Page 72 of Broken Bonds

The days passed by quickly, each one spent the same—Amber, Ryan, Ace, and I lounging around, watching countless movies, and eating our fair share of popcorn and chocolate. Classes had been postponed for a week and a half, mainly because half the state was still without power, campus being one of those places, but class was set to resume the coming-up Wednesday.

We were fortunate enough to have a fire station right outside our neighborhood, which made it a priority zone. Amber and Ace had been staying overnight at our house, taking full advantage of the hot showers and electricity. Tomorrow would be the first Monday since the storm, and Ryan and Ace were going to help my dad at work, cleaning up the debris and taking down the shutters, getting ready for work the next day.

Essential businesses could open on Tuesday, which meant I would finally be getting an MRI. As Dr. Alex promised, my appointment was the first one in the morning at eight o’clock. I was so nervous, it made me nauseous every time I thought aboutit. Because I had a feeling that the MRI would show I needed surgery again. I wasn’t sure if I could handle it.

Ace brought my attention back to the superhero movie we were watching when his thumb started tracing a circle on my thigh under the thick blanket covering my legs. My skin sparked at his simple touch. Every move he made, every touch he gave me, set my blood on fire. I was soawareof him. I never knew it was possible to be so aware of someone.

I turned my head to look at his face, which was illuminated by the TV in the darkness of the room. His startling, deep blue eyes were staring right back at me, sucking the breath from my lungs.

The past week had been a thrill of stolen kisses and hidden moments because we didn’t want Ryan—and definitely not Amber—to catch us. That girl couldn’t keep her mouth shut about anything, and I didn’t want Ryan and Ace to fight even more than they already had.

I suspected my mother knew something was up from the gleam in her eyes when she saw me and Ace drinking coffee together every morning before Ryan and Amber got out of bed. Mom hadn’t said anything to us—just smiled and offered to make breakfast, which we declined every time. Having her in the kitchen would ruin the little bit of peace we’d found with each other, and the smell of food would have Ryan and Amber waking up and rushing down the stairs.

Even with the thick blanket, a shiver wracked my frame, the four ice packs on my legs freezing me to the bone. Everyone had been on top of following Dr. Alex’s pain-management plan, and to everyone’s dismay, nothing had changed. My legs remained black and blue, the bruises seeming to get bigger each day instead of better.

Between Ryan and Ace, I was carried everywhere, even though I had a pair of crutches lying against the couch, justwaiting to be used. No one wanted me putting even the least bit of strain on my legs if it could be avoided.

Ace’s thumb swiped over my skin again, stealing my attention once more. This time, he didn’t move, his thumb continuously rubbing gentle circles on my thigh, the rest of his fingers splayed out over my skin, a warm contrast to the cold packs. This was right.Hewas right. I wanted there to be more; I wanted anus.But I didn’t want him to lose his friendship with Ryan just so I could have him.

And Ryan was there—standing right in the middle of that intersection, stopping Ace from making a move every time he edged closer.

A loud boom blasted from the TV, making me suck in a sharp breath of surprise. I turned my attention back to the movie, the explosion catching my attention as Amber swore, throwing her arms up into the air. “They could have seen that coming!”

The girl had absolutely no filter, always saying exactly what was on her mind. Her flaming red hair matched her personality perfectly. She kept everyone on their toes—but in a good way. She kept me laughing all day long, and I was thankful for her constant presence. And my brother was infatuated with her, it seemed.

“Then we wouldn’t have had a huge explosion, genius,” Ryan retorted, playfully shoving her. Those two had an interesting relationship forming—always flirting and teasing. But unlike my brother, I wasn’t going to interfere because I wanted him to be happy, even if it meant he found that happiness with my best friend. Why couldn’t he just let me and Ace have what we wanted, too?

“You know there was no logic behind that at all. What freaking superhero misses that key detail? Admit it.” Crossing her arms, Amber glared at my brother.

“Yeah, sure. Whatever you say, spitfire.” Ryan pushed Amber’s head off his shoulder. She whipped around and smacked his arm hard enough for him to grunt and cast her a dirty look.

Ace chuckled, his shoulders moving with the deep sound, his head shaking as he turned to grin at me. If I hadn’t been sitting already, I would have fallen straight on my ass. God, this man was beautiful. He had no right to look as good as he did.

I never wanted him to stop looking at me that way—the way that set my entire body on fire despite the freezing cold ice packs weighing me down. The intensity in his blue eyes pulled me in, and his lips turned up in a grin.

I was a goner.

This man was stealing my heart piece by piece.

On Tuesday morning, our routine changed. Amber stayed the night again, helping me to the shower the next morning like she had for days now. She always waited outside to give me privacy but to also remind me I wasn’t alone. Her kindness for someone she hadn’t really known but a few days astounded me, yet she already had a place in my heart.

Mom was whipping up breakfast when I hobbled into the kitchen with my crutches, Amber’s hand on my back, reminding me again that she was there.

“Good morning, girls!” Mom beamed while dishing up oatmeal and pancakes onto plates for all three of us.

“Good morning,” Amber and I both chirped back, the smell of food wafting into the air and making my stomach rumble.

The three of us were sitting at the table eating when my mother’s voice broke the silence. My mind was far away on acertain asshole, who wasn’t there. God, I wished he was. I didn’t want to face this appointment with him at my side. “Ready for the appointment, Honey?”

Truthfully, no,was what I wanted to say, but I didn’t. “Totally,” I lied. “I want to know what’s going on. The pain management hasn’t helped. If anything, it’s gotten worse.”

“Will you call me when you know what’s going on?” Amber asked, drawing my eyes to her. “Not right away, obviously. Just sometime later?” I had come to realize that Amber rambled when she was nervous, which wasn’t often—only when she was doubting her place. And right now, she was questioning her place as my friend.

“I’ll call you the moment I find out; I promise.” Relief flooded her features, and a small, hopeful smile bloomed on her face.

One thing I loved about Amber was that she was always smiling. Always.

“Thanks, Cece.”

---