Page 67 of Broken Bonds

“I’m glad. My baby is too shy to make friends.” My cheeks colored. “She needs you, hun.” Mom winked at me, and Amber grinned.

“And lucky me—she has a hot brother, too.” Ryan’s cheeks flamed, earning a laugh from everyone in the room. Mom beamed at Amber, clearly liking her and the idea of Ryan together.

“Make yourself at home, love, and let me know if you’re going to stay for dinner. I’ll be ordering pizza later.”

Amber nodded. “Thank you, ma’am.”

Mom left, and Amber took her seat beside me again. “So, torn hamstrings?” she asked quietly, frowning at me in concern.

I shrugged. “It’s not a big deal. I just have to rest for a few days until I can get some tests to determine how severe the tear is.” I didn’t want her fretting. My family and Ace were doing that enough.

“Oh, okay. Well, I’ll keep you company during the day until class starts up again. That way, we can get to know each other.” She smiled softly, placing her hand gently on mine.

I flipped my hand over and curled my fingers around hers, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “I’d really love that.”

“What’s the deal with the grumps?” She pointed to the two men, who were glaring at one another. Both turned their glares to her simultaneously. “Ooh, I’m so scared,” she giggled, rolling her eyes.

I sighed. “It’s a… long story.”

“I’ve got time!”

Ace and Ryan got up in unison, both wordlessly heading to the game room. I wondered what they were going to play, but I figured they didn’t need any more advice for now. Maybe with a bit of guy time, they could sort out their problems.

Mom brought Amber and me coffee and cookies. The two of us giggled like schoolgirls, talking about the two men downstairs, amongst other things. She stayed for dinner, and we sat at the table with my parents, sharing a few pizzas, talking about life and mostly our hurricane survival. It was late when Amber told us she was going to head home, earning a worried glance from my mom. “Why don’t you stay the night? It isn’t safe on those roads, honey. It’s dark, and most of the traffic lights still aren’t working.”

“Oh, no, it’s okay—really. I’ve driven through worse. Have you ever been in a snowstorm? Trust me, it’s way worse!” She laughed, grabbing her bag and walking toward the door.

“Ryan, why don’t you drive her home?” Mom tried again, clearly worried about my new best friend.

“Oh, but then my car would be here,” Amber told her with a kind smile. “Really, don’t worry.”

Mom sighed, concern washing over her features. “I’m a mother, dear; I’ll always worry.”

Amber smiled gratefully at my mom. “Thank you, ma’am.”

“Just stay the night, Amber,” I urged, not really wanting her on the roads either. “It can be our first sleepover.”

Amber glowed at my words, a permanent smile on her lips. “Are you sure? I don’t want to overstep.”

“Stay, girl!” She laughed, nodding and falling back onto the couch beside me.

“We’re going to bed, so don’t be too loud, guys.” Mom kissed my head before following Dad up the stairs, leaving us to talk.

“I’m gonna grab a beer. Anyone want one?” Amber asked, standing up and looking from me to the men.

“I’ll help you,” Ryan offered, standing and showing Amber down the hall to the built-in bar.

“I should go home,” Ace murmured as he looked down the hall before coming to sit beside me, his hand reaching for mine on the couch.

“Please don’t.” I wrapped my fingers around his, clinging to him. This was the first moment we’d gotten alone, and I was desperate for so much more. Why did Ryan have to be such an asshole?

“Your brother isn’t happy about this. We shouldn’t—” Silencing him, I crashed my lips to his, feeling his body relax against mine. He groaned and kissed me deeper, his tongue tangling with mine for a beat before he pulled back, his lips brushing mine ever so gently. “Celine,” he rasped.

“Kiss me. Just kiss me,” I pleaded.

He attacked my lips like a starved man, his tongue swiping across my bottom lip, bringing forth a moan from my parted lips. He was nibbling on my bottom lip when I heard Amber’s loud laughter coming closer—a clear warning for me and Ace.

Pulling back, I stared at his swollen mouth, wanting more. Wishing I could have more. He pushed himself away from me, creating some space and dropping my hand, leaving me feeling empty as soon as he did. When I spotted Amber, she was already eyeing me and Ace with interest.

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