Page 88 of Broken Bonds

Leaning forward, my chest brushed his. I let out a shuddering breath, and his eyes snapped quickly to mine just as I pressed my lips to his before I could chicken out.

And I kissed Ryan Wilson.

chapter thirty-one

CELINE

Time passed by slowly, every day longer than the last with the subtle reminder that Ace had left at the forefront of my mind. And now, the cherry on the sundae, I had to watch my new best friend and brother fall in love.

Valentine’s Day, as I had expected, came and went with a slow ache that consumed my heart. I helped Amber get ready for her first date with my brother that night. And despite the hurt that laced my heart, I was happy for my friend.

Mom and Dad decided it was best if I took the spring semester off and stay home until I was healed. Then, I could start working half days until I could cope with a full day. Unfortunately, that time had not come yet. I spent most of my time watching TV and reading.

I still couldn’t drive, which meant I was confined to the house unless Amber took me out, but it wasn’t like I could walk around the mall like normal girls. Though, we did get our nails done every two weeks, which was heaven-sent.

As time passed, I grew more and more detached from everyone around me. I stopped sitting downstairs in the main seating area with my mom during the day, and I didn’t speak atdinner. I had nothing interesting to share, unlike my father and brother, who had so many stories I lost count.

Amber spent most of her time with Ryan now since they started openly dating on Valentine’s Day, which meant I spent most of my time alone except for our Saturday nail dates. She spoke mostly of the dates she went on with Ryan, and I smiled and acted amused, but on the inside, I was falling apart, piece by piece.

I often wondered if she noticed or if her mind was only on my brother.

Nobody really listened to me anymore, their minds on their busy lives and no longer on the broken girl that haunted the halls of this house. I expected more from my brother, especially my parents, but hearing Amber only talk about her new love life made me feel so lonely that it consumed me.

I thought about Ace a lot. He seldom left my mind, his laugh replaying in my head at times, and I always saw his eyes when I closed mine. I had texted him and called but was met with silence, which left me wondering what I had done wrong, or if I was the problem. I couldn’t have been because he said he cared about me.

Maybe he’d been lying the whole time.

I would always be the girl who everyone felt sympathy for—the girl who barely survived a motorcycle accident that killed her boyfriend, the girl who lost all of her friends and didn’t finish high school in person. And now, I was the girl confined to her house because of another near-death situation.

Tossing my phone aside, my iMessages chat with Ace open, I stared up at the dark ceiling. I heard Amber’s laughter come from downstairs, along with Ryan’s. Closing my eyes, I willed sleep to take me away.

I’m sick of being so lonely. Please, someone, help me.

Sitting at the dinner table a few nights later, everyone was silently eating the meal Mom had prepared. Amber’s seat was empty tonight, which was unusual, but nobody questioned it. Ryan was nervously fidgeting the whole time, his leg bouncing beside mine. When I looked at him, his eyes were wide and frantic, and he shook his head at my questioning look, stopping me from voicing my concern.

Abruptly, he put his fork down with a clatter, dragging Mom and Dad’s attention to him. Ryan scratched the back of his head and then ran both hands down his face. “There’s something I have to tell you guys.” His face paled, and I tried to think of the worst so I would be prepared.

“What’s wrong, son?” Dad sat up in his seat, putting his knife and fork down to give Ryan his undivided attention.

“Since this is my last semester, and I graduate in December, I’ve been thinking about what I want to do after graduation.” A breath of relief slipped past my lips. So it wasn’t something terrible. But if that was it, why did he seem so panicked?

“I thought the plan was to come work full time at the business?” Mom spoke up, her eyebrows furrowed in concern.

“I do want to work with Dad, but I want to try something else first.” His leg was bouncing again. My brows furrowed.

Just spit it out, Ryan. It can’t be that bad.

“I want to serve my country.” Mom gasped loudly. Dad gripped the table, his knuckles going white, and I just sat there with my jaw hanging open.

Well, I wasn’t expecting that.

“Ryan, do you know what you are saying, my child?” Mom was shaking now, her hands gripping my dad’s arm.

“Yes, Mom. I’ve been thinking about this for a few months now. This is something I have to do. Iwantto do this. I want to fight. I want to defend. It’s only for two years, and then, I’ll come work at the business full time.”

Where was this coming from?

“Are you sure you understand the risk, boy?” Dad’s voice was stern—emotionless. Ryan winced. When Dad started talking like this… it was bad.

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