Page 15 of Golden Days

Hazel

Trying to avoid another one of Brody’s shenanigans, I set my phone across the room this time. I wake up as soon as it goes off and sprint to silence it, hoping it doesn’t wake him. When I look over my shoulder to the bed, he’s not there. Strange.

I walk groggily into the kitchen in search of water. The sound of light snoring stops me, and I peek into the living room.

Brody is sleeping on the couch, which barely fits him. He’s only wearing boxers, and there’s a pile of dirty baseball clothes on the floor. I sigh and walk over, crouching down to his level. His long floppy hair covers his face, and I gently brush it over his forehead.

Things were good between us once. Or maybe things have always been off and I just didn’t see it. Brody doesn’t stir, and I take another moment to mourn this relationship that I know for certain needs to end.

I kiss his forehead and grab the dirty laundry off the floor, throwing it in the basket that’s two feet away. While I’m at it, I also tidy up the coffee table and throw away all the stale snacks that were left out. I leave a bottle of water in front of Brody for when he wakes.

Then I go through my morning self-care routine—showering, taming my curls, doing my makeup. I opt to wear my white golf dress today and a matching visor with the club logo on it. I look nice in this outfit, as it brings out my tan and shows off the freckles on my shoulders.

Brody is still asleep when I leave, so I send him a text.

Hazel

Thank you for taking the couch and not waking me up last night. I appreciate it.

I grimace as soon as I hit send. This is my boyfriend I’m texting, since when are we so perfunctory in our communication?

I get in my car and beg it to start, but it’s having the same issues as yesterday. I get out and look around but don’t see anyone in the parking lot this morning. I fish my phone out of my purse and hover over my favorite contacts to call Rosie and ask her to pick me up, but another voice stops me.

“Car won’t start?” Jack, one of my roommates and Brody’s friend, asks.

I sigh in defeat. “No, I’ve tried it like ten times. It needs a jumpstart again, but I didn’t see anyone around.”

“I can do it,” he offers, spinning the keys he’s holding on his pointer finger. His offer surprises me. I get the feeling Jack doesn’t like me very much, or at least he only tolerates me for Brody’s sake. We’ve never really had an honest-to-god conversation, just the two of us. It’s always Jack, Nick, and Brody, the baseball frat boy trio, and I’m just Brody’s girlfriend.

I can’t really complain, because things are never bad in the apartment. Sometimes they’re messy and loud, and people can definitely tell I live with a bunch of jocks, but they’re not assholes. Nick’s recent girlfriend has been nice to me too. I’ve only met her a couple times, but she seemed like a sweetheart.

Jack, on the other hand, has never brought a girl over. Or a guy. I don’t really know what his deal is, but he’s usually very protective of Brody.

“Thanks, Jack. I appreciate it.” Again, with the politeness. I might be reaching my quota for the week.

“Sure.”

I grab my jumper cables and open up the hood of the car while Jack pulls around and does the same.

“So, how was the baseball game?” I ask as we hook the cables up.

Jack eyes me with a frown. “Do you really want to know?”

I stop on my way to the driver’s seat. “Why wouldn’t I?”

He shrugs. “You don’t really take an interest in Brody’s life. Figured you didn’t care.”

“That’s not true.” Is it? Of course I take an interest. I just have things going on in my own life.

“If you say so,” Jack says dismissively, and my hackles rise. What the hell is his problem and why is he trying to intervene in my relationship with Brody?

As soon as my car starts and I unplug the cables, I think Jack will leave, but he lingers until I have everything put away.

“Look, things are complicated right now,” I admit. “Brody wants a doting girlfriend to follow him around all the time and I can’t be that.” Ever. As much as I care for him, I can’t be with someone that doesn’t support my dreams too.

“Then break up with him, let him find someone better suited for him.” Better suited. Okay, I suppose that’s fair, Brody and I are clearly not compatible, but it still hurts to hear that not even his friends want us to be together. That they don’t think I’m a good match.

“I will. This weekend, I told him we need to talk about us,” I say quietly, eyeing Jack for a reaction.