Chapter 4

As I pulled into the driveway my cell phone began going off. When I looked at the caller ID Logan’s number was on the display.

“Are you serious, I like just left there.” I answered.
“That’s no way to talk to your favorite cousin, like a brother to you since you were 14 years old,” he shot back with a laugh. “Besides someone else wanted me to call you so they could talk to you.”
“Oh yeah and who might that be?”
“Hello,” a French accent rang through my speaker.
“Umm, hi.” I answered back.
“This is Max Talbot, one of the guys from the baseball team you met earlier,” he said with a chuckle.
“Oh I’m never going to live that one down am I?”
“It’s not likely. Logan hasn’t stopped talking about it since you left.”
“I’ll be sure to tell him you told me that. What’s he doing stalking you guys anyway, isn’t he supposed to be training.”
“Well the place is pretty crowded here now so it’s too busy here for him right yet so he has to wait until some people leave and well all of our girlfriends left and we saw him sitting by himself and recognized him as the guy who tried to take out Staalsy so we had to come give him a rough time.”
“Oh don’t be too hard on him he’s always been quite clutzy.”
“That’s funny he said you were the clumsy one and he’s surprised you weren’t the one to bump into one of us.”
“Well it’s nice to know you guys are having a bonding session over my expense.” I replied with a little giggle.
“Anyway, I just wanted to apologize to you about the way Brianne acted towards you earlier. She’s actually a very sweet person once you get to know her and well when she thinks you’re not trying to steal her boyfriend, which is me by the way.”
“Yeah I kind of figured that since you’re the one calling and apologizing and I would never try to steal a girl’s boyfriend trust me. But it’s fine I can understand her being so protective since I’m sure you guys have girls throwing themselves at you all the time.”
“Well imagine we do, a strapping young bunch of guys such as us,” he replied laughing. I could hear the rest of the guys chuckling and agreeing with him in the background. “And I wanted to make sure it was still possible to turn you into a Pens fan.”
“It’s possible but it’s highly unlikely. No offense or anything I’m just not that big of a sports fan.”
“Yeah that’s what Logan said, but we like a challenge. Here’s Logan again, it was nice talking to you.”
With that Logan was back on the phone. “Isn’t this unbelievable, I’m passing time with the Pittsburgh Penguins.”
“Yeah that’s great for you but it’s not going to be so great when I see you.” I replied laughing and hung up my phone.

As I hung up the phone and lay back on the couch I realized that I just had a phone conversation with a famous hockey player and how jealous my father and brother were going to be when I told them. Then I realized that Logan was hanging out with a bunch of famous guys and apparently telling them embarrassing things about me. Just as I was thinking about ways I could pay him back I heard my computer and realized that somebody had messaged me on MSN.

NewfieCutie: Hey Brooke, how’s the big move going?

It was one of my best friends, Amber, messaging me. We had been inseparable since we were 3 years old and I realized this was the first time I had been away from any of my family and friends.

BrookeC: It’s going pretty well. We’re pretty much settled in now and Logan has
actually started work today.
NewfieCutie: Really, that’s awesome for him, where’s he working?
BrookeC: It’s a Starbucks coffee place.
NewfieCutie: Wow, good for him. Listen I have something kind of important to tell you
so can I have your number so we can actually talk about it. I actually have
some bad news and surprising news.
BrookC: Yeah no problem.
As I typed in my number I had a feeling of worry wash over me wondering what the bad news could be and hoping everything was OK. Just as I was thinking this my phone rang.

“Hello,” I answered.
“Hey hun,” Amber responded.
“What’s up? Is everyone OK you kind of have me worried here.”
“Everyone’s fine it’s just some new happenings you should probably hear about.”
“OK shoot.” I said as I sighed with relief.
“Well I’m going to tell you the surprising news first. So I found out that Jared and I are going to have a baby.”
“Oh my God Ambie! When did this happen?” I was shocked.
“Well I’ve been feeling pretty sick for the last month or so and I wasn’t getting any better so mom said I should go get checked out. So I went and the doctor ran a few tests and apparently I’m 3 months pregnant.”
“Oh wow, I mean this is great news but I’m shocked. I know you guys will do great but I am, I’m shocked.”
“So were we believe me, especially our parents.”
“Oh I didn’t even think of that, how’d they take it?”
“Well, they were all kind of disappointed at first since we’re both so young and not finished college yet, but they’ll be fine. I mean it’s not like it was planned but we’re going to take care of the baby and finish school and everything is going to be fine.”
“I have no doubt that you guys are going to be no less than perfect.”
“Now for the bad news, are you ready for it?”
“Yeah I think so.” I answered nervously.
“It’s about Mitchell.

I could feel myself go cold. Mitchell had been the love of my life since I was 13 and he was the only reason that I wanted so desperately to stay at home. We had broken up the day that Logan and I left for Pittsburgh. It was probably the hardest thing I had to do. We were both crying and didn’t want to let each other go but we knew there was no chance in making it work. We really didn’t even know the next time we were going to see each other.

“Brooke, are you still there?” I heard Amber ask.
“Oh yeah sorry, I just kind of zoned off when you said his name, is he OK?”
“He is. Brooke, I’m really sorry to tell you this but Mitchell and Chelsea started dating two days after you left.”
“Mitchell and Chelsea, as in my ex-boyfriend ,Mitchell, and one of my best friends, Chelsea.” I said as I felt my eyes fill up with tears.
“Yeah that would be them. I am so sorry but I felt I should tell you since neither one of them were going to.”
“What do you mean neither one of them were going to?”
“Well when I saw them out I went up and asked what the hell they were doing and how they were going to have the heart to tell you and they both said you were far enough away that you wouldn’t find out so they weren’t going to tell you. So I told them I would tell you because you had a right to know.”
“Yeah I do appreciate you telling me,” I said through tears, “even though it was really hard to hear. I cannot believe this. I mean I knew we were both going to move on I just didn’t think it would be so fast. And with one of my best friends from school makes it that much worse.” As I said this I could hear someone yelling out to Amber.
“Listen hun I have to go,” she said, “you’re too good for all of this and I really hope you feel better soon.”
“Thanks Ambie that means a lot.”

With that we hung up the phone. I sat down on the couch and just broke down. I couldn’t wrap my head around what I had just heard. I couldn’t believe how much this news had hurt me. I was now crying uncontrollably so I didn’t bother to wipe away the many tears that were streaming down my face. I then heard the door click and was surprised at who was standing there.