Page 70 of Fractured Heart

“Just that you went home.” The hurt in Tate’s voice is unmistakable. “Why did you leave, Roo Roo?”

“I…” I suck in a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I screwed up the song.”

“We don’t care about the song.” Tate squeezes me tight. “We’re just glad you’re okay.”

“You are?” I whisper, suddenly breathless.

“We are,” Charles rumbles against my back.

“We looked everywhere for you, Roon,” JJ adds. I frown at the nickname but the way he leans his hand on the shower door, biceps bulging, distracts me. He reaches forward and loops a strand of my soaking wet hair around his finger, completely oblivious to the fact that his shirt sleeve is getting wet. “We searched all over campus, the music building—even the forest.”

A lump forms in my throat. “You looked for me?”

“Of course we looked for you,” Charles snaps.

“Everywhere,” Tate adds. His chest vibrates against mine. “We only came back here when we ran out of places to search.”

“I’m sorry, Tate,” I whisper. I can hear the hurt in his voice and it makes my chest ache.

“It’s okay, Roo Roo,” Tate says the words quickly, but I don’t think he means them. There’s a tension in him, like there’s more he wishes to say. When he doesn’t speak, I wrap my arms around his waist and hug him close. Tate relaxes against me and plants a soft kiss on my wet hair.

“I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist us.” JJ chuckles and my cheeks heat.

“I-I fixed the song!” I blurt out, my blush intensifying.

“Forget about the song…” Tate’s breathing grows heavy. He slides his muscular leg between mine and wetness pools between my thighs.

I start to arch my back but Charles grabs my hips with huge hands and holds me still. “The audition’s a lost cause anyway,” he breathes against my ear.

“We haven’t been able to sing together all year,” JJ adds, sounding deceptively casual. I glance at him and his eyes blaze.

He takes my hand and presses my palm against his chest, holding it there. I tremble.

This time, not one of the guys thinks it’s from the cold. Tate groans. Charles growls. And it suddenly dawns on me that whatever’s going on between us right now, it’s not about getting me warmed up. Or maybe it is, in a whole other way.

What am I doing? It was one thing kissing Tate and Charles, and I shouldn’t have even done that. Not together that first night, or separately like I have every day since. I believe in fairy tales. In love at first sight. In happily ever afters with one prince—that perfect soulmate meant just for me. I’m not the type to have a college fling with multiple guys, and even if I were, my growing feelings for Prince Charming and the Beast make it a terrible idea.

I glance from Tate to Charles and then my eyes settle on JJ. How can I be attracted to all three of them? How can I even think of kissing them all? Of doing this, whatever this is?

The shower suddenly feels too small and I feel trapped. There are muscular arms and chests everywhere and my breathing grows heavy as I’m filled with an urge to run.

Almost immediately, Charles takes a step back, giving me space. It’s almost like he can read my mind, and the others can, too. JJ lets go of my hand and gives Tate a pointed look. With a nod, my Prince Charming steps back and gently cups my cheek. “Are you alright, Roonie?”

A little dazed, I nod.

“Are you warmer now?” Charles asks, his voice rumbling behind me.

“Yes. Thank you.” I blush as I look at the guys.

“Here, let me help you out.” JJ extends a hand. He reminds me of a gallant prince, which naturally leads to thoughts of singing, and…their song!

“I figured out how to fix your song!”

“Roonie…” JJ voice is laced with regret. “The three of us talked about it,” I notice that he doesn’t say four, which means they didn’t consult Silas, “and we’ve decided that the audition’s a lost cause.”

“Wait, what? You can’t just give up!”

“We’re not giving up, Roo Roo. Even if you can get us through to the next round, we’ll just end up looking like idiots.”