Page 60 of All My Broken Pieces

I blink at her, stumbling back half a step. “For me?” I echo.

She pushes to her feet, her eyes traveling over all the women in the room before landing on me. “Oh yes, Fallon. To save you.”

My lungs seize as her words bring back years of painful memories. Of pastors and elders, of my parents and their friends, of god-fearing, hate-filled people telling me throughout my life what I want and who I am iswrong. That I need saving.

Scarlett smirks at me, noticing the effect her words have. “Poor thing, so confused.” She croons, reaching a hand out and running it down my hair.

I flinch at her touch, desperately needing to get away from her and her venomous words. I just got my head on straight when it comes to Arriana and me, I can’t have her words poisoning my mind. Not again.

Shaking my head, I back away slowly, carefully avoiding the judgemental gazes of the other women in the room. “You’re-you’re wrong.” I stammer, my voice shaking. “I don’t need saving. I’m-” I take a deep breath and try to make my voice more steady. “I’m just fine the way I am.”

Scarlett’s expression saddens in fake concern. “No, Fallon, you’re not.” I catch the twinkle of hate in her eyes as she proceeds to fuck me up all over again. “That’s the devil talking, sis. Don’t you know homosexuality is a sin?”

I blink away the memory as my ride pulls up to the curb. It’s gotten harder to hold onto my certainty that I made the right choice with Arriana being gone.

“It’s just a phase.”

The familiar words play through my mind, the same ones I’ve heard my whole life.

No. No, that's hate talking.

Climbing into the back seat, I rub my hands up and down my arms, trying to warm myself up. But no matter how much the heater in the car warms my body, it does nothing to fight against the chill in my soul.

The doors slide open and I force a smile on my face as I’m greeted by Ava. “Hey, babe.” She beams, gesturing for me to come in. “You hungry?”

Following behind her to the kitchen, I go to say no but the smell of Chinese food in the air makes my stomach growl.

Chuckling, Ava pulls down another plate, shoving it into my hands. “I’ll take that as a yes. Eat up.” She moves to the opposite side of the island, taking a seat beside Killian. He grumbles something under his breath, earning a swift kick from his wife, if the strained smile on her face and furious look on his are any indicator.

I slowly set the plate down, looking between the two. “No, I’m fine, thank you.” I mumble.

I’m not going to come between them. Not anymore than I already have.

Since Arriana was taken, I’ve spent way too much time here than is fair. When I wasn’t helping Hudson in his recovery or at class, I’ve been here.

“You know what, I forgot I have an early class. I should just…” I turn on my heel and walk toward the elevator, my heart thundering in my chest.

“Wait! Fallon!” Ava calls behind me.

I press the call button for the elevator and smile over my shoulder. “Sorry to bother you both.” The doors slide open as Ava reaches my side.

Before I can step inside, she grips my arm. “Fallon.” She presses, ducking her head to catch my gaze. “You are not a bother. Ever.”

“Sometimes.” Killian grumbles from across the condo, his deep voice carrying across the space.

Ava snaps her head in his direction, her expression furious. Closing her eyes, she breathes heavily through her nose, blowing the air out slowly. “Ignore him.” She sighs, blinking open her eyes. “Please, stay.” Her pleading tone is almost enough to make me listen, but the quiet scoff that sounds from across the room at her insistence makes up my mind.

Shaking my head, I lift up the corner of my lips. “I’ve gotta go.” I pry her hand off my arm and slide into the elevator. My eyes meet hers as I push the button for the lobby. I quickly avert my gaze at the worry I find reflecting back at me.

The doors close and I release a heavy breath. The weight on my chest growing heavier with each floor I put between us.

There’s a reason I haven’t let myself be alone for too long since Arriana was ripped away. A reason I’m trying to ignore.

“You blew off Olivia’s son forher?” My mom shrieks in my ear.

My heart thunders as I clutch the cell phone tighter, seriously regretting answering her call. I’m not sure what I expected, I should have known better. Especially after what happened at her bible study.

“You don’t understand.” I murmur.

---