Page 19 of Broken

WhatwasIfuckingthinking? I wasn't, that's what. Her kid called. It was evident by the tone and the way she spoke. She probably had a boyfriend at home too. I couldn't wait for her to talk to him. That would destroy me.

After all these years, I still loved Sinclair Grant, but she moved on and started a family of her own. I should have done the same thing. I didn't lack opportunities or experience. I didn't have many relationships. I always held out for Sin to come around. I hoped and prayed that someday I would be good enough to be the man to help her pick up the pieces when her world fell apart.

I ensured the door was locked behind me when I left her mother's house. Even if she loved someone else, I couldn't stand the idea of anything happening to her. Not that the little town we lived in had any problems, you never know what could happen.

I was staying with my mom tonight. My brothers and I took turns keeping her company since dad died. We didn't want her to be alone in that big house. It made things more manageable when I was on call and closer to the hospital when I stayed in town.

Mom should be in bed at this hour; she rarely stays late. Quieter than usual, I crossed the entryway to the back of the house.

"How's Sinclair?" Mom called from the family room. I noticed the dim light in the room. Did she wait up for me?

"She's great. Did you wait up for me?"

She laughed at the question like I told a horrible dad joke. "I've never needed to wait up for you, Kai. I was reading."

She sat her book down and walked over to me, wrapping me in a hug. "You were always home or with Sinclair. Wherever that girl went, I knew I'd find you there too. I wondered when I would see her, is all."

Mom was right. I would follow her through hell and back if she let me. I tried to follow her to ASU, but she broke my heart and sent me packing seconds after my arrival. Why did I think today would be any different?

I kissed her on the forehead. "I don't know, mom. I need to sleep. I work at six am. I love you, goodnight."

"I loved you first," she called as I walked down the hall.

twelve

Sinclair

Ineededafuckingdrink. What the fuck was that shit with Kai? I didn't know whether to be relieved that he left me wet and wanting in my old room or pissed the fuck off. I mean, I deserved it. I deserved that and a lot worse, but it did sting and didn't help my mood either.

I decided to take a cold shower to take the edge off--too many emotions were running through me today. Emotions overwhelmed me today. My mother's house looked like something a typical family would live in. My best friends had moved on with their lives, and Mia had forgiven me for disappearing on her for twelve fucking years.

My shower did nothing to ease my mind. One minute I was so pissed off I wanted to commit murder, and the next, humping the bedpost sounded like a great plan. Fucking hell, I needed help.

I sat on my bed, the towel loosening around my body as the terry cloth pulled away from beneath me. The light on my phone flashed. I had some texts to read. Then there was a text from Kai. Fucking Kai, the crux of all my problems and frustrations right now. A short, simple, and to-the-point text message.

Call me back

Demanding much? I realized I had missed a call from him while I

was in the shower. Fuck him. I wanted to, but that wasn't the point. He didn't text me something like that and expect me to follow directions.

I had the most maniacal; devious thought crosses my mind. I was going to text him back. I wanted to make him as frustrated as I was.

I opened my suitcase and pulled out a teal-blue vibrator. I mean, a girl has needs, and I was alone for how many days? I propped my pillows up against my headboard and laid back.

I positioned my leg, so my towel still covered me, but smooth pale skin peaked out against black terrycloth. I laid the vibrator against my leg, snapped a picture, and added the text.

Sorry. Had a stressful day. I showered and am now about to blow

off some steam. Call you back later. Kisses xoxo

He received the text thirty seconds before I got a phone call.

Fuck. That did not go the way I planned. I ignored the call, but he called me right back. Ignore. I let out a giggle. I enjoyed teasing him as much as I would enjoy using the pretty blue sex toy.

I got a very urgent, borderline angry text telling me to pick up my phone right before he called again. This time, I answered.

"Kai," I drawled, playing with the settings of my vibrator.

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