Sure Bet (Out of Left Field #1)

19. Brooke

Chapter 19

Brooke

T uesday came faster than anticipated, and I awoke naked from the waist down with my scent all over my hand after falling asleep with a smile on my face. Too exhausted to clean up before passing out, I paid for it with a rushed shower and a late exit.

As I left, I paused outside Liam’s room, slipping a note through the crack of his door.

Liam,

Rooftop dinner? Five-thirty? I’ll bring the food. No goat milk yogurt, I promise.

–Brooke

The day should have been busy and focused at the lab, but my thoughts dragged to last night whenever I didn’t concentrate on the task at hand.

“You’re happy,” Antonio said, nudging my shoulder as he came back from lunch. I worked through my breaks, trying to make up for my lack of focus.

He glanced around, leaning in to speak quietly. “Kellen and I finished, but we’re not delusional about our chances. It’s you or Paul on this one, and he’s been a dick.”

While I wanted to blame Paul’s assholery on his misogyny, he proved an equal-opportunity dickhead. As the newest engineer, Antonio received plenty of bullshit from him.

“If you need assistance with any last-minute tasks or want to practice your presentation, we’re here to help.”

“Thanks, Antonio. I appreciate that.” I smiled softly. I didn’t often find camaraderie in the lab, not in recent months, anyway.

“No problem.” He grinned. “You’re so much less scary lately.”

I scoffed and crossed my arms. “Excuse me?”

His eyes widened, and he backed away slowly. “You were .” Grinning again, he waved over his shoulder and returned to his station.

I couldn’t help but wonder how much I’d allowed old beliefs about myself to influence my attitude and behavior with my coworkers.

I glanced around the lab, the space more somber than jovial as the clock ticked closer to do or die with our presentations. Everyone worked hard—just as hard as me. How many times had I approached Antonio and Kellen’s workstation in the last six months?

Zero.

Roger and Anuj? Derrick and Riley? Myles and Paul—no, screw Paul. He was objectively an asshole. But the others? Maybe they hadn’t ignored and overlooked me because of my unremarkable nature. Maybe I’d refused to let them see me at all.

“Hey, Antonio?”

He glanced up from his table. “Yeah?”

“Do you and Kellen have time for a break this afternoon? I have a couple of ideas I need some help with. If you have twenty minutes, we can head to the cafe on Jackson for a coffee—my treat.”

Kellen choked in surprise but puffed out a weak, “How about before we go home? We have to wrap up our notes.”

The rest of my shift passed quickly, but not quietly. I chatted with my coworkers and took in their projects, listening with interest rather than rabid competitiveness. It turned out the other robots were pretty cool, too—even Paul’s.

I didn’t need to bounce ideas around with Antonio and Kellen, but extending an olive branch felt like the kind of New Me who was just as badass as the one who bathed in her roommate’s body wash.

We gathered our things and left the lab together at the end of the day. There was no awkwardness, weird silence, or discomfort when hanging out. The guys were good company, and when the conversation shifted to talk of Kellen’s affinity for horror movies, I had something to contribute after The Haunting of Shadowvale Manor, and they listened with interest.

Enjoying myself, I lost track of time. “Shit.” I glanced at my phone and the incoming text.

Liam: Bring a jacket. It’s chilly, but the sunset will be beautiful over the water.

“Thanks again,” I rushed, collecting my things and hurrying out of the cafe with a wave to my coworkers. “Good luck tomorrow!”

“We’re the ones who need it,” Antonio agreed glumly. Kellen patted his back, and I gave them one last smile before darting out the door.

I would be late meeting Liam—and without food. But maybe if I showed up with piroshki from the corner shop, he would forgive the delay.

Pioneer Square bustled with energy, which meant only one thing: some sportsball game. With the rave green and blue jerseys flashing about, I guessed soccer. The line for food took longer than anticipated, but I ordered and flew out the door to hurry home. With my head down and in a rush, I didn’t register the person entering as I exited.

“Shit, sorry!” I sputtered, the bag of piroshki smashing between me and the incoming patron when I plowed into them.

“No, it’s my—Brooke?”

I blinked, my eyes lifting to lock with the familiar warm eyes and sandy hair. The slightly crooked nose with thick-framed glasses falling down it. “Sam! I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you.”

My ex-boyfriend pushed up his glasses and smiled. “No, I wasn’t paying attention.”

I stepped aside to let a woman pass through the door, and Sam slid over with me. We stood silently for a moment before our words collided.

“So, how are you?” he said as I said, “Well, I should go.”

Chuckling nervously, he shuffled his foot along the pavement. “Sorry. Um. How are you doing, Brooke? It’s nice to run into you. Literally.” He laughed at his joke. Sam had the nerdiest jokes, the kind that pulled a cringe.

On my first day in the lab, he cracked at least four of them, and when I realized it was his attempt to put me at ease, I started laughing with him. But Sam left to take over his dad’s business, and I ended up alone at my workstation.

“I’m good. I was just running some questions by Kellen and his partner, Antonio—your replacement.” I elbowed him and smiled. “I’m presenting Zaza tomorrow.”

Sam’s throat bobbed with a heavy swallow, and he glanced at his shoes. I registered my mistake, wishing I hadn’t opened my big, dumb mouth. Robotics was a sensitive subject. The pub was an obligation, and Sam did what he thought was right for others, even at a sacrifice to himself. He hadn’t wanted to leave robotics.

I cleared my throat. “I should go.” He gave a clipped smile and a small nod. I noted the dark circles under his eyes and the pinched lines on his brow. “Are you doing okay?”

“Taking over for my dad has been difficult, I have to admit. It’s confusing.” He ruffled his hair and exhaled. “I don’t know. Just… confusing all around.”

I placed my hand on his arm and squeezed. “You did what you thought was right.” Glancing over my shoulder and catching the sun sinking beyond the buildings at my back, I said, “It was nice to see you, Sam.”

“Don’t let Paul give you any shit tomorrow, okay?” He playfully slugged my shoulder. Sam had never shied away from telling Paul to fuck off. He’d encouraged me to do the same. It took me a while to get the hang of it, but I think I nailed it.

“Please.” I rolled my eyes.

Sam smiled, kicking at a crack in the sidewalk. “Okay. Hey, you look good. It’s nice to see you. I’ve missed seeing you.” He blushed, focusing on the storefront across the street. The sunset reflected in the glass, a reminder that I had somewhere I needed to be. “But if you need to get going?—.”

“Thanks, Sam. I’ll see you around.” With one last squeeze of his arm, I headed home with a fast stride and a skip in my step.

No hard feelings lingered between us, no drama or upset. He was a good guy, and I cared about him, but he didn’t make me feel breathless, lightheaded, or excited when together. No itchy feet to hit the pavement and sprint home when I ran late with a bag of smashed piroshki, now cold.

Sam did me a favor and himself as well. He deserves someone who enjoys his jokes.

Bursting through the stairwell access door to the condo roof, I panted an apology and thrust the crumpled bag at Liam.

He peeked inside. “You almost missed the sunset, Brooke.” Holding up the food, he grinned. “But in the name of piroshki? All is forgiven. These are my favorite.”

As if I didn’t know.