Brooke sighed as she looked at the clock for what felt like the hundredth time. It was nearly three in the morning and there was no sign of her boyfriend, who'd promised he'd be home right after the game.

She yawned and leaned back against her pillows, flicking through Facebook to try and pass the time since she knew she wouldn't fall asleep any time soon so there was no point in even trying.

She didn't usually wait up for Jeff after his games because usually he went out with the guys but tonight was different. He had promised that he'd be home so they could watch a movie or something and since she hadn't gotten a call or text from Jeff saying he would be late, she couldn't help but wonder what-or who-had made him think it was okay to ditch her.

Brooke grabbed her phone of the dock and tapped the pictures icon. She opened up the folder full of picture of her and Jeff. One of the first was the two of them when they'd first started dating. They both looked so young and naive, like they could never imagine not loving each other. The next was the two of them hugging after Jeff had been drafted. She remembered that day so well, Jeff giddily proclaiming that if he got signed, she was coming with him.

She wiped a tear with the back of her hand. It was hard to believe, but maybe she and Jeff had fallen out of love. Just because things used to be perfect doesn't mean that they still were and maybe Brooke had to just accept that.

She climbed out of bed, knowing what she had to do. She grabbed a bag and started piling in anything she could find-jeans, hoodies, makeup.

When she was done, she zipped the bag up and snuggled back into bed. If she still felt the same way in the morning, she'd do it. She'd leave.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Morning", Jeff yawned, barely even glancing over at Brooke, who was sitting on one of the dining room chairs. She didn't answer.

“I figured you would have made breakfast", he continued, opening the fridge. Brooke rolled her eyes.

"Are you going to talk?", Jeff snapped, closing the fridge and turning to her. She looked away so he wouldn't see that she was about to cry.

"Babe, what's wrong?", he asked, sliding into the chair next to her. Brooke buried her face in her knees and tried to choke back a sob.

"Brooke?", he asked softly.

"I think I should move out”

Jeff sank down into his chair, "Wha-why?"

Brooke met his eyes, “I think we should break up”

He didn't say anything for a moment so Brooke reached over and grabbed his hand. He snatched it away from her.

"What the fuck...?", he muttered.

“Jeff-"

“Are you seriously saying that you want to..break up with me?", Jeff asked quietly, his voice cracking.

"I don't want to but-"

“But you are?", he asked, his face scrunching up like he was going to cry. Brooke nodded, not sure what to say.

"Why?", he asked, sniffling a little.

Brooke closed her eyes, “Have you not realized how shitty our relationship has been lately, Jeff?"

Jeff actually started crying, "I know it's been bad but you're just going to dump me instead of trying to fix it?"

“You don't get it! I have tried so hard because what we had was so fucking great but honestly it's hard when I'm the only one trying"

"Brooke-"

"You've been acted like I'm not important to you at all. You're always out with the team and when I try to make plans you bail and it makes me feel like I'm just some convenience to you, like you wouldn't care if I just left"

"Brooke, we've been together since we were six freaking teen! Don't you think I would have broken up with you if I didn't want you in my life?"

She looked at her feet. Jeff shook his head, “Babe, come on. We can fix this. I'll be better, I promise"

“No, Jeff-"

“Brookie, come on,don’t do this"

Brooke felt tears streaming down her cheeks but she didn't wipe them away, instead reaching down and grabbing the bag that was waiting beside her chair.

Jeff jumped up, "Brooke-"

She sighed, too tired to fight, "Look, I'm going to stay with some friends for a while but..call me or something,okay?"

His shoulders slumped,"I love you so much"

She didn't look back as she turned around and walked out the front door, shutting it softly behind her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As upset as she was about the breakup, Brooke had still been watching Jeff's games so she was watching when Jeff was slammed head first into the boards by one of the Capitals. She burst into tears when she saw him lay face first on the ice for what felt like hours before being helped to the bench.

Erica, the girl Brooke was staying with, pulled her into a hug, trying to console her.

"Oh my God, he just had a concussion-"

"He's fine, he's fine", Erica said soothingly, but Brooke kept crying. He wasn't hers anymore, she had no right to freak out about this but she LOVED him and just the thought of him being hurt made her cry harder.

She waited, refreshing the Hurricanes twitter and website, hoping they would post an update on what happened but it wasn't until hours after the game ended before she found anything out.

She looked down at her phone and saw Jeff's name flashing on her screen. She answered immediately, ignoring the fact that they hadn't talked in almost a week.

“Jeff?"

“Did you watch the game?", Jeff asked solemnly.

"Are you okay?"

"I have a concussion", he muttered.

"Oh my God-"

"Brookie, do you think you could come pick me up from the airport?"

"Jeff-"

"Please? The guys won't be home for another few days and I have nobody else"

She didn't say anything and Jeff sighed, "Brooke, I know I messed up and you have every right to be mad at me, but I need you right now. I don't know what to do and-"

"What time does your flight come in?"