Broken, page 26
“Oh, sweetheart,” Katrina’s father commented, but the rest of the chatter fell away. Lorenzo had joined Katrina and Miranda’s embrace, holding them close to him, leaving kisses on top of both of their heads.
“This is the best birthday present.” Katrina’s voice was choked with emotion.
“This calls for cake,” Justin’s voice rose above the others.
“Just a minute,” Lorenzo said as he stepped back, and Miranda left Katrina’s embrace to be pulled into a hug by Katrina’s mother.
“What are you doing?” Katrina asked.
“Dude, all of you said no presents,” Justin continued. “I’m feeling like a total douche.”
“Well,” Martin drew out, “if the shoe fits.”
“Hey, now. Only I can speak to my husband that way.”
Again, the chatter fell away as Katrina’s attention was drawn to Lorenzo, who approached her with a large gift bag. “What’s this?” she asked, and he grinned down at her.
“Open it.”
Katrina took the bag from him and pulled out the tissue paper, gasping as she saw the contents within.
A leather jacket.
The leather jacket, the one she’d worn for most of her time in high school.
“I kept it, even after it didn’t fit anymore,” Lorenzo said, his voice low, meant only for her.
“Is that what I think it is?” Katrina’s mother asked as she pulled the jacket out of the bag. “I was so worried when she came home wearing that, you know. Well, until I met you, Lorenzo.”
Katrina slipped the jacket on, smiling at its too-big, but endearingly familiar, fit. She reached up and left a soft kiss on his lips. “It’s perfect,” she whispered to him, and his grin widened.
“Check the pockets.”
“What’s in...” Her voice trailed off as she pulled out the treasure.
The ribbons he’d taken from her hair the day they’d met.
“I kept those with me, always,” he said as he gently pushed her hair back. “I held onto them in my darkest moments, knowing...always knowing that someday you’d be in my life again.” His kiss was long, deep. “I love you, Trina.”
“And I love you, Ren.” She stepped back with a shy smile.
“What?” he asked. “That’s a something face right there.”
“Just a sec,” she said, excusing herself from the living room full of those she loved. She retreated to the bedroom and opened her closet, reaching up for the small bag with tissue paper. As she made her way back out to the living room, the chatter becoming louder, her heart began to pound.
She hadn’t planned on giving this to him today.
But the timing...it was right.
“For you,” she said to her husband, and Lorenzo’s smile widened.
“Aw, babe,” he said. “You didn’t have to.”
He always said that to her. He still wasn’t used to receiving presents, to receiving the unconditional love, but slowly, together, he was learning.
“Dad, what is it?”
“It’s...a...stick.”
He held the small white stick in his hand and a collective gasp went through the crowd, even before Lorenzo turned it over seeing its digital window.
Pregnant
“A baby?” Miranda asked excitedly. “I’m going to be a big sister!”
“You’re going to be the best big sister,” Justin commented with a sniffle before he mussed her hair.
“Babe...” Lorenzo’s voice was choked, and he pulled Katrina into a warm embrace, even as the cheers of congratulations, along with Judith’s quip about her giving him something she’d peed on, filled their home. “I love you so much.”
“And I love you,” she murmured, kissing his tears. “And those ribbons...Emily had told me they were so schoolgirl.”
“Can we not talk about her?”
“But she was right, see? Because I had all these dreams back then, dreams of being happily married to the love of my life, dreams of the home we’d share together, dreams of a family. Don’t you see? They’ve all come true.”
And through the years, through better and worse, through richer and poorer, through the birth of their son, through watching their children grow, their bond, their love remained as strong as that day.
No longer could they say they were broken.
RESOURCES
This book is a work of fiction. In no way do I condone any of the acts within. They are, however, important issues that many people face, no matter their age, gender, or social status. If you or someone you love has dealt or are dealing with any of them, please reach out. Help is available. You can look for local resources or contact the national center below.
RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network)
1-800-656-4763
https://www.rainn.org
RAINN offers an online chat support service to chat live with a trained advocate
Authors (especially indie!) rely on your reviews. Please take a moment to review this novel on the platform that it was purchased from. It is appreciated more than you will ever know!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carlie Yates (That One Writer Chick) has been writing stories since she was in the fifth grade, convinced that if she didn’t get her thoughts and characters down on paper, her head would ‘plode; it could be ex- or im-, but either way, it wouldn’t be pretty. Inspired by S.E. Hinton, she always said when she grew up that she would be a published author. She is currently renouncing her pledge to grow up. This Midwest mom of boys has addictions to reading, road trips, hair dye, and the Oxford comma, and is thoroughly convinced at any given time the theme track to My Three Sons will start playing in the background of her home.
STALK ME
Actually, just follow, but stalk me sounded better
www.thatonewriterchick.com
www.facebook.com/thatonewriterchickakacarlie
www.facebook.com/groups/carliecrew
www.instagram.com/thatonewriterchickakacarlie
www.goodreads.com/thatonewriterchickakacarlie
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND THANK YOUS
Kayla for introducing me to the fire fam, being these characters’ biggest cheerleader, and for letting me know when I strayed from their truth. You’re the bestest in the WORLD!
Zachary, Marcus, and Jacob who are my whole heart and soul.
Rose for saving me all those years ago, and for loving me as I am always. You get me. There aren’t many people in this world who do.
Visions et al loves I hope you continue on the journey as new characters and stories work their way into my heart.
April Publish. Please. Pretty please, even.
The Crew I love you all. Thank you for your never-ending support!
Pay, Julie, and the Marvels I wish you all the best on your new journey. Thank you for holding space for me as I do for you always.
My family, blood and chosen it takes a village to raise an author, I’m sure of it. Thank you for letting me spread my wings and for not trying to clip them.
Typos Look, if you can make it past me, the alpha, the betas, and endless rounds of editing, way to go. You’ve earned your place in this book.
My readers Yes, YOU! Thank you for letting this writer chick open your imagination and bring you into new worlds. I hope this continues on to infinity!
ALL NOVELS BY CARLIE YATES
The Entangled Series
Entitled
Entrapped
Enlightened
Time Stands Still
Wrong Number
Right Reasons
My Happy Ending Part 1
My Happy Ending Part 2
My Happy Ending Part 3
Standalones
Everly’s Hope
Broken
Anthologies
“Perfect” in Shattered Illusions (The Authors’ Table)
Carlie Yates, Broken
