Page 12 of Every Single Broken Piece
I lift my hand and grip Jordan’s shoulder while I rest my cheek against his chest. My eyes burn with tears, but there’s no relief because they refuse to fall.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper again. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve said those words to my brother. “I can’t leave. I can’t ...”
When my breathing begins to speed up again, he quickly pushes me back and locks eyes with me. “Shh ... take deep breaths.”
My face crumples, but still no tears fall, and I close my burning eyes. “Today is extra bad.”
“I know.” Jordan places an arm around my shoulders and leads me to where his SUV is parked. “Let’s go to your place. I don’t think it’s doing you any good being at the cemetery.”
The drive to my house is filled with silence, and even though I stare out the window, I don’t take in any of my surroundings.
“How’s your new neighbor?” Jordan asks as he pulls up my driveway.
I glance at my brother and notice he’s looking at the man who’s busy throwing a ball for his dog on the stretch of grass between our houses.
“He’s quiet. Jill says he’s very antisocial. Apparently, he doesn’t speak to anybody and keeps to himself,” I reply as I push the passenger door open and climb out.
When Jordan walks toward my neighbor, I let out a sigh and wait by the front of the car.
“Hi,” my brother says, holding out his hand. “I’m Jordan Woodruff.”
“Hi,” the man replies, his eyes flicking to me before returning to my brother. “Levi Graye. Sorry, but I don’t touch people.”
Jordan hesitates for a couple of seconds before he lowers his hand. “My sister told me she got a new neighbor, and I thought I’d introduce myself.”
It’s the longest I’ve looked at Levi, and I notice he’s taller and more muscled than Jordan. I can’t make out his eye color, but he has black hair that’s ruffled, some of the strands hanging over his forehead.
No wonder Jill always mentions our new neighbor. He’s really attractive in a rugged way. I take in the white T-shirt and faded black jeans he’s wearing. His brown boots look as worn as I feel.
When the dog starts sniffing around Jordan’s legs, Levi murmurs, “Excuse me.” He pats against the side of his thigh, and the dog quickly follows him as they walk away.
Jordan keeps glancing at Levi’s house while he heads toward me, then says, “You weren’t lying when you said he’s quiet.”
I don’t comment and go to the front door. When we step inside the sparsely decorated space, my brother scowls at the single couch that doubles as my bed. I only go upstairs when I bathe or shower, and pretty much live on the couch.
“How are the security cameras?” Jordan asks as I go to the kitchen to make us some tea.
“They’re fine.”
“Do you even check that they’re still working? When did you last test the alarm?”
I glance at my brother. “Trust me, it’s the one thing I check religiously.” I drive the security company insane because I test it every two weeks. Luckily for me, they’re patient and put up with my obsessive behavior.
Jordan leans back against a counter and crosses his arms over his chest. “Do you still take your medication for the panic attacks?”
I let out a heavy breath before answering, “I’m trying to use it less. I can’t keep taking the pills forever.”
“What does Dr. Swafford have to say about it?”
“It doesn’t matter what he thinks,” I mutter as I begin to get annoyed.
“Kelcie—”
I turn to face Jordan and shake my head hard. “I get that you’re worried about me, but you have to stop. I’m fine. The security cameras and alarm work. I eat regular meals, and I take the medication when things become unbearable. But that’s as good as it’s going to get.” A breath shudders from me.
Jordan comes closer and places a hand on my shoulder. His features are torn with heartache. “You can’t heal here, Kelcie.”
My eyebrows draw together, and my eyes begin to burn again. “I’ll never heal. No matter where I go, it won’t help because I can’t move away from the memories.”
