Broken kingdom

Chapter 19 Bianca

“We’re go

“I know,” I tell him. “I just need two more minutes.” 

Ignoring his huff of a

Tonight we’re having di

I quickly give myself a once-over in the mirror. I wanted to be cute but sensible, so I chose a purple off the shoulder sweater dress and paired it with some black leggings and high-heeled boots. 

I can feel Stone’s eyes on me as I put on some silver hoop earrings. 

“Don’t you think that’s a little…you know?” 

“A little what?” I question, not understanding what he means. 

He sweeps a hand up and down, gesturing to my outfit. “Your dress. It’s too short.” His eyes fall to my bare shoulder. “And showing too much skin.” 

I have to stifle a laugh because my dress is pretty tame compared to some of the other articles of clothing hanging in my closet at home. “You’re kidding, right?” 

The terse way his jaw sets tells me he isn’t. 

Visibly irritated, he glances at his watch. “It’s too late to change now. Just wear a jacket.” 

Part of me wants to argue because he’s being ridiculous, but I know it’s only because he’s nervous seeing as he’s not the best at socializing and these new friends of his are important to him. 

Swallowing my a

He studies me for a long beat before walking over to me. 

I expect him to kiss me and apologize for being an ass, but he brushes his thumb over my lips, smearing my lipstick. 

“I hate when you wear that stupid shit.” 

Before I can protest, he grabs my wrist and charges out the door. “Come on. We’re late.” 

“That’s fascinating,” Ruth exclaims as she takes another bite of her food. “So, how many brain scans have they conducted on you since the accident?”

Looking down at my plate, I shift uncomfortably in my seat. I suddenly feel like a specimen being studied under a microscope and I hate it. 

“I’m not sure of the exact number, but I’ve definitely had a few,” I murmur, silently praying Stone takes the hint and comes to my rescue. 

Ruth brings her glass of water to her lips. “Well, I’d love to take a look at them one day.” 

For the love of God. 

I force a polite smile. “Sure.” 

Studying me intently, Ruth’s boyfriend Eugene pushes his glasses up his nose. “From my understanding patients with long-term retrograde amnesia don’t always recover.” 

Well, isn’t he just a giant ray of sunshine? 

I stab my Caesar salad with my fork. “Right.” 

Across the table, Stone’s friend Robby clears his throat. “I wouldn’t say it’s impossible, though.” He drums his fingers along his chin. “Although they do say distant memories are the first to return and the most recent ones return last. It’s also been noted in some medical journals that if memories come back, they tend to return within two years.” He looks at me. “How long has it been since the accident?” 

I’m about to answer, but Ruth beats me to it. “Two years.” 

“Technically, it’s been a year and a half,” I correct. 

The three of them exchange a thoughtful glance, as though they’re having a silent conversation about me.

Holy hell. I came here to meet my fiancé’s new friends, not be evaluated like some kind of lab mouse. 

Aggravated, I squeeze Stone’s hand under the table. 

He drapes his arm around my shoulder. “What do you say we give Bianca a break and talk about something else for a bit?” 

Finally. 

“Sure,” Robby agrees, but I can tell they’re all a tad disappointed about the change in topic. 

“So,” Ruth begins. “When is the big day?” 

I pause mid-bite. “Big day?” I question at the same time Stone says, “August eighteenth.” 

Well, shit. 

“Oh, duh.” I smack my forehead. “Sorry. Crappy memory and all.” 

At that they all laugh. 

Except Stone. 

He pinches my thigh. Hard. 

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him to stop behaving like a child who’s not getting his way, but part of me feels bad because I know I’ve just embarrassed him in front of his friends. 

“Wow,” Ruth declares. “The wedding is soon.” 

Too soon. 

 “I know.” Smiling, Stone kisses my hand. “But we didn’t want to wait another second to start the rest of our lives together.”

Despite the ball of lead that fills my belly, I return his smile. “Yeah.” 

“Well, I for one, love weddings. They’re so romantic and inspiring. What venue did you guys ch—”

I don’t hear the end of Ruth’s sentence because panic claws up my throat. Before I can stop myself, I fly out of my seat, desperate for an escape. 

“I’m sorry,” I mutter. “I just remembered I have to make an important phone call.” Thinking quick, I add, “For the wedding.” 

Stone starts to stand up, but I stop him. “It’s okay. Stay here with your friends. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” 

Heart beating double time, I quickly scurry to the first exit I see in the back of the restaurant. 

The moment I’m outside, I draw in a cleansing breath, filling my lungs with the nighttime air. 

It’s just cold feet—I assure myself. Happens to everyone. 

“Are you okay?” 

My head snaps up at the sound of his deep, familiar voice. 

“What are you doing here?” 

It’s been over a week since we last spoke and every time our paths cross on campus, he makes it a point to turn the opposite direction, intentionally avoiding me. 

Leaning against the building, Oakley shrugs one of his broad shoulders and brings what looks like an e-cigarette to his lips. “Escaping.” He angles his head. “What about you?” 

I tell him the truth. “Same.” 

He studies me intently, only unlike Stone’s doctor friends inside, it doesn’t feel like an invasion. “From what?” 

I open my mouth to tell him, but think better of it because it’s not okay for him to treat me like I have leprosy one moment and then start prying about my life the next. 

“For someone who wants nothing to do with me you seem awfully curious about my problems,” I point out. 

His tongue finds his cheek. “You’re right.” Disgusted, he examines his e-cigarette. “These things fucking suck.” Without warning, he chucks it across the parking lot. “Enjoy the rest of your night.” 

“Wait,” I call out when he starts to leave. “If you tell me what you’re escaping from out here, then I’ll tell you what I’m escaping from.” 

For a moment he looks like he wants to protest, but to my surprise, he doesn’t. “Fine.” Brushing a strand of dark blond hair away from his eyes, he murmurs, “I was at an AA meeting and a few of the guys wanted to grab a bite to eat after. Everything was chill until they started talking about all the fu

“Are what?” I press, taking a step closer.