Shattered Pieces

Sixteen

"Kia. Please. Please tell me by some miracle you're here to see me." One thousand thoughts a minute are running through my head as my brother and Kia exchange glances that all but confirm that they've met before.

"Baker. Your maiden name is Baker." She practically whispers. Cool, glad we're getting the introductions out of the way.

I look at my husband, and I know him well enough to know that he's shocked but not nearly as shocked as me. Somebody better start talking, and soon.

"Remember that ex I was telling you about? The one from LSU—"

"Stop. Stop talking."

My brother? My freaking brother?! Just yesterday, he was at Simone's house, and he looked rather comfortable there. So comfortable, in fact, that my husband knew he could go there in his time of need.

I glance at Kia, and my eyes fall to the giant rock on her finger. The one that she wears because she's married and the man who put that ring on her finger isn't my brother.

"I asked you what he was doing here." I turn to Spencer

"It wasn't my business to tell. Plus, I didn't know all the specifics."

"Wa– wasn't your business to tell. The irony." I let out a chuckle. Then the laughs continue to flow as tears fill my eyes.

"You got it, Spencer. I have to be at my studio in the morning, so if it isn't too much of an inconvenience, I'm sure your son would love to spend some time with you."

"Olivia—"

"Don't, Spencer. Just don't."

It wasn't his business to tell. I guess secrets in our marriage are only bad when I'm the one keeping them. Don't get me wrong, I know there were different implications, but Spencer came down so hard on me, and here he is, keeping Jordan's secrets the same way I kept Kennedy's. Why? Because he didn't know the specifics. When I tried to say that, he shut me down at every turn.

Everything just hurts at this point. I've been in survival mode since we saw Kennedy at that arcade, and a crash is imminent. I turn to walk out the door, wanting desperately to leave the negative energy that has plagued my life for the past few days behind me.

"Liv, wait!" I turn, coming face to face with Kia. I try to hide my disappointment. I'm not sure why I expected Spencer to come after me.

"Can I talk to you for a second?"

My eyes drift slightly toward Jordan and Spencer as Kia stands in the doorway. They're whispering away at one another. I guess Spencer couldn't be bothered to even see that I actually made it out of the door.

"Uh, yeah. Sure. I'm parked right down in the garage If you want to talk there."

She simply nods and follows me to the elevator.

The elevator ride feels painfully slow. I suppose I only have myself to blame. I insisted on living on the highest floor. It's like I'm standing next to a complete stranger. The air only gets thicker as every lie that's unfolded in the past few days becomes lodged in this elevator with Kia and me.

The silence is blaring, giving too much room for thought. With each passing minute, the realization sets in that since I met Spencer, my life has been filled with secrets no one wanted to know. The quiet is almost invasive at this point. My mind races as I try to focus on the numbers as we descend to the garage.

"I didn't know he was your brother, Liv," Kia speaks just as the elevator comes to a stop. The door slides open, and I practically run out, grasping for air. I search around frantically until I finally spot it.