Page 27 of One Big Lie

Wrappedin the comforting embrace of my quilt, I was sprawled on the bed in my new loft, struggling to shoo away the relentless tide of thoughts. My mind was a carousel of past, present, and future, spinning around so fast it made me dizzy. One minute, I was ruminating about school. The next fretting about my dad, and in the thick of it all, there was Brad's soothing voice, a balm to my tumultuous thoughts.

The decision to drop out of school was daunting, like standing at the edge of a high cliff with no safety net. The fear was palpable, the future uncertain. The thought of an unpleasant conversation with my father was one thing, but I couldn't let myself forget the real bogeyman behind my fear was Clint.

I couldn't evade him forever! My racing mind was finally stilled when the early morning light seeped in through the window, illuminating the room and reminding me that I was another day closer to making that call.

On the branch of a tree just outside my window, a lone cardinal perched, its bright plumage stark against the grey morning sky. I watched, mesmerized, as it flapped its wings and took flight, disappearing into the dawn.

A pang of melancholy shot through me. The sight of the bird evoked memories of my mom, who'd been gone for 16 long years. She used to tell me that cardinals were messengers, guiding us to stay true to ourselves.

As I watched the bird take flight, I made a silent vow to myself. I would face these challenges head-on and stay true to my own path. And if that path led to some future misery, well then, I'd only have myself to blame for my poor decisions. But not today. Today was all about authenticity and my desire for—pancakes.

My flip phone buzzed, jotting me from my thoughts. I quickly looked for it on my nightstand and saw that Brad was calling me. Seeing his name on the screen made me feel a bit better and relieved some of my anxiety.

"Brad," I croaked out, my voice hoarse from lack of sleep.

"Courtney," his tone was soothing, a caress of warmth over my chest's cold knot of worry. "I thought we could have breakfast together there at your loft. I want to talk about...about your plans. Your future."

My heart skipped a beat. He wanted to talk about school, about my decision to leave, and possibly, my return. "Are you a mind reader?" I replied, giggling. "Breakfast sounds scrumptious."

A low chuckle resonated from his end, the sound bringing a small smile to my face. "Great, what's on the menu then? Your wish is my command, milady."

I let out a soft laugh, the lightness in his voice working its magic on me. "Well, I have a craving for blueberry pancakes, lots of syrup, and scrambled eggs. Is that okay with you?"

His laughter echoed again, brighter this time. "Your appetite seems to be soaring these days. Is all this scheming with Tyree making you hungry, or is it the change of scenery?"

Rolling my eyes, I retorted playfully, "Don't worry about it. And about the coffee, don't bother. I see a coffee maker right here in my kitchenette."

As we ended the call, a knot loosened in my heart. Yes, the conversation about school was looming, just like my talk with my father and Clint, but for now, I allowed the promise of breakfast with Brad to soothe my frayed nerves.

Feeling restless after a sleepless night, I found myself wide awake and alone in my new loft, my heart full of unresolved feelings. However, the thought of breakfast with Brad was enough to push me out of bed and into action. I jumped up, feet smacking against the chilled wooden floor. The warm morning light was already streaming in, casting the room in soft, cheerful hues.

With a growl, my stomach demanded to be filled. "Hang in there," I muttered to myself, dashing off to the shower. The jet of hot water was like a balm to my overworked nerves. Steam filled the bathroom, carrying with it the sweet, comforting scent of my vanilla body wash. As I stood under the spray, my anxieties momentarily slipped away, washed down the drain with the falling water.

Done with the shower, I padded over to my suitcase, hidden in the corner of the room. Dressed in nothing but a fluffy white towel, I rummaged around until my fingers closed around a soft fabric. Pulling it out, I couldn't help the smile that tugged at my lips. It was my favorite summer dress, its cheerful floral print promising a better day.

I slipped the dress on, relishing the light fabric against my skin, a welcome change from the heavy winter clothes I'd been donning back in Wyoming. A soft breeze wafted through the open window, playing with the loose ends of my hair, its balmy touch whispering words of home.

I brushed my damp hair into a messy bun and stared at my reflection in the mirror. The girl looking back at me seemed stronger, more resilient, and ready to take on whatever the day had in store for her. I flashed the reflection a reassuring smile, one that mirrored my mom's comforting expression when I'd been troubled.

I spent the rest of the morning anxiously tidying up the loft, anticipating Brad's arrival. When I finally heard the knock at the door, my heart leaped into my throat. I quickly pulled it open, revealing Brad's towering figure. His captivating smile was the same as always, but there was something different in his eyes, a serious glint that made my stomach churn with nerves.

"Good morning, beautiful," he greeted me, stepping inside and handing me a brown paper bag filled with fresh groceries.

We busied ourselves in the small kitchenette, and as Brad expertly flipped the blueberry pancakes, I couldn't help but study him. His strong arms, concentration on the task, and casual familiarity in my space all felt so right. It was domestic, comforting, and utterly terrifying at the same time.

Once we sat down for our improvised breakfast, Brad finally broke the silence. "Courtney," he began, his gaze intense. "I've been thinking about us, about our future."

I froze with a spoonful of syrup-drenched pancake halfway to my mouth. "Oh?" I managed to ask, struggling to maintain my composure.

"I've realized that I want more," he confessed, his hand reaching across the table to cover mine.

"What do you mean?" I asked, my heart pounding like a drum in my chest.

He took a deep breath before saying, "I want to propose, Court."

I blinked, stunned. A proposal? From Brad? My head spun as I tried to process the words.

Seeing the shock on my face, Brad quickly added, "Not right now, of course. But someday...soon. I want to be there for you, to protect you. I love you, Courtney, and I want to make you feel safe and cherished."

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