See you then?”
Later that day Brian sends you the details on where to meet. It’s a brewery just on the other side of campus. You can walk to it from the dorm.
A brewery… Really? I’ll just keep an open mind. I have to do something. I can’t stay stuck on Chase forever. Who knows, I could end up really liking him.
A couple of days, it’s time for your date with Brian, and you begin getting ready. Trying on one outfit after another. You finally decide and a simple but cute dress.
“Perfect… It’s cute and flirty without being too flirty.”
You give yourself one more look in the mirror and then begin to finish your makeup and your hair when your door flies open, and your brother throws himself down on your bed and starts ranting about his fight with Chase.
You turn around to face him, throwing your arms up in the air, and interrupt him. “Nick, you can’t just come barging in here. What if I would have been getting dressed?”
A look of disgust hits his face, and he shakes his head and he says, “All right, all right. I got it but I don’t know what to do about Chase…”
You’re already over this conversation before it even begins. The last thing you want to do is talk about Chase when you’re getting ready to go out with Brian, but you ask anyway, “What about him?”
“He’s quitting school! Didn’t you know?”
“Yeah I know. I saw the two of you fighting the other day and he told me. And what’s the problem?”
Nick’s face turns red as he begins to get upset and says “Are you serious? He’s throwing everything he has worked for away on a half-baked idea!”
You lean back in your seat, cross your arms and one leg over the other, and say, “How do you know?”
Nick looks at you like he’s about ready to flip his lid.
“What do you mean, how do I know?”
“How do you know it’s a half-baked idea? Did you even take time to hear him out? Or did you do what you always do and just assume?”
Nick puts his head down, shaking it as he realizes that he might have overreacted.
“Well, if he has a plan why didn’t he just show it to me instead of just springing it on me after he had already made up his mind?”
You give him a knowing look and answer, “Would you have listened?
Nick runs a hand over his face, knowing that what you’re saying is true, and then asks, “I messed up, didn’t I?”
“It took you long enough. Now, can you go and fix things with him and get out of here so I can finish getting ready?”
Nick throws his hands up to surrender as he stands. He’s getting ready to leave when it dawns on him that you’re getting ready to go out, so he asks, “Who are you getting all dolled up for?”
You roll your eyes, getting even more annoyed with him, but you answer, “It’s none of your business, but if you must know, I have a date.”
“Well, I figured that, but with who?
“Brian Wethers.”
“The same Brian Wethers that works in the library?”
“Yep, that’s him.”
A look of concern comes over Nick’s face. “I don’t know if that’s the best idea, Alex.”
You ask with more attitude than intended, “And why’s that?” Not like you really want him to give you an answer.
Nick rubs the back of his neck and says, “He’s got a bit of a reputation. I jus—”
You throw your hand up, putting a finger in his face to interrupt him, “That doesn’t mean that he’s a bad person. Chase has a reputation. Do you think that he’s a bad person?”
“No… But—”
Growing more impatient, you reply, “No, I don’t want to hear any more about it. Now get out, or so help me, Nick, I’m changing my Netflix password.”
Nick put his hands up to surrender. “All right, just be careful, sis.”
“I will. Now get out!”
Nick heads out the door, and you finish getting ready.
Chapter Three
After you finally finish getting ready, you meet Brian at the brewery for your date. He waits for you outside. And when he notices you, he says, “Hey, there you are. You look great.”
You give him a bashful grin. “Thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself.”
He smiles back at you and directs your way inside.
As the two of you head inside, you can’t help but think that it’s a little strange to come to an old brewery for a first date, but you try not to overthink it and keep an open mind. You take your seats in the oversized booth, trying to enjoy yourself and begin looking at the menu.
You sit there trying to figure out what to get. You don’t want to get drunk, but you don’t want to be a prude either. Brian notices you studying the menu and says, “If you are not sure what to get, they have different samplers you can choose from… Beer, whiskey, cocktails, whatever you want.”
You think it over but just order a beer, not wanting to overdo it.
After sitting in awkward silence for a few minutes, Brian strikes up a conversation.
“So. Did you hear that there is a new club opening up a couple blocks from campus?”
You instantly start thinking about Chase, yet again.
No, Alex. You’re not going there. You’re here with Brian. Just keep the conversation going. It will get better.
“Yeah, Chase just bought it. I guess it’s moving along pretty quick.”
“Wait. You know Chase? Chase Mathews?”
“Yeah, I’ve known him pretty much my whole life.”
Brian begins to go on and on about Chase and how he’s his ideal. You sit there listening and nodding your head, thinking to yourself, I came on this date to get my mind off Chase, and he ends up being the topic of discussion. This cannot be happening. I’m going to need more than just a beer.
As Brian continues to sing Chase’s praise, you wave over the waitress. The waitress comes right over.
“Is everything okay? Do you need something else?”
“Everything’s great. I was just wondering. Could I go ahead and get that whiskey sampler please?”
