Page 34 of Broken

Then I saw her sweet face in the mornings, and I had a purpose, something driving me. Later, I found out I struggled with PPD, and the doctor I saw helped me through it. I didn't tell him about the darkness or my demons and ghosts, I didn't share my past with my doctors.

But the only two people in this world that I ever called sisters waited for me. Both of them grinning wide. If just Mia smiled at me, I'd be fine. but Tess, though. Her smile worried me. Tess was never up to any good, and something in my gut told me this night would be no exception.

"Get in bitch. We have plans." Tess never lost that hard edge to her voice. In every way that Mia was light, happy, and loving, Tess was her dark side. She was angry and edgy. But Tess loved as fiercely as she fought. She gave her whole heart to the people in her life, and I broke that heart once. It was a privilege that she wanted to give me another chance.

"Umm. Should I be worried?"

Mia laughed as Tess put her arm over my shoulder and opened the car door. "Always." They laughed in unison.

We drove for about twenty minutes. I remembered the road well. The road leads out to the lake. The same lake that high schoolers used to party at. The same lake where I talked to Adam for the last time.

An inexplicable terror bloomed inside me as I recalled the last time I was out at the lake. My entire world turned upside down that night, and for the whole year between that time and the time I left home, I made a point to avoid the lake. I'd be forced to deal with truths I wasn't ready to face yet.

I let out the loudest sigh of relief when we passed the turn for the lake and headed further out of town. "Don't worry, we're almost there, Babes."

We drove about forty-five minutes from town when we pulled off the main road and onto a dirt road. The oranges and pinks of the setting sun cast a beautiful glow on the green trees that surrounded the property. The view was absolutely stunning, but where the hell were we going?

"Uh, are you guys taking me out into the woods to murder me? If so, please make sure my daughter is well-loved." They wouldn't kill me. They would be too worried about getting caught. I laughed awkwardly.

"I suggested leaving you in a boat, in the middle of the lake without any oars, but Mia is kinda attached to you."

"So, you said she could keep me?" I raised my brows at Tess, who watched me through her visor mirror.

"Pretty much" Tess laughed. "I'm sorry for being such a bitch, Sin. I really am. I love you."

"It’s not like I didn't deserve it, Tess. I fucked up when I left like I did." I was glad we were finally having this conversation, and before we got to wherever we were going.

"You did. I know you had your reasons, but it was fucked up and unfair. Especially to us. You were like a sister to me and Mia. You still are a sister to us, and sisters don't run away from each other." the raw emotion coming from Tess was not something I knew, and it tore at my heart.

"Sorry to interrupt this emotional breakthrough, but I think we're here," Mia announced as we approached the most beautiful cabin I ever saw. Not like I've seen a lot of cabins in my life, but still.

A covered porch seemed to wrap around the front and sides of the outer facade. A few shrubs dotted the base of the porch and it had round logs for the stair railing. The best sight of all was the trio of man candy standing on the porch, beers in hand and laughing.

The Carter brothers. They looked relaxed and at home on this pristine piece of property. Noah, his dark hair wild and full of natural waves, swept neatly to the side. His biceps stretched the hem of his plain black t-shirt, and his pecs perfectly filled the rest out.

Then Cal, the youngest of the trio. All dark and brooding sex appeal. Just like his brothers, he took care of his body and stayed in shape. His hair slightly longer than both his brothers reached his jaw and curled behind his pierced ears. From the car, I could barely make out what looked like breathtaking tattoos that covered his biceps. A beautiful phoenix made of reds, oranges, and billowing smoke seemed to dance with a Dragon whose scales were the color of emeralds.

Then there was Kai. He towered over both his brothers by a good three inches, at least. I wondered if looking at him would ever stop my breath from catching in my throat. He was everything right in the world. Tall, lean well-chiseled body. Those blue eyes that all three brothers shared, seemed to glow brightly as the morning sky every time he looked in my direction.

When the car stopped. I stepped out of the car and took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh air, and lush forest. I smiled over at Kai. This place was beautiful.

Kai gave me a wink and smiled back. Something about that wink made my knees weak. This was going to be an interesting night. I bit my bottom lip and joined the group on the porch.

So, this was Kais's house. I found it kind of ironic how just a couple of hours ago, I wondered what his house would look like. Noah lived a little further up the road in a similar cabin. It was quiet and beautiful up here. Close enough to town, but far enough way that you could escape the stress of small-town life.

I sat on the back porch with a Sierra Nevada watching my friends together. Kai and Cal were grilling and a fire pit with a few Adirondacks around it sat in the middle of the lawn. Tess, Mia, and Noah laughed together, sitting around the fire pit. They made sense, this group of people who'd grown up together, been there to celebrate achievements, and comfort each other through losses. I had never been more of an outsider until this moment.

Fate sent me a lifeline because just as Noah looked in my direction, my phone buzzed. Saved by the fucking bell.

"Hello" I answered softly.

"Hey mama," Aine answered on the other end.

"Oh, hey ladybug." I got up and walked back inside the house as we talked. She told me about her day, and the boy she met skating. Oh god, she's eleven. I am not prepared for boys yet. I listened as she talked, and I roamed around the little cabin. It looked like there were two rooms down the hall, and a powder room at the end. The house was bigger than it seemed.

It was well furnished, though minimalistic, very Kai. I settled on the front steps and finished my call with Aine. I was happy she was having a fun time with Danielle and enjoying her summer, but I missed her and couldn't wait to get home.

"So, was that my niece?"

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