Page 24 of Broken

“Really? After what you did that night, you expect me to?”

“It wasonetime, Izzy, and that week…” He trailed off, something passing over his face that actually made me pause.

“That week what?”

“Nothing. Don’t worry about it.” If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear he blinked back tears. I frowned, some stupid inner part of me too tempted to take pity on him for a moment.

“Whatever happened that week doesn’t excuse the things you did, Zane.” I softened my voice slightly. “There’s no coming back from it.”

“Don’t say that.” He stepped forward, that insecurity I’d seen in his black-as-sin eyes now fueled with anger. I stepped back on instinct, but he grabbed my wrist. My breaths instantly went shallow, the world around me moving as sounds and smells shifted into that night from several months ago.

“Shit.” I vaguely heard as someone grabbed my shoulders. “Izzy, I’m sorry.”

I blinked, Zane coming back into focus, and I clutched my wrist to my chest. “Yeah, you did itthatnight, too.”

Blinking back my own tears, I slipped around him and into the bathroom before he could follow. The last stall door was wide open, and I ran inside, latching it behind me. I leaned back against the wall and slid down to the floor, staring at my knees as I struggled to catch my breath.

I had to get a grip. I had to figure out how todealwith this. I wastiredof this happening, of having to feel this way when even somethingnormalhappened. Not that dealing with Zane should have to be normal, but…

Forcing myself to shrug it off, I was about to get up, realizing I had to pee, when I heard the door to the restroom push open, and someone came in sobbing. I frowned, about to check on them, but then froze when I heard Phoenix’s voice.

“Lisa, you have to tell us what’s the matter. What happened?”

“Yeah, we can’t help you if we don’t know.”

“Youcan’thelp me.”

“Not if you don’t let us,” Larissa tried again.

“No, you don’t get it. Youcan’t help me.”

“Why not?”

I heard a rustling from a bag before there was a clink, like something was thrown in the sink.

“Oh, my God.” Phoenix gasped. “Is that a pregnancy test?”

“Yes.” Lisa sobbed.

“And it’s positive? Two lines means positive, right?” Larissa added.

“Yes.”

“Shit…” Phoenix puffed out a breath of air. “Do you know whose it is?”

“Tucker’s.”

My heart stopped, my whole world spinning to a standstill. I thought I had to pee before, but now, I was just sick, my stomach rolling. I sat frozen, listening to the conversation that was changing my life forever.

“You’re sure?”

“Yes, he’s the only one I’ve been with for months, but now he’s with that bitch, Izzy. Shit. What am I going to do?”

“You’re going to tell him. This is his baby, too,” Larissa encouraged. “No matter what he has going on with Izzy, he can’t ignore this. What you shared with Tucker was special. You said it yourself. Hell, I’ll bet he even dumps Izzy.”

“Or she dumps him. I mean, no offense, who wants this drama with their boyfriend?”

Oh, God.My stomach rolled all over again, and I scrambled to the toilet, officially throwing up my lunch. Flushing, I knew there was no use hiding anymore. I pushed open the stall door, and three shocked faces focused on mine in the mirror. With all the dignity I could muster, I grabbed a paper towel to clean the edges of my mouth.

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