Page 4 of Pretty Broken Promises

Her hand slips over mine, and for a moment she rests her face against my hand, soaking up this small gesture of affection. A tendril of her hair slips down like it always does. The dim light makes it look more black, but I know in the light there are shades of caramel and auburn.

I narrow my eyes. There are details about her I wouldn’t have thought to imagine. For example, her face is free of makeup, and her hair is pulled back in a simple ponytail.

If this is really a dream I’d have pictured her with her hair and makeup perfectly done. She uses her makeup and clothes as armor between her and the world. Thanks to her dad she’s always trying to present a perfect façade to everyone so they don’t look beneath the surface.

There are dark shadows under her eyes, and I can see that she’s haunted more now than she ever was before. I’m not ready to accept that she’s really here in front of me. She feels real, but my brain is swelling so maybe it’s making me see what I want the most.

“I wish you were really here,” I mumble.

“Ford, you’re freaking me out.” She grabs the weird wand thing attached to my bed that seems to do everything from moving my bed, controlling the TV, and calling for the nurse.

The same nurse comes in with her whiteboard. She speaks to Tessa, and it confuses me. I wouldn’t dream about a matronly woman in her fifties who I’ve only seen in plain blue scrubs and orthopedic tennis shoes.

I point at Tessa, and ask the nurse, “Do you see her?”

She nods her head. My question makes her run through another check of my vitals, and I’m really confused now. This dream is fucking weird. I mean, I could see fantasizing about playing doctor with Tessa, but it wouldn’t involve an actual exam performed by the least sexy nurse I’ve ever seen.

“You’re actually here?” I ask Tessa.

She rolls her eyes. “I can go if you don’t want me here.”

I try to sit up, but she puts her hand on my chest and stops me. “Just stay down. You look like you were just blown to hell.”

“I was,” I reply. “What are you doing back? I thought you were supposed to be in hiding, playing dead or whatever.”

If every cell in my body didn’t already hurt, I’d punch myself in the face. Why couldn’t I just admit to her that I missed her and I’m glad she’s back?

Her shoulders slump. Once again I’ve managed to hurt her. I told myself if I ever got a second chance I’d make every shitty thing I’ve said to her in the last two years up, but I can’t seem to stop myself from hurting her.

“Marks called me. He thinks Damien probably knows they faked our deaths, and he’s already brought Raven and Lucien’s mom back here too. They’ve even signed me up for classes, so it sounds like I’m here for a while. I hope you’re okay with that. I can make myself as scarce as possible if that’s what you want.”

“You don’t need to go that far. I’m sure we can manage to coexist without killing each other.” Yeah, I really want to punch myself in the face. Everything coming out of my mouth is the opposite of what I want to tell her. I just can’t seem to let go of all the bitterness I’ve nurtured for years now.

Tessa looks down at her lap, and fiddles with something on her hand. “As encouraging as that sounds, I think I’ll go ahead and keep my distance. It’s better for everyone.”

She gets up and starts to walk past me, but before she makes it too far I reach out and grab her hand. “What is this?” I ask, and twist the ring she’s trying to conceal.

She pulls her hand back. “It’s not what you think.”

“I think that’s an engagement ring.”

Tessa bites her lip. “I’m not engaged—exactly.”

“Then why are you wearing a giant diamond?” I ask her skeptically.

“Because Benji asked me to consider it,” she answers.

“And? Have you made up your mind yet?” I press her.

She shakes her head. “Not yet.”

I’ve lost Tessa so many times already, but this is the first time I fear it could be permanent. It’s time for me to figure out if I’m ready to fight for her or let her go.

ChapterThree

TESSA

Standingin front of the bay window in Raven’s library of her new house, I reflect over the last several weeks. So much shit has gone down, it makes my head spin. The fact that I’m standing here, hanging out with Raven is testament to how much things have changed since I’ve been back. I never thought I’d be friends with her, and here I am staying in their guest room.

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