Broken (15 page)

Lena’s hand is ov
er her mouth, as if she is holding in a scream. Her eyes are filled with tears that begin to overflow. Standing in front of her makes me feel like a freak. This is why I couldn’t show her before. I’m sure she is probably disgusted by what she sees.

Unexpectedly, she takes her tear soaked hand away from her mouth. Taking a step forward, she places her hands on my chest. First, she feels each scar with her fingertips. As she does this, I have to look away. Then, I feel her mouth on my chest, kissing and sucking. My fears are subsiding with every kiss she plants on me. At this point, I’d let her do whatever the fuck she wants, that’s how good it feels.

My heart continues to drum as she moves her mouth up my chest to my neck, all the while nibbling and biting my skin. While she continues to explore, I rip her shirt from her body. I pull away from her just long enough to remove her jeans and panties.

She reaches for my belt and I help her remove the rest of my clothes. Finally, we are chest to chest. Skin to skin.
My body is craving her so badly. I want her to wash away every last bit of pain in my life. Longing bursts through me and I gently lift her legs around my waist.

Slowly, I lower her to my bed, placing her back against the softness of the blanket. I land between her legs, keeping them wrapped around me. My tongue slips into her mouth searching for hers. My mouth
glides from her lips and my tongue finds the sweetness of her neck. Swirling my tongue and biting her as I go along has produced a series of moans from Lena.

I’d do anything to keep hearing the sounds coming from her mouth. The warmth from my mouth finds her breasts, perky and waiting for attention.
Panting and pleading with me to take her, she tugs at the hair on my head. It makes me suck on her harder. And, at this point, I don’t know how much more time I have before I lose control. To buy myself some time, my fingers slip down her tummy to the spot between her legs that is causing her to ache badly.

Fuck. She is so fucking wet. I try not to focus on how good it is going to feel when I slip myself inside of her. “Tell me what you want, Lena.”

“Touch me,” she cries.

My fingers twirl around the sensitive spot on her body and she starts to buck against me. “Here?”

“Uh huh,” she responds.

I play with her for what seems like moments before she is begging me to get inside of her. I slip two fingers in her and within seconds, she is screaming my name. I can’t wait any longer. I need to get it in. Now.

Coming down from the high, Lena touches my cock with her soft hand. Involuntarily, I jerk in her hand. What can I say? It has a mind of its own. But, it doesn’t want to come in her hand. It wants inside. “This is it, Lena. If you don’t want this…me…then say it now.”

“I want you. I fucking want you.” Lena’s tongue invades my mouth.

I open her legs wider and my dick finds her entrance. I push into her. I wish I could say I am gentle, but I’m not. My cock buries inside of her deeper and deeper. My hips are thrusting into her harder and faster with each plea and moan Lena gives me. “Fuck. I fucking love you.”

Lasting long is not an option. The need I have for Lena is
overpowering. Just thinking about me being in her is making me want to explode inside of her. Her fingernails are scratching at my back, creating small tears in my skin. With each marking, I pound into her. Faster and faster, my movements make her move below me matching my rhythm. I recognize her need. She needs to come again.

My hands find her hips and I tilt her pelvic area towards me finding more room to go deeper. “Uh. Uh,” short puffs of air are released from her throat. She’s close. I can feel it.

I drive a bit harder into her. Looking into the depths of blue eyes before me, I can finally see what’s inside. “Come, Lena. Please come.”

And, with my plea, she
’s coming undone right in front me. It’s the most amazing thing I have ever seen. Sure, I’ve many girls to this point. But, nothing compares to watching Lena exploding with me inside of her. With a few, short, rough pumps; I let go inside of her, growling in her ear.

Sweat beads glisten both of our bodies. I’m afraid to pull myself out of her because it was like heaven being in her. Once I catch my breath, I know I have to pull out. When I do, we both moan with regret. Still on top of her, I run my hands through her
damp hair. “Since the day I met you, my life has gotten better, Lena. I love you.”

“I love you, too.” She whispers.

Her words weigh heavy on my heart. I know what we did means to her. She’s not looking around for her clothes and an exit this time. It speaks volumes to me. She’s not running from me. We are both in it for the long haul. Finally, I feel a little peace.

***

LENA

My desk has a bunch of prints
spilling over the side. Since Bree has returned to work, we have been trying to hit as many gigs as we can to make up for the time we lost. I’m so swamped. Eric dropped my favorite salad to my work for lunch with a little note:

Babe,

I know you haven’t eaten yet, today. Enjoy your lunch. I can’t wait to see you, tonight.

