Page 35 of Broken Love

“I’ll pretend I’m not hearing this.” Beau chugs down the last of his beer before getting to his feet. “You need a ride home, Lux?” She startles at his question.

She glares at the detective, and it’s then I notice the glossiness of her eyes and the way she slightly sways. “No.”

“You can’t drive like this,” he argues.

“I didn’t plan to. Besides, you drank. Why are you driving?” Her counterargument is amusing.

“I drank one beer over several hours and ate. You two have devoured a bottle of wine, and I doubt ate much.” The girls share a look and shrug. “You aren’t safe getting home alone.”

“Well, duh. That’s why she’s staying here,” Windsor states but poses it as a question and looks to me and Tuck for confirmation. We both give her a nod, and she smiles triumphantly.

“Whatever.” Beau says his goodbyes with a final look at Lux before leaving.

The girls retreat back to their room as Gabe shakes his head and says goodnight as well. “I think we lost sharing our bed,” I mutter as we hear them talking quietly with the door still open.

CHAPTER 15

Windsor

Lux is gone by the time I wake up, leaving a note that she’ll call me after her shift. Thankfully, Tanner and Tucker gave us everything we’d need to prevent a hangover, or I’d be hiding from the sunlight blinding me from the open curtains.

Since leaving the hospital, my days have sort of blended together. I never kept track of what day it was, so when I glance at the clock on the nightstand and see that it’s Sunday, I groan in dismay. I feel like I lost an entire week due to my grief—which still flutters in my chest but is less pronounced. Tanner and Tucker put their life on hold for me, and I couldn’t be more grateful for them.

From the minute I met the twins, they’ve always put me first, showed me the kind of affection I’d been missing my entire life. I know my mom loved me, but it wasn’t the desperate, obsessive, I-need-you-now-or-I-can’t-breathe kind of love I feel from my men.

We haven’t talked much about the future beyond wanting more time together, but if I’m being honest with myself, I love them. This week has only proven their devotion to me, and I know without a doubt I could spend the rest of my life with them if they want it, too.

Gradually extricating myself from the comfiest bed I’ve ever been in, I grab a quick shower before getting dressed. Entering the closet, I realize more of my clothes have been brought over than I thought. Half my wardrobe is here, plus some new things hanging up with the tags still on.

Grabbing a long shirt I wear around the house when I’m feeling lazy, I pair it with black leggings and slip on a pair of flats as I tie my hair up in a mess of damp curls I don’t feel like styling right now. I’m not a fan of makeup if I don’t have to wear it, so I head out with nothing more than moisturizer on my face, hoping they can still stand the natural me when I choose to be more relaxed and not because I’m drowning in grief.

Walking down the hallway, I’m disappointed to find neither of them around. The coffee maker is on, and when I approach, there’s a cup waiting for me and, under it, a note.

Winds,

Down in the gym working out.

Key card to enter the 3rd floor is on the table by the door.

Come find us ??

T&T

Tucker’s manly cursive scrawl makes me smile. I’ve noticed he likes looping the W and S in my name so the letters touch, and I find it oddly sweet.

My grumbling stomach decides that I should grab a quick bite to eat with my coffee before going to find them. Getting the loaf of bread from the bread box, I pop a slice into the toaster and hunt down some chunky peanut butter, hoping they have it.

After pouring my coffee and taking a slow sip, I retrieve my phone from the counter and see a message from Lux.

Lux: Had fun last night. Dinner next week, talk about approaching C? Luv u!

In one way, it’s weird to have someone say I love you again; in another, it makes my heart soar. I hadn’t realized just how much I missed growing up until the loneliness after losing Mom.

Me: Sounds like a plan! Luv u back.

I jump when the toaster pops and laugh at myself. After buttering the bread, my hunt for chunky peanut butter a success, I eat and finish my coffee quickly before turning the machine off and grabbing my phone and the key to get into the gym.

As soon as the door clicks shut, the elevator seems to stop and open on cue for me. Swiping the card, I hit the floor number, and it zips right down.

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