Page 57 of Before We Break Again
As we approach the house, the fresh scent of pine and earth surrounds us, and something like hope begins to settle in.The ranch, the pony, the easy banter—it all feels like the beginning of something new.A second chance to build a life we can share.Something we’ve all been waiting for, even if we didn’t know it at the time.
As we reach the front door, Dustin steps ahead, pulling it open and motioning for us to go inside.The wooden frame creaks softly, revealing a house that immediately feels both familiar and entirely unexpected.It’s modern, but with the kind of warmth you’d find in a cabin tucked away in the woods—a perfect blend of sleek lines and rustic charm.
We step into a wide foyer with vaulted ceilings, the wooden beams above us stained a rich, earthy brown.Large windows stretch across the front of the house, flooding the space with natural light, casting warm shadows on the hardwood floors.The view from here is breathtaking—Mt.Hood in the distance, with the endless green of the forest pressing up against the glass, as if the wilderness itself is part of the house.
Santos takes his time, carefully maneuvering with his crutches as we guide him into the open living area.There’s a massive stone fireplace in the center of the room, its hearth already stacked with wood.The stone climbs all the way to the ceiling, filling the space with a rugged feel, while plush, oversized sofas are arranged in front of it, inviting and comfortable.Above the fireplace hangs a large landscape painting—rolling hills and mountains, echoing the world just beyond the windows.
“This place is ...wow,” I breathe, taking it all in.
The design feels effortless—like every piece of furniture, every detail, was chosen to balance the wild beauty outside with the comfort inside.It’s the kind of space that makes you want to curl up with a blanket and stay for hours, listening to the crackle of the fire as the world slows down.
Dustin flashes me a grin as he helps Santos settle into one of the armchairs.“Not bad, right?Wait till you see the rest.”
Santos settles onto the white couch, his crutches leaning against the armrest, while I take in the space around us.His posture is relaxed, almost like he’s been here before—because he has.He’s already had time to let this place start working on him.But me?I’m still trying to catch my breath, still trying to take it all in.
The kitchen, visible just beyond the living room, is a perfect blend of warmth and elegance.Chestnut cabinets line the walls, the wood rich and earthy against the sleek black marble countertops that gleam under soft, recessed lighting.A large island anchors the space, surrounded by high stools that seem made for casual dinners and long, late-night conversations over coffee.It’s easy to imagine all the moments that could happen here—nights spent laughing, arguing, planning, just being together.
I stand there, letting the details sink in.It’s more than I expected, more than I ever thought it could be.“You weren’t kidding, Dust,” I say, my voice quieter than I intended.“This place ...it’s perfect.”
There’s something in the air here—something calming, like the ranch itself is whispering to me, inviting me to exhale, to let go of the tension I didn’t even realize I was holding.The room feels alive, not just with its design or the light filtering in through the massive windows, but with possibility.Like it’s waiting for us to fill it with our lives, our memories, our future.
Dustin grins, leaning casually against the kitchen island, his arms crossed.“I told you,” he says, that easy smile spreading across his face.
I walk over to one of the large windows, drawn to the view outside.Beyond the glass, the forest stretches endlessly, the towering evergreens swaying gently in the breeze.I can see the creek in the distance, winding its way through the property, and just beyond that, the barn—a sturdy, red structure that feels timeless.
“You really did all this, didn’t you?”I ask, turning back to Dustin, then looking at Santos.
Santos glances at Dustin.“It was his idea to have something that reminded us of home but without the painful memories.Somewhere you would go and love, maybe make you fall in love with us.”
Dustin nods, his expression softening.“We wanted something for us.Something that’s ours.I mean, the past ...we can’t change that.But here?This is a fresh start.”
I nod, unable to disagree.There’s something about this house—this place—that feels like it could be exactly that.A place where we can build something new, something free of the shadows that have followed us for so long.
“This is perfect for us.I like it.”
I can’t help but chuckle, feeling the tension that had followed us from Portland slowly unraveling bit by bit.It’s like the uncertainty, the fear, the exhaustion—all of it—is finally starting to ease.
“How could I forget?”I ask as I move to sit next to him on the couch, careful of his leg.
He shifts slightly, making room for me, and then wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into him with a gentle squeeze.The warmth of his embrace is comforting, familiar, soothing in a way that reminds me of all the years we’ve spent together—through the highs, the lows, the in-betweens.
It’s like coming home to something I didn’t know I was missing.I lean into him, resting my head against his chest, and for a moment, the world outside disappears.It’s just us.
Dustin crosses the room and sits in the armchair across from us, stretching out with an easy, relaxed posture that mirrors how I’m starting to feel inside.The three of us sit there, letting the stillness of the house settle around us.It’s quiet, but not the kind of quiet that feels lonely or empty.It’s the kind of quiet that feels full—full of potential, of new beginnings.
I glance around, taking in the soft glow of the sunlight spilling through the large windows, the way it makes everything feel warm, alive.This house, this ranch—it’s more than just a place.It’s the beginning of something we’re not even sure of yet, something we haven’t fully defined.But for the first time in a long time, I’m not scared of that uncertainty.I’m not holding my breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
For the first time, it feels like we’re ready to find out what comes next.Together.
ChapterThirty
Santos
“Don’t let D ruin it,”I whisper softly into Halsey’s ear, the words barely audible but charged with meaning.I can already see it—the way Dustin’s eyes darken, a flicker of lust igniting like a flame behind them.He tries to hide it, but he’s never been able to.Not when it comes to this.It’s his weakness, his anchor, the one thing that keeps him tethered when everything else slips away.
I feel Halsey shift slightly in my arms, her breath catching, but she doesn’t pull away.I press a kiss to the top of her head, letting my lips linger against her hair, as if I can somehow protect us from what’s coming next.But I know better.We’ve danced this dance before.
“Don’t let him play with us,” I murmur because she’s not ready for this—us.
