Page 37 of Broken Trust
“Sure you don’t want to sleep with Royce?” she asks.
Bryce chokes out a laugh.
“See?” I point at him. “Even Bryce knows that’s horrifying.”
“I don’t know,” Bryce says. “Royce looks like he’d be a good cuddler.”
I shudder dramatically. “I’ll get my shit.”
Charli wipes tears from her eyes.
Fifteen minutes later, I’ve packed everything important into my truck. Charli rides with me while Bryce stays behind to soak up what water he can with towels from the linen closet.
The academy stretches across the ranch as we wind through the gravel lanes toward the clinic.
Horses graze in nearby paddocks.
The entire place feels peaceful under the starlit sky.
Eventually, we reach the row of cabins near the clinic.
The cabin itself looks almost identical to mine. Small porch. Rocking chair. Same layout. Same rustic exterior.
I park in the lot across from it and kill the engine.
I grab my duffel and follow Charli toward the porch.
That’s when I notice someone sitting next door.
Jovie.
She’s stretched out in a rocking chair. Long, bare legs crossed. Blonde hair pulled up on top of her head. A stemmed glass balanced in one hand.
The moon bathes her in soft light, and for a second, I forget what we’re doing.
Charli spots her too. “Hey, Jovie.”
She looks up and smiles. “Hey.”
Then her gaze lands on me with my bag in hand.
One eyebrow lifts.
Charli gestures toward me. “You’ve got a new neighbor.”
Jovie glances between us. “What happened?”
“Sasquatch here wrecked his cabin,” Charli quips.
Jovie’s eyes go round. “What?”
Charli snorts. “He’s very aggressive.”
I shake my head as she starts laughing. Then explains what really happened while handing me a key.
“That sucks,” Jovie says.
“Don’t worry. It’s only for a few days. You won’t even know I’m here,” I assure her, then look at Charli. “You need a ride back?”
