Chapter 31

Alexandria

I slipped into the limousine, let out an exaggerated breath, and collapsed against the seat.

"I'm not going to lie," Patrick said as the car began to move, "I expected a bigger smile. Someone isn't doing his job. Maybe I should have gotten you a vibrator instead?"

I shook my head. "Thank you, Pat. I-I..." Though I did my best to stop them, tears bubbled to the surface.

Breathe in and out...breathe in and out...

The words repeated in my head.

Patrick moved seats, wrapping his arm around my shoulder and pulling me close. "Christ, Alex, what's happening?"

Pat's cologne filled my senses as I worked to inhale my outburst. Instead of swallowing my emotions, my too-fast breathing stirred them up, making them fester and boil until they came out in big hiccupping sobs.

It had all been too much too quickly...

Nox.

My momma.

Chelsea.

Nox.

Infidelity.

Nox.

Bryce.

The wedding.

Nox.

Suzanna.

"I'm...so...tired," I managed to say between gasps of air.