Page 84 of Fractured Memories

Then, his lips quirk as he lifts his head. Relief trickles through me when I see nothing but amusement on his face. “You got me this time, Eden.” A full smile spreads across his face. “But the next round is all mine.”

* * *

“You need any?” Kieran asks, glancing over his shoulder at me.

I shake my head from where I’m sitting on the counter. There’s a small kitchen in the central building, and Ash kicked everyone out for us.

Jude sits to my right on a stool, accepting the ice that Kieran just bagged him. He places it on his shoulder, looking more amused than annoyed about the strain I put on the joint. In fact, I haven’t seen him this relaxed without Mika on his lap.

“You look satisfied with yourself.”

I shrug, even though I am. It felt good to be on the mat, even if I really want to get a bit more bloody. Just like Kieran said, it made me feel more like myself, and even if I had lost, I’d be just as excited. I enjoy the violence, the quick pace of the fight, and I want more.

But both Kieran and Jude insisted I ease back into it. So, I have to wait until tomorrow for our rematch.

Leaning back on my hands, I give him a grin. “I think I deserve to be.”

Jude scoffs, but he’s smirking. “I’ll let you gloat for one day.”

“Does that mean you think you’re winning tomorrow?”

“I know I am.”

Before I can taunt him, the door swings open, and Ash pokes her head in. Her hazel eyes spot me first, winking at me, before moving on to Kieran. “Rohan wants to see you.”

Kieran quirks that scarred brow, leaning back on the counter opposite me. “Tell him where I am.”

“He wants you to come to the office.”

He grumbles as he straightens, but as he reaches to help me down from the counter, I shake my head. “We’ll wait here. Finish icing Jude’s shoulder.” Kieran’s brows furrow, and I know he’s about to argue. Sliding my hand behind his head, I tilt him closer. “If I’m not there, you’ll finish up faster, and then we can go home.” I nip at his bottom lip. “Now hurry.”

That earns me a grin before he kisses me. It starts out long and slow, but then my fingers slide into his hair, and his hands grip my waist, dragging me to the edge of the counter.

“Kieran,” Jude barks from behind me, and I jerk back, remembering where we are.

Kieran doesn't look the least bit bothered, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he slides his palms down my thighs. “I won’t be long.”

He pulls away, leaving with Ash, and I turn around, crossing my legs underneath me as I face Jude. His lips are pulled up at the side, and even though he acts as if Kieran is a pain in his ass, I know that he doesn’t get as irritated as he pretends.

“How does that feel?” I nod at his shoulder.

“I’ve been through much worse.” It’s exactly the answer I expected. I have no doubt it’ll be sore, but he’ll push through.

The ice isn’t the real reason I wanted to stay behind, though. I needed a moment alone with Jude. Now that I have it, I’m struggling to find the words I know need to be said.

Despite the conversations I’ve had with Kieran and Mika lately, it hasn’t gotten easier for me to open up, but I see what Mika was talking about. It’s clear that Jude and I used to have a much stronger relationship, and now, he won’t even really look at me.

“Mika told me what happened that day. When I went missing.” He stiffens, his expression immediately icing over. “I want you to know that I’d never blame you, Jude.”

His jaw works, the dark scruff doing nothing to hide it. “It was my job to protect you. It’s always been my job, especially in the city.”

“You act like you dumped me on the street and left me to fend for myself.”

“I chose to take you to the cages when we should have waited.” He stands, moving around the counter to dispose of the ice. The muscles in his back have gone completely rigid, and he won’t even face me. “I am to blame.”

“Jude.” I jump off the counter. “We were ambushed. There was nothing you could have done.”

He spins around, nostrils flaring. “I could have waited. If Kieran was there⁠—”