Picking Up The Pieces: Book 1 of the Broken Series

by Sienna Grant

  “You would? Errmm, I mean no, I’ve got Grady to get to bed and clean up once the girls have gone, but that’s it. I have to work tomorrow night.”

  “Okay, so what d’ya say if I was to come around to yours later on?”

  Oh god! He wants to come here…shit! Okay…get a grip Lex, it’ll be fine.

  “Um, yes, you can do, if you want to, that is, of course.” I ramble.

  “I’d love to, but if you’re not comfortable, then I totally understand.”

  “No, that’s fine. I’d love for you to come around. How about 7 o’clock I should have Grady in bed by then. My flat is number 2 on the ground floor.”

  “Okay, Lex, I can’t wait. I’ll see you later.”

  “Bye, see you soon,” I reply with a squeak. I jump around the kitchen like a complete nutcase because Blake actually wants to see me, but then the anxious feelings set in the insecurities. What if he thinks I’m not worth it, he’s gorgeous, what would he want with me, what if he sees the cracks in me that are unrepairable.

  Four o’clock rolls around and Mason picks up the girls, I tell him about Blake coming around later. I tell him a little of how I’m feeling, and he tells me to go with my instinct, which is what I’m going to do. I feel happier when he’s around. Becka has also been singing his praises, and that’s enough to think he’s okay for now until he can meet him. I smile because Mason has always been a little protective, I wish I’d had the courage to tell him exactly what Paul was doing to me.

  Right no more thinking about the bad! Focus on the here and now, Lex.

  BLAKE

  I lead Max from the park with a big stupid grin on my face. I can’t get my mind off Lex, the way she smiled at me. The way we get on so well, just so natural, I don’t have to force anything, I can be me. That was the biggest part of the problem with Cara, everything had to be a certain way.

  The last thing she would have done was eat ice cream in the park, if it wasn’t a slap up meal in an expensive restaurant, she wasn’t interested. The betrayal may have been hard, but she did me a favour when she shagged her boss. I don’t think it really would have bothered me that much if it wasn’t for the huge fact that I was mourning the loss of my mum, it took me a while to come to terms with her death.

  As I was starting to get a grip back on reality, I found out that little secret. I went to her office one day with a huge bouquet of flowers and a little peace offering for being distant, but I couldn’t shake it off. I booked a table for two at one of the best restaurants in London. When I reached her desk, she wasn’t there, I’d met her boss a few times so I went to his office knocked once, waited, nothing.

  I walked in and saw him screwing her over his desk. I stood there watching like the masochist that I must be, stood there like a total moron; do I say something or do I go, fuck it. I cleared my throat, they both looked at me, her boss looked like he was about to piss himself in shock and Cara, well, she couldn’t pull her dress down quick enough. I told them they were welcome to each other and she had 24 hours to get her shit out of my house before I took it the local charity shop.

  I turned, walked out the office, went home, got changed and went to the gym to punch shit out of the punching bag with Jack. I put the flowers on my mum’s cremation plot and took my sister Olivia out for dinner, a leaving present for her as she was leaving to travel Europe, I won’t see her until who knows when.

  I arrive home, take Max off his lead and go straight to the kitchen for a bottle of water. I flop on the sofa and put the telly on while I cool down a bit, I decide to ring dad, “Hey son,”

  “Hey dad, how are you?”

  “I’m good, just doing a bit of gardening while it’s nice, your mother would kill me if she could see the garden now, it’s a bit neglected.”

  “Yeah, she probably would,” I answer with a smirk as I know she would.

  “Have you heard off Liv yet?” I ask him,

  “Nope, I don’t know what she’s up to. I hope she hasn’t got into any trouble!” says dad.

  “Yeah, I thought that too, you know how tenacious she is! I’ll drop her a text later and make sure she’s alright. I didn’t like the way she said she was coming home, it was if she was hiding something.” I wonder out loud.

  “Yes, well, if I know your sister, she probably was,” answers dad.

  “That’s true. Let me know if you hear from her. I need to go and shower, I went for a long run in the park. Speak to you later dad.”

