The Boy Next Door

Prologue

Brooklynn huffed in the back of her aunt and uncle's Jeep, watching the skyscrapers she'd grown used to seeing every day disappear like memories in the rearview mirror—not by choice, of course. After all, it isn't easy being forced from everything you've ever known with family you rarely spent time with.

Moving from everything, and everyone she had ever developed a legitimate connection with wouldn't be as easy as her aunt and uncle made it seem when they practically shoved her into the back seat.

Because of these series of unanswered questions, Brooke attempts to turn over every leaf to uncover the truth behind her sudden need to be in an entirely different country, besides the certainty about her parents.

It wasn't uncommon for her parents to be gone— they were always gone. Constantly fleeing to house project after next, leaving Brooklynn alone to practically raise herself. She knew it was wrong—her friend's parents rarely left them home alone for a night, let alone an entire week. But, if the matter had been such a concern, why hadn't they shown up when she was home alone for a week as a thirteen-year-old? Why now? The thought gnawed at her every minute of the ride.

Being anywhere else would beat being in the back of that stupid car with a rising temper that was becoming increasingly difficult to compose. If she was already raising herself, to begin with, why couldn't she continue? Especially because she wasn't a thirteen-year-old anymore. She was seventeen now—practically an adult.

The further from New York they traveled, the more Brooklynn finally realized the decision was finalized, whether she approved or not, and fighting it wouldn't change anything. At least not until her parents decided to show up demanding her whereabouts.

''Canada isn't that bad Brooke,'' Her Aunt revealed, peering at the backseat. "I guarantee you'll love it if you give it a try."

But all Brooklynn could do was roll her eyes as another huff escaped her lips.