Shattered Girl (Emmy)

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.

"Never again, baby girl. You will never have to hide things that are important to you," Josh promised. He kissed the back of my head and went to get a bottle of water for me. I wiped the tears from my face. I was hugging Jake and thanking him for his sweet surprise. Then I went to each of the others, repeating the hugs and thanking them. Patrick took my hand, leading me back to the bedroom.

"Love, would you show us your new books? Which are you going to read first? Are these enough to last for two weeks, or do you n more?" I know Patrick was being completely serious, but I still laughed.

need to order some

You guys must have gotten me at least thirty books, I don't think I will have time to read thirty books in the next two weeks." I teased, and from the heated looks I received from the guys, I thought I might not have a chance to read even one book. The guys returned to the sitting area, each givingContent bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

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

"Would you like some help packing up the books, angel?" Drew asked kindly.

"Yes, please, I might have to buy another bag, there is no way more than a couple of books will fit in my duffel bag." I told Drew as I began picking up the books one at a time, taking a moment to flip through them and read the 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 smiled as he watched me organize; after I began to move books from one pile to the other, he took my hand and led me back to the

bed.

"Here, angel, find your pajamas so you can change," Drew said, lifting my duffel onto the 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 brushed my teeth and then came back out to see Drew sitting on the bed waiting for me.

"You look adorable, angel." Drew complimented me. "Would you like someone to stay in here with you tonight? Or do you need some time to yourself?" Smirking at him, I asked if he was planning on volunteering

"Of course. I would spend every night in bed with you. But I have a feeling the others would complain." He laughed.

"We are going to have to find a bigger bed. All of you will want to spend the night-in my room. I might have to do some research, I teased. Drew groaned as 1 walked by him, my phone already in my hand. Laughing, I went into the other room to say goodnight to the rest of the guys. When I walked into the sitting area, Jake asked what I was doing since I still had my nose buried in my phone. Looking up, I saw the four guys staring

at me.

"Oh, I'm looking for a bed big enough for all of us." I told Jake. All eyes were suddenly on me as I continued. "There is a bed that is eleven feet wide and seven feet long that could work." As I continued thinking aloud, the guys grumbled about not having that size bed, Walking to each of them, I gave them a goodnight kiss, promising to look into the massive bed tomorrow.

hattered Girl