Page 31 of Broken Boundaries

My mind reels with anger as I shove as much as I can into my suitcase.

I pull up outside of Brooks’s little cabin. I texted him on my way over, so he’s waiting for me by the door. As I get out of the car, I realize I’m still wearing the shirt he gave me to sleep in last night. I was so focused on packing my things and getting out of that apartment that I didn’t think about changing.

Thankfully, he doesn’t mention it as he helps me get my bags out of the trunk.

“Everything go ok?” he asks.

“As ok as it can when you’re ending a relationship,” I tell him.

He nods. “Right. Well, I’m glad you’re here. Let’s get you settled in.”

He takes me to the cabin. He was right, it is small. Just all one big room. The kitchen area is against one wall. The bed is across the room. There’s a dresser, a small couch, a small table, and a TV. Just the basics, but it’s everything I need right now.

“Well, this is it,” Brooks says as he puts my bags down. “Bathroom is right there.” He points to the door near the dresser.

“This is perfect. I can’t thank you enough, Brooks.”

“No need to thank me. If you ever need anything, I’m just next door. Oh, and this place doesn’t have a washer and dryer, so you’ll have to come to my house when you need to do laundry. Just let me know when you need it, and I’ll make sure to leave the door unlocked for you.”

“Got it.”

“Alright, well, I’ll let you get settled. Let me know if you need anything, ok? Seriously. Don’t be shy.”

I smile at him in an attempt to ease the worry in his eyes. I can tell Brooks has a big heart. He feels terrible about what Zach did and is trying his best to make it up to me the only way he can. I really do appreciate it. “I will. Thank you. And thanks for letting me have the day off today.”

He nods and leaves me alone in the cabin to get settled. Even though this place is small, it’s really nice. It’s obvious Brooks spent a lot of time and effort making this place a home. It’s kind of cool to stay in a place he built himself.

While I can understand why Zach didn’t like being here when he was a kid because of the lack of privacy, it’s perfect for one person.

It doesn’t take me long to get my clothes unpacked. I left a lot of my things at the apartment. I focused on clothes and toiletries, leaving all of my furniture and kitchen supplies behind. I don’t want them anymore anyway. They’re all going to have bad memories associated with them now. This is a fresh start for me.

After I’m unpacked, I head into town to get some groceries. When I get back, Jazz is waiting at the front door of my cabin.

“I am so mad at that motherfucker,” she practically yells when I step out of the car. I don’t even have to guess who she’s talking about. News travels fast in small towns.

“Yeah, that makes two of us.”

She helps me grab my groceries and follows me into the cabin, ranting about what an idiot Zach is. I’m not going to lie, it makes me feel better to have someone to share this anger with.

“Why didn’t you call me?” she asks once she’s finished her ranting.

I shrug. “ It all happened so fast, and I didn’t want to bother you.”

She puts her hands on her hips and stares me down, unsatisfied with my answer. “Aspen. We’re friends. You call your friends when bad things happen.”

I smile. I’d hoped we’d become friends, but I didn’t want to assume. “Noted for the next time I get my heart broken.”

“Good. It was nice of Daddy Brooks to let you stay here. This place is nice.” She looks around the cabin, taking it all in.

“Oh god, don’t call him Daddy Brooks!” I laugh.

“Why not? He could be my daddy any day.”

“Stop!”

She laughs. “Come on. You know he’s hot.” She stops walking and looks at me. “Oh my god. It would be perfect revenge to sleep with Zach’s dad!”

I gasp. “Absolutely not!”