Page 41 of Beautifully Broken

Talon

This was a colossal fucking mistake. Why did I think I could handle going on a date, let alone with someone like Ashley Stafford?

I'm in way over my head here, and my research only added to my anxiety rather than soothed it.

What can I say; I may not be in the military anymore, but I know you don't go on a mission without being prepared.

I knew the basics about Ashley from our conversation while feeding the puppies the other day, but I needed more information to be able to plan the best date. I'm rusty as hell and want to make sure that whatever I take Ash to do, it will be something he'll enjoy.

Googling probably wasn't the smartest move, though.

His Instagram pulled up, and I quickly learned his life is much more lavish than my own.

He comes from money, and while he doesn't flaunt it, it shows in how he carries himself and in the clothes he wears.

I'm also his polar opposite. What he sees in me, I'm not sure.

As if she can sense my downward spiral, I'm saved from my anxiety-induced scrolling by a call from Raven. "Hey, big brother. Whatcha up to?"

"Oh, just cyberstalking my date for ideas on where to take him and wondering why the fuck he accepted when we are polar opposites."

"Hold the fuck up. Did you just say ‘date’?!" Raven shrieks so loudly that I have to pull the phone away from my ear.

"Please, Ray, don't make this a big deal. I know it is, and I'm already freaking the fuck out. I need your cool, calm, and badass self, not the banshee who just burst my eardrum."

"Sorry, Tal, but you took me off guard. I get why you're freaking out, but there's nothing wrong with the whole opposites attract. Obviously, he sees whatever you saw to ask him out in the first place. What's he look like? What's his personality like? Give me all the deets."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. He's a petite little twink."

"Talon."

"What? I'm not being a dick. That's the best way to describe him. He's probably close to a foot shorter than me, with long brown hair. Skinny with lean muscle, from what I could see under his scrubs, and pretty femme."

"Damn, he really is your opposite."

"Yep." I pop the P for emphasis.

"You said ‘scrubs’. What's he do for a living?"

"He owns a pet shelter. That's how I met him. I found puppies that were dumped in the river and took them to his shelter. I was instantly drawn to him. When I went back a few days later, I said it was to check on the puppies, but I just wanted to see Ash again."

"Aww, I love that for you, big brother. Why not just do the typical dinner but maybe make it a picnic? Then you don't have the added pressure of being surrounded by people and all the extra noise, so you can relax."

Damn, why didn't I think of that? Being in a restaurant with my PTSD is still pretty hard. If it's not super busy, it's not bad, but when it's packed and loud, it can easily trigger me.

"That's brilliant. Thanks, Raven. I think I know just where to take him."

"Glad I could help. I'm proud of you, Talon." Her voice grows quiet at the end, and I can tell she's trying to hold back tears.

"Thanks, Raven. And thanks for always staying by my side, even when I'm being a stubborn ass or my brain is being a dick and I don't treat you the way I should."

"Always. Okay, enough of this heavy shit. Have fun on your date, and let me know how it goes."

"Will do. Love ya, punk."

"Love you too, big bro."

As soon as I hang up, I text Ashley and tell him to wear shoes he can walk comfortably in the woods in, along with warmer clothes. I'll be able to build a fire where we're going, but it's higher up the mountain and it can still be pretty chilly this time of year .

All I get back is a winky emoji, so I assume that means he's down with the plan.

I've got about an hour before I have to go pick him up, so I jump in the shower, shave all the important parts, and throw on some of my warm yet nicer clothes.

I round up some blankets and pillows, and make sure I have my pack with everything I'd need to start a fire and spend a few nights in the woods.

As ready as I can be with my jeep packed up, I head towards Ashley's. I might be early, but hopefully, he won't mind too much.