  “Okay son, bye.

  I put the phone down and go to the kitchen to grab something to eat. I sit at the island with my sandwich and get to thinking about Lex - again.

  I swear that woman takes up three-quarter of my brain space at the moment.

  I need to see her! I’m not talking a quick half an hour or bumping into her, I want to spend some time with her just so we can get to know each other. Lex and Grady, I want to learn about them both.

  After pondering on my thoughts for a while, I take Max in the garden and hose him down while it’s still hot outside. He loves it, he’s jumping around like a loon. I see the back gate opening, I look towards it and see Jack and Amelia walk in.

  “Hey guys,”

  “Hi, we did use the doorbell, but you didn’t hear it,” Amelia tells me.

  “It’s fine don’t worry. Jack usually just walks in any way.” I say giving her a kiss on the cheek to greet her.

  “That’s because he’s cheeky,” she says.

  “Hey, I am here you know.” Shouts Jack from the kitchen.

  “Don’t we know it!” I answer quietly. Jack walks out with a beer for him and a can of 7up for Amelia.

  “Help yourself, why don’t ya!” I tell him sarcastically.

  “I will, thanks,”

  “You’re a tosser, you know that?” I tell him, feigning amusement.

  “Umm, yep, it’s why we’re mates and have been for nearly twenty years,”

  “I know!” I smile at him. “How do you put up with him Ame?”

  “Practice, I’m used to him now.”

  “So, have you heard from Alexia,” Jack asks me.

  “I text her this morning, but better than that, I bumped into her in the park when I went for a run this morning, she had her son and her friend, Becka’ two daughters. Her son is cute.” Jack and Amelia are sitting with bated breath waiting for me to tell them more, I can tell. Jack is worse than a woman when it comes to gossip.

  “Are you okay with the fact that she’s already got a child?” Amelia asks.

  “Yeah, you know I love kids. I just need to find out what the relationship is between her and her ex. If it’s the kind I thought it was when I first met her, then I hope he’s not around, because I may just beat the shit out of him if I ever meet the scumbag!”

  “You know I got your back.”

  “I appreciate that buddy.”

  “I like her, she’s nice. She could be good for you, especially after that bitchface Cara.” I smirk knowing exactly how Amelia felt about her.

  “Why don’t you ring her Blake. I got the impression last night that she has insecurities and if her husband or even boyfriend was beating her, then she’s gonna have insecurities, you’re going to have to make the first move but be gentle, no going alpha male on her,” I nod.

  “I know, I agree, thanks, babe.”

  We talk for a little while longer, mainly about work. Jack and Amelia leave, and I make the decision to make my move. I pick up the phone and dial Alexia.

  After a 15-minute conversation with Lex and a smile so big it may crack my face, we plan for me to go around to hers about 7 o’clock.

  SHIT – I think I may be nervous. I have butterflies! What the fuck is that about. I blow out a breath and try to relax for a while I get rid of this nervous energy.

  When six rolls around I get up and go to jump in the shower and get myself ready for my date with Lex.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  ALEXIA

  After my chat with Mason, I’m fe
eling a little more positive. I’m so nervous, though, I’m cleaning things that really doesn’t need cleaning just to pass the time, Grady is already in bed, and it’s only six pm, I think the girls and the park combined must’ve worn him out, I know the feeling. I pick up my phone to speak to mum as I haven’t spoken to them for a few days, I’m still cleaning while I’m waiting for one of them to pick up, just when I think they’re not going to, mum picks up.

  “Oh Hey Alexia, how are you, sweetheart?”

  “I’m fine, just thought I’d ring to see how you and dad are doing.”

  “We’re fine, we’re just back from doing some shopping.”

  “I thought it took a long time for you to answer,”

  “Are you feeling okay?” mum asks, “You sound out of breath.”

  “Oh, I’m just doing a bit of cleaning!” I reply very sheepishly.

  “At just after six at night, what’s up, Lex?”

  “Nothing, why do you ask that?”

  “Lex, please. I’m your mum I know when something is worrying you, or making you anxious,” she answers knowingly.

