Page 58 of Broken Boundaries

“Brooks, you cannot be serious.”

“What do you mean? We’ve eaten together loads of times.”

“Yeah, but that was before you kissed the life out of me and then acted like I didn’t exist all day,” I say. Did he think I was truly just going to overlook that?

“Look, ok, I know. Come over and eat with me, and we’ll talk.”

I cross my arms across my chest. “Maybe I already made dinner.”

“No, you didn’t,” he says confidently.

“How do you know? It could be getting cold right now.”

“I know you well enough by now, Aspen. You don’t like to cook. Best case, you made yourself a sandwich, which I can assure you, mine is better. So come eat, and we’ll talk.”

Dammit. He’s got me there, and I am hungry.

“Fine.”

I follow him over to his house. He’s got our food already plated up at the counter as if he knew I’d say yes. I hate being predictable.

I take a seat on my normal barstool because I’ve been here enough times by now that I have a usual seat.

I take a bite of the sandwich. I know he’s not going to talk unless he knows I’m eating. Then I ask, “So, wanna tell me why you were avoiding me all day?”

“I-I didn’t mean to avoid you, Aspen. Really. I was just freaked out. Put yourself in my shoes. I kissed my son’s girlfriend.”

“Ex-girlfriend,” I clarify.

“Yes, but a woman he obviously still cares about. How do you think he would react if he found out I’m developing feelings for you?”

My brain freezes. Whoa. Feelings and kissing are two different things. I know how I’ve been feeling, but hearing that he might be feeling the same thing changes things. It wasn’t just a kiss for either of us.

“I don’t imagine he would like that,” I admit slowly. “But he made his bed. He’s the one who pushed me away. I don’t think he should have any sort of say about what we do.”

“In any other situation, I would agree with you, but he’s my son. My blood, Aspen. I’ve finally got him to talk to me again. This would only make everything worse again.”

He’s choosing Zach over me. I understand it, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t suck. When I first came to Blue Haven, I would’ve been over the moon to know that Brooks and Zach are talking more. But with the circumstances as they are, I selfishly wish that Zach were still holding onto whatever grudge he had before.

“I’m sorry I kissed you, Aspen.” Ouch. Not what I was hoping to hear. “It was irresponsible and selfish of me. I let my emotions take control, and I-I was jealous seeing you with someone else.”

He was jealous. I like the way that feels more than I should, but I hate that he feels like our kiss was a mistake. “Ok.”

“Ok?” he repeats.

I shrug, trying my hardest to be calm and collected about all this, even though I feel completely crushed on the inside. “Yeah, ok. I mean, it’s not what I was hoping you’d say, but it is what it is. I’ve started looking at potential rooms for rent, so I should be out of your hair shortly.”

“What? No. Aspen, you don’t have to leave.”

“It feels like I should.”

“No. Don’t feel like that. I want you to stay. The cabin is yours. For however long. Forever if you want it. It’s nice having someone there.”

“You sure it won’t complicate things?” I ask.

“No. I won’t let it.”

“Alright. Well, thank you.”