Page 6 of All My Broken Pieces

With my heart breaking, I down glass after glass of bubbling alcohol, praying it will dampen the suffocating emotions.

“It’s just a phase.”

Chapter 2

Arriana

Three weeks later

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I grumble under my breath, staring at the phone in my hand.

Things have been…tense. I don’t know what happened, butsomethinghappened at that wedding. Fallon has been more and more distant every day since and it’s been driving me crazy. I know it’s not technically their fault, but I can’t help but blame Killian and hiswife. Which has made work a little stressful.

Drewbie

New job - this one would probably be best if you both handle it

Grandpa

Ok

I sigh, running my hand down my face.

This is work. Separate your personal shit. Plus, there is the promise of some murder and that always helps.

I tuck my phone away, opting to reply later. Turning toward the hall, I make my way down to the extra bedroom, knowing I’ll find her there. I come to a stop outside the room, leaning against the doorframe and watching her.

Fallon is scrawled across the large cushioned chair she insisted on getting, claiming it was areading necessity.Not that I minded, I would get her the moon if she asked. Her long blonde hair has been tied up into a messy bun, her thin frame covered in a pair of baggy sweats and an old ratty t-shirt.

She’s never looked more beautiful.

She doesn’t notice my presence as I study her, too lost in the story. Her lip is trapped between her teeth, eyes scanning the words. She pushes up her glasses as she flips the page, holding her hand to her chin and leaning closer to the book.

My mind drifts, desire pulsing through me as I imagine what she must be reading on those pages. Sure, I might not be entirely into all the shit she reads. Cocks never really having been my thing. But it gets her going, and for that I’m grateful my girl has a bit of a porn addiction. Word porn. But porn nonetheless.

Unable to keep my hands to myself any longer, I push off the frame and make my way inside.

Must be a good book.

The thought crosses my mind as I come to a stop beside her and she’s still yet to acknowledge or even notice me. Reaching a hand out, I trail my fingers down her throat.

“Oh fuck!” She squeaks, nearly toppling out of her chair as she slams the book closed. Her cheeks bloom at being caught reading hernaughty book.

I chuckle, bending to place a soft kiss on her cheek. “Hi, baby.” Raising an eyebrow, I nod at her book. “Enjoying your story?” A smirk crosses my face as hers reddens further.

Fidgeting, she sets the book down, avoiding my gaze. “Um, yeah. It’s good…” She still refuses to look at me and it doesn’t sit right.

Grasping her chin, I pull her face toward me, forcing her eyes on mine. “You know I don’t care what you read, right?” I ask, genuinely concerned by her reaction.

Chewing on her bottom lip, she nods and relaxes just the slightest bit. “Yeah. Sorry. Force of habit, I guess.” She mumbles.

I study her a moment longer before I’m satisfied that it’s the truth. “Okay, baby.” Closing the distance between us, I brush my lips against hers. “As long as you're happy, I’m happy.”

A quiet sniffle reaches my ears and I pull back, cupping her face between my hands. Fallon averts her gaze again, her eyes darting to the side. The same concern I’ve felt in the weeks since the wedding returns at her avoidance.

Stroking my thumbs, I wait for her to voice what’s wrong. When she still doesn’t say anything, I release a small sigh, sinking to my knees in front of her. “What is it,mi vida?”

Peering down at me, she sniffles again. “I just…I-” Before she can finish her sentence, the sound of my ringtone fills the room. Her lips snap shut, as if the sound broke whatever courage she had.

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