  “Fiiiine, um, I’ve met someone, but it’s really early days, but he’s nice,” mum starts getting really excited at that statement.

  “What’s his name, tell me about him.”

  “I haven’t got the time right now; I need to go. Bye mum, tell dad I love him.”

  As I’m pulling the phone from my ear, I can hear my mum shouting my name. I press the eject button and the put the phone down.

  She’s gonna kill me, I think laughing to myself.

  I go to the bathroom to run a bubble bath, I need to soak and relax before Blake gets here otherwise I’m going to be a nervous wreck. I light some candles, check on Grady and leave the bathroom door open in case he wakes so I can hear him. I don’t really get much time to soak, so I wash and shave where I need to, because if he touches my leg and feels the forest there, he may run a mile.

  Once I’m out, I let the water wash away and go to my wardrobe and decide what to put on. I pick out a maxi dress to throw on with matching underwear. I don’t buy much in the way of clothes, but I do love matching underwear, I pick out a lacy pink set and put those on. I cream myself with moisturiser and put my dress on. Instead of putting my hair up, I decide to blow dry my hair and leave it to hang loose.

  I put a little make-up on, some mascara, bronzer to my cheeks and some lip gloss. I spray a little deodorant on, and I’m done. I slip some flip flops on and go into the kitchen. I have a glass of water to take away the dryness in my mouth. I hear my phone vibrate with an incoming text; Becka.

  Becka- Hey, hun.

  Me - Hey. What’s up?

  Becka- Date then, what time’s he coming?

  Me - 10 minutes.

  Becka- Ur, nervous?!

  Me - No shit Sherlock. What do you think, maybe I should’ve said no and waited.

  Becka- Y, you’ll be fine…

  I don’t answer her straight back, maybe I should text him and say I can’t make it, I’m not well maybe. The butterflies have taken residence back up in my tummy, and I think they’re doing acrobatics at this point – they’re tossing and turning so much. I pull his name up on my phone when I hear it – the buzzer for the security door.

  SHIT. Too late! Suck it up Lex!

  I text Becka back telling her I have to go and I open the door for him. The door knocks, I answer the door, he stands there in black jeans and a white polo shirt with the top two buttons undone, the short sleeves are tight around his biceps…I’m staring, with my mouth hanging open, I’m sure of it!

  “Hey Lex, these are for you, you look beautiful.”

  “Umm, thank you, come in…”

  BLAKE

  On the ride over, I’m as nervous as fuck, my stomach’s churning. I pull up outside and park up. I go to the main door, and it’s locked with a keypad. I press number two for her flat, and the door opens. I enter and see flat two to the right of me. I step up and knock the door. Lex opens the door, she looks stunning. She has a long dress on which goes straight down to the floor, her hair has been left down, and she has a little make up on, subtle, just to enhance her pretty features. She’s staring at me so I smirk a little at her.

  “Hey Lex, these are for you, you look beautiful.” I kiss her on the cheek.

  “Umm, thank you, come in…”

  I enter the front door and go into a small hallway, I follow her through a door into a lounge, it’s not that it’s small, it’s homely. Grady’s toys are in the corner.

  “Would you like a drink, I’ve got coffee, tea, Pepsi, pretty much anything you want,” she tells me while she bites that goddamn lip and I want to grab hold of her and devour her instead. I keep those thoughts to myself, “I’ll have coffee please, black, one sugar.”

  “Take a seat, make yourself at home, I’ll be right back.” I sit down and make sure my phone is on vibrate, it’ll be just like Jack to text me.

  A few minutes later she comes in with my coffee, “I’ll just pop this here because it’s hot,” she says to me, I can see how nervous she is.

  “Lex…are you okay?”

  “Of course, I’m fine,” she answers warily. I frown at her, god, I hope I haven’t rushed her into this.

  “Come, sit down,” I tap the sofa next to me, I take her hands in mine, and I rub the tops of them with my thumbs to stop the shaking.

  “You’re not okay – are you?”

  “I am, honestly. Okay…I’m a bit nervous, um, a lot nervous, bet you can’t tell.” She tells me shakily, she gives me a little smile as she licks her lips.

