Chapter 38
brOOKE
I tried calling Roy from the car, but he didn’t answer. Now that I knew he was in town, there was no way I was going to wait for him to call back. I couldn’t wait another second to see him. I decided to surprise him.
He surprised me with the gift of an incredible loft–the one I wanted that he would hate living in.
I suddenly realized I didn’t care about the loft at all. I didn’t care about my job or staying in Denver.
All I cared about was Roy. I’d been so selfish. Roy needed mountains and fresh air to survive, and I needed him.
I drove home and tossed things in a bag. I had no idea what I needed in Montana, so I threw in a little of everything. I wasn’t going to be hasty and say I was moving there for sure, but I was definitely going to check it out. All I felt in my gut at that idea was celebration.
Roy had been right. My brain had been steering my decisions all this time out of fear. My gut thought was telling me what I really wanted. What I desired deep down. What would make me happy.
On the way to the Four Seasons, I called Casey using the hands free feature on my car.
I knew she was working, in the sky somewhere over the country right now, so I wasn’t surprised when I got her voicemail.
I just needed to let her know that I’d changed my mind.
That I was doing what my gut told me for once.
“Hey, Casey–it’s me.”
A car in front of me was going way too slow. I looked in my side view mirror, put on my blinker and went around. Didn’t that person know I was in a rush to find my mate?
“I’m going after Roy.”
I paused and grinned.
“I realized I was wrong. I’m not acting like my mom if I go to Montana with a guy.
I’m my mom if I lose myself. If I don’t trust my own instincts.
If I act out of fear instead of what feels right in my gut.
My gut is telling me to be with Roy, whatever that means.
Anyway, I just wanted to let you know because I’m going to Montana with him. Wish me luck! Love you, bye!”
After what felt like forever, I parked in the garage under the Four Seasons and took the elevator upstairs into the lobby. I should’ve freaked about being in the garage, but I was too eager to see Roy.
Since I didn’t know which room he was in anymore, I tried calling again.
This time he picked up. “Brooke?”
Oh my God. His voice. I’d missed his voice.
My heart hammered in my chest. “Roy! Um, I’m here. In the lobby. I mean, are you at the Four–?”
The call ended. I pulled my cell away from my ear and stared at it.
Oh my God. Had he heard my voice and hung up?
My heart was thrumming now for a completely different reason.
Had I waited too long to come around? No…he wouldn’t be mad, would he? He’d just bought me a loft! Except, why would he–
The door to the stairwell burst open, and Roy came flying out, looking mouthwatering in nothing but a pair of grey sweatpants, his hair wet like he just got out of the shower.
“Roy!” I ran to him, ignoring everyone in the lobby staring.
“Brooke!” He snatched me up, spinning me around. I wrapped my legs around his waist, clinging to him. “You came. Thank fuck.” He kissed my ear. My neck. Lowered me to my feet to kiss my mouth. “You came.” He cupped my face.
“I love you,” I blurted. He was so big. So strong.
So warm. He even smelled good. “And I’m sorry I got cold feet, but I want to go to Montana with you.
I want to be with you. I made a mistake, and I was an idiot because I thought I was like my mother, but that was dumb.
I’m nothing like her, and Mark said that–”
Roy silenced me with a kiss. And another.
When he let me take a breath, I whispered. “I’m sure now.”