Page 81 of Fragile hearts

Sunshine: Are they still behaving?

A laugh bursts out of me. I had asked Alexis if it was okay if I went out with Connor tonight. She was fine with it the last time, but we weren’t dating then. I didn’t know if there were any rules about going out now that we’re a couple. When I asked her, she stared at me in silence for a few seconds before cupping my face, saying that I would never have to ask for permission for anything, that I could do whatever I wanted to. The only request she had was that I let her know where I would be going in case she needed to pick me up. I had stared at her, speechless, before crashing my mouth to hers, kissing her senseless until we were both breathless.

I had texted her when we saw Killian walk in so that I could update her on Connor and Killian’s relationship. Alexis and I both hope that Killian and Connor can find a way to get past their argument. It’s still none of my business why they broke up, but that doesn’t stop me from wondering what happened between them.

Carson: Yes.

Carson: Killian’s friend is married.

She replies within seconds.

Sunshine: Good.

Sunshine: So he isn’t on a date then.

Carson: Apparently not. I’ll keep you updated.

Sunshine: Okay, have fun.

Carson: I will. Thanks, baby.

I pocket my phone while Connor is still staring at Killian when a young woman approaches us. From the smell coming out of her mouth, she is heavily intoxicated. “Hi, handsome,” she purrs, her hand sliding over my arm. I take a step back. “Do you want to dance?” She is swaying on her feet, her brown hair tangled, covering her face.

“No.” My voice may come off too harsh, but I don’t care. I don’t want this woman anywhere near me. I know she’s drunk and probably won’t remember doing any of this. But that doesn’t give her the right to touch someone without their permission. “Come on, it’s just a dance.” She steps forward again, her face inches from mine. I grab her by the shoulders, pushing her back—not too hard to hurt her, but hard enough that she’s out of my reach.

“I said no.” I’m talking louder now, my voice rising high above the music. She stumbles back. I grab my phone, my hands sweating. I show her the background, a picture I took of Alexis when she was riding her bike. “I have a girlfriend.”

“Well, why didn’t you say that?”

“I said no, I don’t need to tell you about my girlfriend before you back up. The word no should be enough.”

People stare at us with curious glances, but I don’t care. I don’t mean to offend this woman. I know she’s drunk and not thinking clearly, but no still means no. The woman looks up at Connor still with that flirty smile on her face.

“No.” His words are final. She shrinks from the Connor’s harsh voice then hurries back to her friends, who are watching us with apologetic faces.

Killian must have heard the commotion. He leaves his friend at the bar and walks over to us. “Hey, bud.” He’s smiling, but it falters when he sees my brother. “Connor.”

“Hi, Kill.” Connor’s voice is laced with hope and devastation, like every time I hear him speak with Killian.

Killian doesn’t spare him a glance, keeping his gaze focused on me. “Hey, I didn’t know you were coming here,” I say.

He shrugs. “Last-minute decision. Matt said he was in town and wanted to meet up, so I suggested we’d come here.”

He nods over where the drunk woman is sitting. “Heard you got a little angry.”

“She’s drunk and had some trouble understanding the word no.”

“Well…” He clasps my shoulder. “You look like you need a drink.” He grabs me by the arm, pulling me towards the bar. He pauses for a moment, sighs hard, and calls over his shoulder.

“You coming?”

Connor steps beside us, his eyes trained on my best friend the whole time, shining with hope.

Alexis

Carson: I’ll be home in 20 minutes. I’m leaving now.

I gaze at the clock. It’s not even midnight. I was expecting him to be home later, but I’m definitely not complaining. It’s been almost two weeks since I learned about Micah’s fate. We still haven’t heard back from Officer Stanton about the new evidence they have or whether the name Simone helped. It’s weird waiting for something, not knowing when you’ll hear back from them. When I was younger, I used to wait in anticipation and would get angry when I wouldn’t hear anything, but I feel different now. I gave them something new to work with. And perhaps it also has to do with the fact that I have Carson now. He has been my biggest supporter in all of this. I still have nightmares sometimes, but luckily not as often as I used to.