Page 19 of Broken Desires

We pick up our weapons, and the tension from the night before seems to dissipate in this unconventional setting.

As I prepare to smash a vase, Eva slams her helmet down and swings with a wild, unrestrained fury, objects splintering beneath her wrath. I can’t hear her cries, but the raw look on her face is laced with pain and claws at my soul.

I pull up my mask as I stand to the side, watching her with confusion.

Cole approaches. His expression is a carefully crafted mask of concern. “Angel…” He moves toward her gently, his hand slowly rising in an attempt to still her.

Angel? My brows knit together in confusion.

Eva’s grip on the bat tightens, her entire body radiating fury. “Don’t touch me,” she snarls, swinging the bat with all her might. It slices through the air, stopping mere inches from him.

His reflexes save him, but the threat lingers in the air, charged and volatile. “Do not touch me. Ever again!”

His face morphs, turning almost primal and sending shivers down my spine. “I’ll touch you if?—”

She swings again, her movements a chaotic dance of fury and despair.

Ethan steps forward, inserting himself between them. “Chill, bro,” he murmurs, a hand resting on Cole’s chest.

Cole slaps it away, his eyes ablaze with a dark fire. “You don’t tell me what to do with her!” he spits, trying to peer around Ethan at Eva, who now sobs openly.

I rush toward her and encircle her with my arms, cautiously lifting her mask.

“No, but I won’t stand by while you scare her,” Ethan counters, his stance solid, protective.

Poppy looks at me. “Take the Cherry Bomb and drive her home. I’ll be there soon.”

I feel completely defeated, about to reveal my ineptitude at helping my friend when she really needs me. “I can’t… I’m not allowed to.”

“Ethan, move, or I swear to God—” Cole speaks through gritted teeth, his demeanor feral.

“Enough!” Liam slices through the tension, his helmet crashing to the floor. “Enough of this damn drama. No one needs it.”

He steps forward, his hand caressing my shoulder, as Eva’s cries, now heart-wrenching, are muffled against my chest. I feel so warm inside at his concern and the way he keeps my deafness secret from the others.

His expression softens, eyes tender. “Let me take you home.”

I glance at Poppy, who nods reassuringly. “I’ll take care of the car.”

I nod to Liam, and he reaches down to carry Eva out of the room.

As Liam takes charge of the situation, his presence is both commanding and reassuring. He gently guides Eva, his movements both protective and caring. The intensity of the moment is palpable, and as I follow him, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for his understanding and discretion about my deafness.

Outside, the air feels crisp and sobering. Liam’s stride is steady as he carries Eva to the car, her cries now subdued into quiet whimpers. I walk beside him, my mind a whirlwind of emotions. This afternoon has taken a turn I never anticipated, revealing layers of pain and complexity in my friends that I hadn’t fully understood before.

As we settle Eva into the car, Liam’s touch is gentle, his concern evident in every action. He then turns to me, his eyes meeting mine in a silent exchange full of empathy and warmth. “Are you okay?” he asks, his words clear enough for me to lip-read easily.

I nod and sit in the back seat, resting Eva’s head on my lap. It broke my heart to see my caring and loving friend break the way she did.

After a few minutes, Eva’s sobbing stops, but she keeps her head on my knees, and I stroke her hair silently until we reach the building.

Almost as soon as we stop, Eva is up and out of the car. I throw a confused look at Liam and follow her to the building.

She turns briskly as she reaches the door, and I startle.

“Are you okay?” I ask, frowning.

She looks behind me, and I turn to see Liam still sitting in his car, probably waiting for us to go inside.

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