Fractured (Dividing Line #4) Read Free Page A

look. She was ashamed of herself when she experienced a huge surge of lust at the sight of Ryan in his black suit with a steel grey shirt and tie. Every day the man seemed to get sexier. Leah didn’t have any black clothes so they’d gone shopping and she’d picked black leggings and a long jumper. Unlike Rachel she was a bit of a tomboy who was more comfortable in trousers. She nestled into her mum’s arms in the back of the rented Audi while Ryan drove, Rachel’s apprehension growing with each passing mile.
    When they pulled up outside Martina’s house Rachel’s eyes filled with tears. She half-expected her to come bustling out to greet them with one of her bone-crushing hugs and it was a wrench when she didn’t. However Mikey made an appearance as they got out of the car and he pulled Rachel into his big chest. She wrapped her arms around him and held on tightly. He still possessed the same soothing effect he’d always had on her.
    “Missed ya Rach,” he said.
    “I’ve missed you too, so much.” She looked up at him and patted his face, the little brother she’d never had, although calling him little was a bit of a stretch because he towered over her, his shoulders enormous. He was as handsome as ever but his skin was marred with bruises. “What happened to your ear?” she frowned, which was swollen and red.
    “Boxing match four nights ago. I lost.”
    “You lost? That’s got to be a first.” He was famous for his unblemished record and was renowned for being unbeatable.
    “It’s since Josh was born. I keep thinking about what would happen to him if I got injured in the ring. A fighter got a bad head injury a few weeks ago and he’s been left brain-damaged. Where would the little fella and Amber be if that happened to me?”
    “I don’t think that attitude is a bad thing Mikey. Are you giving up the boxing?”
    “I might have to, I don’t want to ruin my reputation. I think I’ll retire gracefully while I’m ahead of the game.”
    “I must say I’m relieved. Are Josh and Amber here?”
    “Yeah, they’re both inside.”
    Rachel had made the journey up from Devon when he’d been born so she could see him, sneaking into the hospital after Alex left so they wouldn’t bump into each other and she hadn’t seen him since. He was seven months old now.
    “Is it still going well with Amber?”
    He gave her an adorable grin. “Very. You won’t believe this but I’ve not looked at another woman since.”
    “You’re right, I don’t believe it.”
    “Well, okay, I’ve looked, but I’ve never had the urge to touch.”
    She kissed his cheek. “I’m so proud of you.”
    He squeezed her hand then he greeted Ryan. She was relieved when he seemed perfectly friendly to her husband but then again, Mikey had always understood their reasons for moving away. Alfie and Archie - Alex and Beth’s boys - came charging out of the house and hurled themselves at her, they’d always adored their godmother and she them. Leah cheered up slightly when she saw her old playmates and she threw her arms around a surprised Alfie’s neck.
    “Beth,” smiled Rachel.
    She came out of Martina’s house clutching Holly to her, her youngest child who was now a year old, a beautiful little girl with blond bunches. The child looked up at Rachel uncertainly.
    “You don’t remember me do you baby girl?” said Rachel.
    Holly blinked up at her with huge blue eyes, like Martina’s eyes, Danny’s eyes. Rachel hugged Beth and was shocked. Her friend had always been curvy but now she felt positively thin.
    “You’ve lost loads of weight,” said Rachel quietly.
    “I’ve been on a diet,” she replied, trying to make her voice light and failing.
    “Why? You had a fantastic figure.”
    “I was putting on weight being stuck at home all day.”
    There was something strained about her smile and breezy replies. Her voice sounded hollow and false.
    “What’s up Beth? Is it Alex?”
    “No, everything’s fine. Come on in,