Page 69 of All My Broken Pieces

Hudson quirks an eyebrow at the beer bottles. “No? You haveno idea?”

I glare at him, twisting the cap off and taking another swig of alcohol, chasing the numbing effect I know will come.

At my silence, he sighs and pushes upright. Grabbing the remote, he pauses the show and turns his body toward me. “Look, Fallon. I love you so I’m just going to say it.” Hudson’s intense gaze has me gulping in response. I avert my eyes, unable to accept the worry I see in his. “You need help. What you’re doing…it’s not healthy.”

I open my mouth to argue again, but he cuts me off.

“No, don’t deny it. I know, Fal. Iknowhow it feels.” His voice breaks and the sound pulls at something deep inside of me. “Please, let me help you. I can’t…” He trails off, his tone laced with agony. “I can’t watch you go through this, Cher. I can’t lose you.”

Tears prick at my eyes and I shake my head. Meeting his gaze, I slowly lift the bottle and gulp down another drink of the cool liquid.

I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I can feel my soul dying inside as I refuse to accept his help. But there’s just no helping me.

“If you want us to continue paying for your schooling, youwillcome with us.” My mom snaps.

I look to my dad, pleading with him wordlessly. He averts his gaze, deferring to my mom, like always. “I can’t.” I whisper, my heart breaking.

I knew this was coming, but it still hurts worse than I could have imagined.

“Your grades are slipping and you're drowning yourself in this new habit of yours.” My mom explains, as if her solution will help.

She can’t accept the fact that her “solution” is exactly what is doing this to me. I can’t separate the words from my own thoughts anymore. The weekly sermons reminding me just how screwed up I am. And after what happened…

“Mom, please. Please, I can’t keep going. It’s…” My words trail off at the sharp look she gives me.

Shaking her head, she clasps her hands in her lap. “No, Fallon. I’m sorry to have to set an ultimatum, but you’ve given me no choice. And quite frankly, it breaks my heart that I have to force you to come. Can’t you see that your life is falling apart without God’s guiding hand?”

My heart shatters at her words. Because this is it, the last piece of me is being ripped away.

“I’m going back to bed.” I mumble, pushing up to my feet and stumbling across the room.

Hudson’s heavy sigh follows me as I close my bedroom door.

Chapter 31

Arriana

I’m still stuck here.

I glare at the back of the house, picking at the blades of grass beside me as I fume at the fact that Istillhaven’t been able to go home.

“Hey, psycho!” Zandra calls out, drawing my attention. “What are you thinking so hard about, hmm?” She comes to a stop before me, placing her hands on her hips. “You’ve got this like crazy brain face happening right now.” She snickers, glancing over her shoulder for the support of her group. Only there’s no one there. Realizing she’s come to antagonize me onher own, a flash of fear crosses her features before she quickly schools her expression.

I lean back on my hands, running my gaze down her body and back up, taking a mental note of her physical strength in comparison to my own withered state.

I could still take her.

My lips tick up at the thought. “What, your posse leave you high and dry today?” I quip, raising an eyebrow. “Just you and me, huh?”

Zandra glances around the empty yard, her distress growing.

While I haven’t let out the more vicious parts of myself during my stay here in the spirit of playing nice, I’ve made it clear enough that I’m not one to fuck with. At least, not if you’re going to do so alone. Zandra isn’t the only one to have gotten a little bloodied and bruised by my hand.

“Don’t need ‘em.” She retorts, crossing her arms and trying to appear imposing.

“Hmm. That so.” I slowly push to my feet, brushing the dirt off my hands and ass. Taking a step forward, I attempt to slip past her and head back inside but she side-steps, effectively blocking my way. “Move.” I growl, glaring at her.

Zandra shakes her head, standing her ground as she declares, “No. It’s time you learned not to mess with me.”

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