AllFreeNovel
Share Us
When I pull up into my driveway and look at my white shiplap cottage with a dark blue steel roof and trim around, my heart feels better already.
I feel safe. And thank God I feel a million miles away from Kirk and his bullshit.
It’s been surreal thinking about it all the way home. It’s way after dark now and I know Blake will be at her dad’s place with Noodle.
I decide to just have the night to myself and let Brook know tomorrow I’m home a day early. I don’t even know how to explain any of this, but he’s sure to ask what happened down in Georgia. He’ll know something’s wrong the minute I see him, so avoiding him is going to be tricky. I know he'll hit the roof when he finds out — not that I plan on broadcasting it.
When my shock and tears subsided on the drive back, I started to replay the conversation back in my head, all while trying to remove the images of Kirk fucking that woman. I’m not sure how long that will take to erase.
I drag my case, and sorry ass, inside and feel a million times better when I walk into my cottage. I have a sweet little rose garden out front and all the creature comforts inside.
I love shabby chic, so the interior is all white with some splashes of duck egg blue.
The floors are laid with a whitewash, laminate wood-look and my kitchen is all country kitsch with white cabinetry. My den opens out just off the kitchen and always makes me feel cozy and warm with a gas fire-place and a rustic mantel that surrounds it. A beautiful crystal chandelier dangles from the high ceiling and sets off the high ceiling beams. I adore the French doors off my little rear den area that lead out to a small side patio with more garden where I’ve been unsuccessfully trying to grow some herbs. Blake knows more about it than me, so we were going to redo some planting one weekend.
The little area outside leads to my separate home office that I run Bloom Weddings and Events from; it’s like a small casita. I love being able to walk out the French doors a few steps to my work.
I lean on my kitchen counter, feeling the coolness of the quartz under my forearms, wondering what to do next. It’s so quiet without my daughter and my dog.
I glance down at Noodles’ water and food bowls.
Everything is how I left it this morning, but it feels like so much has changed. I can’t actually believe that Kirk did this to me — that if I hadn’t caught him red handed, who knows how long he’d continue lying to me?
I feel my gut churn.
I go to the liquor cabinet, not that I ever drink that much, and pull out a bottle. I smirk at the Bassett Brothers Bourbon label that faces me as I trace the fancy logo with my index finger. The bull head that the family is known for sits proudly atop in gold lettering.
Tonight I’m going to pour myself a shot and wallow in my own self pity.
I’ll be alright, I have to be.
But right now, all I need is to numb the pain.
12
Brooklyn
Eden picks up Noodle from my house the next day while I’m at work and Blake is at school. She texted me to say she was home early but didn’t say why. I was in the middle of things at the rickhouse so I didn’t get to see her, and her texts have been very non descriptive:
Eden
Hey Brook, I got back early. Something came up at work so I can collect Blake after school and Noodle later this morning
Me
Okay, E. Sounds good. I’m bottling again, so I have a huge day. Noodle was making herself at home on the couch last time I checked
Noodle is used to sleeping over sometimes when Blake is here, so Eden never has to worry on the rare occasion where her dog isn’t with her. Blake and I also take Noodle for walks on the farm and she loves it.
Eden
Thanks for looking after her, and for having Blake on short notice
Me
Anytime, you know me. How was Atlanta?
Eden