  I curl my finger and call her closer to me, “Come here,” she leans forward. “I like you, Lex,” I take hold of her chin and pull her a little closer, her breathing changes, her little tell, she’s so easy to read.

  My lips touch hers softly. She presses hers back against mine but instead of pulling away, I tease her lips with my tongue to get her to open up to me - she does. Our tongues slightly tangle, I lick her bottom lip again, and she kisses me back. I put my hands on her cheeks and start to pull away from her. I give her little kisses and look at her then, she’s smiling a beautiful, serene smile, relaxed.

  “Better?” She nods at me and drops her eyes from me. “Lex look at me,” she looks up at me, I sit back against the sofa, I hold my arm out.

  “Come here,” she rests her head against my chest for a few minutes, the only sound in the room is coming from the telly.

  “Are you hungry? I’m starving,” just as I say that my tummy rumbles, she laughs, she looks up at me from her place on my chest.

  “I’ll get some menu’s what are you interested in?”

  “I don’t mind, I like anything,”

  “Okay, give me a second,” she gets up from me, and I know I really like her, and I don’t think I’ll let her go after this no matter what issues or insecurities she has, she’s got me by the balls. Hook, line and sinker!

  ALEXIA

  I leave Blake on the sofa and go to the kitchen to find the takeaway menus. I lean on the kitchen counter and put my head in my hands. Oh my goodness, that kiss – he took my breath away completely.

  I feel the unshed tears in my eyes and feel the one start to trickle down my cheek, “You’re such an idiot,” I feel hands hold my hips.

  Blake whispers to me, “Who’s an idiot, not me surely?” He jokes. I smile at him, and he frowns, he wipes the tear away from my eyes. “Why are you crying, have I upset you, did I push it too far?”

  “No, it’s not you, I promise, it’s me, I’m stupid.”

  “I didn’t mean to make you cry, that wasn’t my intention.”

  “Blake, really it’s not you, I’m just a little emotional, that’s all.” He takes my hand and leads me back into the lounge. He sits me down and kneels on the floor in front of me, takes my hands and holds them resting on my legs. “Talk to me.”

  “I’ve never been treated as gentle as what you treated me, that’s all. I’m being
silly. I’m sorry.”

  “Right, one… don’t call yourself stupid or silly, because you’re not, two... you should always be treated like a Princess, and that’s what I intend to do, and don’t be sorry for showing a little of yourself. Now I’m still starving, shall we order?”

  I blush when he calls me a Princess, I don’t think anyone has made blush this much, ever. There again, no-one has ever been this tender with me. He rears up on to his knees, takes hold of face and holds me still and pulls me forward. He takes my mouth and kisses me with much more fervour than the last time. He parts my lips with his tongue, his tongue touches mine, and I kiss him back.

  Our tongues tangling with one another, he licks and bites my lips and the kiss turns, harder, more passionate, I suck his tongue into my mouth, and he growls to let me know he’s enjoying it. He pulls back a little as we slow the kiss, he lightly kisses my swollen lips again and leans back completely. I see him re-adjust himself in his jeans, I raise an eyebrow at him and look away just as he catches me watching.

  He smirks, and does the same back, teasing me, “Yeah, your fault. Feed me woman!”

  We decide on pizza, meat feast for Blake, Barbecue chicken for me with a side of fries to share,. We sit on the floor to eat with music playing in the background. We talk about Jack and his business partnership, and he tells me that they’ve known each other since they were 10. When Jack moved into their street, a couple of doors down. I tell him about me and Becka, about meeting her in the third year of high school and from then we were inseparable, he also told me his sister was travelling Europe too. Once we’re stiff from sitting on the floor, I tell him I’m going to take the rubbish into the kitchen. I hear Grady on the intercom shuffling around and whimpering a little so I go and check on him.

  When I return from the bedroom Blake is on the sofa. I go and sit next to him, he puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me into him. He twists around so he’s lying the length of settee, and I lie at the side and drape my arm over his stomach, once I’m comfy I ask him the one question that’s niggling at me, where he hadn’t volunteered the information.