Keeping Hope (Broken Girl Series) by Rachael Tonks Page A

why I hadn’t told her about the accident and Abbey. I wrap my arm around Ken’s slumped shoulders as the tears run frantically down her face. Her sobs are heart breaking, shattering me.
    “No!” she yells. “I don’t want you to touch me right now.”
    My head drops, resting on my arm.
    “Please don’t be angry at me, baby. I was going to tell you when the time was right. As soon as we got home.”
    “Home?” she gasps “What? So I wouldn’t be able to visit her while I’m here?” I shout, my voice quivering as the emotion takes over. My hands shake uncontrollably. “I can’t believe you kept this from me. She could die, Cole. She’s my best friend, dammit!”
    “I know that. I’m sorry. I should have told you. Fuck, I didn’t know what to do.”
    “Damn right you should’ve.” She stands up, rushing over to the door.
    “Stop, Ken. Where the hell are you going?” I shout after her.
    “I’ve got to get to her. I need to see her, Cole. I need to know she’s okay.” The words rush out, her voice panicky. It makes me sick knowing I did this to her.
    Kennedy tries the handle of the door, pulling down on it repeatedly, but the door won’t budge. She starts to kick the wooden barrier in frustration, letting out a shriek as she slumps back against the wall, sliding down, and collapsing on the floor.
    “I can’t lose her, Cole. This is all my fault,” she wails, heaving with every breath she takes.
    “This isn’t your fault. Don’t say that,” I grate out. “The only people to blame here are those fuckers who ran us off the road.” I kneel beside her, resting my hand on her knee.
    “Don’t,” she yells, knocking my hand away from her leg.
    I feel my heart thumping in my chest, unsure of how to comfort her. I stay there silently looking at her, hoping she’ll talk to me. She slowly lifts her head, darting a look at me before dropping her head.
    “Please, just open the damn door, Cole. I can’t stand to be in this room with you for a moment longer.”
    I do the only thing I can. I stand on unsteady legs, unlock the door, and walk away.
     

 
     
     
    Kennedy
     
    I rush down the hall, banging on the doors. I’m frantically trying to locate someone, anyone who can take me to the hospital to see Abbey. I’m angry and scared. The two emotions raw and driving me insane. I have to see her. What if she dies before I get a chance to say goodbye?
    I growl in frustration that no one answers. I storm down the hallway, knowing they must still be downstairs in the dining area. I rush with my head down, knocking into a muscular figure, setting me off balance.
    “Shit, I’m sorry, Ken.”
    The hum of his familiar voice causes me to look at him, dead in the eye. I lift my head slowly, realizing his eyes have not left my face. He moves closer, so close. I feel his warm breath on my skin.
    “Kennedy, look at me.”
    “I can’t,” I cry out.
    I feel the warmth of my tears as they stream down my face.
    “Tell me what I can do to help you.” One hand grazes my side as the other wipes away my stray tears.
    “I can’t believe he didn’t tell me. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!”
    “It’s not my place to be stepping on any toes, Ken. I guess the timing wasn’t right for him.”
    “I need to see her,” I sob, my breathing all over the place. I inhale sharply, taking in Pete’s sweet scent.
    “Well, then let’s go. I have money. Let’s call a cab.”
    I lock eyes with him, wondering whether this is just another one of his lame jokes. I step back, taking his hand in mine, still looking directly into his light brown eyes. They have flecks of gold and appear to have a fire burning within them.
    I stand there mesmerized by him. “You would do that for me?” I ask, my heart pounding and my face flushing.
    “Of course I would, Ken. Let’s go call a cab.” He pulls on my hand, taking me in the direction of his motel room.
    He pulls out his key and fiddles with the door handle. He holds