinner, and any possible plans to subtly get out of it once we were home, fly out the window.
He shrugs. “I was hoping you wouldn't. But I would have just called and told him I couldn't make it.”
“You would have canceled?”
All I get is another shrug in response, and then he's putting on my song. I close my eyes, and any retort I may have come up with slips away, and I simply listen.
“Every little thing is gonna be alright.”
Minutes later, we park. I wipe my face and blow my nose while Graham sends off a text before we get out and walk the distance to whatever restaurant they arranged to meet at.
A tall, dark-haired man with tattoos climbing up one arm and peeking out of his collar stands by the entrance, staring down at his phone. As we approach, his near pitch-black eyes lift to us before his lips lift at the sight of Graham.That'shis friend? He's not who I was expecting, but whatever.
“Hey, Jasper,” Graham greets him, holding out a hand to shake. “This is my sister, Jasmine. She'll be able to answer your questions about the hospital.”
His dark eyes land on me, and he offers a tentative smile.
“Hi,” he says in a soft-spoken voice.
“Hello,” I reply, mustering my own version of a friendly smile.
Graham claps his hands together once, glancing around the area. “Let's go in, shall we?”
CHAPTER 38
CAMPBELL
The thundering sound of my heart pounding like a bass drum in my chest drowns out the hustle and bustle of the city surrounding me as I stride with purpose toward the restaurant Graham said he and Jasmine would be at.
I catch my reflection in one of the windows as I pass and the only word to describe what I see is probablycrazed. I feel like a man who has been denied the basic necessities of life and has finally been given the directions to locate them. Jasmine is my necessity.
It's been a week since she came by my apartment that morning.
A week since I woke up to Brandy in my fucking apartment.
A week since I've been going crazy.
A week of fucking hating myself and wanting to punch my own face.
A week of trying to see Jasmine, or at least talk to her, with no success.
I think the only reason Graham texted me where they'd be eating is because I've been harassing him almost as much as Jaz, and he either feels sorry for my pathetic ass, or he just wants Jaz to tell me to leave her the fuck alone to my face.
Either way, it's my chance to talk to her and try to get her back, so I'm not going to waste it.
