Page 91 of All My Broken Pieces

Because they won’t matter if her answer to the one question I need to ask is what I’m terrified it might be.

Forcing down the terror at the thought of her deciding I’m too much, that she can’t live with all that comes with my life, I roll my shoulders back and stick out my hand.

An invitation. A wordless plea. A desperate hope.

Chapter 44

Fallon

I stare at Arriana as she wars with herself, waiting for her to ask the question.

I don’t need to think about it, I don’t need to question how I feel. Not anymore.

She reaches her hand out toward me, the extended limb a wordless offering.

I allow a small smile to lift the corners of my lips as I take her hand in mine.

Her responding grin is blinding as she yanks me into her arms, pressing her lips to mine. I melt against her, the rest of the world fading away as I lose myself in her intoxicating presence.

A throat clears and my face flames. Arriana chuckles, placing a soft kiss to my forehead before turning toward the rest of the group. “Well, what are we waiting for?” She smirks, gesturing toward the elevator.

I don’t know what I just signed up for, but I have a feeling there are going to be some sacrifices that have to be made. The weight of Arriana’s hand in mine helps calm some of the stress at the thought of leaving. Because, while I can’t imagine my life if it’s not here, I know I won’t survive without her.

And now I won’t have to.

Andrew slips past us, pressing the button for the elevator. I’m suddenly yanked into a hug, stiffening slightly before I recognize Ava’s embrace. “Be careful.” She whispers, her watery voice bringing moisture to my eyes.

Shifting around, I wrap my free arm around her. “You too.” I whisper back. “I love you, you know that, right?”

She takes a step back, smiling down at me with tears in her eyes. “And I love you.”

I gulp, trying to push down the emotions bubbling up, but it’s a futile hope. “I’m going to miss you.” My voice breaks, a tear slipping free to slide down my cheek.

“Hey, no, none of that.” Ava chastises, placing her hand on her hip. “This isn’t goodbye, babe. Just see ya later.” She winks at me, blowing a kiss.

Arriana stiffens beside me at the gesture and a watery giggle slips through my lips. “Okay. See ya later.” I chuckle, hugging Ava one last time.

When we pull apart, I catch sight of Hudson hovering in the corner of the room, fidgeting with the sleeves of his shirt. As if he senses my gaze, he looks up, his pale eyes full of hesitation. I smile at him, my heart breaking when he averts his gaze in response.

“Hey, we really gotta go.” Andrew’s voice pulls my attention away from my brother, a distraction from the impending agony that I had broken what we just repaired.

Arriana squeezes my hand and drags me behind her toward the open elevator. We step inside, Andrew following closely behind. Just as the doors begin to slide shut, a voice calls out, “Wait!”

Andrew sighs, shaking his head and sticking his hand out to stop the doors. “Should have just gone to Italy.” He mutters.

I glance at Arriana, finding her boring holes into the back of Andrew’s head.

Realizing he said the words out loud, he clears his throat, straightening to his full height and avoiding both of our curious gazes. A few moments later, Ava rushes into the elevator, shoving a couple hoodies into our arms. “Just in case.” She offers as an explanation.

I glance down at the oversized sweatshirt, a laugh breaking free from my chest. “You watch too much TV, Ava.” I giggle, grinning like an idiot at her.

She looks offended, scoffing, “Okay, yeah, whatever. You can thank me later.” Huffing, she spins on her heel and crosses the room to tuck into Killian’s side.

I exchange a look with Arriana before extracting my hand from hers and pulling on the hoodie. Arriana rolls her eyes and does the same. My smile widens impossibly at the sight of her swimming in the oversized sweatshirt. She shifts uncomfortably, pushing the sleeves up her arms, the excessive fabric bunching up.

A quiet chuckle sounds beside us and Arriana snaps her head in Andrew’s direction. “Not a word. I mean it.” Andrew opens his mouth to say something in response, but she quickly talks over him. “Unless you want to tell me what was in Italy?” He snaps his mouth closed, his expression shutting down as the humorbleeds out from her offer. “That’s what I thought.” Arriana huffs, crossing her arms and glaring forward at nothing in particular.

The doors move to slide closed once more, stopping as a hand slips between the crack.

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