Page 112 of All My Broken Pieces

“Let’s go.” She whispers, indicating the exit with her head.

My earlier annoyance already gone, a smile spreads across my face as I shuffle out of the way, half bowing and extending my arm. “After you.”

She giggles, slipping past me. I watch after her for a moment, enjoying the view of her luscious ass as it sways with each step.

My desire for her has only grown over the years, the need to have her in every way increasing with each moment I’m blessed with her presence.

As I gather our carry ons, all I can think of is how I got so goddamn lucky to have captured a goddess.

Fallon

I feel disgusting. Exhausted, stuffy from the poor air circulation, and just all around miserable.

Sneaking a peek over at Arriana, I can’t help but shake my head.

How does she still look so gorgeous?

It’s both not fair and exciting beyond words how beautiful she is. On one hand, I don’t want to be alone in the frumpy appearance when we meet our friends. On the other hand, that’smygirl I get to show off how stunning she looks, even after a day of hellish travel.

“What has you smiling like that, baby?” Arriana chuckles, resting her hand on the small of my back.

I melt into her touch, leaning my head on her shoulder. “You.” I admit, my lips turning up into a sly grin. The thought of us sneaking off to one of the airport bathrooms plays in my mind and has me biting my lip.

She chuckles quietly, pressing her lips to my head. “Whatever you’re imagining right now, the answer is yes.”

My face flames and I quickly duck my head, letting my hair hide both my embarrassment and excitement. It doesn’t matter that I can read and write the filthiest books, filling the pages with creative and steamy sex. I still find the old shame tries to creep up at my desires.

I hope one day to be able to exist without the need to hide away, but it’s a journey and every step on it has brought me closer to full freedom to be and express who I am.

Before I can get too lost in my head, the terminal opens to a revolving door exit. My body tenses as we grow closer, the familiar anxiety crawling up my throat and a heaviness settling on my chest.

“Hey, it’s okay, baby.” Arriana reassures me, shifting her arm to wrap around my waist and pull my body close to hers. I jerk my head in agreement, even though my instincts are screaming at me to run.

Each step closer to the exit has my anxiety growing until I can’t think past the fear. Planting my feet, I glance around and mumble, “May-maybe we should have just flown everyone to us instead.” The worry bleeds into my tone as I fist the fabric of my hoodie in a tight grip.

Arriana chuckles again, brushing back my hair to lean and whisper into my ear. “You know why we couldn’t do that,mi vida.” She releases her hold on me to walk through the slowly spinning doorway.

I watch after her for a moment, swallowing down the fear.

She’s right. We’ll be fine. And there’s no way I was going to miss this.

Taking a deep breath, I slowly push it out of my lungs, repeating the process a few times until I can breathe a little easier. I hold onto the certainty that Arriana wouldn’t let anything happen, that she would move heaven and earth to make sure we make it home safely after this.

With one last mental pep talk, I walk through the spinning exit and step through the other side. My heartbeat races as I don’t find Arriana waiting for me. An impending sense of doom settling inside at her absence.

“Fallon!” My head jerks to the side, the panic easing when I find the small group of people waiting for me. I spot Arriana in a hushed conversation with Andrew as he stands beside a girl with gorgeous long black hair and the body of a dancer.

My focus is pulled away as I catch movement out of the corner of my eye. I brace myself moments before a small body slams against mine, tiny arms wrapping around my legs. “Auntie Fae!” The little voice makes the tears slip over, sliding down my cheeks as I bend to scoop the little boy into my arms.

“Hey, buddy.” He wiggles in my hold, trying to get back on his feet. “Okay, okay.” I chuckle, releasing him and quickly wiping my cheeks.

“Look! Look what I has.” He bounces on his feet, shoving a small action figure into my hands. “His name is Buzz.” I look down at the toy, the recognizable space cadet with white, green, and purple markings bringing back memories from my own childhood. “I has a secret.”

I glance up, leaning close to whisper, “What is it?”

He beams at me, his jerky movements growing more erratic as his excitement grows. “He comes to life, just like the movies!” Glancing over his shoulder, he lowers his voice as he whispers, “But don’t tell Daddy.”

Following his gaze, I smirk, holding out my pinky finger. “Promise.” His face lights up as he wraps his tiny finger around my own.

---