Beautifully Shattered

He’s wearing a white lab coat with his endearing smile. “I got called in for a possible concussion.” He shrugs as if it’s no big deal. It is.

I stare wide-eyed at Kohen. Then at my confused brother. Logan moves to my side. I know overprotective brother syndrome is emerging, fast.

“Have you two met?” he asks me but his focus is solely on Kohen.

I can tell Kohen interprets Logan’s question as i

“Yes, we met earlier this evening at the gym. I was the one who bandaged her up and insisted that Adaly

“Boyfriend?” Logan asks, baffled, at the same time Co

Luckily Kohen is studying my CT scans so he’s not paying much attention to them. I notice that his smile slips for a second. I can feel Logan’s gaze on me, but I don’t acknowledge him. He shouldn’t have to ask about the boyfriend comment; he knows I’m unattached.

“There’s no swelling, or anything else to be concerned about, but I would still like to check your balance, reflexes, coordination, vis—”

I interrupt him as I know exactly what he has to do. “Vision, and any possible memory loss.”

He doesn’t seem surprised that I am familiar with the examination. Maybe he realizes I’m accident-prone. That could be a new thing that shows up on CT scans now.

He pulls out a silver looking pen that I recognize as a flashlight. “Look to the left, good. Now the right, good. Follow the light with your eyes please.”

“Well?” Logan ask impatiently once Kohen finishes testing my reflexes.

Kohen turns to my pacing brother. “I need to check her balance next and then I’ll be done.”

“Is she going to be okay?” Logan asks, ignoring the fact that the examine isn’t over. “Yes, she has a slight concussion but she’ll be fine.” He focuses on me again. “Stand up, please.”

I do everything he asks, wishing with each command that we were alone so he wouldn’t have to deal with the my brother. He’s already had to come in on his day off. I want to make this as easy as possible for him, and him receiving the third degree from my brother isn’t easy for anyone in the room.

His back is to the door when Jax swaggers in and Co

“Oh, look here’s the boyfriend now.” He tilts his head toward Jax.

“I’ll hide your body where nobody will ever find it,” I mutter only loud enough for Co

“Boyfriend? Ahh Co

Kohen looks from Co

“Kohen, meet Jaxon Chandler. He’s another childhood friend of my brother’s.” I try to assure him that he isn’t my boyfriend.

Kohen nods in understanding and visibly relaxes. “Well, Adaly

“Great, thanks again, Kohen. Sorry you were forced to come in so late.”

My brother steps forward and shakes his hand. “Yes, thank you for everything.”

“You’re welcome.” He moves towards the door. “The discharge nurse will be in shortly.”

Once the door closes, Jax asks, “Do I even want to know about the boyfriend comment?”

Logan shakes his head, but of course Co

Jax’s jaw tightens. It’s the only sign that he’s fighting to stay in control. Good. Maybe now he will notice that I’m not that broken teenager I once was and see me as an adult.

There’s a soft knock on the door and a male nurse enters, carrying crutches. After another minute or two, the crutches are in Co

He winks as he shouts, “Wait up!” to my brother. He hurriedly runs to catch up with Logan, leaving me in my wheelchair with a stone-faced Jax.

Awkward seconds turn into minutes as Jax wheels me into the waiting room. He sits down with the wheelchair in front of him. As I people-watch, I curse Co

We’re finally able to leave. As the exit comes into view, I exhale in relief. My entire body is strung so tightly, I’m positive that I’ll snap if I’m forced to stay a second longer. It’s taking everything in me to be appreciative, but a small part of me is still pissed that Logan made me come here, today of all days.

Kohen strolls around the corner with a purpose. Hoping to evade his attention, I inspect my nearly perfect cuticles as he comes closer. When the wheelchair stops moving, I’m forced to lift my head to see Kohen kneeling in front of me.

He hands me a card. “My personal number is on the back. When you feel up for it, I would love to take you out.” Without waiting for a response, he kisses my hand and then he’s gone.

My face flushes beet red. That was hands-down the most mortifying thing to happen since we arrived at the hospital. I can’t believe he just asked me out in front of everyone. I turn slightly to see Jax rubbing his clean-shaven chin in thought. Not the envious reaction I was hoping for. Logan helps me into his suit jacket before we leave the hospital.

When we reach the parking lot, I wrinkle my nose as we pass a couple leaning against the back of their car, smoking. I hate the smell of cigarettes. I turn my head and see Jax glaring at them. Of course he would have a reaction to them and not to Kohen asking me out. We’re nothing to each other anymore. I’m just his best friend’s little sister.

I start to drift off before Logan drives out of the parking lot. I’m vaguely aware of Jax stirring in the middle seat. He leans my head on his shoulder and starts to draw patterns onto my arm. With the rhythmic movements of the car and the calm feeling Jax brings me, I’m asleep within seconds.

I have a momentary panic attack when I feel someone wrap their arms around me, but once the feel of Jax’s body against mine sinks in, I relax and snuggle as close to him as possible. All too soon we’re in my apartment and Jax carries me into my bedroom. I’m acutely aware of Logan watching us as Jax tucks me in. Once Jax ensures that I’m comfortable, not that he asked me, he promptly exits my room, leaving Logan and me alone.

“I have bad news, Addie.” Logan sits on the edge of my bed, careful to avoid my ankle. He runs a hand over his buzzed-cut brown hair. “Co

It always amazes me how well my brother is doing. He and his best friends own Trinity together. And their company has its own plane. Just like Co