Page 77 of Broken Pieces

“There isn’t much around here.”

“It’s Tyler’s death anniversary today,” Summer whispers.

Brett wraps his arm around his wife and kisses her head. “The only place I think she could be is the Cellar. But I don’t know how she would have gotten there.”

I think back to that one night a couple weeks ago where she came home slightly tipsy. I also remember finding an old bike leaning against the side of the cottage the next morning.

“That’s got to be it.”

I don’t even say anything else as I run out into the rain and jump in my truck. It’s only a few miles from here so I should be there in no time.

My phone starts ringing on the seat next to me. I ignore it. Not wanting to be bothered by anyone but it starts ringing again. I pick it up off the seat and see Mac’s name.

“This better be important,” I answer roughly.

“You better get over to the Cellar, man. I just got here but Rae is in here and she is shit faced. I don’t know if she has any clue what she’s doing but creepy Steve is here and she’s sitting in his lap. I’m going to—”

“Get her off him. I’m on my way.”

I hang up before he can say anything. I drive faster, but visibility is shit right now.

Within five minutes I jump out of the truck and don’t even bother to shut the door as I run up the steps of the bar and storm through the door. I look around and don’t see Rae. Creepy Steve is in his usual spot holding a bloody towel to his nose.

I feel a hand on my shoulder and nearly punch the person as I turn around.

It’s Mac. He jumps back with his arms out. My nostrils are flaring, and I know he knows I am pissed. “Where the fuck is she?”

Mac still has his arms out in front of him. “Now before you start throwing punches at me, you should know Steve’s bloody nose is because of me. George was nice enough to let me stay here until you showed up before kicking me out.”

“I don’t fucking care about any of that,” I growl.

“No shit, man. But I pulled her off Steve. She got pissed, but I pulled her behind me and then decked Steve in the face. When I turned around all I saw was the door of the bar slamming shut.”

“I gave you one job, Mac.”

His eyes turn angry. “It’s not my job to take care of your girl, Brooks. But I know that she is going through some shit right now. You need to be there. You need to take care of her.”

I go to punch him in the face even though I can’t blame him. And he did get rid of creepy Steve for me. But before I can throw the punch, someone holds my arm back.

“Don’t punch your best friend, Brooks. Go find your girl.” I turn to see George, the owner, holding my arm.

I nod. And let my arm down. “I’m sorry. Thanks, Mac.”

I head out the door and jump back in my truck. She couldn’t have gotten far. Especially in this rain.

I drive back toward the farm slowly, keeping my eyes peeled for a beautiful girl with honey-colored hair.

I’m only a mile from the bar when I see her. She’s stumbling along the road rolling a bike alongside her.

I pull over and run to her. She looks up at me as I stand in front of her.

“Brooks?” she asks.

She is blinking through rain and tears. She drops the bike and stumbles toward me. I catch her before she can fall. She is soaked through and I can feel the thundering of her chest, the tears that are shaking uncontrollably out of her. “I didn’t think anyone cared. I didn’t think anyone would be there.”

“I’m here baby, I’m here,” I say as I scoop her up in my arms and carry her to the truck. I set her on the seat then go back for the bike and throw it in the bed. I climb into the passenger side of the truck and pull her onto my lap. She mumbles incoherently into my chest. I stroke her hair and hold her tight, comforting her as best I can.

It’s in this moment I realize how fucked I truly am.

Because I have fallen.

Hard.

Into the thunderous call of the ocean.

Into the choppy waves I promised myself I wouldn’t go.

I would do anything to keep this girl happy.

And it’s at this moment I realize I am in love with her.