Page 84 of All My Broken Pieces

He throws his hands in the air, palms out. “Didn’t mean to offend, sis. I just figured when Romeo over here,” He jerks hishead in Andrew’s direction. “Called and said we were celebrating your return home there would be more…celebrating and less, I don’t know, this.” Spencer sweeps his arm around the room.

Pushing to my feet, I slowly stride across the room, humming, “Oh, you poor thing. You want to party?” I come to a halt in front of him, his tall frame towering over me. Smiling sweetly, I beat back the rage burning inside. “Then let’s party.” Spencer studies my expression briefly before opening his mouth to say something, but I don’t give him chance as I cut him off. “What do you say, Coop? Time to turn this into a rager?”

Cooper clears his throat, running his hand through his hair. “Sure, I guess. If that’s what you want, sis.” I incline my head, never taking my eyes off my other brother.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Andrew interjects, drawing my attention to him.

Turning my head, I let my smile widen. “If Spencer wants to party, we can’t leave him hanging, can we? I mean, he cameall this wayafter all.” I can hear a shuffle of fabric as Spencer shifts uncomfortably in front of me.

“Look, Arriana. I didn’t mean-”

Throwing my hand up, I cut off his weak attempt to deny what we all know. Spencer has always thought he was the most important person in any given room, and his disarmingly good looks combined with his confidence has given him an advantage over most everyone else, only feeding into his self-centered tendencies.

It’s becoming abundantly clear in the time we’ve been apart, none of that has changed.

After the naloxone started to take effect and Fallon’s state got better, I finally looked up to find not only Cooper had come to celebrate my return, but Andrew had managed to rope in Spencer. How he did, I have no clue.

Despite the fact that he lives and works within a few hours of my home, I haven’t seen or heard from Spencer in years. Hell, I wouldn’t even know he was still here if it wasn’t for his constant appearances on televised programs.

Misterbig time actor had gotten too popular for us mere mortals.

But in the time since the initial excitement at seeing his appearance, it’s become clear that he must have been coerced into attending. Normally I would give him a piece of my mind, show him that I’m not someone to be pitied or fucked with, but right now I’m a bit off my game. So instead, I’ll party. We’ll have a fucking rager, and hopefully my baby will wake up and join in.

Spinning on my heel, I march toward the kitchen on the hunt for some booze. My eyes land on a nearly empty wine glass, a wave of nausea rolling through me at the reminder of what Fallon had done. Averting my gaze, I spot an open shelf lined with liquor. “Aha!” I exclaim, pivoting toward the shelf.

I stretch my arm up, finding I’m too short to reach. The motion calls up a memory, another moment I had struggled to reach inside a tall cupboard flashes through my mind, quickly followed by the aftermath of that day. Memories I can no longer hold back no matter how hard I try.

Dried tears stain my cheeks as I stare blankly ahead. Quiet voices sound from down the hall, drowned out by the other sounds of the hospital.

“Arriana?” I blink at my name, trying to focus on the lady kneeling in front of me. “Honey, my name is Elecia. Would you mind if I joined you?” She nods to the seat beside me.

I continue to stare forward, unable to respond.

“¿Mamá?”

My broken cry replays in my head, the sight of Mamá lying on the floor flashing over and over.

Elecia sighs softly, pushing off her knees and moving to sit in the chair next to me. “I work with Child Services. Do you know what that means?” When I don’t answer, she keeps talking. “It’s my job to help keep you safe. Sweetheart, I’m going to need you to come stay with a nice family for a little while.”

I blink again, turning to look at her. “No.Mi Mamá me necesita.” I mumble, shaking my head and looking back at the wall.

She sighs again before her hand rests on my shoulder. “The best thing you can do for your Mamá is to get some rest. Come on, honey, just for the night.” Pushing to her feet, she holds her hand out toward me.

I shake my head again, pulling up my knees and wrapping my arms around them. “No. No, she needs me.”

Shaking my head to clear the memory, I glance around to find something to aid in my mission.

“Let me.” Killian’s voice rumbles behind me.

I step out of the way, allowing him access to the shelf. He silently pulls down several bottles, lining them up on the counter. Without a word, he turns and gathers some glasses, setting the cups beside the alcohol.

I cock my head at him, surprised he’s being so helpful. Not that I’m complaining, it’s about time the old man got on board, but… “Don’t pity me.” I snap, keeping my voice low so only he can hear me.

Killian glances behind us, his eyes fixed on Fallon’s sleeping form before shifting to Ava as she remains a permanent fixture beside my girl and Hudson. “It’s not pity.” He finally sighs, looking back at me with a brokenness in his expression I’ve never witnessed from him. “I just know what it’s like to almost…” He trails off.

Clearing his throat, he returns his attention to the counter, filling a glass with whiskey. “I get it. And I’m sorry.” He murmurs, knocking his glass back before refilling it with the amber liquid and turning to walk away.

I watch after him, incredulous at what just happened.

---