Of Breakable Things by A. Lynden Rolland Page A

water’s edge. “So what will he do when you die?”
    Posey jumped in. “Sorry, Alex. She’s drunk.”
    Alex hated girls like this, ones who used excuses like drinking to defend their candidness when really they were just mean.
    “I’m just saying maybe you shouldn’t keep him all to yourself,” Bleach Blonde retorted.
    Chase appeared beside them. “What are you talking about?”
    Posey began to speak, but Alex cut her off, finding courage in Chase’s presence. “Oh, these girls were wondering what you’ll do with yourself after I drop dead.”
    Anger plagued his gorgeous face. “How did that topic come up?”
    Redhead shrugged a shoulder. “My friend has had a little too much to drink.” She helped Bleach Blonde to her feet, but their legs tangled, and they both tumbled back into the sand.
    Chase looked disgusted. “Maybe you should get them home.”
    Redhead and Posey were already pulling Bleach Blonde away into the shadows. “I’m starving,” Alex heard Bleach Blonde wail, but they didn’t even make it off the beach before she fell to all fours and began to vomit.
    “That’s really gross,” Chase said.
    Alex was quiet.
    “Hey.” He lowered himself to his knees in front of her and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. He followed her gaze to the trio of girls who were still on the outskirts of the beach. “Forget them.”
    Alex nodded halfheartedly. Chase snatched her cup from her hands and tossed it into the sand, then squeezed her fingers. “Look at me.” She surrendered, and the corner of his beautiful mouth lifted slightly. “You are perfect.”
    There was silence for several moments before Chase whispered, “Are you okay?”
    His brothers came bounding over.
    “What’s wrong?” Kaleb demanded, seeing Chase kneeling in front of Alex. Jonas started towards the girls in the distance, but Gabe grabbed his shirt. They huddled around Alex, and she realized that yes, she was okay. Despite her limitations, she wouldn’t trade her small slice of life for anyone else’s. She couldn’t be resentful of who she was, because unlike any other girl in the world, she had Chase, and she had the Lasalles. And they were worth it.
     
    ***
     
    “Well, Jonas, where have you been?” Kaleb demanded, tossing a ball from hand to hand.
    “Jonas shrugged in response. “I had to play tour guide. You know.”
    Kaleb caught the ball and stepped forward. “No, we don’t know. Since when are you helpful?”
    Alex stood in silence, her eagerness creeping higher than the redwoods. They weren’t Chase, no, but they were pretty close. Her mask hindered her peripheral vision, but Jonas must have gestured to her because Kaleb suddenly dropped the ball, and Gabe’s mouth fell to the pavement with it. “Is that who I think it is?”
    “Have you ever met anyone else that small?” Jonas said scornfully.
    Kaleb let out a low whoop, ripping the mask from his face. He lifted her off her feet and swung her around like a child. “You aren’t fragile anymore!”
    Gabe shook his head in disbelief. “Thank goodness,” he said, looking at his brothers meaningfully before wrapping his arms around Alex. He gently lifted the mask from her face with hope in his eyes. He seemed afraid that it wouldn’t really be her underneath.
    “See, I always told you there was a perk to being the sick girl,” Kaleb laughed.
    “Do you think that’s why … ?” Gabe’s uneasiness transferred to Kaleb, who gave one sharp nod of his head.
    “Why what?” Alex pressed him.
    “Nothing,” Kaleb said hastily, flashing his charming smile. “What a day to arrive!” He took Alex’s mask from Gabe and refastened it to her head.
    And suddenly they were hugging her again, passing her back and forth like a lucky charm. And she didn’t mind whatsoever. Seeing the Lasalles was like finding the missing pieces of her heart. But it would be Chase, she knew, who would be the adhesive to hold it together. Before she could ask about him, Kaleb