Page 26 of The Break Out

Chandler: I love her already!

Brent: You got a cat?

I also sent the picture to Bryson and Bailey, but don’t expect a response from them. Bryson might respond in three to five business days, but Bailey likely won’t say anything.

Brynn: Yeah, you all should come over to meet her. Well, maybe that’s a lot. One or two at a time can come over.

Brent: I’m already trying to stop Chandler from rushing out the door right this second.

I switched over to the text thread with her.

Brynn: Don’t let my dickhead brother stop you from living your life. Fuck the patriarchy!

Chandler: Hah, this house is the opposite of the patriarchy. He is just concerned because at my appointment earlier the doctor put me on bedrest until I deliver. *eyeroll emoji*

Brynn: Are you okay??

Chandler: Oh yeah, I’m fine. She’s fine. Just a precaution. Please send all the cat pictures, I’m bored already.

Brynn: Done. And let me know if you need anything.

Chandler: I will, thank you.

And because I like to fuck with my brother, I text him again.

Brynn: Your girlfriend just told me how much of a buzzkill you are and that I’m her favorite Collee. Sorry not sorry.

Brent: I’m next to her right now.

Brynn: Probably why I’m her favorite, I don’t hover and bother her. CHANDLER BLINK TWICE IF YOU NEED HELP.

Brent: You’re a pest.

Brynn: Wow, bro, you shouldn’t talk about yourself that way. I’m disappointed.

Brent: Go take care of your cat, she’s probably already planning her escape from you.

Brynn: She loves me, thank you very much. I don’t bore the shit out of her like you would.

He doesn’t respond and I shrug it off. When Brent doesn’t reply it’s not the same as when it’s Bryson and Bailey because I know I’ll see him. I know he cares. I know at the end of the day, he would be there for me. He always has been.

“Come on, Ellie, let’s figure out what to have for dinner.” She doesn’t move from her spot on the tree, but it’s nice to be talking to more than just the empty walls around me.

And probably better than talking to a fish if I’m honest.

Which reminds me that getting Ellie kind of sidetracked my entire goal for the day of making my place homier. Though, she is doing that for me just by being here, so I don’t even mind.

As I’m going through my fridge examining the options I can make for dinner my phone goes off. I expect it to be Brent again, but then I see it’s a DM, not a text. Without thinking too much about it, I open the message and am immediately brought back to last night. The night I have been desperately trying to forget about. I feel like I was doing a pretty good job of it too.

Colton: You know, you still owe me your number since you ran out before you gave it to me.

“Ellie, this is why we don’t let asshole hockey players tempt us out for a drink and then kiss us.”

She meows like she agrees, and I knew adopting her was the right decision.

Last night I let my loneliness get the best of me, but that won’t be happening again. Nope, I have the best friend I could ever ask for in a three-legged feline. Plus, my human friends, who are usually busy, but that’s okay. I can go make new friends. Yeah, that’s what I should do.

My phone goes off once again.

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