All My Broken Pieces (FindingLight #2)

Chapter 44

Fallon

I stare at Arriana as she wars with herself, waiting for her to ask the question.

I don’t need to think about it, I don’t need to question how I feel. Not anymore.

She reaches her hand out toward me, the extended limb a wordless offering.

I allow a small smile to lift the corners of my lips as I take her hand in mine.

Her responding grin is blinding as she yanks me into her arms, pressing her lips to mine. I melt against her, the rest of the world fading away as I lose myself in her intoxicating presence.

A throat clears and my face flames. Arriana chuckles, placing a soft kiss to my forehead before turning toward the rest of the group. “Well, what are we waiting for?” She smirks, gesturing toward the elevator.

I don’t know what I just signed up for, but I have a feeling there are going to be some sacrifices that have to be made. The weight of Arriana’s hand in mine helps calm some of the stress at the thought of leaving. Because, while I can’t imagine my life if it’s not here, I know I won’t survive without her.

And now I won’t have to.

Andrew slips past us, pressing the button for the elevator. I’m suddenly yanked into a hug, stiffening slightly before I recognize Ava’s embrace. “Be careful.” She whispers, her watery voice bringing moisture to my eyes.

Shifting around, I wrap my free arm around her. “You too.” I whisper back. “I love you, you know that, right?”

She takes a step back, smiling down at me with tears in her eyes. “And I love you.”

I gulp, trying to push down the emotions bubbling up, but it’s a futile hope. “I’m going to miss you.” My voice breaks, a tear slipping free to slide down my cheek.

“Hey, no, none of that.” Ava chastises, placing her hand on her hip. “This isn’t goodbye, babe. Just see ya later.” She winks at me, blowing a kiss.

Arriana stiffens beside me at the gesture and a watery giggle slips through my lips. “Okay. See ya later.” I chuckle, hugging Ava one last time.

When we pull apart, I catch sight of Hudson hovering in the corner of the room, fidgeting with the sleeves of his shirt. As if he senses my gaze, he looks up, his pale eyes full of hesitation. I smile at him, my heart breaking when he averts his gaze in response.

“Hey, we really gotta go.” Andrew’s voice pulls my attention away from my brother, a distraction from the impending agony that I had broken what we just repaired.

Arriana squeezes my hand and drags me behind her toward the open elevator. We step inside, Andrew following closely behind. Just as the doors begin to slide shut, a voice calls out, “Wait!”

Andrew sighs, shaking his head and sticking his hand out to stop the doors. “Should have just gone to Italy.” He mutters.

I glance at Arriana, finding her boring holes into the back of Andrew’s head.

Realizing he said the words out loud, he clears his throat, straightening to his full height and avoiding both of our curious gazes. A few moments later, Ava rushes into the elevator, shoving a couple hoodies into our arms. “Just in case.” She offers as an explanation.

I glance down at the oversized sweatshirt, a laugh breaking free from my chest. “You watch too much TV, Ava.” I giggle, grinning like an idiot at her.

She looks offended, scoffing, “Okay, yeah, whatever. You can thank me later.” Huffing, she spins on her heel and crosses the room to tuck into Killian’s side.

I exchange a look with Arriana before extracting my hand from hers and pulling on the hoodie. Arriana rolls her eyes and does the same. My smile widens impossibly at the sight of her swimming in the oversized sweatshirt. She shifts uncomfortably, pushing the sleeves up her arms, the excessive fabric bunching up.

A quiet chuckle sounds beside us and Arriana snaps her head in Andrew’s direction. “Not a word. I mean it.” Andrew opens his mouth to say something in response, but she quickly talks over him. “Unless you want to tell me what was in Italy?” He snaps his mouth closed, his expression shutting down as the humor bleeds out from her offer. “That’s what I thought.” Arriana huffs, crossing her arms and glaring forward at nothing in particular.

The doors move to slide closed once more, stopping as a hand slips between the crack.

“For fuck’s sake.” Andrew grumbles, pulling out his phone and tapping furiously on the screen.

I ignore him as my eyes land on Hudson. “Can-” He takes a deep breath, shifting his eyes between us nervously. “Can I come with you?”

My expression softens, some of the weight on my chest easing at his request. Nodding my head, I gesture for him to join us. “Of course, Egg.” He offers me a small smile as he slips into the elevator.

“I’m coming too.” A deep voice declares, not waiting for an invitation before he hops inside.

Arriana chuckles, looking around at us all. “Looks like we’re having a party after all.” She laughs, her earlier frustration already a distant memory.

The doors finally close and the elevator begins its downward descent. A silence fills the space as we all get lost in our own thoughts.

The hush only lasts a few moments before the other man breaks the silence. “Hey, I’m Cooper.”

“Fallon.” I mumble, assuming the greeting was for me. When I look up, I find his eyes are locked onto someone else. Shifting my gaze, I catch Hudson trying to avoid Cooper’s attention, a blush forming on his neck and face. I cock my head to the side, looking between the two.

Before anyone can say anything else, Andrew curses loudly.

“What is it?” Arriana cranes her neck to try and get a look at his phone screen.

Muttering to himself, Andrew taps on the small screen, swiping up and pinching to zoom in. We all watch him, waiting for some explanation. After several moments, he glances up, studying each of us closely before ducking his head to peer at his phone once more.

“You’re officially killing me, Andrew.” Arriana whines, stretching onto her tiptoes to tap the side of his face. “And that’s my job.”

He startles at her touch, looking at her with a blank expression before barking a laugh. Her grin widens at his laughter. Reaching over, he ruffles her hair with his hand. “What am I going to do without you, Ree?” A little hint of melancholy slips into his tone at the question.

Arriana waves him off. “Not like you’re gonna have to find out. You’re stuck with me.” Winking at him, she gestures to his phone. “Now, what’s got your panties in a bunch?”

Sighing, he looks over all of us before shifting his gaze back to Arriana. “We’ve got a bit of a problem.” He quirks his eyebrow at the large fabric draping over her frame. “Those might come in handy after all.”