Page 64 of Fractured Fear

Herwhat?

CHAPTER 24

SPENCER

“You’re engaged?” Asher asks in indignation.

Asher is just trying to protect his friends, but his tone still stings. It reminds me I can’t let the guys get too close. They’re already breaking down my walls without even trying. And now there’s Asher. It’s too much.

In shame, I pull my hands away from Zane’s comforting touch, but he won’t let go.

“Technically, no, but it’s likely that Anthony didn’t take our break up well.”

“You need to fill us in, Mama. You’re not making any sense.” Rio takes a seat next to me. Right next to me. There’s zero space between his hip and mine.

“Please don’t make me talk about it. I can’t.”

“It’s time for that interview, Angel.”

My heart leaps. “Please, Zane. Please don’t make me.”

“We should wait until the FBI gets here,” Asher interjects.

“You called them?” Zane bites at him.

“I told you I thought it was the same guy,” Asher says without remorse as if inviting more people into my safe space was okay.

Itwasyour safe space. Was.

For once I agree with my inner annoying self. I need to go. As much as it’ll kill me, I have to go.

I have letters already written for Hayes, Iris, Alma, and Paul. I can leave them on the Abstract Creations front desk for Iris to find. It’s best if it’s her. She’ll be able to break the news to everyone for me.

This dose of guilt is nothing to the mass amount that would suffocate me if anything were to happen to them because of me.

“She’s not going to be interviewed by a ton of strangers. Not happening. We’ll do this now,” Zane argues.

“We need—” Asher begins to protest.

“Get her some water, asshole.” Zane demands Asher.

When Asher returns with a glass of water, I take a generous sip and set it on my coffee table. I didn’t realize how parched I was until now.

“You can do this another time, Spencer. No need to push yourself,” Rio whispers in my ear.

“This is going to be difficult, but I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t necessary,” Asher interjects.

“I know. I can do it,” I insist.

“Tell us what happened.”

I take a deep breath and prepare to disconnect. Rio senses my mood shift because he wraps an arm around me and gives me a light squeeze.

“Let’s try this,” Asher says. “Close your eyes and walk us through it. Imagine yourself back there.”

“I guess I can do that,” I agree shakily.

My eyes close and my head leans against Rio’s shoulder.

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