Page 57 of Little Broken Pieces

“He’s a keeper, Alex. I think he loves you.”

“Shut up, Cora, or I’ll leave you here! He doesn't love me and he isn’t even mine, so how can I keep him? Besides, he has girls falling at his feet on a daily basis. Why would he want me?”

He wouldn’t, the little voice in my head whispers.

My hand is on the handle of the door when I hear her clear her throat to say something else, so I turn to look at her over my shoulder.

“Do not ruin this, Alex Monroe. He’s here with you. He could be anywhere else but he is here waiting in the lobby of a hospital his parents basically own, waiting for your best friend to be okay.”

I scoff. “Yeah, probably because he wants more pussy.”

“Ugh, do you always have to be so crass?” We both laugh, knowing damn well that I do. “Seriously, best friend, hear me when I say this. Tell the voice in your head to shut the eff up and go and claim that man because you deserve it.”

Without saying another word, I walk out of the room. I can’t think about anything else right now. It has been a long night and I just want to get her home. I thought my best friend was raped tonight. I’m glad that she wasn’t but I still want to know why she was dealing with all of this by herself.

I’m going to kill Edward.

25

ALEX

Iwalk into the lobby with a thousand thoughts running through my mind, but then I see him. He is sitting in the same chair in the corner of the room. He has his head down and he is looking at the floor. His otherwise perfect hair is a disheveled mess, but he looks sexier than ever. Right as I’m about to say his name to get his attention, he looks up. His eyes immediately meet mine and it takes my breath away. He looks so sleepy and worry etches his face. Cora’s words from earlier ring in my head.

“He is here with you,” she says, trying to encourage me.

He could be anywhere else.

She’s right, she is fucking right.

He stands as I approach and pulls me into a hug. “You okay, Angel?” He kisses my cheek and tightens his hold around my body.

“No, I’m not. I’m not okay but you’re making it better.”

He pulls away to look down at me. He kisses my lips so softly that I’m not even sure I feel it. He brings me back into his body and rests his chin on my head.

“Sit down and rest. I’m going to talk to the receptionist and make sure everything is squared away with Cora.”

I listen. I sit my big ass down and rest. I don’t know how much time has passed when I open my eyes, but it feels like seconds. I didn’t even realize I fell asleep, but a warm blanket covers me and I’m in the car. Kohen’s car. I panic, checking the back seat and I see my best friend peacefully sleeping. I feel a large hand rest on my thigh and my body relaxes, feeling safe. Safe. That’s not a word I throw around, but it feels right. I look over at him and I’m fucking terrified. I don’t want to feel safe. No, I don’t want him to make me feel safe, because then when I don’t have him the safety is gone. I just need me, myself, and I, and Cora.

I try to fall back asleep, but I can’t, his hand is so heavy on my thigh now.

“You awake, Angel?” I smile at his voice. It’s like a knife cutting through butter, so smooth and deep and it’s just another stupid thing about him that comforts me. Another thing I hate to love.

“I can’t fall back asleep. Where are we?”

“I took the long way home. I figured you guys could use the rest so I've just been driving around so that you can sleep. I didn’t want to get to the house and have to wake you up again when we got there.”

“So you drove us around for hours like babies that can't sleep?” I laugh quietly, not wanting to wake Cora.

“I guess I did. Although it sounds stupid when you word it like that,” he laughs and runs his hand through his hair, rubbing it over his sleepy eyes.

I unbuckle my seatbelt so I can lean over to kiss him.

“What are you doing, Alex?” he asks with a hint of anger in his tone.

“Kissing you,” I say, confused.

“Put your damn seatbelt on. What if we get into an accident?”

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