Love Always,

E

I smile with the knowledge that I will see him later. In fact, I can’t help but smile at the thought I finally found someone who loves me…all of me. My past. My present. My future. And, I love him. Sure, we are imperfect, but we are perfect together.

My damn phone interrupts my thoughts of Eric and pulls me back to the mess on my desk. I answer it in a huff. “Hello?”

A familiar voice is on the other end of the phone. “Lena, girl. It’s Kaite.”

I immediately perk up. With everything that has happened lately, I haven’t been able to call Kaite for our weekly phone chats. “Hey! I’m so sorry I haven’t been in touch. It’s been crazy!”

“Yeah. Whatever. You’re crazy in love. You don’t have time for your crazy best friend anymore,” she
teases.

“Shut up.” I laugh. There’s a little truth to her accusation.

“Well, I figured since I haven’t seen you in forever, you might entertain the thought of going to the high school reunion. It’s going to be held near you, at some mansion.” Kaite informs me.

Hell no. I don’t know why she thinks I would even want to go. She was the only friend I had when I attended high school. “Kaite, why the hell would I go?” Sometimes I think that girl smokes crack.

“It’s been five years, Lena. You’re not eighteen years old anymore. You’re a great photographer. You’ve got a sweet ass boyfriend who owns his own music studio. If I were you, I’d go to gloat. Half of the assholes we went to school with still live home with their parents.” Kaite explains. Kaite has good reason to go to the reunion. Her high school years were memorable. Plus, she is engaged to the same guy she was dating when we graduated. Me, on the other hand, I have no reason to go.

Rejoicing
in my success, in front of a bunch of people who mean nothing, doesn’t do it for me. “I’ve got nothing to prove, Kaite. I don’t care what they think of my life.” I try to change the subject. “I do want to see you. You think you can stay an extra day so you can meet Eric, Bree, and Josh?”

“I can’t wait to see you. I will miss you at the reunion.” She sounds a little disappointed.

Before I say goodbye, there is one question that burns in the back of my mind. “Kaite, why are they having the reunion an hour away from home? Why did they pick that mansion?”

Kaite sighs. I know she is hiding something. “I didn’t tell you because I had hopes of you going to it, no matter what. Levi’s parents own the mansion. He was on the reunion planning committee.”

“Great. Fucking great, Kaite. Don’t you think you should have told me something like that? All of these assholes are going to be globetrotting through my town. And, you didn’t think to tell me? When is it?” I’m fuming mad. This means my past is going to spill into my life. Most of my work venues are pubs and local bars. This high school reunion is going to be a breeding ground for the party go-ers. They are going to want to keep the party going after they leave the mansion. Not to mention, some of them are probably going to set up house a few days early or later. And, I can’t hide. I’ve already missed too much work.

“This upcoming Friday. I’m sorry, Lena. I didn’t pick the place.” I barely hear what she says. It’s Tuesday. They will be arriving or are already here. Levi might be here.

This isn’t Kaite’s fault. I just have to find a way to lie low until the event passes. With any luck, most of the idiots I went to school with don’t know great music. I doubt any of them follow indie bands, especially local bands. “Thanks for the heads up, Kaite. I will see you soon.”

***

Eric and Josh have the grand idea of going out to a bar tonight. Josh has been drinking a bit more lately. Luckily, he hasn’t gotten out of hand. However, Bree and I tow along as designated drivers.

O’Grady’s is a local Irish pub that has up and coming bands play on a nightly basis. The
quaint interior is divided into smaller rooms with fireplaces that open to the main room and bar area where the band plays.

             
Josh has secured a table in the back of the bar, which is fine with me. It’s dark and secluded. We can see the band but still hear ourselves think at the same time.

             
I sit quietly; nervous about the conversation I had with Kaite. I convince myself that I am overreacting. Eric wraps his arms around my shoulders. “You okay, baby?”

             
Not wanting to tell Eric about the possibility of a shit storm coming through, I lie. “Yeah. Just kind of tired because of work.”

             
His lips meet mine. I melt instantly. I swear every time this guy touches me, my body wakes up. My body relaxes and I don’t feel as anxious anymore. Eric attempts to pull away but I pull him back to me. The next time he tugs himself from me, he’s out of breath, “Wow. That was some kiss.”

             
My hand reaches to the side of his face and caresses the stubble coming in. “It’s a preview for what’s to come.”

             
He leans into Josh, “Dude, after we eat and the next set ends, let’s go.”

             
Josh nods in agreement. He’s been hovering over Bree lately. Anywhere she is, he wants to be. And, usually, he wants her alone. “I have no problem with that.” Bree snuggles in close to him giving him a small suck on his lip ring. Josh’s eyes are glazy and I can tell that he is loaded. It shouldn’t be a struggle leaving.

