Broken (Broken 1)

“Whitley, I love you. ”

“I love you, Layton. I love you so much. ”

As we slowly and sweetly made love again, I couldn’t help but think of us possibly making a baby during our honeymoon. I was overcome with love and happiness as Whitley softly called out my name while I poured myself into her body.

While I held Whitley in my arms, I couldn’t help but think of Reed and Courtney. I only wished they would both open their eyes and see that the two of them were meant to be together. They could be sharing the same love and passion as Whitley and I did.

I rolled over and pulled her body up against mine. “I’ll love you forever, Whitley, and I can’t wait to see your belly grow with our child. ”

“I’ll love you forever, too, Layton. I can’t wait either. I want that more than anything. ” She smiled as she gently kissed me.

I wasn’t sure how long I lay there, watching her sleep. No longer did I feel lost and alone. I didn’t feel angry or hurt. I was no longer broken. I had been healed by the love of this girl in my arms.

As I started to drift off to sleep, I dreamed of Whitley walking toward me, holding our child in her arms. I tried so hard to see if it was a boy or girl, but something caught my eye. I looked beyond Whitley and saw Mike and my parents walking behind her.

As they all drew closer to me, Mike smiled.

Well done, my brother. Well done.

Epilogue: Courtney

It wasn’t lost on me how Mitch had been talking to Karen during almost the whole reception. When I’d questioned him about why he was paying more attention to his ex-fiancée than me, he had gotten angry and said they were old friends just catching up. I wasn’t even sure why she was at the wedding. I didn’t remember seeing her name on the guest list.

I’d felt Reed’s eyes on me all night, and every time I looked at him, a shiver had run up and down my body. Walking down the aisle, I couldn’t help but look at him. The look in his eyes when he saw me had caused my whole body to start trembling. I closed my eyes and thought about the dance we’d shared.

Did I make a mistake by choosing Mitch over Reed? I love Mitch, but I don’t love him like I love Reed. If I were honest with myself, I’d say I love Mitch, but I’m not in love with him like I am with Reed.

But Reed will just end up hurting me.

I was beginning to think that Whitley had been right. I was looking for that fairy-tale love I’d read about in all my books. I truly believed Mitch was going to make my dreams come true. The first time we’d made love, he had even told me, I’m going to make it my life’s mission to bring all your dreams to life.

I closed my eyes and tried to remember that night. Reed’s smile kept invading my thoughts. I opened my eyes and shook my head.

Stop this, Courtney! Stop this now.

I looked around to see how many people were still here. Almost everyone had already left, including Mitch. He’d said he had a headache, and when I’d begged him to stay with me, he’d said there was no way he could sleep with me in one of Layton’s beds or even in Layton’s house. I had rolled my eyes and told him he was being ridiculous, but he’d said he was heading home and would be getting up early to take care of some cows he thought would be calving soon. He’d told me he wouldn’t be by the house until around noon. I’d also noticed that things had not been the same between him and Layton at all.

I let out a deep breath as I watched Anna arguing with Reed. All they ever did was fight. Reed glanced over my way, and I quickly turned away.

I walked up to Stacey, who was sitting down on top of one of the tables. She was half-drunk out of her mind.

I bumped my shoulder against hers. “Hey, you doing okay?”

She nodded. “Do you know how close I came to going home with Richard? God, I just want to be fucked by a Texas cowboy. That pretty much makes me a slut, doesn’t it?”

I threw my head back and laughed. “Richard? I thought you had your eye on Kevin. ”

“Oh, I did until I saw him sucking face with some girl on the dance floor. I think I’m really drunk and ready to go to sleep. ”

I helped her off the table. “Do you need help, sweetie, making it up to your room?”

She shook her head and started off toward the house. I watched her stumble around until Whitley’s dad took her by the arm and helped her into the house. Stacey, Jen, Kate, and Whitley’s parents were all staying at the house tonight, and then Stacey and Whit’s parents were heading home tomorrow.

When Layton had told me to take the master bedroom, I didn’t argue. They were going to be gone for three weeks, and they had asked me to house-sit and watch the dogs.

I heard shouting and turned to see what was going on.

Anna pushed Reed. She started shouting, “I gave you all these months for nothing! I hate you, Reed Moore. Don’t. Ever. Call. Me. Again. ”