Beautifully Broken

Rex presses his lips against my forehead. “All in good time, Piper. All in good time.”

People stare as we walk down the hallway hand in hand. No one bothers to hide their surprise that I snagged the most wanted man at our school, but Rex doesn’t seem to notice. He walks with his head held high, showing me off like I’m some sort of prize.

“Sup, Rex,” Jake, one of Logan’s friends, says holding up his hand for a high five.

Rex ignores the hand but grins. “Not much.”

Jake’s gaze drops to me, “Piper.”

My insides squirm in a nervous-get-me-out-of here way. I stretch my fingers, hoping Rex will let go so I can make my escape. Instead he squeezes my hand three times and, in my head, I hear him say I’ve got you. I fake a smile. “Hey Jake.”

“What’s good for tomorrow’s party?” he asks Rex.

“Not having one this weekend.” Rex pulls me closer then slides his arm over my shoulder. “I’m taking my girl on a date.”

A date? Like a real one? All of a sudden I’m hot. Too hot. Rex’s arm over me is heavy and I don’t think I can breathe. “Oh, I—”

“She works Friday nights with Cooper,” Jake interrupts. “I’ll bring the keg this time.”

Rex looks at me quizzically. “You okay?”

I take a slow, deep breath. I’m not okay, but I’m trying to be. “Yeah, I’m fine. Um. I work every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.”

“My bad, Babe.” Rex says with a grin. “I thought you had tomorrow off.”

Jake sticks his finger in his mouth and pretends to gag. “Ugh. Get a room.”

Rex chuckles. “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

Rex takes my chin beneath his thumb and forefinger and tilts my face upward. He leans down and kisses me. Right in the middle of the hallway. His hands fall to my hips as he backs me into the locker. He lifts me, effortlessly, and I wrap my legs around his waist. Every cheesy high school romance novel I’ve ever read has this scene. I’ve always felt a longing when reading them, but the tingling I’m feeling inside isn’t longing. It’s need.

“How’s that?” Rex whispers in my ear.

“Seriously, dude?” Jake asks incredulously. “Do you know where that mouth’s been?”

Rex sets me back on my feet and turns to Jake, fire in his eyes. I feel like someone’s gutted me. My first hallway kiss was everything I hoped for and more, only to be ruined by this prick. Thanks Life. Way to ruin everything, again.

“Say one more crude thing about my girlfriend,” Rex growls “and I’ll break your fucking jaw.”

Jake takes a step back, hands up in surrender. “My bad.” He turns to walk away but doesn’t get far.

Rex takes a step forward and claps his hand on Jake’s shoulder. “You owe her an apology.”

Jake groans, barely looking over his shoulder. “Sorry, Piper.”

“It’s okay,” I squeak out. We amble down the hallway to my locker. “You should have your party tomorrow.”

Rex waits while I twist the dial and grab my books. I close it then turn and lean against the cold metal. He shrugs. “I’m kind of looking forward to the whole chill, quiet house thing. Besides I can’t pick you up after work if I have to babysit a bunch of drunk idiots.”

“You don’t have to pick me up. I can—”

“Sleep with Cooper?” He interrupts. “Not happening.”

“Possessive much?” I tease.

“You have no idea,” he says through a chuckle. I stare at him, not sure what to say. Bane’s right, I need to stop this. I’ve never believed in love, still don’t. But Rex makes me feel like I’ve got a shot at something great with him. And maybe I do. I once read that when it’s darkest, magic happens. My life was a black hole before Rex. Now there’s light, making me want to give life a chance and that in itself is magical.

“It was a joke, Piper.” Rex says pulling me out of my thoughts. He studies me, a worried expression on his face. He’s got that look again, one that says he knows my deepest darkest secrets—he does—but this time it’s different. “I’m worried if I let you go; you won’t come back.”