Free Unbreak Me by Julieanne Lynch Page B

afraid.”
    “Don’t be. Not with me.”
    Molly sighed and fidgeted awkwardly before getting herself comfortable in his arms.
    “I ran away from home the day after my thirteenth birthday,” she said as she looked at her hands, her voice trembling as she spoke. “Up until then, I had spent much of my younger days being moved back and forth between foster homes and the places my parents would set up what they constituted as a home. My father did things to me, stuff no daddy should do to his little girl, and my mother beat the shit out of me, blaming me for leading my dad on.” A tear ran down her cheek and, sniffing, she worked hard not to break down. “I took to the streets, trying to survive. I mean, anything was better than being force-fed meth and vodka—right? But the problem was I got addicted to the taste of liquor, how it numbed the pain, the ugliness that I felt within me. I spent much of my teens in a drunken haze.”
    “My God, Molly. I’m so sorry,” Connor said as he listened to her.
    “I was convinced I’d die on those streets. I was starving to death and stealing to get my hands on booze. Those shelters I work at, those places saved me. Not that I knew it then, but, if it hadn’t been for Aggie, I’d be dead right now.” She looked at Connor as the tears began falling. “I was barely alive when they found me that morning. Normally you have to vacate the premises by seven a.m., eight by the latest—I was still in the bunk when Aggie shook me. I’d OD’d on Benzos and cheap vodka. I was in respiratory arrest and I was in a bad way.”
    “I don’t know what to say,” Connor whispered as he wiped the tears from her cheeks.
    “What can you say? I was a train wreck.”
    “But look at you now.” Connor touched her face. “You’ve come out the other side stronger.”
    “Maybe, but some things are hard to forget and live without, you know what I mean?” She paused. “I’m an alcoholic, Connor. Is that something you can deal with?”
    Connor was stunned by her revelation. He had only half expected her to have issues with alcohol because she didn’t like the stuff. Not once did he imagine her having an addiction. “Is it still…a problem?”
    “It will always be a problem, but do I still drink? No, I’ve been clean for over two years. My only setback was when Aggie passed away earlier this year.”
    “I’m sorry. I can’t begin to imagine how hard life has been for you. My problems seem so mediocre compared to what you’ve been through,” Connor said, overcome with guilt about his own selfish depression.
    “Don’t you dare,” Molly said as she stood. “Don’t give me your pity. I don’t want it, okay?”
    “Molly, I didn’t mean—”
    Molly turned her back on him and walked away, gazing out at the sea as tears flooded her eyes. Connor felt so bad. He hadn’t wanted to upset her, not like this. He was just floored by how hard her life had been. Not wanting be a complete jackass, he pulled on his pants before walking over to her. He had to let her know it was okay to be open and honest with him.
    Standing behind her, Connor placed his hands on her shoulders, kissing down on the top of her head.
    “Then let me love you.” The words had come out before he had realized what he was saying.
    Molly froze.
    Connor was stunned and rendered speechless. He couldn’t believe he’d said them. Words he was convinced he’d never say. Slightly giddy, he laughed nervously, but as he tried to think of something to do or say to help them move past the awkwardness, Molly turned around.
    “Okay,” she said as she met his gaze.
    Connor stared at her, his heart dropped hard into the pit of his stomach and the old familiar feeling of butterflies began swarming inside. Her beautiful eyes, fresh from crying, looked up at him, and all he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her, protect her from ever being hurt again.
    “Are we crazy?” he asked her as he took her hands in his.
    “Probably,