Page 84 of Broken Boundaries

“That I’ve fallen head over heels for the most amazing woman.”

I turn my face slightly so he doesn’t see the huge grin on my face. While Brooks has definitely shown me just how interested he is in this thing between us, it’s different hearing him say it. It makes it more real, like I’m not making it up in my head.

“You don’t think he would judge us? Not only because of Zach but because of our age difference?”

“I think our ages will certainly be the talk of the town for awhile once people find out, but I’m not worried about it. It’s none of their damn business if I’m being honest. They can huff and puff all they want, but at the end of the day, my happiness is not dependent on what this town thinks of me.” He pauses, and I notice his hands tighten around the steering wheel. “Does our age difference bother you?”

The only time our age difference bothered me was when I realized I was attracted to him. It scared me because it felt wrong, but really, I think I was worried about what other people might say. Brooks is right, though. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. We are who we are, and we’re not doing anything wrong.

“No, it doesn’t,” I tell him honestly.

The corner of his mouth tips up in a small smile. “Good.”

When we get back to his house, he makes breakfast while I shower and get ready for the day. It all feels so strange and domesticated, yet I’ve never felt so calm and content in my life. Brooks makes me feel safe. He makes me feel wanted.

I can only hope that this doesn’t completely blow up in my face, but I’ll enjoy everything he gives me while I can.

CHAPTER 31

Brooks

“You never told me, are you going to the Halloween Festival in town this weekend?” Jasmine asks Aspen. The three of us are loitering at the front desk. Well, Jasmine and I are loitering. Aspen is actually trying to work.

It’s been a few weeks since Aspen and I took our relationship to the next level, and as far as I know, Jasmine is the only one who knows. That’s partly because I’m too chicken shit to tell my son what I’ve done, and I really wanted him to be the first one I tell. Unfortunately, I think I need some moral support from my friends before I talk to him. I’m planning on telling Harper and Beck soon. Very soon.

Aspen sighs, and I look up at her. I had assumed she’d be going to the festival because, well, everyone in town goes to the Halloween Festival. If there’s one thing Blue Haven loves, it’s a festival. And with Eli Cunningham marketing the hell out of these things, they’re hard to miss. I’m convinced he’d drag us all from our own homes if he realizes someone hadn’t shown up.

“I don’t know…”

“Come on!” Jasmine whines. “It’ll be fun. Everyone dresses up. There’s candy and games and these really awesome brownies that Mrs. Leanne only makes for Halloween. You have to come.”

“It’s just the last town gathering I went to didn’t end up very well for me.”

She glances at me for barely a millisecond, but it’s all I need to remember. The last town festival was the Fourth of July, where she caught Zach cheating on her. I’ve never seen someone look so hurt and so angry at the same time as when I saw her spot him. I hope she never has to experience that again in her life, and I don’t plan on that happening because of me.

“Yeah, but that was when you were dating that dill weed,” Jasmine says, quickly adding for my benefit, “No offense.”

“None taken.” I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’ve failed my son in more ways than one. The first being teaching him how to properly treat a woman.

“And now you’ve got the town prize. Do you know how many women would try to fight you for him?” She gestures to me.

Aspen laughs. “Well, it’s a good thing no one knows yet. I’ll need to brush up on my self-defense skills.”

I know it’s all in jest, but I hate the thought of her not enjoying time with her friends because of what Zach did to her. “You should go,” I tell her. “You’ll have fun.”

“I’m sure Brooks will be there too so he can scare away any bad things for you.” Jasmine wriggles her eyebrows, and Aspen laughs.

“I will be there, but I doubt you’ll need me. And if you do, you know I’ll be there in a second,” I confirm.

Aspen smiles at me as her cheeks turn an adorable shade of pink.

“Aww, that’s sickeningly cute,” Jasmine teases.

“Ok, fine. I’ll go, but I don’t have a costume.”

Jasmine waves her off. “Please. I have a ton. Come over, and you can borrow one of mine.”

“Should I be concerned that you have so many costumes?” Aspen asks.