Page 85 of All My Broken Pieces

Did that just happen? Did we have a bonding moment?

Despite the circumstances, my lips twitch as a smile threatens to break across my face.

Turning my attention back to my brothers, I call them over. “Yo, you wanted to party, so get over here and party already.” I look over the selection, snatching a bottle of tequila. Gripping the neck of the bottle, I tip my head back and gulp down the clear liquid.

A warmth spreads through my body as the liquor works its way through my system, both dulling my senses and heightening my frustration. Gulping down another few mouthfuls, I watch as the boys file into the kitchen, filling their glasses and exchanging wary glances.

Sick of watching them, I glance around the room. “We need music.” I proclaim, taking a step toward where Killian and Ava are huddled together.

They continue their whispered conversation, ignoring my demand. “Hey, lovebirds.” I call, sucking another drink from the bottle clasped in my hand. They finally look up, Ava’s expression worried and Killian’s back to his usual grumpy fixture.

I bark a laugh, spinning in a circle with my arms out and swaying my hips. “Can’t have a party without some tunes. Whatcha got?”

Ava glances at Killian before clearing her throat. “I’ll, uh, I’ll put something on.” Her eyes shift to Fallon and I force mine to avoid looking at my sleeping beauty.

A few moments later, music pumps from the speakers placed around the space. I close my eyes, swaying to the beat while nursing the bottle.

“I want to go home!”

I try to focus on the music, desperately pushing back the memories.

“Where’s Mamá? Where’s Papá?” I sob.

The strangers I’ve been forced to stay with look at each other, but don’t answer.

“Where are they?” I cry. “I…I wanna go home. Just let me go home.”

Tears prick at my eyes, the present and past blending together in a confusingly painful existence.

“She’s dead.” I hear the lady whisper to the man when they think I’m asleep. “What are we supposed to tell her?”

I bury my face in the pillow, hating that it doesn’t smell like me. Hating that this isn’t my home. Hating that I’ve been here for a lot longer than one night.

The familiar hatred seeps into my bones and along with it comes a horrifying realization.

I don’t just hate my parents for abandoning me. Nestled into my heart along with the overwhelming love, I feel a poisonous thorn stabbed right in there with my feelings for Fallon.

How could she?

“I think you’ve had enough.” Andrew declares, snatching the bottle from my hand.

“Hey!” I protest, attempting to retrieve my stolen drink.

I’ve polished off nearly a quarter of the bottle and it’s done nothing to aid in my newfound revelations. Since the moment I realized how angry I am with Fallon, I haven’t been able to focus on anything else, my mind a constant loop of all the things I want to say to her.

Only I can’t.

Because she’s stillasleep.

“I think I’m gonna take off.” Spencer mumbles, setting down his cup and pulling out his phone.

I huff a laugh, rolling my eyes. “Of course, just leave. That’s what you’re good at.” I sniffle and it only fuels my anger.

I’m not this bitch. I’m not the kind of girl to cry about my feelings. I’m a badass, and I don’t let anyone or anything get to me.

“Arri-” He tries, but is cut off by a loud pounding on the elevator.

I look to Andrew, raising my eyebrows. “Expecting anyone else?”

---