Shattered Girl (Emmy)

Girl 34

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I stared at Patrick in horror when he handed me his phone. "Ummm, I don't want to talk to him; he will be grumpy." I pleaded, trying to push the phone back at Patrick.

"Sorry, love. I told you I would do anything for you except save you when you're in trouble with Josh or Mike. Now talk to him." He reached over and hit the green accept button before I could react, and Jesh's growly volce came through the speakers. Great, I thought, now I have to listen to him scold me in surround sound. I wanted to stick my tongue out at Patrick, but I had a feeling he would rat me out to Josh if I did. So, I just imagined myself doing it instead. It wasn't the same, but I did feel a little better. "Brother, please tell me you found her?" Josh's worried voice made me feel guilty, and I stared at my lap, trying to stop the stinging in my

eyes.

Yes, I found her; she was waiting for me by the gate. She's in the car with me right now." Patrick reassured Josh, giving me a look that suggested if I didn't start explaining myself to Josh immediately, he would drive my a**back to the house and let Josh have this conversation with me in person.

Taking a deep breath and still trying to stop the tears stinging my eyes, whispered, "Hi, Josh, I'm right here." The tremble in my voice gave away my guilt about worrying him.

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"Oh baby girl, what will I do with you?" Josh sighed. Are you ok? You're not hurt, are you?" Josh sounded so worried, and my guilt felt so heavy I began to cry, taking big gulps of air in between sobs. "I'm sorry, Josh; I didn't mean to make you worry. I was having fun teasing you, and then I got carried away. I'm sorry, please don't be mad." I don't think either of the guys could understand what I was saying. Between my sobbing and gasping for air, I was starting to feel dizzy, and I could feel my panic beginning to rise. "Patrick, where are you guys at?" Josh asked, suddenly sounding very clan.

I

"We haven't gone anywhere; you called right as I picked her up, so we are still in the driveway." Patrick explained, worry showing as began to spiral.

"Emmy, baby girl, I need you to slow your breathing down. Can you breathe with me? Josh asked in his calmest, most soothing voice. I was trying to follow what he was saying, but my head started to get the weird tingling, numb feeling that happens before I pass out. "Patrick, bring her back up to the house; if her breathing doesn't slow down, she's going to pass out." I was fighting my brain to stay conscious, but I could feel myself losing the battle. "Yes, home." I was able to gasp out. Patrick started the car and drove up the driveway faster than he should have. When he pulled up to the front of the house, all four brothers were outside waiting for us. Patrick put the car into park, and Josh and Drew inmediately began moving toward the vehicle. I was unbuckled and pulled from my seat info Drew's arms. He was shouting directions to the others, but I had- no idea what he was saying. I felt my hand being pressed against a chest; I could feel the slow, steady rise and fall of a chest. I suddenly felt a cold cloth running across my face, then down my neck; my hands were freezing; I sucked in a deep breath and tried to get away from whatever was freezing my hands. Strong arms were wrapped around me, and Lards moved back and forth like I was sitting in a swing. Whoever held me applied steady, firm pressure to my arms and back. Slowly, the 'numb feeling in my brain began to fade, and things started to come back into focus. I was cradled in Drew's arms; he was the one who applied the steady pressure. Josh had one of my hands pressed to his chest so I could feel his slow breathing: Jake knelt by my side, holding my other hand, several half-melted ice cubes in a bag next to him, Mike and Patrick stood nearby, worried expressions on their faces 14ook a slow, deep breath, much to everyone's relief; Drew sighed and rested his head against the top of mine while the twins each squeezed my hand, I looked around at all five guys crowded around me and sighed.

"I'm sorry guys, I'm sorry I'm so broken; I'm sorry I have multiple pare attacks a week. I know it's fast, but I'm falling for all of you so hard; I hate that you are always lett to pick up the pieces." I sigh sadly and let my head drop back onto Drew's shoulder,

"Sweetheart, I fell for you the first day I saw you in the hospital. When you put Dad in his place, I knew you were the one for us." Jake smiled sweetly, bringing my hand to his lips and kissing it.

"Baby girl, I fell for you the first night you were home with us; you fell asleep on my chest while watching a movie. I could picture us spending the rest of our lives like that." Josh said, running his thumb across my cheek and squeezing the hand he still had pressed against his chest.

"Angle, I fell for you the first time I talked on the video call. I knew you were the perfect fit for our family." Drew said, kissing the top of my head and squeezing me.

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tty side to me. I knew at that moment you would keep us all on our toes, and I your "Honey, I fell for you the first time you showed couldn't wait to get back stateside to be with you." Mike said, stepping forward and placing a gentle kiss on my lips.

"Love, I fell for you the second I met you at the dinner party. I knew you were the one that was going to complete our ragtag little family." Patrick said gently, stepping closer to me and kissing my forehead and then the tip of my nose.

By the time Patrick had taken a step back, my eyes were tearing up again, only this time with happy tears. Taking a deep shuddering breath, I said, "I love all of you, and I'm so glad I'm part of your family. All the guys crowded around me, each assuring me they loved me as well. What started with my third panic attack in as many days ended with me safely protected in the middle of my guys. I knew deep down I had found the family that I belonged with.

This book has become my new favorite obsession. I've already read it 4 times. Can't wait for more

Elizabeth Little

I'm ready for the next couple of chapters