Page 222 of Collide
No glass. No ice. No mixers.
I unscrew the cap with shaking hands and take a long, burning swig, the sharpness cutting through the numbness just enough to feel something real. The burn is a cruel reminder of a promise we made—and broke. I sink onto the couch, my damp hair clinging to my back, the T-shirt riding up as I pull my knees close to my chest.
I take another long sip, wincing as it burns its way down, but at least it’s a pain I can control.
Cheers to me—numb, broken, and alone.
The city lights blur against the glass, smearing like watercolors, the world outside moving on without me.
My eyes burn, raw and swollen from crying, my body heavy with exhaustion and liquor.
The buzzer rings.
I freeze.
The bottle trembles slightly in my hand as my heart slams against my ribs.
Alex?
I sit frozen for a long moment, staring at the door in the dark like I can will him to appear.
Is he here?
Did he come to take it back?
Did he realize it was a mistake?
Then, a knock. Firm.
My breath catches.
Slowly, I set the vodka bottle down on the coffee table, my fingers trembling again as I stand, staring at the door.
I whisper a silent prayer.Please,let it be him.
Each step toward the door feels heavier than the last, my pulse roaring in my ears.
I reach for the handle, hesitating long enough to wonder if opening it will undo everything. If it’ll fix what’s been broken.
Then I pull it open.
Flowers and balloons greet me first, bright and colorful in the dim hallway light.
And then, a smile.
He came.He’shere.
“Happy birthday,” he says softly.
Before I can even think, I launch myself into his arms, wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him hard, fierce and desperate, like I’m drowning and he’s my only breath.
He tenses for half a second before his arms wrap around me, strong and steady. The balloons and flowers drop to the ground, forgotten, as he holds me like he’ll never let go.
His scent fills me—mountains and amber, warm and familiar in a way that makes my chest ache.
I melt into him, clinging to his shoulders, my body trembling, lost in the moment.
Mountains. Amber.
No.
Alex smells like the ocean and citrus.
I pull back, breathless and confused, my heart pounding heavily.
His hands stay on my waist, grounding me as I blink, my eyes coming into focus.
When our gazes meet, it’s green eyes I see.
Broderick.
