Page 18 of Broken

“Elliot.” I flinch at my name. At him saying it. “We’ll make it work. It’s not this woman’s fault.”

I snap my head to the side and find him standing a few feet from me with his hands shoved in his pockets, attempting to look calm and unimposing. It’s bullshit. All of this is bullshit.

The only response I can muster is the harsh rise and fall of my chest as I breathe ragged breaths. My teeth and jaw ache from the force I’m using to clench them shut.Please don’t make me do this.

His shoulders droop for just a second before he straightens up and plasters on a charming smile for the woman behind the desk.

“Good evening. We understand there aren’t any other rooms available. We can make it work for now, but can you let us know if another becomes available? Are there other options?” The bastard leans an arm on the granite slab of a counter.

I can’t do this. I can’t be trapped in a room with him. Sharing space like we’re friends. Like he didn’t break my heart.

“There’s nothing else available at this time, I’m so sorry. It looks like both of you booked at the same time, and the system had some kind of a glitch. If another room opens up, we’ll let you know immediately.”

I don’t want to be here. I want to hide from the horror of my life, but my fucking parents won’t let me leave. They’ll find a way to make sure I stay, threaten me with God only knows what, and make my life worse. I don’t have a choice.

Closing my eyes, I force myself to take a shaky breath.You’re okay. You will survive this.Avoid the room and pretend he isn’t there when I go to sleep.

A big, warm hand presses into my lower back, and I jerk away from it with a hiss. “Don’t touch me.”

Crossing my arms in a lame attempt to hold myself together, I stalk out of the room back to the pier that leads to the villas. Asher sighs behind me, following me into the fresh air that smells of sea and flowers.

I hate myself for acting like such a baby.Just grow the fuck up and get over yourself,but I can’t. I’m not strong enough to be friends with him. Why does he have to be here? Why do I have to be tormented with what I wanted more than anything but can’t fucking have? A knot forms in my throat, and tears threaten to fill my eyes, but with a deep breath, I force them back and disassociate from my feelings. They’re fucking useless anyway.

Asher’s steps are consistent behind me, and I force myself not to watch him, not to want him to fight for me and wrap his arms around me. My bottom lip trembles again, and I bite it to stop it. I can’t have him see me this weak, but I’m so fucking tired of fighting my own head that I don’t think I have the energy to fight him too.

It’s a bit of a walk to the villa, but we make it without speaking. Stomping up the stairs, I put my wristband to the lock, but it won’t open, so I have to stand there like an idiot trying over and over.

I’m about ready to fucking cry when Asher clears his throat. He puts his wristband to the lock, and it beeps open. He swings the door open and waits for me while I die of embarrassment. Asshole.

He keeps his face neutral as I rush past him, avoid the glass floor panel at the end of the bed that lets you see into the water under the villa, and shut myself in the bathroom. It’s as big as the bedroom. Jesus.

CHAPTERNINE

Asher

The bathroom door shuts as I enter the room. I’m exhausted and want to take a damn shower, but I guess that’s out. Looking around the room, I take in the light airy feel of the space. It’s all very expensive, minimalist boho chic. One wall is covered with curtains, and I head toward it to look out. The entire wall is window panels that look like they fold up like an accordion and gets rid of the wall. There’s an outside space with a few different seating options and a private pool, outside showers, and I think the receptionist said there’s some kind of hammock situation out there.

I can see myself eating breakfast out here, maybe convince Eli to join me.

It’s beautiful, I have to admit. Everything about this tropical island screams money and extravagance. Clear turquoise water, white sandy beaches, palm trees. All the guests stay in villas over the water so the lapping of the waves can ease you to sleep. Hardwood, glass, and natural fabrics. It’s gorgeous.

I push open the window panel that acts as a wall, and the soft crashing of the waves is calming. I drag in a deep breath of the salty sea air that has a sweet undertone, probably from all the flowers on the island.

Is Eli really going to stay in the bathroom all night? Sleep in the damn tub?

I head back inside to grab some clothes to change into and toss my dirty ones on the floor under the chair my bag is sitting on. The bedroom is made up of a king bed, two dressers that sit as bedside tables, and a small living room area with chairs that look like seashells and a TV.

Straightening my shoulders, I knock on the bathroom door. A little squeak comes from inside that has the corner of my lips lifting in a small smile.

“Come on, Eli—”

“Elliot!” His shout echoes in the space.

“You can’t sleep in the damn bathroom,” I say with more force than I should. I’m tired. Agitated. This day needs to fucking end, and if I have the opportunity to wrap myself around Eli, that’s even better.

“Go away!”

I lean my forehead against the door. Exhaustion and frustration warring within me. As much as I want to argue with him, I don’t have the patience, but every instinct I have says to not give up on him. It’s Eli. My Eli. My boy.