Page 46 of Broken Boundaries

She sighs. “Yeah. You know him?”

“Yeah. He’s a nice kid.” Unfortunately, he is actually nice, and I can’t think of a single thing to say to make her not like him.

“Well, that’s good. Maybe nice will be a good change for me.”

My knuckles are practically white from how tightly I’m gripping the wheel. What the hell is wrong with me? “You gonna see him again?”

She shrugs. “He got my number, so I guess we’ll see.”

“Right. That’s good. I’m happy for you.” That’s a lie, but I can’t figure out why I’m actually not happy for her. She deserves better than Zach. He didn’t treat her right. Dawson comes from a good family. I have no doubt he’d be nothing but respectful to Aspen. But it still doesn’t sit right with me. It’s almost as if. . . I’m jealous. But no. No, that can’t be it.

Her phone pings from where she’s holding it in her lap. She looks at it and immediately groans and leans her head back against the seat. “Oh my god!”

“Everything alright?”

“No offense, but your son is the most annoying man I’ve ever met in my life. Why can’t he just leave me alone? Hasn’t he done enough?”

“Did he text you?” I ask, trying to get some context before I answer her, although I’m not sure she’s actually looking for an answer from me.

“Yes. You wanna hear this shit? ‘Are you trying to hook up with one of my friends?’ Like that’s any of his business.”

She starts typing on her phone. I know she’s probably not sober enough for this conversation, but I’m also not going to stop her. She finishes typing, and her phone chimes almost immediately after.

“Ok, I told him it’s none of his business, and he said, ‘It is my business, but if you need to hook up with someone to get back at me, I understand. I’ll still keep waiting for you.’ He understands? What the hell?”

She starts typing again, but this time it’s accompanied by an evil cackle, and I feel like I should be concerned now. “Hey, what are you saying back?”

“I’m saying ‘good. I’ll send you a pic of me riding someone else’s dick since you’re so understanding.’”

Great. Now, I’m picturing her with him. What the fuck is wrong with me? Both Calloway men cannot be immature assholes to this woman. “Aspen, did you send that?”

“Hell yeah, I did.”

“Jesus Christ,” I mutter.

Her phone pings again. “Oh my god. He’s laying it on thick tonight. ‘I deserve that, Aspen. I deserve all the bad things you want to do to me. But that won’t stop me from loving you.’ Why won’t he take no for an answer?”

“I don’t know. I guess he doesn’t want to lose you.” I feel bad for Zach. He does seem to be trying. If he didn’t love her, I would’ve thought he would’ve given up by now. Unfortunately, his trying seems to be too little too late for Aspen.

“He’s already lost me. I’m not changing my mind.”

She starts typing something, and curiosity gets the better of me. “What’d you say back?”

“I told him to lose my number.” Then she turns her phone off. Guess she’s done with the conversation.

I park the truck in front of my house and turn off the engine. I lean back in my seat and turn my head toward Aspen. She does the same to me.

“You ok?”

She sighs. “Yeah. I’m never getting back with him. I just wish he would understand that and let me move on.”

“I’m sorry. I can talk to him again if you want me to,” I offer, even though he hasn’t listened to me yet.

“No, no. I don’t want to put you in the middle of this.”

I think I’m already in the middle of this, but I don’t say that to her. “Well, I’m here if you need anything.”

She gives me a soft smile. “You know what I would love?”