Page 24 of Unbroken

TWELVE

Blakely

Sittingwith my hands folded in my lap, I tried not to fidget as we waited for Luke and Hazel.

They were in the kitchen, talking in low voices that were impossible to hear.

Near the staircase, Devon surveyed the living room, considering the available spots to sit, but instead, he folded his arms and leaned against the wall. I didn’t have time to react to his decision or consider how much it affected me that he would rather stand back away from the group because Luke appeared from the kitchen.

Hazel walked in behind him, holding his hand while the other rested on her…

Holy shit.

They took a seat to my right on the empty loveseat, and I tried not to let the shock show on my face. But I couldn’t look away.

I knew so much would have changed over the past two years, but I wasn’t expectingthat.I wasn’t expecting her to be pregnant. I glanced between the couple and looked down attheir hands. On each of their left ring fingers were matching silver bands.

Luke sat forward but wrapped one hand around Hazel’s thigh. She placed her hand on top of his, and I could feel emotion welling up in my throat.

They were so sweet, so perfect, and all of that almost didn’t happen. Because of me.

I couldn’t continue to look at them and maintain any semblance of composure.

On the couch directly across from me, James sat with the redhead next to him. I wish I knew her name, but I didn’t think that was the time to ask.

He held her hand in both of his as he stared down at his feet.

Amanda was seated next to the redhead, and on her other side, Josh had his hand on her thigh. Again, I tried not to let my surprise play out over my face. I knew there was something there before, but I never imagined they would act on it. Again.

Then I noticed that Josh’s other hand was enveloped in one of Reed’s, who was propped on the arm of the couch.

Reed’s thumb rubbed back and forth over Josh’s hand, and my eyes widened before I could control it.

Quickly, I looked away, but not before Amanda followed my eyes and saw the display of affection I’d noticed. Her lips tilted upward ever so slightly, and her expression softened.

“I don’t know if any of us know how to start this,” Amanda said. “But I think it makes sense for you to explain where you’ve been for the past two years. And what you’re doing here now.”

Several sets of expectant eyes stared back at me. I took a deep, centering breath and said, “That’s why I’m here. I want to tell you the whole story. I want to try to…explain.”

“We’ve all been dying to know for two years. We’re willing to hear you out,” she said.

I glanced around at the group, and although many of them seemed cautious, none of them refuted her claim. “Okay, it’s a, um…long story.”

“It’s been two years. I’m sure it is a long story,” James quipped.

Hazel threw a look at him and shook her head. Luke tightened his hold on her as she turned back to look at me. Hazel always had the kindest eyes and now wasn’t any different.

“Go ahead,” she said. “Start from the beginning. And…don’t leave anything out.”

“First, I wanted to say that I’m sorry,” I rushed out on a long breath. “To all of you, but specifically to you, Luke and Hazel. I cannot express how sorry I am. I never got a chance to tell you that.” The words flew from my mouth before I could stop them. They’d been sitting heavy on my mind for years, I needed to get them out.

Hazel’s smile was soft, but her eyes were glossy as she scooted closer to Luke.

“Thank you,” she said in a shaky voice.

Luke didn’t say anything. He leveled me with a harsh, unrelenting glare that made me wonder if anything would change even when they knew the truth.

Apparently, I’d been silent for too long because Amanda spoke up again.

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