A Broken Soul(41)

"Oh my God." And just like that, she was across the couch, wrapping me in her arms and holding on tight. "I'm so sorry. So, so sorry, Lilly. I can't believe this."

I pulled back with a sniffle and wiped at my cheeks. "Yeah. Me too."

"So that's why you wanted to come this weekend? To de-stress?"

Part of the reason, I thought. Instead of saying that out loud, I simply nodded. "Yeah."

"Shit. And here I am, trying to set you up on a date. God, I suck so bad!"

I managed a laugh and took her hand in mine. "You don't suck. You didn't know."

Her shoulders squared and she lifted her chin in determination. "Well, if you need to de-stress, then that's exactly what we're going to do for the rest of the weekend. I'm talking manicures, pedicures, facials, massages …  the full spa treatment."

My head fell back against the couch. I could just imagine how amazing it would feel to be pampered. "That sounds amazing."

"Totally. And to make you feel even better, we're going to put the whole thing on Ethan's credit card." She winked and we both burst into laughter.

"You know me so well," I teased.

"Damn right I do." She picked up her mug and settled back into the couch, her entire demeanor shifting from humorous to serious. "I'm here, Lilly. I might not physically be in Pembrooke, but I'm always here for you. Don't ever doubt that."

"I know, sweetie," I whispered. "But you're pregnant and I didn't-"



       
         
       
        

She shot me a cutting glare. "Pregnant or not, that doesn't change the fact that you've been my best friend since elementary school. I practically grew up in your house. I love your folks like they're my second family. You've always had my back whenever I needed it. Now it's my turn to return the favor. Let me do that for you."

Somehow I managed to speak past the mass of emotions building up in my throat. "Okay." There was no point in arguing with her.

"So what can I do for you, huh? How can I help?"

I looked from the mug back to her and answered, "You can get me drunk. Very, very drunk."

She smiled brightly at me. "I can totally do that."





Quinn



I WASN'T EVEN sure how it happened, but I'd somehow managed to sink to a whole new low.

I was stalking Lilly's Facebook and Instagram pages like a creep. But when I stopped by the dance school and found out from that Kyle guy that she'd gone to Denver for the weekend, I kind of lost my mind. I hadn't seen her in three days. I was like a junky in need of a fix. If Eliza's last comment on her Facebook page was anything to go by, Lilly should be on her way back home today. Unfortunately, I was in the middle of a shift at the department and had another twelve hours to go.

I needed to talk to her. I had to apologize face to face and try to make things right. But mostly, I needed to find out why the fuck there were so many pictures of her on Alex Sanders' Instagram page and what happened over the weekend to make them look so goddamned cozy together.

I'd texted her countless times over the weekend, even called twice, trying to get her to talk to me, but each one went unanswered. That was, until earlier this morning. She finally replied back saying: In Denver. Will be home tonight. See you at Sophia's class Wednesday.

I had no fucking clue how to interpret that, but it left me feeling uneasy. I'd asked her if we could talk, and instead of saying yes or giving me a time to meet, I had to wait two goddamned days after she got home to see her, and even then, it would only be in passing when I dropped my daughter off and picked her up.

I was going out of my mind.

"Hey man." I jumped at the sound of Tony's voice coming from behind me. Before I had a chance to shut my laptop down, he and Carpenter moved in. "Hey, isn't that Lilly? And is that … "

"Holy shit!" Carpenter exclaimed. "Is that Alex Sanders?"

"Yes," I hissed through clenched teeth.

"Dude, his hand's really close to her tits. I thought she was your girl."

I gave Carpenter a bewildered look even as the image of that particular picture of Lilly and Alex seared itself to the backs of my eyelids. "What? She's not my girl. Where the hell'd you come up with that idea?" 

Tony and Carpenter glanced at each other, both with a cocked eyebrow, before turning back to me. "Uh …  maybe because you watched her like you wanted to take a bite out of her that time she stopped by?" Carpenter said.

"Or because you talk about her all the damn time like a pussy-whipped teenager?" Tony added.