Shattered Girl (Emmy)

Chapter

45

The server returned asking for our drink orders, and we all ordered water and soda. Dinner was fun, the guys let me try some of what they ordered. I got to try lobster for the first time. Desert was the most fun, though; we each ordered something different, and we all shared. It was the meal's highlight, and I asked the guys when we ate out again if we could do the same thing. They all laughed, and Patrick promised we would do it again. don the

Returning to our suite, I went into my room to change into pajamas and stared in surprise when I turned on the light. Covering every inch of the king-size bed were books. Tears stung my eyes. I walked over, looking at the titles. The guys had somehow managed to remember every book I had looked at in the bookstore and went back for them when I was distracted. Turning. I hurried back into the sitting area and went to the first set of arms I came to. Jake carefully wrapped me in his arms, gently rocking back and forth, making comforting sounds in my ear. Another body pressed against my back; I knew immediately it was josh from the smell of his body wash.

"Baby girl, we didn't mean to upset you. We thought you would enjoy the surprise," Josh explained, and he brushed some hair out of my face.

Taking a shuddering breath, I explained that I was just overwhelmed, that they would do something so sweet. I loved reading but never had a lot of books. My father liked to destroy my things as a punishment; he took great pleasure one night in destroying the small library of books I had collected and tearing them apart page by page while he screamed at me. I had been fifteen when that happened and couldn't remember what, if anything, I had done wrong. Since then, I have kept anything important to me at school in my locker or hidden. I was even too afraid to use my e-reader when I was home.

wiped the tears from my face. I was hugging Jake and thanking him for his sweet surprise. Then

first? Are these enough to last for two weeks,

need to order some

have time to read thirty books in the next two weeks." I teased, and from the

he ran his hands over my ha sweet kiss as they left. Drew was 'Last, stepping up to me and pulling me closer;

like some help packing up

backs, I started staking them into two piles on the table next to the couch. One pile was for ones I wanted to read as soon as possible. The second pile was one I wanted to read, but I was willing to wait until I had finished the first pile. Drew

bed.

bed and unzipping it for me. I rummaged through my clothes until I found what I was looking for, and then took them into the bathroom with me. I changed and

Or do you need some time to yourself?" Smirking at him, I asked if he was planning

you. But I have a feeling the