             
Were almost in the homestretch when I see Amanda and Brad enter the room. They look around trying to find the bar. They are hand in hand. Funny, I always thought they should be together. One cold heart deserves the other, after all.

             
As I hold onto Eric, the band finishes their song and the DJ takes over. I breathe a sigh of relief. Amanda and Brad are happily drinking away at the bar, barely noticing anyone. I figure that I can escape at anytime.

             
Clearly, I’m wrong. Amanda catches me out of the corner of her eye. She touches Brad’s arm and his head swings in my direction. An evil grin spreads across his face. Amanda whispers something in his ear. They hop off their bar stools to walk towards me.

             
Eric and I are holding hands, but mine begins to shake. Immediately, Eric notices that I’m not okay. “What’s wrong?”

             
“It’s Brad. That’s him.” Eric can see the happy couple coming towards me.

             
Eric’s grips my hand tighter. He tips off Josh by tapping him on his arm. It must be some kind of sign between them because they both look like they are ready for a fight. I feel Bree’s hand on the small of my back. She leans forward and whispers in my ear. “You are not alone. We’re here.”

             
Brad decides to speak first. He hasn’t aged well. Of course, he’s immaculate and groomed, but he’s starting to lose his hair. Levi told me that the reason why Brad picked on me so much because he had a crush on me too. The thought of him even thinking about me makes me want to vomit. “Lena, long time, no see. You look…well…you look like I expected you to look.” I’m not sure if that was an insult or a compliment.

             
Eric stands in front of me pushing me behind him. “Do yourself a favor, homie. Take your girl and get the fuck out of here.”

             
“I was just having a pleasant conversation with an old classmate. Homie.” Brad accentuates the word ‘homie’.

             
“The conversation is over.” Eric’s voice is flat and threatening. He doesn’t back down. I didn’t expect him to. Still, I don’t want him fighting Brad.

             
“Eric, let’s just go.” My voice is low. I can feel how tense Eric is. Josh being drunk doesn’t help. He’s salivating for a fight.

It scares me.

              Eric gives me a once over. My eyes are pleading with him to walk away. “C’mon. Let’s get out of here.” Eric grabs my hand and tries to lead me out of the bar.

As I’m walking, Brad grabs my arm. I stumble backwards but Eric grabs a hold of me. Eric is no longer with me. Instead, Bree is standing by my side, which means, Josh isn’t by hers. Within seconds, Brad and Eric are chest to chest. Someone is about to throw down. “Eric! Please, don’t.” I plead.
Eric takes a second to look in my direction. Within that quick second, Brad shoves Eric backwards.

Before I know what’s happening, Josh
is in Brad’s face. Alcohol brings out the worst in people. And, Josh’s has been through so much pain. He wants this fight. There is no fear factor. He’s ready to give the first punch. Josh angles his body in a defensive position and before anyone can stop it, he delivers a quick, debilitating blow to Brad’s face. Brad’s hands fly to his face to check the damage.

             
The adrenaline is seeping out of Josh’s body. A second punch is imminent. Bree screams for Josh to stop but she is too late. This time, Brad lands to the ground. Amanda kneels in front of him, screaming and crying. “Look what you have done!” Eric grabs Josh so he can’t do anymore damage.

             
The fight draws a crowd and suddenly I’m aware of some of the faces. They look familiar. It dawns on me that many of the patrons are here for the reunion. Again, I’m faced with people staring at me…watching…judging. I feel like I’m back in the hallway of my high school again.

             
The air in my lungs escapes me. I can’t breathe. I need to get out of here. So, I run. As I run, I hear Bree and Eric yelling for me. But, I don’t stop. I keep going and going until I crash into someone. My tears begin to fall. The poor sucker who caught me is probably soaked. Whoever it is, I allow them to comfort me.

             
“Lena.”

             
I’m jerked back into reality. It’s the most surreal moment I will ever have. Levi Porter is the catcher. Our eyes meet and the flood of feelings comes back to me.

“No. No.” I begin to run again. This time, I run in the direction of my love, Eric.

Eric looks at Levi. He doesn’t know who he is. He didn’t hear Levi say my name. “Thanks, man. I got her.”

Scanning Eric and how he is holding me, Levi shakes his head. “No problem.”

Eric leads me to his car. I was supposed to be the designated driver tonight. Thank god, Eric only had one drink because there is no way that I can drive. He puts me in the passenger seat and I lean my head against the window.

***