Page 18 of The Prices We Pay

Furiously, I pick up the letter and storm into my room, heading straight for my closet. I grab the small suede ottoman that I keep in there and slide it into the corner. Standing on it, I reach on top of the tall shelving unit and grab the shoebox I keep tucked away. Without even bringing the box down, I open the lid and throw the unopened letter inwith the rest. The moment it’s out of my sight, I immediately feel like I can breathe again.

I grab my phone, bag, and keys off the counter and lock up before leaving for work. While in the elevator, I send a quick text to Jasper, knowing he’s probably awake and working on the ranch by now.

Me

Got another letter.

I pass a few floors before my phone dings in my hand.

Jasper

How did he find your address?

Me

I have no idea.

Jasper

Did you open it?

Me

Do you ever open yours?

Jasper

Touché. Do you want me tohandle it?

I don’t know what I would do without him. Even when we are states apart, I can count on him to protect me in any way that he can. But I also know Jasper’s anger simmers just below the surface, like a kettle always ready to boil over. The last thing I need is for him to get sent to jail. Not when he’s making the life for himself that I always hoped he would have.

Me

It’s all right, Jas. I shoved it in the box with the rest of them. Out of sight, out of mind.

Me

Avoidance is my specialty.

Jasper

Okay. If it becomes more of a problem, you let me know, and I’ll handle it. Okay? I love you.

Me

I will. I love you too. Tell theguys I said hello.

Realizing the elevator has been sitting in the lobby for who knows how long now, I throw my phone in my bag before waiting for his reply. It will likely be something grumpy from Lawson, a flirtatious selfie from Lincoln, or a simple and sweet hello from Beau. As happy as I am to have my own life out of Billings, I find myself missing them constantly. Those boys are my family.

But family or not, they didn’t pressure me to stay. They all knew how badly I wanted a new life for myself, especially Jasper. I’m not like him. As much as a part of my heart will always belong to Montana, to the ranch, to the people who made themselves Jasper’s and my family when our own was falling apart, it wasn’t enough to cancel out all the hurt—all the heartbreak.

I’m not entirely sure it is for Jasper, either.

Iknewthere was somewhere else that was calling to me.

And I truly feel like I found it here. I’ve felt at peace among the chaos of New York.

At least, I did until that letter showed up in my mailbox this morning.