All My Broken Pieces (FindingLight #2)

Chapter 14

Arriana

"I love you.”

The words repeat in my head on a loop. It’s the first time she’s said them since she left, and I don’t know what to do.

Is this a drunken expression of some deep desire? Or has she come back to me, where she belongs?

I can’t let myself hope for the latter, my heart won’t be able to handle that level of agony. To have the proverbial carrot dangled in front of me, just to watch it be tossed away again when the morning comes.

Peering down at her with a smile that doesn’t reach my eyes, I move my hand up to stroke her face. “ Te amo, mi vida. ” I murmur, my heart cracking open as she nuzzles my hand.

She smiles up at me, opening her mouth to say something when a loud buzzing fills the room. Her eyes dart to her phone lying face down on the coffee table.

Sighing, I push up, reaching over to grab it for her.

Fallon props up on her elbows, pressing a soft kiss to my lips before taking the cell phone. Her smile fades as she looks at it. I quirk an eyebrow, looking down to see Mom flash across the screen.

The phone stops ringing and she releases a breath of relief until it starts buzzing again. Her forehead creases as she flicks her eyes between me and the phone.

I cock my head at her, gesturing toward the device. “You gonna answer that?”

She bites her lip, looking nervous as she nods her head. My eyes narrow, but she quickly avoids my gaze, sliding to answer. “Hey, Mom, now’s not the best-”

Her words are cut off as a hysterical cry comes through the speaker.

“Wow, slow down. What happened?” Fallon’s face falls, tears welling up in her eyes. “Where are you?” She asks, her voice barely a whisper. Listening intently to whatever is said, she hangs up the call and lets the phone fall onto her chest.

My heart beats wildly, the need to take away the pain I can see radiating from her nearly overwhelms me. “What is it, baby?” I murmur, stroking back her hair.

With trembling lips, she lifts her eyes up to me, the tears welling up slipping down her face. “My brother.” She whispers. “He-he’s been in an accident.”