chapter 10

Brooke couldn't afford to be pulled back into the life she and her parents had worked so hard to escape. The first and most important step was keeping Nathan in the dark about her plans. Any contact with him could easily destroy everything she'd worked toward.

"I would like for it to remain that way." she said, looking into Ryan's eyes. With all the seriousness she could muster in her already tipsy state.

When Ryan realized she meant it, he nodded slowly.

"Your secret is safe with me."

"Thank you." Brooke's face fell despite her gratitude.

"What's going on here? Why the long face?" Kate pointed at Ryan, narrowing her eyes accusingly. "Did he say something offensive?"

"No!" Ryan defended himself, raising his hands in surrender.

"Here, girl. Tonight, you drink all your sorrows away." Nicole pressed another glass into Brooke's hand.

Brooke accepted the drink and downed it quickly, then had two more in rapid succession.

"Woah! I think it's time to go home now," Brooke announced through giggles. She knew she was drunk and didn't want any regrets later.

"I'll take her home. You guys enjoy the party," Ryan offered, reaching for Brooke's hand.

"Nice try, playboy. We've got this. Besides, we only came for her anyway. No need to stay back." Nicole stepped closer, her tone protective.

"Like we're going to let her be alone with you," Kate added.

Brooke giggled. "Who else wants to take me home? It seems everyone wants the honor..." Her words cut off with a startled "Woah!" as someone grabbed her half gentle, half aggressive. Then lifted her without leaving room for argument.

"I'll take her home," Nathan declared. "She's my wife, after all."

"Uh, no she's not. That title expired when you got divorced, remember?" Nicole's voice dripped with sarcasm.

"Well, I'm taking her home anyway. We're family friends, and have been forever." Nathan's tone left no room for negotiation. "I won't let any harm come to her."

Brooke chuckled lightly, now slung over Nathan's shoulder, facing his back.

"You girls have fun." Nathan turned to Ryan. "Take Keren home when you leave."

He didn't wait for protests. He simply walked out of the club with Brooke over his shoulder.

The group stood speechless. After a moment, Nicole and Kate returned to the dance floor. while Ryan turned to Keren, who stood frozen, hurt evident on her face.

He'd just left her there. Brooke was still more important to him than she was. What made it worse was Ryan's next move.

Ryan pulled out his wallet and extracted a hundred-dollar bill. "Here, take a cab home." He pressed it into Keren's hand and walked away.

What the hell just happened? Keren stood rooted to the spot as if glued to the floor.

Both men's attention had been on Brooke all night. "That bitch," Keren hissed.

Earlier in the club.

Nicole announced Brooke's newly single status. While Nathan's attention had been locked on her.

"Brooke looks really beautiful tonight.... Different." Ryan observed.

"She does," Matt agreed.

Their attention shifted between Brooke and Nathan. Nathan hadn't taken his eyes off her since the announcement.

"Then let me go dance with the most beautiful girl in the club." Ryan stood from his chair.

That got Nathan's attention. He turned sharply. "Who are you referring to?"

"Brooke, of course," Ryan answered.

"What do you think you're doing?" Nathan's voice held an edge.

"What? Is there something wrong with asking a friend for a dance?" Ryan didn't wait for an answer before walking away.

It pained Keren how Nathan was ignoring her, even though she sat right beside him.

"Nathan, I want to dance. Can we go to the dance floor?" Keren tried to recapture his attention.

"I don't dance. But you can go if you want." Nathan didn't even look at her.

Keren's disappointment was palpable.

Nathan watched Brooke and Ryan's conversation with growing curiosity. She smiled at something Ryan said. A genuine, radiant smile.

That beautiful smile. He remembered seeing it often before their marriage. And at the beginning of their relationship. As time passed, it disappeared. He hadn't realized it until tonight, seeing her give that smile again. but not to him. To his friend.

Does Ryan really like Brooke? The thought bothered him more than he wanted to admit. The idea of Brooke with another man irked him in a way he couldn't quite name.

At one point, their conversation seemed serious, intense. Nathan wondered what they were discussing.

He watched them dance close together, too close.

Brooke had always been conservative. The dress she wore tonight was completely unlike her. Short, body-hugging, showing off skin she'd always kept covered. But here she was, transformed into someone he barely recognized. Yet he couldn't look away.

He also noticed Nicole continuously handing Brooke drinks. That made him keep an extra watchful eye on her, protecting her from the prying eyes around the club.

Keren had been sitting beside Nathan for over an hour with barely any acknowledgment. She nursed her drink and decided to try one more time.

"Nathan, maybe we should go to the dance floor now. I'm tired of just sitting."

Before she could finish, Nathan stood and walked toward Brooke.

Keren groaned in frustration and followed him. He seemed to be forgetting she was even there.

When she caught up, she realized why he'd moved. It was to offer to take Brooke home. She tried to assert her presence, but all she got was Nathan asking Ryan to take her home instead. And even Ryan couldn't be bothered to do it properly.

How could you do this to me, Nathan? Why can't you see me? I'm the one who's perfect for you.

What do I have to do to get your attention?

Now standing outside the club alone, Keren tried calling Nathan. Straight to voicemail.

"Nathan, where are you? Why did you leave me here? Please come back after you drop Brooke off. I'm scared and I don't know anyone here."

She kept calling. He never picked up.

Fear crept in. Nathan had left with Brooke. He clearly hadn't moved on from his ex-wife. What if something happened between them tonight? What if he decided to go back to her? What if he left Keren completely?

She shook her head. She couldn't let that happen. She had to do something.

Her attention caught on a group of teenage boys who whistled at her, clearly checking her out. An idea formed. She glanced around to make sure none of Nathan's friends were nearby. With a calculating smirk, she approached them.

"Hi, boys. How would you like to make some easy money?"

This plan would definitely get Nathan's attention. She knew the plan was full proof.