Reed (Book 2, Southern Royals Saga)

Chapter 20: Brokenhearted

November 16, 2014

Helena, Alabama

2 weeks.

That's how long it's been since I've spoken to Liv.

It was the hardest thing, keeping myself from calling her before I went to bed, or sending her a good morning text.

My soul ached for its other half, but Adrian's threats were not to be taken lightly.

I was beginning to believe she was better off without me. Safer.

Every time I thought of calling her: she's better off.

Anytime I wanted to text her: she doesn't want to hear from you, you broke her heart.

With each passing day, my thoughts of her became louder with alarm.

I didn't know if she was happy or depressed, or even safe for that matter; I had no clue.

Did she seclude herself after we broke up? Or did she jump back into the dating scene?

My muscles tensed on reflex; the thought of her with someone else... It made my blood boil.

She was mine!

Keyword: was.

I beat my head against the wall.

She'll meet someone. Someone that would give her everything she ever wanted.

It hit my head again, harder.

It won't take long for another guy to notice her. Her beauty and her essence, her kindness...

I screamed, my anger spiking.

I look behind me and see the dented crack on the wall.

Fan-fucking-tastic.

"Brandon, are you okay?" Liz yelled through my closed door.

I rolled my eyes, "Fine."

I felt bad as I heard her quaint footsteps shuffle away; I didn't mean to be so curt.

She didn't have it so easy right now either.

Owen had moved out. He woke up about a week ago, had his bags packed, and told us that he was going to Chicago for a while. Maybe it was what happened to Rose, or his guilt from dumping Zoey, but he made it clear he didn't want anything to do with the fight anymore.

Can't say I blamed him; if I was smart, I'd be running off for Chicago, too.

My aunt was a pro at putting on a brave face, but I saw right through her this time.

Owen was hers, and now she had lost another son.

Noah was currently not speaking to me. I told him he had to break up with Abby that night at the hospital two weeks ago, and that was "breaking bro code", whatever the fuck that meant.

He knew the danger that Adrian posed to them, yet wants to blame me for trying to save their lives.

Speaking of Adrian...

It was safe to say I loathed the man. He walked around our house like he owned it; he and Royce both.

Every time I saw that slimy fucker, I wanted to strangle him.

After what he did to Rose... I'd kill him.

Someday. It didn't surprise me that Royce was still around though; as Anthony said, Adrian held all the cards here.