Page 19 of Little Broken Pieces

Kohen: maybe I just like the way you squirmed when you saw me with her.

I don’t respond. I don’t know how to.

Kohen: don’t be mad at me, sexy. that’s why you should make me YOURS

The audacity of this dude. He’s getting to me already. I can tell he’s going to drive me crazy.

Kohen: oh, and by the way….

Kohen: don't even think about going on that date with X. wouldn’t be a good idea for either of you. I don't want to have to break any hearts or any arms.

Kohen: you are mine.

I want to respond but I won’t. I’m too angry and I need my best friend to give me some advice. I’m his? Pfft. Yeah, right. What would make him think I would ever be his?

9

ALEX

My head is spinning as I sit here waiting for Cora to show up. I order a lavender tea and a vanilla sweet cream cold brew for her. Would Kohen even make me his? Do I want to be his? This feels a little crazy. My mind is conflicted. I feel like I just met him but I know I met him before. Either way, it isn’t enough time for either of us to be so infatuated with each other. Cora needs to hurry because I really need to know how I should respond to these text messages.

Seems to be falling a little fast for such a notorious playboy.

Do I want to be his? No, that’s insane. I don’t want to belong to anybody ever again.

I feel like I screwed myself up because I don’t know what to do here. I told X I would go on a date with him, but I do want to get to know Kohen, or at least test him out. I don’t want to be anything more than friends with X, and if Kohen says he wants me, I need to make things clear with X.

Cora is walking up to the table and relief washes over me. She’s the calm to my crazy. She smiles at me and I respond with a smile back.

“Hey lovie, are you okay?” she asks, concern clear on her face as she rubs my shoulder.

“I’m okay, but I have so much to tell you. I don’t even know where to begin.”

“Start with what happened with X after I went to class.”

I recap her on everything that happened and she looks at me like I’ve grown three heads. Her mouth opens wide as she listens.

“He said you’rehis?”

“Yes, Cora. Now close your mouth before a fly goes in there.”

It feels like I’m out of breath, recapping her on everything in one go.

“Look at the text messages between us. Some of them I didn’t see and were in some private mode thing. How I managed that…I don't know,” I laugh, explaining.

She grabs my phone from my hand and scrolls, gasping as she reads.

“Oh em gee, Alex Larae," she teases. “He is hot for you!”

“So, what should I respond?" The anticipation is killing me. I have to say something. I need…. Well, I don’t even know what I need.

I don't like how he makes me feel. Like I’m a little girl falling head over heels for a boy and I don't want to. I don't want to hurt ever again. That's all men do: hurt you. I should know.

“I honestly don't know, Alex. Let me think. First off, I can’t even believe you kissed him. This all feels like it’s happening so fast. It’s a whirlwind.”

“I know and now he is calling mehis.What the fuck is that? We met twice now and it's only been two weeks. That's not normal.”

“It's kind of a romantic thought, don't you think? Like love at first sight?”

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