Broken and Fearless // C.B.

Chapter 67

Colby's POV:

I woke up to hear voices on the TV. That meant Jules was either watching an episode of Supernatural or The Umbrella Academy for the tenth time.

Instead, I was met with some black and white movie. "What's this?"

"Casablanca. Apple play. I felt like watching it."

"Was it your grandfather's favorite movie?"

She scoffed lightly. "No, it's my grandmother's."

"Okay, the scoff was uncalled for. I was just asking a question." I sighed. "Jules, it's been a week. When are you going to leave the apartment?"

She shrugged. "Honestly, no clue."

"Get up."

"What? Why?"

"Because we're going somewhere."

"Where?"

"I don't know. Now stop asking questions and get dressed, okay?"

Jules huffed, but did as I asked.

Ten minutes later, my girlfriend reappeared in a white t-shirt, black and purple flannel, and jeans. She'd done simple makeup, whatever that means.

Jules tapped her foot. "Okay, where to, Mr. Brock?"

I smiled. "First, food. I'm hungry."

We walked down to the parking garage and got in my car. We drove to a small deli that I'd found and she smiled lightly. "This is nice."

"Yeah. I found it a few weeks ago and figured I could try it with you."

"I appreciate it."

As we waited for food, I studied my girlfriend, trying to read her emotions. She was putting on a good face, so it was hard to tell what she was thinking.

She frowned. "Can you stop that?"

"Stop what?" I asked innocently.

"Stop trying to read me. I feel like a cornered deer."

I burst out laughing at her choice of words, but stopped when I saw the look she was giving me. "Babe, just, that was funny."

She caught me off-guard by asking, "Are you haunted?"

"Am I what?"

"Are you haunted? I've had people telling me you and Sam are."

"We might be. Sam and I decided we're headed back to Kansas to unhaunt us, if that's possible. Why, are you wanting to come?"

"I hope so. No, my grandmother's gonna be moving into a retirement home soon, and my dad wants me and my siblings there to help remove things from the house. Which is--" She trailed off.

I frowned. "Which is what, babe?"

She thought for a moment. "Let's just say it's not a place to bring a small child."

"Meaning?"

Jules threw her hands into the air, frustrated that I wasn't getting it and she whisper-hissed, "Hoarder, Cole!"

"Oh. Sorry."

She ran a hand through her hair. "Yeah, well, it's just one of those things. Can't change 'em. Dad and Jenna have already started working on it. Jackson's doing so when he can, and I'm gonna go up in a month or two to help."

"So you're not doing Kansas with us."

She shook her head. "No, I'm not. I'm sorry."

I sighed. "I get it. That's two people down."