Page 78 of Broken Boundaries

He props himself up on his elbow to look at me. “What?”

“Yeah, I, uh, actually ended things with him earlier today.”

“Why?”

“Because it wasn’t fair to him. I knew I didn’t want anything with him, and I was tired of trying to pretend to feel something.”

“So where were you going then?” he asks.

“Jazz and I were gonna have a sleepover at her place.”

He laughs and drops his head back to the pillow.

“If I had known that all it would take for you to give in was to schedule a sleepover with my friend, I would’ve done it sooner.”

“Alright, get out,” he teases.

“Too late. I’m here now.”

“Yes, you are. And I’m never letting you go now.”

He brushes a piece of hair off my face and then leans down to kiss me.

When he pulls back, he says, “You should probably text her and tell her you won’t be attending that sleepover.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, you’re not leaving this house tonight.”

I smile up at him before I slide out of bed to find my phone and then quickly climb back in next to him. I have several texts from Jazz asking where I am.

Me: Hey, sorry. I’m not going to be able to make it.

Jazz: Uh, you better have a damn good reason.

Me: *sends selfie of me in Brooks’s bed with his arm visible*

Jazz: NO FUCKING WAY

Jazz: Ok, that’s a good reason.

Jazz: As you were, my friend. Can’t wait for details

Me: <3

“She’s been kinda rooting for us this whole time,” I explain when I see him reading the texts.

“Really? Didn’t know we had a team behind us.”

“Surprise, I guess.”

He pulls me closer. “We should probably keep this quiet until I figure out a way to tell Zach.”

I swallow. I knew this was coming, but I still hate hearing it. I don’t want this to be a secret, but I understand Brooks has a responsibility to his son. I never wanted to come between them, and I hope Zach will find it in his heart to accept this.

“Ok. I can do it with you if you think it will help.”

“No, it should be me. You’re such a sensitive topic for him, so I’m not expecting a good outcome.”