Page 96 of Broken Boundaries

“Of course, I’m going to try to earn his forgiveness, but at the end of the day, our relationship was strained before I ever knew you. He’s never wanted me in his life, and this gives him the perfect excuse to cut me out. It hurts like hell, but it always felt like fighting a losing battle with him.”

God, I hate that Zach has made him feel like this. In the short time that I’ve known Brooks, all he’s wanted was a relationship with his son. I know he’d be such a good dad if he were just given a chance.

“You make me so happy, Aspen. You’ve done nothing but bring absolute joy to my life, and I refuse to let you walk away without a fight. I love you, Aspen. I want it all with you: the ranch, the house, the marriage, the babies. You are my future. Please don’t leave.”

I can barely see him through the tears in my eyes. This man loves me? He’s choosing a future with me? It’s like he saw inside my soul and knew exactly what my biggest wish was and is doing everything he can to make it come true.

“No one has ever chosen me before,” I murmur.

He grabs one of my hands and interlaces our fingers. He’s shaking, which makes me cry even harder.

“I do. I choose you, Aspen. Every single day, I choose you.”

“Are you sure?” I manage to ask between sobs.

He smiles and nods. “I’ve never been so sure. When I got home last night and all your stuff was gone, it felt like the wind got knocked out of me. I always thought it was silly when people would say they found their other half, but that’s what this feels like to me. You complete me. You make me whole. You make me excited about life again. I don’t want to do this without you.”

“Me either,” I admit.

“Then stay, Aspen. Let’s build our life together. Please.”

He squeezes my hand tighter while I think of what to say. I want to stay. I want it more than anything, but it feels impossible. “Everyone is going to hate me.”

“That’s not true!” Jazz shouts from the hallway. Should’ve known she’d be eavesdropping.

“It’s not true,” Brooks echoes her. “And who gives a fuck what anyone thinks? I don’t. Not anymore. Please stay, Aspen. Stay with me. Let me love you like you deserve to be loved.”

My heart and my brain are fighting. I want to stay so badly, but I’m terrified of getting hurt again. It’s a big risk to stay here with Brooks. But is it a risk I’m willing to take?

My head starts nodding before I even decide what to say, and I manage to choke out, “Ok.”

I’m in his arms in a split second. He lifts me up, and I wrap my legs around him. He kisses my tear-stained lips and keeps saying he loves me over and over again. I barely get a chance to tell him I love him too in between kisses.

“Alright, alright. Let’s simmer down,” Jazz calls out as she walks in with her eyes covered. “I love you both, but I do not need this to go any further in my bedroom.”

Brooks chuckles and gently lowers me to the ground. “Let’s get you home.”

I wipe my eyes and start to gather my things.

“Well, I’m glad this all worked out. At least between the two of you,” Jazz says while she helps me grab my stuff. I didn’t do much unpacking. Just my toothbrush, toothpaste. The basics. “And Aspen, I can promise you that more people will be on your side than Zach’s. No offense, Brooks.”

“None taken.”

“But he’s lived here his entire life. He grew up with these people. I’m an outsider.”

“Yeah, but I can assure you that Zach hasn’t always been the most upstanding citizen, and I know for a fact that a lot of people are mad that he didn’t want to continue on with Moonlight. In my humble, and usually correct, opinion, I think most people will be happy to see Brooks get a second chance. Especially if y’all are serious about those babies you mentioned a few minutes ago.”

My cheeks heat as I glance over at Brooks, who is watching me as he leans against the doorframe, his hands tucked into his jeans and looking absolutely delicious. Yeah, I think I’d definitely be interested in having his babies. And by the look in Brooks’s eyes? I’d say he’s interested, too.

“Alright. Enough with the googly eyes. And when people find out about what Zach said to you yesterday? They are not gonna be happy.”

I’ve been trying not to think about the awful things Zach screamed at me as he stomped out of Brooks’s office. I’d never felt more embarrassed in my life. Everyone in the lobby and the restaurant turned to look at me. Harper and Jazz quickly got me out of there, but I couldn’t stop hearing the words replaying over and over again in my head.

Slut.

Whore.

Fucking bitch.