Page 42 of Unbroken

Most of the time I was okay with the silence, like we’d had on the drive to the bar, but with the frustration and anxiety tumbling through the car, I wanted to get his mind off it. Whateveritwas.

“Tonight didn’t go as bad as I thought it might.”

He nodded, and I saw his shoulders relax slightly. I readjusted in my seat, the black leather squeaking beneath me, and looked back over at him.

Wanting to gauge his reaction to my next words, I watched the side of his face as I said, “Thank you for bringing me along.”

His jaw slackened and his hands loosened their unyieldinggrip on the wheel. He did a double-take, looking back and forth from the road over to me.

Then they settled on me. Passing streetlights reflected in his hazel eyes and illuminated the questions and emotions behind them. My pulse thrummed, and the temperature in the cabin climbed higher until a car honked and broke our concentration.

Devon righted the wheel and settled back into his seat. His eyes didn’t leave the road for the rest of the drive.

NINETEEN

Blakely

“I’m reallyhappy to hear that, Blakely,” Dr. Mann said with a tilt of his lips. He glanced down at his watch, and I checked the clock over his shoulder.

My hour was up already, but it felt like I’d just sat down. For the first time in forever, the words flowed freely. And I’d attributed the change to our night at Murphy’s two weeks before. Reconnecting with my friends was exactly what I’d needed. I’d been talking to Amanda frequently, and even Reed texted me, offering me the option to work out at his gym whenever I wanted.

I’d finally felt like time hadn’t stagnated. And Dr. Mann took notice. He was impressed by my optimism and newfound outlook. He said my progress was admirable.

We both stood, and Dr. Mann led me to the door as he always did.

“Call me if you need anything,” he said, and I nodded. “And make sure you confirm your next few appointments with Megan as well.”

“I will. Thank you. I’ll seeyou next week.”

I did as he asked and stopped by Megan’s desk to confirm my next few weeks of appointments.

The parking lot of the business complex was crowded early in the evening on a Thursday, and when I slipped into my car, I texted Shelly.

Me: I’m heading to your house now. Are you sure I don’t need to bring anything?

It had taken a while, but we’d finally rescheduled our previous dinner. And she’d promised that she wouldn’t try to bamboozle me for a second time. Her words, not mine.

My phone vibrated a minute later.

Shelly: Yes! And don’t bring a damn thing.

I chuckled and turned on my favorite playlist for the drive over to her house.

When I pulled up twenty minutes later, I got a better look at it. It was dark the other night, and it was hard to decipher any of the details. But I liked it. Actually, I loved it.

It was a one-story, ranch-style home with a large, well-kept lawn. The exterior was brick that was painted a dark gray that was almost black. I parked at the curb and walked the walkway that was made up of large concrete slabs.

I stepped up onto the small porch and rang the bell. The dark wood front door swung open almost immediately, and Shelly’s smiling face greeted me.

“My girl!” she exclaimed and ushered me inside. She quickly closed the door behind me and squeezed my arm. “I’m so happy you’re here! And I promise, no bamboozling today.”

“Much appreciated,” I said, trying to match the excitement in her smile.

“Okay, let’s not stand in the entryway. I’ve already started prepping everything.” She waved me further into the house, andwithout the distraction of Devon, I had an opportunity to glance around the room.

The quaint entryway opened into the cozy living room. There was a light gray couch in the middle of the room facing a large TV on the opposite wall, and there were framed photos on every flat surface.

We turned right and continued past the living room into the kitchen. The tiled floors were dark and were a stark contrast to the lighter wood cabinets. Sunlight filtered in through the windows above the sink and around the small eating area to the left. I dropped my bag on one of the kitchen chairs.

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