Broken Beginnings

Chapter 15

Chloe

The rest of my shift went by smoothly. I couldn't get Galen's words out of my mind. They had been branded there – and the look in his eyes when he said it. Well, I couldn't seem to get that out of my mind either.

There was a part of me that wanted to run from Galen and this town. But there was another part of me – maybe the impractical part that said to take a chance. Galen was proposing a relationship of sorts, and although I didn't really know the terms or conditions – I knew he cared enough to try. And that meant something.

He wanted me to call him – but when? He implied that he didn't care when or what for – but I needed more than that. I had never been in a relationship – with anyone. I was as inexperienced as it got. And I lacked the ability to trust in those around me. But to my surprise, I wanted to trust in Galen. I wanted to trust in him more than I knew was safe. Looking back on this morning to now – a lot had changed.

"You've been pretty quiet." Jaylah moved to stand beside me where I wiped the breakfast bar that seemed to be occupied by at least one person all day long. It had quieted down around three and I wasn't sure when my shift ended. I had been here since seven and I was exhausted. More mentally than physically – but I was ready for home.

"I'm not much of a talker." I sounded off, almost weak. "Just a little more tired than usual, I suppose." I added, trying to be polite.

"I know I have no business stuffing my nose if your relationship," she blushed, shaking her head. "Or whatever you have going on with my brother." She pulled long black hair from the messy bun she wore before twisting it back up. "I suppose I'm trying to apologize for earlier. I shouldn't have said anything to you about it."

"You mean with Dante?" I asked.

She nodded, her blue eyes wide. "It wasn't my place."

I sighed. "It's all right. And it really is your place. You care for Galen and that's great," I pulled in a deep, shaky breath. "He's lucky to have that."

She cocked her head to the side, her eyes inspecting. "Who cares for you?"

That was a good question. Who cared for me? "I do."

"You're all you have?" She looked sad for me and I hated seeing that. Pity in the eyes of another was probably one of the worst things to have to face. It made you feel low. I didn't want to be pitied.

"Yeah," I grinned, but it felt wrong. "I'm all I've got."

"What happened to your parents?"

"They're gone."

Pain flashed in her features and I wished I could take it back. "I'm sorry."

"I don't want to talk about this, Jaylah." I focused on the countertop.

"Why did you choose this town?"

"I didn't." I shrugged. "My car did."

"Your car?" She raised a plucked brow.

"It broke down in your parking lot." I waved to the parking lot of the diner in the general direction to where my car had broken down. It felt as though years had passed since that moment. So much had happened. So much had changed.   

"So that was how you met Galen." She shook her head. "A damsel in distress. No wonder he's so entranced with you."

"Pardon me?" It was my turn to raise my brows.

"Galen likes to fix things." She rolled her eyes. "He is a mechanic."

"Oh," Galen was trying to fix me? That's what this was about? He thought I needed fixing? Did I need fixing – was I really so broken?

Jaylah's eyes widened as she watched my thoughts form. "I didn't mean it the way you took it, Chloe."

"It's okay." I waved it off, but she was determined to explain.

"Believe me when I say Galen likes you. He never pursues a woman the way he's pursing you."

Then I must really need fixing. I folded my arms across my chest. "And how does he pursue a woman?"

She rubbed her brow. "This is not going well," a frown pinched her features and she blew a deep breath from between pursed lips. "Galen is going to kill me."

"Oh don't worry," I rolled my eyes. "I won't say a thing to him."

"You won't?"

"I try not to start trouble. It seems to find me naturally." I joked but she didn't laugh.

Her eyes narrowed as she looked at me. "Can I ask you something?"

"You can ask," I shrugged. "I can't guarantee I'll answer."

"Fair enough," she nodded. "Do you plan on staying for a while?"

That was easy enough. "For a while, yeah."

"One more question – or actually, a favor."

It was my turn to narrow my eyes. "What?"

"Give Galen a chance." She pushed herself from where she leaned against the counter. "He's a good guy and he deserves a good girl."

I didn't bother telling her that I knew he deserved a good girl. That was why I was trying so damn hard to keep things between us from muddling into the complicated waters of a relationship. I wasn't the worst person in the world – but Galen wouldn't find the woman he wanted in me. I was damaged goods. No man wanted damaged goods.

Unless they wanted those goods so they could fix them and remodel them into something usable again. I tried to shake the thought from my mind, but it didn't want to release its hold.

Jaylah turned to face me again before disappearing into the kitchen. "Contrary to what you believe, you have more than yourself. You've got Galen – he definitely cares for you whether you believe it or not. And you've got me – if you want it – you've got a friend in me."   

***I hope you're enjoying Galen and Chloe!*** XXX