Page 3 of Jilted

Chapter Three

T onight was Thursday, which meant tacos from the corner food stand and really bad horror movies at the old Kalet theatre.

It was what they did every Thursday night, but this week was extra special because tonight was Brett’s last night at home.

Tomorrow, he’d be boarding a plane to begin his work on Dancing Duel, and it would be months before they had a chance to hang out again. The thought really depressed her.

Amy sat across from him at the rickety, plastic table and watched as he licked taco sauce from the corner of his mouth.

An unusually cool breeze blew over them, causing Amy’s hair to blow into her face.

She brushed it back and pulled it into a ponytail with the scrunchie she always wore on her wrist.

“Don’t do that,” Brett said, taking a sip of his soda.

“Don’t do what?”

“Put your hair up like that.” He crumpled his napkin and tossed it on their tray, which was now full of garbage.

She gave him an odd look. “It’s blowing in my face.” Standing, she gathered her purse and draped it over her shoulder. “Besides, since when do you care about my hairstyle?”

He shrugged in that cocky, sexy way he had about him and said, “I don’t. But you wear it up all the time when you’re teaching. It looks better down.” He reached over and pulled the tie from her hair. “There.” He smiled. “Much better.”

What was up with him tonight? she wondered. He’d never once cared or mentioned her hair before. “C’mon, we better hurry or we’re going to be late.”

It was a short drive to the Kalet theatre and as usual, parking was a non-issue. Several years ago, the Kalet was the only theatre in town, and it was the epitome of class. Now, it was rundown and forgotten, thanks in large part to all the new cinema complexes popping up.

But to Amy, the Kalet was better than any new, high-tech cinema. Sure, it was dirty, the floor was always sticky, and she never sat on the seats without first putting down several napkins, but it was her and Brett’s special place.

Thursday was horror movie night. For five dollars they could see three movies without interruption. Tonight, like most other nights, they had the entire theatre to themselves. Taking their usual seats in the back, they settled in and waited for the previews to start.

“Any idea what’s on the lineup tonight?” Brett asked.

“Nope. Didn’t bother to ask. Thought we could be surprised.” Amy tossed some popcorn into her mouth and chewed as the lights dimmed and the credits began. The first movie up: Scream . “I’m impressed.”

“Yeah, this isn’t a half bad movie.” Brett reached over and took a handful of popcorn, his fingers brushing hers as he did, sending an inexplicable shiver up her spine.

Normally, when they were alone in the theatre, they’d talk throughout the movie, but tonight they were quiet. She wasn’t sure if it was because they both actually liked the movie or because they were too preoccupied with their own thoughts.

It was going to be a long few months without Brett around. Who would she hang out with? There was her sister, Lucy, but all Lucy ever wanted to do was bitch about her boyfriend and how rotten he was. Amy had told her repeatedly to dump the jerk, but Lucy never listened.

There was Becca, the real estate agent that Amy had become close friends with.

Amy could only handle that woman in small doses, though, because she was too damn happy all the time.

She was one of those women who was always so chipper and tried to force everyone around her to be the same.

Becca would be a good distraction on occasion, but not for a full six months, or however long Brett would be gone.

“I can’t believe you’re leaving me for some stupid TV show,” Amy muttered.

Brett laughed. “It was your idea, remember?”

She threw popcorn at him. “Well, when have you ever known my ideas to work out?”

“It’ll go by fast, don’t worry.” He gently nudged her with his shoulder. “Plus, I told my brother to keep an eye on you while I’m gone.”

“Craig? Really?” She frowned. Craig was a good guy, and Amy liked him, but he wasn’t the most reliable person in the world.

“Yes, Craig. If you need anything, you can call him.”

“I know. Thanks.” They fell silent again. Amy chewed on more popcorn. Maybe hanging out with Craig wouldn’t be so bad. He did know how to have fun, and he always made her laugh.

“I’ll miss this…hanging out with you,” Brett said after several moments.

Amy smiled. “Me too.”

“I might even miss you a little.”

She glanced at him and saw the smile he was fighting to hide. “I might miss you, too…for a few seconds.”

He laughed again. “About as much as I’ll miss your stupid sayings.” Brett winked.

“Yeah, well, not as much as I’ll miss your lame jokes.”

“Lame?” He playfully poked her in the ribs. She yelped and then laughed.

“As lame as your car.”

“Oh, now that was just a low blow.” He shook his head as if disgusted, but the smile that pulled at his lips told her he was faking.

Amy knew how much Brett loved his car, and her comment was said in jest, but she felt the need to apologize anyway. “Sorry. I just don’t understand the whole guy car relationship thing.”

“You don’t have to understand it; you just have to respect it.”

She laughed. “God, such a dork.”

He simply shook his head, and they once again fell silent, both intent on watching the movie.

Amy couldn’t stop smiling. She and Brett spent a lot of time with each other, and she knew he’d miss their time together, but was it possible that he was actually going to miss her, too?

He’d never said anything like that to her before.

Then again, they’d never really spent any long amount of time away from each other, either.

Should she dare hope that this could be a turning point in their relationship?

Don’t be stupid! What did she expect to happen?

That he’d go away for a few months and realize that he couldn’t live without her, that he wanted to be more than just her friend? That was laughable.

“Did you hear a word I just said?” he asked.

“What? I’m sorry, I didn’t.”

He rolled his eyes. “I said don’t be hooking up with my brother while I’m gone.”

Amy flung her head back and laughed loudly. “Me and Craig? Now that is possibly the worst joke you’ve ever made.” Even though she was laughing, she couldn’t help but wonder what on earth possessed Brett to say that to her. Did he really think she’d hook up with his brother?

“I know my brother’s track record with women. I’d hate to see you fall into his trap.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“I’m just teasing.”

That’s what he said, but she had a feeling there was more than just humor behind his words.

Tonight was their last night together, and she wasn’t going to spend it arguing with him, so she let his comment go.

It really was a moot point anyway, because she had no interest in Craig like that.

The only Hudson man she wanted, she couldn’t have.