Page 43 of Fractured

He picked up the board and jogged back to me. “Ready to try again?”

“Huh?” I couldn’t tear my gaze away from his abs. They really were a work of art.

He rolled his eyes and pulled me toward the water. For two hours, I tried and he taught. Kind of. I never really mastered it, but it was so much fun, I actually was thinking about the next time I could get him out here with me.

Looking at the happiness bleeding through his smile, I didn’t think I’d have to try hard.

It was when I was leading the way back to my place that the mood was killed.

I had to take a detour right through my old neighborhood. We didn’t pass the cursed house, but we did pass the park, and immediate feelings of fear, confusion, and panic engulfed me as pictures of Eli slid through my mind on a reel I couldn’t seem to stop.

So, I thanked Kenzo once we got to my place, said I was tired, and laid down on the couch to take a nap. Concerned, he stayed with me and held my feet while I drifted off into a fitful sleep. I saw the questions in his green eyes, but I couldn’t find my voice, so I simply didn’t answer them.

And when I woke up the next day, he was gone.

Eleven

Sadness colors more than your tears, it turns the whole world gray. - September 15th

“This iswhere all the magic happens?” Saint knocked on the door as he entered the small studio I practiced in at Randolf’s. I’d decided to start practicing there again, just later, so when I left on non-rehearsal days, there was no one left in the building.

He looked good today. Clean shaven, dark jeans, and a white dress shirt. And just what I needed as I was packing up my cello and straightening up.

“Sure, if you consider music magical,” I said with a smile. I mean, of course music was magical and therapeutic, but I wanted him to think that without my own influence.

He gave me a droll stare. “I’m still waiting for the private performance you promised me. Most of your texts have been about music in some form.”

I smiled secretively. “Maybe the next time you come to my place.”

“That’s a temptation, isn’t it?” He walked closer and dropped a kiss on my forehead that should have been sweet, but as his hand swept down my side, it was molten fire to my libido.

“You could always come over tonight,” I whispered as I leaned my face toward his neck, inhaling the spicy scent of his aftershave and loving it.

“Sleepover?”

I jerked back to see Atticus standing in the doorway with one hand on the knob and a bag of takeout in his hand. Shit, I completely forgot I’d agreed to dinner with Atticus when I started texting with Saint today.

I stepped back, trying to think of something to say. Atticus was down with trying group love, but I wasn’t so sure about Saint. What if I shared my current preferences on love and relationships, only for him to walk away? Was I ready for that?

Shit, shit, shit. So I was the idiot that stood there while Saint stared down Atticus in challenge. The way he stood taller and puffed out his chest was so overpowering, his confidence rolled over me in waves.

“Chill, man. I’m just one of Lilith’s boyfriends. We’re all about group love here.” Atticus smiled and sized up Saint as if he were certain Saint was about to join our little love group.

I wasn’t so sure. I swallowed my hope down because hope was dangerous, especially when Saint looked like a Mack truck had blindsided him.

“I don’t really know what to say. Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” he asked Atticus, then turned to me. “Are you in an open relationship?”

“I—” I was glad Atticus jumped in, because I was about to ask what was in the bag, knowing damn well it was takeout Chinese, the smell of fried rice was too strong to confuse it with anything else. At the same time, I was irritated with him for opening this can of worms in the first place.

“What? God no.” Atticus shook his head and swatted a hand as if that was the most ridiculous thing he’d ever heard of.

Just as Saint started to relax, Atticus added, “We’re trying out this reverse harem thing. Very new age, or old age, depending on what part of the world you’re studying.” He laughed lightly, and Saint tensed up all over again.

“Reverse harem?” His voice was steady, inquiring.

“Yeah, you know, one woman, multiple men relationship. Our girl here is very complex and has a lot of needs, if you know what I mean.” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Groaning, I covered my surely on fire face with both palms. Then I spread a couple fingers to see if Saint was taking this opportunity to run away. This was the most mortifying moment of my adult life. And that was saying something. I often felt out of place in most social situations.

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