A Shattered Heart (Fractured Lives 2)

Five minutes later I rolled my filled suitcase out of my room, not bothering to switch off the light. When I returned later to start packing I didn't want my room to be dark again. It was silly but I didn't care.

We stopped for lunch and at the U-Haul place on the way home to line up a truck for the following day. I purchased two dozen boxes and rolls of tape while we were there. Brian had promised he would help me pack and move the next day. He said he'd bring reinforcements so we could knock it all out in one day. I was skeptical but hoped he was right. The sooner I moved, the better.

"I heard you stayed the night with Mac," Mom said as I pulled off the highway. She'd opted to ride with me to keep me company. I had the feeling it was more than that. What had happened at my apartment had put her on edge. She believed it could have been me.

"You did?" I asked, not sure why I was surprised. Just because I cut all ties with my old life didn't mean she had.

"Yesterday was my weekly lunch with the girls. Patricia, Gloria, Trina, and Jill all say hi by the way."

I nodded. I noticed she didn't mention Jessica's mom Suzy. I guessed they really had moved. It made me sad to think about.

"Mac was real happy you came by to see her."

"I was stupid to wait so long," I said, shooting her a wry look as I waited for her to agree with me. Everyone had been pushing me that way for so long.

Mom didn't rub it in my face though. "You just needed time. We all understand that, baby. Everyone knows how hard it's been. Trina did mention that you and Brian were working together at the Y. Have you seen him there?"

I glanced her way, curious if this was a test. I wondered how much Trina, Brian's mom, knew about our budding relationship. Mom's innocence indicated they must not know much. Relief flooded through me.

"I thought maybe we would do an end-of-summer bash in a couple weeks," Mom said, not meeting my eyes as I cut off the engine in their driveway. "How does that sound?"

It was more than a question. It was a door being opened that had been slammed closed two years ago. We'd had dozens of parties over the years. Before the accident the only question had been who would throw the next bash. I gripped the steering wheel in my hands. I wasn't sure if the door should or could even be opened now. The idea of all of us being together with half our group missing sliced painfully through me. "I don't know, Mom," I answered. "I'm not sure we'd all survive it in one piece."

Mom reached over and squeezed my hand, which was still gripping the steering wheel. "It will hurt, but I think it's time. It's time we celebrate getting to the other side. I think we all need it."

I gnawed on my lip, digesting the idea. "Okay," I conceded. "Let me know what you need me to do."

"Just show up, baby. We'll do the rest."

"Okay," I said again, trying to ignore the ache in my heart. I knew I'd started this by visiting Mac, but maybe Mom was right. Maybe it was time.

Twenty

Brian was waiting for me at my apartment the next morning when I showed up. He wasn't alone though, Mac and her EMT were also waiting. Climbing from my car I shot Brian a look, not sure if I should be mad. I didn't need him to play matchmaker between Mac and me. We were already finding our way back to our friendship. But I wasn't ready for her to know about Brian and me. I didn't like the feeling of being backed into a corner.

"Look, Kat, we have more minions to help us today. Mac and Bentley showed up a few minutes ago. Your mom told them you were packing up your apartment today. They want to help," Brian said in way of a greeting. His statement held all the answers I needed.

I smiled, though I'm pretty sure it came out as a grimace. My two worlds seemed bo

und and determined to collide. "You guys didn't have to do that," I said, mentally searching for a way to explain Brian's presence.

"We wanted to." Mac grinned at me impishly. "Imagine my surprise when I discovered the friend your mom mentioned was actually our old friend Brian," she said, raising an eyebrow at me. "I'm surprised she didn't mention it."

I bit off a groan. Mac was no dummy. I could tell by the glint in her eyes she knew.

"Brian was working at the Y when I started working there in June," I explained.

"And you're friends?" she asked, moving her eyes back and forth between the two of us.

"Yes," I answered. I'd forgotten how intuitive Mac was. I glanced at Brian, gauging his reaction to my words. Would he contradict me? Stake his claim? Insist we were more? His eyes narrowed slightly before he smiled at Mac.

"I'd say we're at the 'getting to know' you stage," he said.

I was pretty sure I groaned this time.

"Hi, I'm Kat," I said, holding my hand out to Mac's EMT.

"Oops, sorry," Mac said, stepping in to take over the introduction. "Bentley, this is my good friend, Kat. Kat, this is my Bentley," Mac practically sang, sliding an arm around her EMT's waist.