Page 8 of Fragments of You

“I don’t know.” Felix shakes his head, eyes narrowing in concern. “Are you okay? You’re shaking.” My hands tremble so violently you would think I’m having some kind of epileptic episode.

“Why is he here?” I repeat for no other reason than to say something.

“I really don’t know,” Felix reassures me, pulling me into his chest. “Why don’t you go open that bottle of wine you got for your parents and have a glass. I’m going to go outside and talk to him.”

“Felix.” I say his name like a plea as he releases me.

“It’ll be okay.” He kisses the top of my head. “He’s probably in town for something and is just passing through.”

“Do not let him into this house,” I warn. “I can’t be held accountable for what happens if you do.”

“So violent.” He grins, which does ease my panic slightly. “I like it.”

“Take this as your warning to never hurt me or that violence will be pointed at you.” I manage a smile, though it feels out of place on my face.

“Babe, only an idiot would be stupid enough to hurt you, and I am no idiot.” He turns toward the door. “I love you,” he says seconds before he tugs it open, not giving me a chance to return the sentiment.

I make my way to the kitchen, doing exactly as Felix instructed—opening the bottle of wine on the counter before pouring myself a glass. I’ve just lifted it to my lips and taken a small sip when I hear a commotion coming from outside.

Without giving myself enough time to talk myself out of it, I run for the door and tug it open so fast the momentum damn near takes me back with it.

The scene unfolds in front of me in rapid-fire succession. Felix on the ground, bleeding from his mouth. Nash hovering over him, looking damn near murderous.

“What the hell are you doing?” I don’t even remember touching the steps in my descent to the front yard.

“Babe, don’t.” Felix is on his feet before I reach them, but I bypass him completely, heading straight toward the man who not only ripped my heart out, but who annihilated me in a way I wasn’t sure I’d ever recover from it.

“Babe,” Nash spits the word like venom.

“Leave!” My hands connect with what feels like a concrete wall as I shove Nash with every ounce of strength I have, only managing to move him maybe an inch. “Get the hell out of here, now!” I screech, anger fueling my movements.

“Relax, P.” He chuckles. Like, actually freaking laughs.

“There is no P here anymore. My name is Paisley!” I shove him again. “And I told you to leave.”

I feel Felix’s presence behind me seconds before he tugs me backward, away from Nash.

“This is real fucking rich.” Nash looks between the two of us with a visible sneer. “I asked you to look out for her. I didn’t say you could fuck her!” He lets out another laugh, but there’s not a single ounce of humor to it.

It’s like I’m looking at a stranger.

“Pretty sure you lost the right to decide those things when you left,” Felix fires back, his arm firm across my chest, pinning my back to his front. He seems calm and collected on the outside, but I can feel his heart hammering violently inside of his chest, vibrating against me. “And I’m not just fucking her. I’m going to fucking marry her.” He takes my hand, showing Nash the diamond that sits on my ring finger. “Because, unlike you, I know better than to let someone like Paisley go.”

“Marry...” For the briefest of moments, I can see the chip in Nash’s armor. And if I didn’t know any better, I’d say this news hurts him. This realization only serves to confuse me even more.

Why would someone who left the way he did be hurt by anything I do? Unless... Once the thought takes hold, I can’t shake it, no matter how hard I try. Unless he still cares.

“You can’t actually marry him, P.” He’s looking at me now, piercing me with his gaze. I feel transfixed by it. “You know the kind of man he is.”

“You don’t know him like I do,” I fire back. He may have shown me a glimpse behind his armor, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to see behind mine. “When you left, he was the only thing that kept me together. You don’t know what it was like. You don’t realize the damage you left behind, and not just for me, but for Felix as well. He had just lost his mom, and then his best friend abandoned him.”

“I don’t know him like you do?” This time he really does laugh, the sound malicious and calculated. “Why don’t you ask your sister how well she knows him. That should be interesting.”

Felix goes rigid against me, tightening his grip on me like I’m the only thing keeping him upright.

“What are you talking about?” I feel like someone has just doused me in ice-cold water, numbing my senses.

“Maybe you should ask your fiancé. You know, since you know him so well.”

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