Page 74 of Broken

My arms opened, and she looked up, surprised. I gave her a gentle smile, stepping forward to wrap my arms around her in a tender embrace. She sank into me, her arms going around my back, and we held each other there for several long minutes before I gently lifted her chin, tilting her head so that I could look into her eyes. Finding tear tracks running down her cheeks.

My heart clenched.

“Please don’t break up with me,” she whispered.

I shook my head, feeling like an even bigger ass that she’d think for even a minute that was what I wanted.

“Never,” I reassured her.

“You’re sure? You wouldn’t even look at me tonight during the game.”

“Because I knew if I did that, I’d be walking out of therewithyou to fix things. I love you, Izzy. I know I was an ass. I’m sorry I hurt you.”

I felt her sigh, her whole body sagging in relief.

“I love you. I’m sorry, too,” she murmured back.

“Youdon’t have anything to be sorry about.”

“I think we both know I do, but you’re right, not like you do after the last few days. Don’t you ever shut me out like that again, do you hear me, Tucker Pierce?” She whacked my chest. “We can’t do that anymore. Not with our situation.”

“I know.” I pulled her close again, and Izzy buried her face in my chest. I relished the feel of her small body in my arms. The way she tucked so perfectly against me.

Suddenly she sighed. “Would it be an inappropriate time to say I’m hungry?”

I laughed. “Considering everything…no, princess. It wouldn’t.” I stepped back from the hug, keeping Izzy’s hand in mine. “I’d say let me take you somewhere, but Jet and I were planning on going out to Bob’s with the guys. Do you mind riding home with Annie in my truck? Y’all rode with Jet earlier, right?”

Her face fell, the joy I’d started to see again disappearing, and she nodded. “Yeah, we did. And sure. Go have your guy time.”

“Are you sure? You seem kind of upset about it. I can cancel if you want.”

Her face scrunched in disgust. “No. I hate it when girls want to dictate what their boyfriends can and can’t do. I’m just tired. And hungry. I’m being ridiculous, anyway. I made plans earlier, too, so Annie will have to take your truck. Food does sound really good, though. Will you grab me something?” She pulled out a ten, and I tucked the money back in her bag.

“You don’t have to pay me. I’ll get you something.”

“Thanks.” She smiled. “Will you wait by your truck with me for a few minutes while I wait for my ride?”

I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and led us out. “So, these plans…going on a secret date?”

“What?” She looked up at me, seeing my smirk.

“Or I know. It’s a shoe shopping brigade with Emma. Annie’d rather be dead than go shopping.”

She shook her head, grinning. “You and this game.”

“That you love.” I flashed her a smile. “Now, if you’re going out with Emma, may I recommend a stop by Victoria’s Secret? Add to that lace collection of yours?”

She blushed as we reached my truck. “Sure. Yeah. That’s where I’m going. But it’s with L–”

The rest of what she said drowned out as I caught a glimpse of who was walking past a few cars away, Larissa under his arm. As if sensing I was watching, Zane turned and gave me an ugly sneer as Larissa slid her hand along his chest. She pulled him down into a kiss, but instead of pulling her in, Zane’s gaze shifted to Izzy, giving her a wink.

I scowled, a look of warning and irritation searing through my glare. Anger pulsed through my body because what the fuck? What was he playing at now?

I felt Izzy’s fingers slip under my shirt to press against my abs, her soft touch trying to calm me and bring me back down, but I was pissed. This guy had no limits. Fucking winking atmygirl like it was a game while he kissed someone else, someone who’d been treating Izzy like dirt.

I shifted, hiding Izzy’s body with mine, and she leaned back against my Chevy, tugging the front of my shirt to pull me down to meet her lips.

My brow lifted in surprise, but it didn’t take long for me to respond, swooping her up in a heated kiss. My tension melted away, and I took a step closer, pressing my hand against the cab of my truck, lowering my head to deepen the kiss. Izzy shook with the intensity, her hands tangled in my shirt against my chest. Like she was dragging me down, needing me closer.

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