Page 88 of Broken Boundaries

I smile, happy that my friend has someone, even though she refuses to say they are anything more than a situationship.

“Well, in that case.” I take a big swig of what turns out to be straight tequila. My eyes water from the burn, but I make it through.

Jazz gives me a devious smile before we get out of the car. She links her arm in mine and leads me to the festival, pointing out all of her favorite things and letting me know when she sees something new for this year.

I wave at Mayor Cunningham when we see him by the haunted house. We pass Beck and his daughter, Jade, playing a carnival-type game. She dressed up as a princess, and I assume Beck is meant to be her prince, but the cowboy hat throws it off a bit.

We meet up with Jazz’s friends by the mobile bar, and Owen makes us a drink before we start playing games.

I know the moment Brooks shows up at the festival. It’s like I can feel him. And when I look over my shoulder while we’re in line to play some sort of ring toss, Brooks is already watching me as he greets Mayor Cunningham.

Harper is by his side, dressed as a football player. Brooks isn’t dressed up, but he’s telling everyone he’s a cowboy. I can only imagine he does that every year.

I wish I could be the one by his side, and by the look of longing on his face as he stares at me, he wishes I could be, too. Hopefully, this will give him the extra push he needs to tell Zach what’s going on.

I’m so focused on Brooks that I don’t notice when someone steps in front of my view. I let out a little shriek, and the person laughs.

“Didn’t mean to scare you, Asp.”

Even though his face is painted, I still recognize Zach’s voice.

“I wasn’t paying attention.”

“I can tell. You ok?”

I square my shoulders and force a smile onto my face. Zach has been leaving me alone like I asked him to, but I still have a sinking suspicion that he hasn’t quite given up yet.

“Yeah. All good.”

“You look great,” he says, and I can feel his gaze run down my body. While I feel confident in this outfit, in this moment, I wish I were wearing more clothes.

“Oh, thanks. Jazz let me wear one of her costumes.”

“Yeah, it definitely looks like a Jazz kind of thing.”

Jazz hears him and gives him the finger from behind her back. She doesn’t bother turning around to greet him.

“So… how are you?” he asks. It’s weird that it feels so awkward to talk to him now. The same person I thought I’d be with forever, who I thought knew me better than anyone else, is now a complete stranger to me.

“I’m good. Really good.” I want to add ‘because of your dad,’ but I manage to hold my tongue. “How about you?”

“Good. I’ve got one more month before I graduate from the police academy. It’s been going really well.”

“That’s awesome. I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks, Aspen.” He pauses and then says, “I wish⁠—”

“Zach,” I warn, cutting him off.

“No, I know. I know you’re done with me, and I still hate myself for fucking this up. But I do wish things were different. I hope we can try to be friends one day.”

I shrug my shoulder non-committally because I know his feelings on that may change once he finds out about Brooks and me. “Maybe.”

He smiles like I’ve just given him the world. “I’ll take a maybe.”

Someone calls his name, and he turns toward his group of friends who are waiting on him. He looks back at me. “I’d better get going. I just wanted to come say hi.”

I nod.