Page 42 of Fractured Fear

If I were to have a boyfriend, it’d be you or Rio…or both.

Lost in that thought, I’m reminded of what they said last night about not making me choose. They couldn’t have meant that…right?

“Rio and I would have no problem being your boyfriends.” Zane doesn’t realize that when he says stuff like that, it’s like dropping a bomb in my lap. What the hell am I supposed to do with it? I’m not a bomb tech.

Wait.

Oh my God, I said that out loud, didn’t I?

How hard did I hit my head?

“Pretty hard. You have some scrapes and bruises, and you have a pretty big lump on your temple,” as I reach up to assess and feel the damage, Zane chimes, “You don’t want to do that.”

I stop mid reach and retort, “I need to know how bad it is.”

Zane’s light touch traces over the side of my face as if willing my injuries to heal. “It’s nothing that won’t heal.”

The pace of my heart monitor shoots off like a bullet.

With a groan, I cover my face. “Please just leave and let me die of embarrassment in peace.”

“Never. You’re not allowed to die on me, Angel.”

His words pull at my heart strings, and his face radiates sincerity. If I died, would he feel like I abandoned him? Not that I blame him. When Abuela died, I felt truly alone for the first time in my life.

Abuela couldn’t magic the cancer away, but I know if she could, she would have in a heartbeat. She left me. She passed on and went wherever we go when we die. Whether it be Heaven, Hell, or just an abyss of nothing, she left.

I should be nothing to Zane. My existence shouldn’t matter. I should be able to be plucked out of his life, and there should be no trace of a Spencer-shaped hole. He and Rio should go on as normal. He and Rioshouldgo on as normal.

“Whatever you’re thinking right now, Spencer. Stop it.”

“How do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Know exactly what I’m thinking or feeling in the moment.”

“It’s easy. Your eyes say it all.”

Zane kisses the top of my head, and I feel it radiate throughout my body. I didn’t know a simple kiss could be so sweet, and my heart fills at the action.

A familiar buzz calls my attention to the flood of texts from everyone asking what happened. Alma sounds like she’s cooking for an army with all the meals she’s promising to drop off, Iris is ready to hunt down my attacker, and Hayes is losing his mind.

Before I can ask, Zane answers my question with a sympathetic grin. “I called Hayes.”

“What? Why?” My heart rate starts up again.

“I didn’t know how long you’d be in the hospital. I figured you would want him to know so he didn’t freak out when you were a no show at work on Monday.”

My head leans back against the pillows and my shoulders droop ever so slightly. Dealing with everyone is going to be such a bitch.

Zane’s demeanor shifts from calm to serious. “Spencer, I need to ask you some questions.”

My head nod is all he needs to continue.

“Do you remember what happened?”

“Yes.” My answer is barely audible.

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