Page 94 of All My Broken Pieces

She pauses, letting a quiet moment pass before leaning back to peer in my eyes once more. “I’m going to spend the rest of my life making it up to you. If you’ll have me.”

I close my eyes, trying to calm my racing thoughts. The only sound our heavy breathing and my thundering heartbeat.

She lovesme.She wantsme.

Blinking open my eyes, I get lost in the depths of hers, finding for the first time in my life, I’m at a loss for words. Gulping, I slowly nod my head.

Her anxious gaze softens, a grin breaking out on her face. Moving to wrap her arms around my neck, she asks, “Is that a yes?”

I flex my fingers still nestled inside her, smirking at her shocked gasp. “Was that ever in question, baby?” She flinches, averting her gaze and chewing on her lip. Gripping her chin, I gently move her head, forcing her eyes back on me. “Yes.” The one word holds more weight than a thousand of her stories, an entire lifetime held within the single worded promise.

Pulling my hand out of her pants, I slide my fingers into my mouth, groaning at the flavor of her. Her face falls, a pout forming on her lips at the loss. Chuckling, I lean forward and brush my lips against her ear. “Later. I’m going to make up for every moment we’ve been apart.” Setting her down, I turn to walk back into the apartment complex to finish loading up her things, but not before glancing over my shoulder and throwing her a wink. “Enjoy walking while you can, baby.”

Her face flushes, her thighs shifting as she hurriedly buttons her jeans once more. Rushing to join me, she loops her arm in mine. “I would expect no less from my psycho lover.” Her loving tone at the nickname settles the last of the uneasiness inside of me.

This woman has been to hell and back. She’s seen the good, the bad, and the terrifying, and yet she still has chosen me. This otherworldly, beautiful, broken yet perfect girl holds my heart in her small hands.

And, for not the first and I’m certain not the last time, I wonder what I could have done to deserve her.

Chapter 46

Fallon

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” I’m anxious to get on the road to wherever Arriana is taking us, but I can’t help the guilt at leaving Hudson behind.

He smiles, pulling me into a tight hug. I’m startled by the sudden embrace, stiffening before relaxing into his arms and wrapping my own around him. “I’ll be fine. Thank you.” His hold tightens, squeezing the air from my lungs. But I find I don’t care, it feels so good to be able to hug him like this again. “You…you helped save my life, Fal.” He whispers.

My heart cracks, moisture pricking at the back of my eyes. “I didn’t do anything.” I admit, my mind replaying all the ways I failed him over the last few months.

Pulling back, he moves to grip my shoulders, shaking his head. “No. You did. More than you’ll ever know. I-” He gulps, glancing around to make sure there’s no one in earshot.

I follow his gaze, finding the apartment around us empty. Turning to him once more, I wait for him to finish his thought.

Releasing me, he runs a hand through his hair. “I was trying to end it that night.” He admits, shocking me into a stunned silence.

I had thought he might have, but to hear it out loud…it’s so much worse.

Avoiding my gaze, he lets out a heavy breath. “I was so alone. I-I couldn’t keep doing it. Not being able to accept who I was, having to try to pretend that none of it mattered.” Running another shaky hand through his hair, he shifts his eyes to mine. “But then you showed up. And you kept showing up. Even when your own world was falling apart.” The tears welling up in mine are mirrored in his eyes, a small smile forming on his face. “I can’t ever thank you enough, Cher. All I can say is thank you and I love you.”

I feel the wet trails sliding down my cheeks as the dam of emotion breaks. Launching forward, I pull him back into my arms. “I love you so fucking much, Hudson. I’m always here for you. No matter where I am, I’m just a phone call away.” He buries his face in my neck, nodding his head.

“Fallon!” Arriana calls. “Time to go, baby.”

I reluctantly pull away, pausing momentarily to hold Hudson’s gaze as I repeat. “Seriously, if youeverneed me. Call.”

He smiles, holding up one hand with his small finger outstretched toward me. “Pinky promise.” I can’t hold back the grin as I curl my pinky finger around his. Moving our connectedhands in a sharp handshake, he pulls back and shoos me out the door. “Now go, live your happily ever after, sis.”

Giggling, I spin toward the door, excited to begin the adventure. As I turn, my eyes pass over the kitchen, giving me pause. I clear my throat, gesturing toward the door. “You go ahead, I’ll be there in a moment.” Hudson looks at me curiously before bending to pick up the last box and heading out the door.

I watch after his retreating form momentarily until I’m certain he’s out of sight. Moving quickly, I snatch up my bag and rush into the kitchen. I crouch down, pulling open the cupboard door and rummaging around the contents. My hand lands on the item I’m searching for, a lump forming in my stomach as I bring it out.

Just so Hudson doesn’t find it.

I try to convince myself as I shove the half empty bottle of whiskey into my bag.

All the other alcohol in the apartment had been disposed of at the demand of Arriana. She has every right to be worried after what happened, but that was an accident. It’s not like I have a problem.

No matter how much I try to convince myself of it, I still push the bottle to the bottom of the bag and hide it beneath the other items.

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