I smile as I settle down.
- I'm gonna change and we can go to the gym. - she says, heading towards the bathroom.
We spent a few hours training and Brooke teaches me how to hold the bow correctly. We have a good laugh because of my mistakes, but I can tell you that I've already improved my aim a lot. After practice, we went out to buy a snack and went to Brooke's apartment to talk about our thesis. A few hours later, my cell phone rings. I sigh looking at the screen.
- What's the matter? - she asks.
- That was my mother! - I say smiling. - Do you like baseball?
- Who doesn't? - she shrugged her shoulders.
- My cousin, Viola, is a baseball player at her high school. - I'll explain. - There'll be a game tonight and then a beach party with a bonfire. Would you like to go?
I hear a pigeonhole coming from the kitchen and a sigh, then laughing.
- Yes, Jane! - I mean, making her wink at me. - You're invited too!
- That's great! - she says, finishing the dishes. - I'll call James and tell him I can't go to Gamma anymore.
Jane runs towards the room and I frown.
- Gamma? How many fraternities does this madwoman participate in? - I ask incredulously, pointing in the direction of the room.
- You'll know! - Brooke answers, shrugging. - Well, I'll get ready. You wait for a few minutes? I promise I won't be long!
- Sure! We still have about two hours left. - I say smiling. -While he's tidying up, I'm going home to take a shower and come back to get them.
- Okay. Okay.
We say goodbye and go to my apartment to take a shower and change. On the way, I'll call the guys to confirm the beach party. I was surprised that Brooke was on the spot, participating in an event like that.
On the way to the game, I talk a little bit about my cousin Viola. I tell you, Viola is an only child and very dear to all of us. She's very talented as a player and a student. She had a strong genius and was very determined. He was always challenging his parents to do what he wanted. I had my support, of course, besides my uncle and my mother. Viola was very responsible, despite her youth. She was a lot like me, actually. Far from her parents, Viola could be more like her, but close to them, she had to act as she suited them. I no longer accepted or followed those labels that pleased my uncles and my father so much, but Viola had not yet freed herself from this little world of appearances and can hardly see the hour when she will be eighteen. That's why she's been coached in the Yale League to debut at the end of the year.
After the game, which ended with the victory of Viola's team, we went straight to the beach. I was finding Brooke's company very enjoyable, as he chatted cheerfully with me and Jane as I drove all the way to the event venue. I came to the conclusion that there wouldn't be a person in the world who didn't sympathize with Brooke and his radiant smile. That's when she wasn't trying to be sarcastic, which happened almost all the time. I suspected my friends would love to meet Brooke. Not that she wasn't already known to them, but now, it would be different, because we were friends.
The fire was already shining from afar, lit, when we arrived. We headed towards where Jace was sitting with Amanda on his lap. He was my best friend and advisor.
- Hey! - says Jace in a lively way, when we get closer. - I thought you weren't coming.
He looks at Brooke from me and she holds her breath.
- Hey, Brooke! - says he's getting up. - My name is Jace and I'm this bastard's best friend. Be my guest, and I hope you're not frightened, because we're very excited.
- Thank you! - she says smiling. - It is a pleasure to meet Ryder's friends and, I hope, the rumours about me have not made an irreversible impression.
- If you really are, everything Ryder says, then we'll be good friends. - says Amanda holding out her hand. - I'm Amanda, Jace's bride.
Brooke looks at me with curiosity and I roll my eyes.
- Nice to meet you, Amanda! - she says smiling. - That's my friend...
- Jane! - says Amanda, hugging Jane. - We missed you at the Kapa party.
- Of course you know each other! - says Brooke in a debauched voice.
- Well! - I sigh. - I'll get some beers.
I'll go out and get the kegs and come back with some glasses. After a few more introductions, I'll take Brooke to meet Viola.
My cousin was the tallest in a mixed team. She was wearing a pair of jeans shorts, a pink bikini and a regatta. His hair was long and rusty, and he was stuck in a ponytail. She was one of the hitters and very fast in the race. She loved Brooke right away, as did her best friend, Mike.
The party was going on with a lot of excitement. Jane exchanged kisses with Lucius, Jace's cousin, while I talked to a brunette. Every once in a while, I'd
